Malawi's many faces

Reflections on the first days of mission in Africa

By Barbara Michie
October 2004

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from dry dusty hills
we drove by peaceful sandy lakeshores
through thatched villages
and modern city centres
sharing the roads with
cyclists and walkers
minibuses and heavy trucks
oxcarts and goats
I met old women still straight
under a lifetime of heavy burdens
curious laughing children
anxious students and fashionable teens
teachers and farmers
petty traders and computer whizzes
potters, carvers, hospitable religious
and nameless jostling crowds
You have shown me so many faces
Malawi
now I must get to know you

After completing Scarboro's lay mission preparation program, Barbara Michie is now in Malawi, teaching at a secondary school in the city of Rumphi.

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