Monday, September 7, 2009

weekend at the lake

Well of course since we were staying at the lake we stayed at Cool Runnings, the best place in Senga Bay (I would say Malawi, but I have not seen everything yet) The weather was just perfect, the first thing Jarrod did when we pulled in was run and jump into the lake. Barry is still in Senga Bay, he has been working very hard on the library. It is almost all finished and ready to open the doors to the community. In our absents, he recruited 2 Belgium girls, a British guy and school kids to help finish the work. Tables and chairs have been made by the vocational school and Sumani (of the safe haven), Barry built a reception counter and step stool, chess boards were made by 2 local guys and every one helped hang the rest of the shelves and chicken wire over the windows. It is just such a beautiful place and everyone that walks in seems to be excited for the day that it opens.
We were asked, by Randy, to go to a wedding for him in Salima on Saturday. When we got there, there were 3 weddings going on at the CCAP at the same time. Which apparently is very common to help defray some of the costs. Well I figured that I would use the picture of the “happy couple” (they look miserable in the picture) that Randy gave us. I knew that I could not go by the bride because they change their hair so much it would be hard for me to know so I figured I would go by the groom but ALL of the grooms were about the same build same coloring and bald. So no help there. So we watched each wedding assuming the wedding with blue bridesmaids was ours (but not ever really sure). After the weddings we had 2 hours to kill before the reception so we decided to go check out the library. Once we got to the library and we were talking with Austin, Jarrod’s stomach started to turn and he turned very pale. He quickly said “we have to go home” so we did and did not go back for the reception. (total bummer, I wanted to see who our mystery bride and groom were) Jarrod laid down and felt better by the evening (no worries moms, just the heat and too much coffee and not enough food)
On Sunday we attended Senga Bay Baptist, one of the greatest churches, they seemed to be happy to see us again. Pastor asked Jarrod to preach again but Jarrod explained that were only visiting for the weekend but maybe next time we return to the area. The service was very nice. Pastors sermon was on the 10 commandments a very good basic lesson. It was really great because it seemed like pastor got some sermon lessons from Jarrod’s sermon. He carried himself differently then before and made better points and backed them up better with scripture. He actual broke each commandment down and explained each on and how we (as Malawians, hehe) can follow them. This was a much better sermon then the ones we heard from him before Jarrod started preaching there.
We spent the rest of the day out on the boat. Jarrod, Lonia, Barry and Larry (our new Canadian friend) went snorkeling around lizard island while I took picture and sun bathed. What a relaxing end to a great weekend.