Walking with the people

I am blessed to be able to share the journey for awhile with the people of Rumphi

By Barbara Michie
October 2005

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As I write this, I notice that in a few days I will have been in Malawi for one year. I remember how difficult it was in the beginning to keep names and faces straight, especially after being introduced to dozens of people at a time. There was so much to learn about people, places, school, customs, food...

The students with Barbara’s daughter Erin during her visit

Of course there is still plenty to learn (I am not quick at Chitumbuka, one of the languages spoken here) but there are so many familiar faces now. The little ones who ran in fear to their mothers when I first walked by, now like to exchange a smile, a greeting or a handshake, and call me “Babula”—their version of Barbara.

Little things that make me feel more like a neighbour than a foreigner are grace-filled moments. I was glad when one woman felt free to ask me to do some sewing for her during the holiday. Later, I had a good laugh with a grandma who speaks no English and appeared at my door smiling from ear to ear, folding the edge of a new cloth to show me she would like it hemmed.

Children and family are of the greatest importance here. I think people became more open to me when I was able to share one of my family, my eldest daughter Erin, with my students and neighbours during her brief visit in February. Later, another Scarboro missioner Mary Olenick and I were asked to help the Rosarian Sisters’ postulants with computers and English. The women and I practise English conversation as we trade stories about home and family, school days and daily events. In addition, one of the Sisters is helping me learn the local language.

Katherine, a neighbour of Scarboro missioners, Mary Olenick and Barbara Michie, spreads her pounded maize.

An upcoming project for us is to work with REAP (Rumphi Education and AIDS Awareness Project) using donations from our benefactors in Canada to obtain a supply of maize for people hardest hit by the recent drought. The REAP workers have a variety of assistance programs in the villages and are able to distribute the maize to the most needy. Together we hope to be able to make a difference during the looming food shortage.

Barbara’s Form One students at St. Patrick’s high school.

I noticed when I joined Scarboro Missions that many missioners used the expression “walking with the people.” These words have become more meaningful to me this year. When I leave the house in the morning and little Precious next door takes my hand and trots along a bit, it will remind me how blessed I am to be permitted to share the journey for a while with the people of Rumphi.

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