Greetings from Africa. Malawi is a beautiful country. It is mainly a farming country. It is just a little larger in size than Iowa but has 6 times more people. Everywhere you drive you see people walking. They grow corn everywhere possible. They grind it and eat it at every meal.
We left my sisters house at ABC last Monday and headed out to the small villages south towards the Mozambique border. Ken and Russ have worked with folks here before. They work through Partners Worldwide, an organization formed out of CRWRC. We went out to encourage farmers, mostly women, in their farming practices, marketing, and saving food for the dry season.
This is Harrison. He is a Malawian who has a college education. He was a really big help the whole week. He drove us around and helped with our language barrier. He also has an inquisitive mind and is going to help design and build a vegetable and fruit dehydrator.
We visited the market. In the villages the farmers sell their goods. In the larger towns the buyers buy from the farmers and sell for a higher price. An example is when we visited Monsanto a 2kg bag of seed sold for $8. In the villages it sells for $14-$16. This is the rainy season so food is plentiful now at the markets.
The villagers plant bin run corn to save money and get poor yields. We encouraged hybrid seed, and also may have them plant a demonstration plot to show the advantages of good seed and fertilizer. The test plot will also feature wheat, a dry weather crop they currently are not using.
The villagers are very friendly. They very seldom see white people. You constantly here the word azumga which means white guys. The chiefs and adults made us feel very welcome.
The African kids are easy to love. They walk down the busy roads. They play with a cardboard ball. They work in the fields besides their parents. They help carry things on their heads.
The African Christians in Malawi live very close to their Lord. They love to sing. When they pray they talk to Papa Father. When you are around them you very much feel a kinship with them as Christian brothers and sisters.
Thanks for your prayers. We miss you all. We hope to be back in America late next Wednesday.
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