A-zoon-goo

Village Church
Originally uploaded by yo_paully.

We've learned a few words in the native chichewa since we have been in Malawi. Here is a quick language lesson. The most common word is "Azangu" (sounds like A-zoon-goo). This means white people, it is not a derogatory term, but we hear it everywhere we go... As we drive through a village, kids come running yelling azangu - azangu - azangu while they wave and chase the truck! Some other words that we've learned are "Moni", this means hi, "Zikommo", this means Thank You, "Molie Bwanja" means see you tomorrow, "Buss" means enough, "Bwana" means Boss.

This morning we split up into two groups. Some of us attended a church in the city (Lilongwe) and some of us attended a church service in a village. Each were different, but great experiences.

Village (Dale, Bob, Rivcah, Ann, Dana, Paul)
We arrived at the church at about 10:00 am to a full church of about 90 people singing and clapping. The songs they sang were in chichewa, but their voices were amazing! No amplifiers, no microphones, only one drum and whole lot of emotion. Ann did the sermon, with an interpreter, which was a great experience. The church building was pretty simple, it was a (Malawian) brick structure with a tin roof, clay floor and wooden pews. The Sunday School took place in a room that is about the size of an average closet, The kids were packed in and were content and totally attentive. Amidst all the poverty and challenges in these villages, there is something that shines through, something in the people.

City (Tova, Pat, Julia)
LPC (Lilongwe Pentecostal Church) was interesting to be in because it was the complete opposite of the village church. Everyone at this church was a lot better off. The music was wonderful they had voices like angles. The songs were sang mostly in english which was nice because then we could understand. When we stepped into the church we felt like we fit in and that everyone welcomed us. It also was interesting because Tova was able to be baptized in the church today. That was a different experience but was similar to what we do in Canada.

We all met up for lunch and compared our experiences. It was another day of learning about and experiencing Africa. Molie Bwanja.