SIM Malawi TEAM

Hi- currently I am staying with a SIM family to watch 3 kids while the parents are at a conference in Kenya! They are fun and I've had opportunities to cook. I've made BAGELS, pancakes & biscuits all from scratch...also I made curry chicken with naan bread last night and we had a few other friends over to join us! We are headed to church in a few hours but I thought I would update you on the SIM Malawi Team. Yesterday another American 2-year missionary went home. She has been saying her goodbyes for the last week or so but on Friday night we all went out to eat at an Italian restaurant in the city to celebrate her!!! It was hard to imagine her feelings as she was ending her term here and I'm just beginning 2 years! As I sat at the table of 16 or so...it was so apparent how God had orchestrated all of our lives to meet. The probability is high that we will never meet again with all of us like that here on earth. Sitting next to me was my roommate, Stephanie from Southern England, next was Steph from Northern Ireland, then an American, Malawian, German, New Zealander, a few Australia guys and a few more from the UK...and me. I realized that I'm adjusting to Malawian culture but also the culture of all those different missionary friends who have plenty of different terms for things and ways of doing things but we all have the same faith in God and love for these people we are serving. 

After seeing different people leave from the field and new people coming all the time- I think one of the hardest things will be the changing nature of the group. I already have some great friends who will be leaving around summertime. I know there is an instant connection and bond between all of us. I think I will be forced to be good at meaningful goodbyes and welcoming people who are struggling with just arriving.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my sister...ANDI!!!! And all my family who are in Kansas City right now!!! 

Talk soon,

SARAH:)

YL leader training weekend!!!

Hi- things are going well here! I just got back from a weekend trip with the YL Malawi leaders to Mulanje- the biggest mountain range here in Malawi. We camped at a golf course so we could be inside for meetings and food but outside for activities, etc. We left around 5:30pm on Friday and I wasn't really sure what I was getting into- I knew 2 of the guys and none of the other 10 people...but that didn't take long to overcome. We arrived, unloaded the truck...put up tents...eat some food and then started out meetings. By the next morning I knew everyone really well. We stayed up late playing cards, four-square, volleyball- whatever we could think-of...oh and dance parties and photo shoots!!! I was the only non-malawian and at first I stuck out but after a few hours- no one even noticed. YL is funny because it seems to be the same ALL AROUND THE WORLD...there are some differences here in Malawi as in the states but for the most part it's all the SAME...so it was fun to go over all the WHY'S of doing Young Life with the volunteer leaders from around the Blantyre area. They are so fun yet able to be real about issues that face the youth here in Malawi. We got back on Sunday after a nice little hike up the mountain and lunch at a great resort!!! It was a great to make some friends and have fellowship all weekend!!! Hope to go back to do more serious hiking at Mulanje soon!!!

love,

sarah:)

I'm HERE!!!

Hi friends,

Well I thought I would be using my website...haha! Please know that internet is way slower and way more unpredictable than you can imagine! So, this seems to be the best way to stay in communication AND to post photos! (In the meantime I will be working on the website- but not sure if will ever work.) Thanks for understanding!

Well I'm here and SO EXCITED! Saying goodbye was a lot harder than I thought. I know I would be sad and cry a little but- WOW I started the ugly cry early. The day before I left was emotional- I cried when Laura headed back to Kansas City, during lunch and dinner and pretty much the following 36 hours until I landed in South Africa. Needless to say it as hard to comprehend being gone for 2 years (Even if I do come home for a visit). I'm fully confident that this is God's will for my life right now. IF you have been around me at all for the last few years this had been a passion God had grown in me and I'm really excited about my time in Malawi. (however, it was still really hard to leave my family, friends and everything I know as NORMAL/American culture. Being really honest...I told a few people that I though leaving was the hardest day of my life so far. I know it seems trivial in a way because now I'm with people who have experienced daily suffering and pain but I felt like I was in the eye of a storm. I knew "it" was coming, I could see "it" fast approaching and I just wanted to be through "it". I was intentional about spending time with my family and saying goodbyes before I left BUT nothing could have prepared me for the feelings of getting on a flight with a ONE-WAY ticket!!! Even now a few days after landing in Malawi with some of those feelings still lingering. I'm through the storm of goodbyes and moving into joy and excitement about being here!  I'm adding a few pictures of the airport and my travel! 

Thanks for everyones prayers during such a BIG transition! Please continue to pray for the next few weeks (maybe months) of culture-shock! Even though I've been to East Africa 3 times before- its not quite the same feelings of investing 2 years of my life, time, energy, tears, joy, relationships, food and public transportation- haha!!!

Love, Sarah:)