|
|
|
Malawi
Edwin & Lina Crookshank
P.O. Box 595
Lilongwe, Malawi, Africa
Phone: 011 (265) 1 759 159
edcrookshank@hotmail.com |
Crookshank Mission Fund, Malawi, Africa
c/o Crieve Hall Church of Christ
4806 Trousdale Drive
Nashville, TN 37220 |
LINA'S LINES
February 1st, 2004
After the 10 hour flight from London we awoke to find
ourselves at the Jomo Kenyata airport in Niarobi, Kenya. The flight over
was uneventful. Ongoing passengers to Lilongwe, Malawi were not allowed to
disembark but we were just glad to be able to walk around the aircraft and
stretch our limbs. We were in the airport just long enough to refuel,
change crew and pick different passengers. Finally we were on the last
stretch of our journey. We landed safely in Lilongwe in record time. Our
anxiousness to get off the plane was short lived. With bags in hand and
everyone standing waiting for the doors to open we were informed that the
president, Bakili Muluzi, was on board. This meant that we had to wait for
him and his cabinet to disembark first. What a grand welcome awaited them.
Very impressive! After the national anthem was played and the red carpet
rolled up we were given the ok to step off the plane.
It felt like a heat wave when we stepped off the plane. Hot and humid.
What a contrast from that zero below weather we had left in Chicago. Going
through immigration is always an ordeal. It is always a relief to get that
over with. As always there is major congestion at the luggage area. We
were thrilled to see that all of our luggage made it here safely. The next
post is the customs counter. We talked our way through this one. The
customs officer wanted to charge us for the folding machine till we pointed
out to him that the law reads we are allowed to bring anything in customs
free in the first year. He did not argue that one and ushered us through.
Whew, What a relief! The next problem was finding a taxi big enough to hold
all our luggage. We settled for 2 taxis. Ed traveled in one and I in the
other. You might know about 3 miles away from home the taxi I was in ran out
of gas. The driver tried to signal the taxi ahead of us that we were
stalling but his friend never got the hint. We sat along the roadside
thinking that Ed will get home and see that I was not right behind him and
soon come looking. That didn't happen either. The taxi driver finally got
his gas can and hitch hiked to the gas station which was right around the
bend while I sat and guarded the car. He was back in no time as he was
lucky enough get a ride quickly both times.
How nice to be finally home. The men we had left to look after the place
had done a great job and we are deeply appreciative to them. Apart from
everything else being in order we were soon informed that the water had been
cut off 2 days prior to our arrival. The reason being there was not
sufficient funds to cover the bill. Luckily it had just rained and we were
able to use the rain water for washing up. We had bottled water in the
refrigerator and that took care of our thirst. When nightfall came, jet lag
soon hit us and we retired for the night.
February 2nd: It was strange to imagine that only 36 hours ago we were
continents away. We miss family and friends very much but we are glad to
get back into the work. This morning we had lots of errands to run. Bills
to take of was on the priority list so that we could have the water turned
back on. Grocery shopping was depressing as the shelves looked so bare and
I had to go to three different stores to get what I wanted. A good part of
the day was spent unpacking.
The water was finally turned on at 4 pm and then I had to make a phone call
to remind them we are still without water. It is back to boiling our
drinking water. I did enjoy the last 2 months in Nashville, not having to
worry about the water from the faucet.
This evening I went through some 33 boxes of children's clothes from
Arkansas, sorting them out in sizes and gender. It went quickly because
someone had done a wonderful job in packing according to size and items. I
can hardly wait to give these lovely clothes to the needy children.
Ed has had a cough for a while now and seems to be having a difficult time
throwing it off. By the time I went to bed I noticed that I was coming down
with something. I chilled all night.
February 3rd: I awoke this morning not feeling well at all. It felt like
I was coming down with a bad chest cold and cough. I couldn't afford to be
sick at this time, too much to do. We had to have the alarm system looked
into as there was a fault somewhere. By the end of the day I had given out
clothes to 3 needy families.
