外祖母 Fish is a junior exercise 科学 and pre-occupational therapy major who is currently serving in Makwasa, 马拉维, 离最近的城市大约一个半小时车程的农村地区, 布兰太尔. 她在马拉穆洛基督复临国际学校(MAIS)任教。, 一个小, two-room primary school with nine students spanning multiple languages, 民族, 文化, 等级等级. The first half of mornings are spent leading song service at worship and teaching core classes (English, 阅读, 数学, 和拼写)到K-2年级. 上午的后半段时间, 在下午的会议上, 她和凯尔比, 她的传教士同学, 教《澳门真人赌场官网》, 科学, 历史, 音乐, 体育课, 和艺术给所有的学生.
外祖母 and Kelby share a few highlights from the school year so far: birthday celebrations, 服装的一天, 饼干装饰, 圣诞诞生计划, 有趣的工艺品, 很多人夺旗, 和足球俱乐部. They both love getting to know the kids and spending time with them. 玛德琳最近分享了她到目前为止的最新服务时间.
Time has been flying here in 马拉维—the end of January marks five months since I boarded a plane to Africa and embarked on the adventure of a lifetime. 很难相信我在这里的时间已经过去了一半多. 以下是我的一些冒险经历的简要更新, 经历, 以及过去五个月的挑战.
澳门真人官网赌场在马拉维的头几个月非常热, 但在12月，澳门真人官网赌场进入了雨季. The rainy season is very humid, featuring cloudbursts and impressive thunderstorms. Attempting to teach during a power outage with rain pounding on the tin roof, 雷声蓬勃发展, and nine children bouncing off the walls has proved to be just one of the many unique challenges teaching at MAIS provides.
While teaching has its challenges, there have also been an overwhelming number of rewarding moments. It has been so exciting to see progress as my 马拉维an first grade students learn how to read. 他们也对他们最新的英语项目感到非常兴奋, 书写和描绘他们自己的故事. We recently welcomed a new kindergarten student from Zimbabwe to our classroom, and it has been so fun to see her excitement and enthusiasm for learning. 我的学生每天都让我开怀大笑. 我喜欢他们灿烂的笑容和调皮的滑稽动作. They help me practice patience and compassion, and they fill my days with joy.
我在马拉维经历了无数的祝福. One of the biggest blessings is the community Kelby and I have discovered here. The long-term mission families stationed at Malamulo welcomed us with open arms, and ever since our arrival they’ve continued to open both their homes and hearts to us. 澳门真人官网赌场一起吃过许多难忘的家常便饭, 安息日的下午在附近的茶园散步, 一起玩游戏. 我很感激每个家庭. Kelby and I have also enjoyed getting involved with Children’s 部门 at the local church, 在初中和小学两班轮流担任教师.
马拉维 is known as the “Warm Heart of Africa,” and it’s easy to see why. The people of 马拉维 are incredibly kind, friendly, and welcoming. 建立新的联系是一种乐趣, and our 马拉维an friends are always eager to help us learn new phrases in Chichewa. A recent highlight was traveling to a nearby village a few weeks ago to cheer on our friends as they played in football and netball matches.
一个很大的祝福是有能力去旅行和探索. I am convinced 马拉维 is one of the most beautiful places on earth. 我喜欢近距离观察上帝的美丽生物:狮子, 大象, 河马, 长颈鹿, 斑马, 色彩斑斓的鸟, 以及其他各种生物. We enjoyed exploring Lake 马拉维 during our term break in October and spent time scuba diving, 皮划艇, 和热带慈鲷一起浮潜. Just recently we spent a long weekend hiking and adventuring in Zomba, 马拉维’s former capitol. Zomba Plateau is an incredible jungle-like hiking paradise with stunning views, 丰富的历史, 瀑布, 还有很多鸟. 今年春天澳门真人官网赌场希望去爬珠穆朗玛峰. Mulanje, a towering 9,849 foot massif near 马拉维’s border with Mozambique.
Another blessing is the beauty of being outside of my comfort zone and experiencing growth as an individual. 自从去年八月来到这里，我学到了很多东西. There have been little areas of growth such as learning to barter for veggies at the market, 在水电不稳定的情况下生活, and becoming comfortable with the constant presence of incredibly large bugs and spiders. (I’ve learned mosquito nets help to keep out much more than just mosquitos!我已经习惯早上7点出汗了.m., 平衡教学需要多个年级的水平, 多吃豆类, 大米, 燕麦片比我想象的要多. I’ve learned having a sense of humor is both healthy and necessary for survival. Navigating bizarre occurrences with laughter and grace has proved to be the best way to deal with indoor bat encounters and worm infestations.
There are also bigger things I’m continually learning and wrestling with, like how to live and interact in a new cultural context; how to come to terms with the poverty I witness each day; how to teach in a multigrade, multicultural school; how to be present even when I’m exhausted; and, 最重要的是, 怎样把我的生命交在神的手中，信靠他的计划和旨意. One of my favorite quotes by missionary Jim Elliot says, “Wherever you are, be all there.” Or, as one of my missionary friends here in 马拉维 says, “Be where your shoes are.”
This concept of immersing oneself in the present has served as a key facet of personal growth during my time in 马拉维. 人们很容易陷入思念家的陷阱, 反思焦虑, 并逐渐脱离手头的经验. It’s a constant battle to remain present, whether in rural Africa or suburban America. My 经历 in 马拉维 have taught me there is so much value to be found when we are present in each moment. 我也意识到，单靠我一个人是完全不可能的. It is only when we prioritize daily communion with our creator and allow the Holy Spirit to guide our thoughts and actions that we can be present, 爱情好, 自由地生活. 当澳门真人官网赌场抛下忧虑, 恐惧, 和对他的焦虑, we find the strength to live a life of abundance—unabashed and empowered to serve those around us.
I am beyond thankful for your support and prayers throughout my time here. 我很感激你们继续为我和凯尔比祈祷, 澳门真人官网赌场的学生, 马拉穆洛任务, 以及马拉维人民.
从非洲温暖的心送去爱，
外祖母
公布2月. 15, 2024.
