More nsima please.... :)

After our bonding the night before, everyone was eager to see the children. There was much discussion about what to expect and what they were going to see. When we got to Mtendere, we first had tours of Blessings Hospital and the VitaMeal Plant. Blessings Hospital is a private hospital that has been closed for a few years. It just reopened two weeks ago. They are still in the rebuilding/reorganization phase, but it looked as though they are off to a great start. The nurse who gave us our tour told us that they had one patient in the hospital and the reason was because so many people still thought it was closed. They are working to get the word out that they are open and ready for business! Everyone was shocked at the lack of medicine and supplies that they had and how different it was from an American hospital. After the hospital, we went to the VitaMeal Plant. VitaMeal is ground up corn, soy, and vitamins that is mixed together and put into bags to distribute to surrounding villages and all over Malawi. We saw everything from start to finish and the state of the art equipment that was being used. We learned that one bag of VitaMeal is enough to feed a family for a month. To make the VitaMeal, they mix it with water and it becomes a porridge. The government consults the chiefs of the villages who then decide who will receive the VitaMeal. It is a wonderful program and the Malawians who work there are very proud.

Then we received a call that the children were ready, waiting, and eager to meet us. Instead of eating lunch as planned, we went straight down for our welcome ceremony. As we walked down the dusty path through the gates of Mtendere Village and came around the dusty bend, we heard the children's voices beginning to sing. One of the volunteers, in shock, said, "Oh my gosh... is that the kids?!" The children have such beautiful voices that sometimes it is hard to believe that they are standing in an orphanage in the middle of Africa. They had ten chairs set up in the front row that we were told to sit in. The head man (Gracian) asked Erin and I to sit on either side of him so he could take us as his wives. (Now before you all drop your jaws... Gracian is happily married with a family and constantly jokes about taking our Passports so we cannot leave.) We were introduced to security guards, teachers, house mothers, aunties, gardeners, cooks, and finally the children. Then the children performed traditional Malawian songs and dances. At one point, many of us were invited to dance along with the children. After more singing, another group of children came out and started to perform what we called a 'wooden dumbbell exercise." Two more of our volunteers (Patrick & Andrew) were asked to join in these exercises and tried to mimic the children. They were a little skeptical at first, but quickly loosened up and entertained all that were present. It will be hard to forget Patrick with his waving around in the air with his wooden dumbbells in the air dancing around in the circle! :) Andrew had an intense look on his face as he tried to copy the moves of the children with precision. In the end, the house mothers (and the rest of us) were all laughing hysterically and acknowledged their efforts with a Malawian scream.

Finally, we were set free to meet and greet the children. Basically what happens is they just turn the kids loose and they all come and surround us asking what our names are, how we are doing, and where we came from. The kids bounced from volunteer to volunteer introducing themselves and handing out handshakes and hugs. The children are very prideful when it comes to showing off their houses and where they stay. Soon many of us were hand in hand with children and they were escorting us to different parts of the village. While everyone was getting a tour of a house, I caught up with old friends. As I started to see some of the volunteers emerge from the houses, we gathered for a quick lunch because everyone was eager to get back with the kids. After lunch, we went and saw the garden which feeds the kids and also stepped into the kitchen and dining area. It was lunch time for the children and we got to see a very large pot of nsima (the traditional Malawian dish) simmering over the fire. I was watching the faces of the other volunteers as the nsima was being dished up and they were astounded at the large portions they were receiving! As we were leaving Susan said, "I have GOT to cook in there." She will get the opportunity to do that today. As we walked through the dining area, we walked out the door and walked over to the playground. Earlier, Erin and I turned the corner into the village and both looked at each other and said, "It's still there!!" It looks beautiful and is still as strong as the day we poured the cement. Soon the kids started gathering around and began sliding with us and playing tag. They also taught Chelsea and Katie how to play marbles. Patrick showed off his gymnastics skills by awing the crowd with numerous back flips on the dirt. Andrew joined in a game of volleyball. Jan sat with the younger kids and learned some songs. Susan sat with a few boys as they read to her, as they were eager to show off their English. Linda and Larry also enjoyed visiting with the children.

Erin and I wrote this blog together because after the welcome ceremony she left to go pay condolences to a friend's family who had tragically died last year. This adventure (as many do in Malawi) took longer than expected, Erin may add a a blog about this experience in a few days. She isn't sure she is ready to put into words what she experienced. Some of us were able to hear her talk about it and were shocked by what she went through.

As always, we are keeping all our family and friends in our thoughts and will be eager to share pictures and stories when we return!