Ed's coughing was getting worse and he started feeling bad. He thought he
was getting a gout attack. I started him back on the Prednisone right away
and he took a dose of cherry juice that we had brought with us. His thyroid
also began to act up. He was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism last December and
is on medication for that. I am afraid he is going to have to increase his
dose for things to level off. Here we were, a couple of sickies trying to
take care of one another.
February 4th: I felt better this morning and was sure glad because Ed was
not. He looked awful and felt bad. His gout was back, his thyroid was
acting up and he coughed his head off. He spent most of his day sick in the
recliner. He hated that as there was so much to do. I just kept him
doctored up the best I knew and made him comfortable.
Some women brought a 13 year old boy to the house stating that he had no
place to lay his head nor food to eat. We found out that his home village
is 100km west of here, near Salima. I went to the store and got him some
food and was able to give him some clothes from the supply we got in from
Arkansas. I was glad I had those to share. He has lost both parents, lives
with his grandmother and came to the city in search of his big brother.
Unable to find his brother he literally lived from hand to mouth, taking a
bath in the water drains just roaming the streets. We told him to come back
the next day and we would see that he got back home to his grandmother with
Isaac to accompany him. He took leave feeling and looking happier.
February 5th: Isaac came in to see us from Salima. Ed was able to be up
today and so we made a quick hospital visit to see Tryson, Isaac's brother.
He had a Hernia repair yesterday. He was doing very well despite the
conditions. He was in a private room, very Malawian style.
February 6th: A young preacher, Jacob Phiri from Mozambique, dropped in
this morning to complete plans for the meeting to be held in April in his
home village. He struggles some with the English language so it was
fortunate that Isaac was around to help translate.
Sure enough Ben was determined to go home. He showed up all nice and clean
with the biggest grin on his face. Isaac, with his kind nature was more
than willing to see him to his door step in the village. When Isaac called
tonight he mentioned that little Ben, he believed smiled from ear to ear all
the way home and there was no one happier to see him than his poor
grandmother, whom he promised he would never leave again. With the
collaboration of everyone we were happy to reunite this family together
again.
I had company coming for supper and be my luck, I could not find the
groceries I went looking for. There was no chicken in town, no eggs and
bacon. Despite this I managed to put together lots of food to feed Susie,
Dick and the gang helping out at Blessing Hospital. We were 8 altogether
and I think the evening was enjoyed by all, even Ed. He still has bad
coughing spells.
February 7th: The African snails will not leave the vegetable garden
alone. I went in search of medicine to eradicate them out of the garden.
My search was in vain. I settled for rock salt and sprinkled that all over
where they were thick.
February 8th: We worshipped with the Falls Estate Church. Ed was asked
to speak but declined. He wasn't feeling well enough and his coughing was
almost nonstop. The crowd was small due to a funeral going on in the next
township. One of the members that worshipped here had died on Friday. We
are having a difficult time teaching the people not to forsake services for
a funeral. Let the dead bury the dead. We hope some day we will succeed.
We stopped in at the hospital to visit Tryson but found that he had been
discharged earlier in the day.
February 11th: Ed thought he was feeling pretty good when the gout
decided to attack again. I started him on the Prednisone again. His cough
lingers on and just wears him out.
Precious Pimbe, a faithful sister in Christ, dropped in to visit this
morning.
I went out to see Susie at Blessings and collect what medicine I could to
help with Ed's ailments. I managed to get something to help the cough and
some antibiotics.
February 12th: We thought only Lazarus was coming to visit today and that
is all we were prepared for. We had no idea he was bringing half the
village. There were several preachers from different villages that wanted
us to hold the leadership seminars in their village. None of these men
speak English to amount to much. Their interpreter, Moses Banda, had not
shown up. We managed to get one of the cooks next door who is a member of
the church to do the translating. By the time Moses came we were pretty
much through with making plans. It was now lunch time so I had Patrick make
nsima (cornmeal mush) with corned beef and cabbage. We just had enough to
go around. They never left the house till 3:30 pm. We had a 6 hour session
with them and I think everyone left satified with the upcoming plans.
