What a contrast....

Church in Malawi...

Church in Malawi - under a tree

Church in London - Westminster

Church in London - St. Pauls

House in Malawi...

House in London - Buckingham Palace

Bridge in Malawi....

London Bridge...

Oh so different!!!!

Safely arrived in the UK

....and I AM COLD!!!!!!

also can't afford to write anything more than that just now as the internet costs a fortune!!!

Last Week in Malawi

14th February, 2008

I sit just now on my verandah as the sun goes down on another fabulous warm Malawi evening. It’s the third night in a row without storm clouds which have been looming around every corner these past weeks in one of the wettest wet seasons for many many years. The stars are out tonight and im smiling at the amazing place that I am. I have enjoyed many moments such as this in the past 18 months. Smiling at where I am, what im seeing, experiencing and learning. Nothing beats moments when you breath in everything around you in amazement and just love life. I am nothing short of incredibly grateful, blessed and inspired. I’m reflecting on the farewell speeches made at work today when my friend Wesley declared coming to Malawi was “surely the best decision I have made in my life.” and I don’t think he’s far wrong. I’m not at all apologetic at my melancholic reflections this evening, as its far better than the teariness of the past few days. im incredibly emotion filled at present, but im quiet ok with that. I have given everything I had, and more, to my time in Malawi, so its only natural to be feeling a deep sense of loss.

Right now, my feet are dirty and aching from hours of dancing at the village fathers farewell this evening, and It will be biscuits for dinner and another bucket shower. In addition to the usual absence of hot water since late November, tonight there is no running cold water OR electricity. BUT…. I have chocolate (thankyou Laura!!!)

I have loads to update from the past 4-5 months, but I just don’t know where to start, and im sure the internet will not allow the uploading of what has become a thesis of updates waiting to be sent…. Besides, before long I can sit and chat for hours in person. What a bizarre concept.

As you will see, I have gone a little crazy on the photo collages and will soon be sending these out on email so you can see them better!

In just over a weeks time I will leave Malawi to spend a week in London before arriving home to Australia on Saturday March the 1st at 9:35pm.

To best describe how I am feeling is an impossible task right now. I am grieving for what has been the most amazing experience of my life, It hurts to say goodbye to people that have become my family, and communities that have become my home. It is heartbreaking to see the door closing on this chapter of the adventure which has meant everything to me this past 18months. However, I am also joyful, and grateful, and excited and anxious, and hopeful. These are a lot of emotions to manage all at once amongst many many practical tasks. Hmmm. I think its going to be a big week.

oh do i have stories to share!!!!

i simply can't beleive how long it has been since i have sent updates, and these past months have been my most eventful yet.... and i suspect there is much more to come in my short time remaining!!!!

I have thousands of updates sitting waiting to be posted, and only those really understanding africa can comprehend why it is i havnt been able to....

today i sit in a place i wouldn't have thought possible just yesterday while a group of us experienced being trapped from crazy flooding during our AVI weekend away! we were all sure there would be headlines in aussie papers... 12 australian volunteers trapped... but of course.... in true survivor style, we rebuilt roads and pushed and towed cars and trucks and had one of the more adventurous weekends of my life!!

I can hardly begin to describe to you the experiences of my last months, weeks and days! i feel as though i am in a state of blur... with a little bit of grieving in there.... tears....many joys.... excitement....anticipation..... fear...... i feel as though i have my eyes glued open trying to see everything as abundantly as possible, trying to soak everything in, trying to remember smells (not all), trying to capture all that i love so it never leaves me. impossible to describe just now. As many of you know, and have been wondering about when, i will be back on aussie soil again in only a few weeks. The ticket has been booked! (thanks mum) and i will be back on saturday evening March 1st! not long at all....

loads of updates to come before then!