Michael and Lake Malawi

We found fuel on Friday afternoon and decided Michael should see the lake. Everyone who comes should see Lake Malawi, listed as one of the twelve most beautiful lakes in the world. We left early Sat morning and drove to Senga Bay without incident. We were able to visit the Masekos - Emma, Mebble (in from the US),Emmanuel, Wezzie, Alpha and, in the afternoon, Peter. We had tea at the Livingstonia hotel and then lunch with the Masekos - cassava, nsima, beans, rice, greens, and chicken. Thank you Wezzie and Mebble for cooking. The power was off in the morning, so not only was it a traditional meal, it was cooked in the traditional manner. Michael was happy to finally get real Malawian food. After lunch we again went to the lake, taking Mebble, Wezzie and Emmanuel. We parked at the market and walked through the Senga Bay market to the lake. At the lake the usual chores were going on - bathing, washing clothes, washing dishes. No fishing because the wind was up and the waves were high. We went back through the village area and Michael finally got to try Shake-Shake. This is a traditional beer made from maize flour and sugar, then fermented. I have heard that it is nasty! Michael bought some - it comes in a carton (like the old milk cartons). I have seen it in water bottles, etc. although I don't know if that was home-made or just poured from the cartons. He says he knew it was going to be bad when he realized the carton was not even cold. He had a few drinks from it but then gave up - yes, he said it is very nasty. On the way back to the Masekos, we found Emmanuel's family - wife Loveness, daughter Lindiwe and new baby, Peter. I was glad to see baby Peter and surprised at how much Lindiwe has grown! We found them all looking well. Back at the Masekos, Peter came in from the project and we got a short visit in with him as well. The drive back was again uneventful and we actually found fuel on the outskirts of town! Today (Sunday) Michael flies back home - his visit was much too short, but I hope he saw enough to make him want to return.

At dinner last night I received a call from Charles, the tailor - his daughter, Leal ("6 or 7 years old") has been ill since July 6th, and has been seen at multiple places with no relief. He brought her by today and I am not sure, either, but I suspect she has a partially treated pneumonia. I started her on medication and will see how she does in a couple of days. David, our guard, is still improving. Last week I saw the small son of one of the compound cooks - looks like our living room is doubling as a first aid station! I love it!

Thanksgiving / praise - riots /demonstrations have ended; we found fuel right when we needed it most (God is good like that!), the Maseko family and their friendship, travel safety and protection, our continued 'wellness', the chance to help others in their time of need.

Prayer - protection for Michael as he flies home and Katie and her Mom, Sue, as they arrive Monday, healing for David and Leal, repair for our geyser (as we have no hot water at the moment), repair for our car as it goes back in the shop Monday, continued improvement in Anatashia and Chikumbutso (in the ward) and continued travel safety for us.

Pictures:

Charles, the tailor, and his daughter, Leal

Joseph doing a malaria test on our guard, David.

Watson and wife, Ruth, and their little boy.

Maseko family - Loveness, Wezzie, little Lindiwe, baby Peter, Mebble and Emmanuel

Wezzie and baby Peter

Close up of Lindiwe

Loveness, Lindiwe, baby Peter and Emmanuel

Senga Bay market - clothes, potatoes, little girl staring at the azungus (white people)

Michael drinking shake-shake

Wezzie and Joseph in a dugout canoe on the lake shore

Michael in front of a boat on the lake shore

Wezzie, Emmanuel, Joseph, Michael and Mebble on the lake shore

3 village scenes

Michael walking up to the 'biggest baobob tree' in Malawi (near Salima)