February 13th: Moses Banda, a young preacher brought his fiancée, Ida to
meet us. They ate supper with us. They are planning a July wedding and
have asked me if I could help with that. I gladly agreed. Ida is a nurse
working in the Government hospital. She seems like a real sweet girl.
February 15: The drive out to the Chipungu church was not very far out
of town. We arrived in plenty of time only to find no one at the building.
They had buried the preacher on Friday and they were still morning his
death. I do believe they had no intention of conducting services till we
showed up. In fact the building was filthy from people eating and sleeping
in it for the last few days. Mrs. Gondwe and I asked for brooms and we
swept the place clean. With this done the members saw we were serious about
meeting on the Lord's day, funeral or no funeral. Few members came to the
service. I think the count was 29 in all. The rest were all next door
condoling the widow and her family. Ed still not up to preaching gave the
opportunity to brother Gondwe. He did an excellent job of teaching them the
importance of meeting on the Lord's day. After services we all went next
door to pay our condolences to the family. Here Ed spoke a few words. It
is going to be a long time coming before we ever see the change where they
will put the Lord first.
February 16th: It is a good thing Ed was feeling better this morning as
he had lots to do. His morning was taken up with a meeting with a Christian
from Tanzania who is interested in being a Bible correspondence teacher with
Truth for the World. Ed gave him all the necessary information that he
needed to contact TFTW. Before departing for Dar es Salam he invited Ed to
come and hold a seminar on the leadership of the church in his area.
February 17th: Isaac came in from Salima today and told us in detail
about the little boy Ben whom he escorted to the village to be reunited with
his grandmother. Isaac seemed pleased to have been able to help out in this
case.
February 18th: We had our 2nd Chichewa class with Isaac this morning.
With enough practice we should be learning something.
February 19th: Poor Ed woke up not feeling good at all. His cough was
back again, his kidneys, back hurt and with the least bit of exertion he was
out of breath sweating. After attempting to work in the office a couple of
times he gave up and came to the house and went to bed. He doesn't have
much of an appetite at the moment either.
This evening I sent an e-mail to our daughter to contact his doctor for
advise. In the meantime I decided he stay in bed. He burned up with a fever
all night and had an upset stomach. I started him on a course of
antibiotics again.
February 21st: We still had not got word from Ed's doctor so we decided
to follow up a couple private clinics in town. The first place we stopped
at the office was closed. The other clinic we could not find. I am doing
the best I know of taking care of him.
February 22nd: I could not talk Ed out of going out to the village this
morning. He was determined not to let these people down. They were
expecting us and he was going. Of course there was no way of notifying them
if there was a change of plans. He was weak and tired so I took over the
steering wheel and Ed lay in the back seat. We picked up Moses Banda and
headed for Malingunde area. The actual village we went to was Phalazi.
After an hour of driving through the rural area we found the brethren
waiting for us, very excited.
Ed coughed some but managed to get through with his sermon but was
extremely worn out. The congregation is small but their little building was
packed. Lots of little children came and they sat through the 2 hour
services ever so good. I will admit the kids in the village are much better
behaved than the ones in town.
After services I gave out many clothes to the children around. Word soon
got out and adults that never were at the church service started to show up.
Too late, the clothes were all gone and I had only intended for them to be
for the children who were at church. Those were priority. It made me happy
to think that these kids will now have a change of clothing. Thanks again
David to you and your helpers. During this time Ed lay in the back seat of
the pick-up resting.
The preacher invited us to his house for lunch. Several of the men from the
congregation were there. While lunch was cooking they asked Ed questions
regarding a divorce and remarriage issue they are dealing with in their
congregation. Actually the man involved wanted to hear what Ed had to say
about his problem. He left very heavy hearted because Ed gave him the same
answer that the brethren had given him and according to the scriptures. We
all hope and pray he will now make the right decision.
