Hands

Delayed Malawi Blog


I originally wrote this blog in Malawi about half way into the trip. But, as we all learned, things don’t always work in Africa the way we plan. I could not get the internet to cooperate when I needed it. So, I’m starting over and hope for a good memory…

This is my third trip to Malawi and I feel comfortable and surprisingly at home. So many things are familiar. The landscape, the smiles, the tempo, the bumpy road to Mindanti. Because much of the newness that first-timers see and feel is not as present for me, I am able to more easily relax into the relationships and connections.


Each day we have spiritual reflection and Jon Eden gives us something to focus on when we meet in the morning. We have the day to ponder and observe. I’ve decided to focus on our subject of “hands”. We were asked first to consider the differences and similarities of how our hands looked compared to those of the people of Malawi and see where that would lead us. Some hands were black and some white. Some rough, some soft, some tiny and fragile looking. It was what the hands did and represented that came into focus and got my attention.

In the van one day, we tied together strands of yarn as gifts so that the children could make bracelets from them – giving hands. For the children who got them – receiving hands. People waving at us as we drove by in the van, and being greeted with that particularly African two-part handshake – welcoming hands. Working side by side on the clinic – plastering and painting – working hands. A seasoned and experienced hand takes mine and throws the mud plaster to the wall in one motion - helping hands. All of us applauding when some piece of work was completed – celebrating hands. Eating lunch prepared by the women of the village – again giving and receiving hands. The people of Mindanti washed our hands before lunch with water from a pitcher – sacramental hands, theirs and ours. The children painted pictures with brushes and fingers – creating hands. Juan drawing faces in the dirt and learning the names for "nose" and "eyebrow" - hands that help learn and teach and bring laughter and joy. Turning the jumprope – playing hands. Acknowledging the workmen at the end of our stay - thanking hands. All of us clapping as the children sang hymns in the church –praising hands. I could go on.

All these acts are in their own way creational.

What a gift God has given us in hands.

Madeline