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Blessings Revealed at MALAWI
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The St. Therese group that journeyed to Malawi, Africa, to take part in a mission to help young African girls with period poverty reflect on how their hearts were touched.
Mollie Anderson, the mission group’s leader, took to pen and is reflecting in her words what sticks out about her trip to Malawi.
Mollie's Words
“I chose to reflect on Sister Grace. She runs the convent as well as the clinic. She is the picture of grace, spirituality, hospitality. Last night, we had some time with just her. First, she announced that four babies were born at the clinic yesterday! And you can believe that she will be praying for them all...she worries about them. She worries about their futures. As it is her nature to care, she decided a couple of years ago that she was going to find a way to pay for the school fees of children in need. After years of selling glass bottles, she was able to pay the fees for 12 kids! On her laptop are the before and after photos. Photos taken of the kids at their homes, then in their school uniforms. The difference in their faces, their eyes, their smiles is indescribable.
PHOTO ABOVE: (Sister Grace in Malawi office)
She and I have made a connection, swapped numbers on What's app. She calls me " dear". I look at her and think never in a million years could I have an impact close to hers. She has helped so many. She has sat with laboring moms. She has held little ones whose parents have died of AIDS. All I can say is that I have had the incredible privilege of meeting a true angel on earth. We told her she was "The bomb!" and had to explain the meaning. She loved it and her whole face just beamed!
Other Group Members
Meanwhile, Liam Anderson was struck by the mismatch in technology in the lives of the Africans.
“Some people have wells that they can pump water from, others must go to the river to get water, yet everyone has a smartphone with four bars and 4G cell phone service. The companies are willing to invest in ways that will make money from people, but since they can’t make money off of water that system hasn’t been brought up to speed.”
Susan Chironna, mission group member, agrees that the dichotomy between the need for water and the level of technology for cell communications is glaring.
“The companies making money off cell service will build the cell towers and regain that investment. But it’s only the “do-gooders” that will build the water wells because there is no profit in it.”
For Helen Drotor, a mission group member, it was the similarities of the U.S. and African culture that stood out. The Malawi locals have the same love language of offering food to guests.
“Regarding hospitality, no matter where we were or where we went, everyone wants to feed you. They are offering the best that they have even though they don’t have much. They will offer you the only seat, not just the best seat available.”
Another universal characteristic is how the men gather at an event, Liam Anderson says.
“At a picnic with the local Medical Clinic staff, all the guys huddled around the grill drinking a beer. When I saw that, I thought I was back in the States.”
Overall, the group agreed that it’s important to note how joyful the Malawi Catholics are with their faith and their joy with their sense of community.
MORE COVERAGE
Day 4-Malawi
https://sainttherese.net/news/day-5-malawi-mission-trip
Day 3-Malawi
https://sainttherese.net/news/day-4-malawi-mission-trip
Day 2-Malawi
https://sainttherese.net/news/day-2-malawi-mission-trip
Day 1-Malawi
https://sainttherese.net/news/day-1-malawi-mission-trip
Arrival in Malawi
https://sainttherese.net/news/st-therese-mission-group-arrives-in-malawi
St. Therese Mission Group to Malawi
https://sainttherese.net/news/malawi-mission-trip