While we all ate lunch Ed lay in the back seat of the pickup. We deeply
appreciate the hospitality of these people. They have so little but are
always willing to share with us. Sometimes I feel guilty with all the fine
things I have. We never left the place though without the preacher begging
for school fees and building material for a church building. On the way
home we visited another preacher, Timothy and his wife and dropped off a box
of tracks for the church in his village.
We took Moses home and after 3:30 pm we were finally heading home. Not too
far from our house we picked brother Gondwe up along the road. He was on
his way to visit Ed. He never believed that he had ventured out feeling so
bad. Brother Gondwe had been out preaching in a village not to far from
where we live. Once at the house I fixed him and Ed something to eat. Ed
admitted he was never so glad to see his lazy boy chair.
An hour lapsed and several men from the Falls Estate congregation came to
check on Ed. They stayed a while and visited over a cup of tea then we had
a short devotional that brother Banda conducted.
Ed volunteered me to take some of the people home but they all wanted to go
and check on another sick man not too far from where we lived. When we
arrived there we were informed that he had just passed away some 30 minutes
prior to our arrival. He was an old time preacher and was 90 years old.
All the brethren decided to stay with the family except one. I took him
home clear across town. It was good and dark by the time I got home only to
be informed to take a group of people from area 3 congregation to the
deceased man's house. It took a couple of hours before they all congregated
at our house. This was after 8 pm when I proceeded to transport 7 men and
one lady over to the Chilambula house. I thought we had everyone but found
out that there were 2 more people to pick up. That took another hour. When
we got to the house there was a lot of discussion of what to do before they
would let me leave. I finally took leave and got home after 11 pm. I think
I broke curfew this night. I have never been out on the Lilongwe roads past
8 pm since we have been here. I found that Ed had settled in for the night
alright. It was a big day for him.
February 23rd: I went to check on the little girl that lives in the back
after making Ed comfortable and seeing that he had taken all his medication.
I ended up dressing a bad wound that little Manus had got from getting
her foot caught in the spokes of her father's bike. They were on their way
home from church when this happened. I had to do a lot of cleaning. You
will never believe what her father had rubbed on the wound. He had crushed
a Tylenol capsule that I had given him a few days ago and pasted it on her
ankle. Oh my! Did she cry. She soon quietened down when I gave her a
lollipop.
When I was finished with her I took Ed to a Dr. Huber, he was baffled as
to what was going on. He did give us some medicine for a cough and we just
decided to return in 3 weeks to have a thyroid level drawn. Hopefully he
will reach a therapeutic level one of these days. In the meantime he would
just have to take it easy and do what he can do when he feels good.
February 24th: Little Manus was glad to see me come with a thermos of
tea, bread and butter. That didn't last long because the minute I started
to take the old dressing off her wound the yelling began. I hate to hear
her cry so much but it is necessary.
Ed continues to have his ups and downs. When he feels up to it he goes to
the office and does what he can.
February 25th: I made a trip to the local pharmacy close to our house to
see if I could buy some Normal Saline or Sterile water. I should have known
better. The poor girl who waited on me didn't even know what I was talking
about. That's Malawi. I must report that Manus's wound is healing well. I
really have to stress cleanliness with the mother. To help out I provided
her with socks to keep the bandaged wound covered.
February 29th: We worshipped with the congregation in a shanty township,
Mziliza. We parked the pick up in the yard of the area Counselman, who is a
member of the church. They assured us that it would be safe. To get to the
church building we had to walk a ways in between houses. They have a quaint
little building but it serves its purpose. They could do a whole lot more
in reaching people in the area. It is a densely populated place. There is
wall to wall make shift houses everywhere you look. Where there is an empty
lot maize grows.
Ed preached and that is all he could take. We were invited to go to an
elder's house but he couldn't take anymore being up. It was time to go home
and rest. The brethren were very understanding.
The shortest month of the year has seemed like the longest with Ed's
illness. With time and lots of prayer he should be doing a whole lot better
and be his normal self again. We solicit your prayers for Ed and the work in
Malawi.
In Christian love,
Lina
|
|
|
 |
