Dear Sarah and Don,
"We officially started training today which included an introductory language lesson, brief medical session, more inoculations, and some basic safety information. All in all, it's been a long, emotional, exhausting, and trying six days. And they say they're going easy on us! Whatever the case, I feel ok, staying strong, and just dealing with it by singing these songs in my head...Malawi is a beautiful country, to say the least, and I've only seen our training facility, the capital and the road that led us here.
Our training site is situated at the foot of a rock formation on the Mozambique border in a pine plantation that is the home of clusters of Malawian villagers. The skies are big and blue, menacing when the rains come which are usually brief passing showers....The Malawians are beautiful people, not attractive, but their smiles are genuine, not contrived and gleaming like ivory. So far they are gracious hosts, welcoming us with wonder and gratitude. Yesterday I walked briefly alone and two young men greeted me in English, "welcome to Malawi, the warm heart of Africa." The training staff; language and cross cultural in structors seem well qualified, patient and curious. They are my key to integrating into life here. I will utilize them and their knowledge as much as possible. All in all my spirits are pretty good. There's a lot to take in and its exhausting. I probably won't feel normal for a long time but at least I know that. I'll try to write regularly but during training will be tough as I'll be tired and lacking time, bear with me...In a way I welcome you to the warm heart of Africa! Love, Jake
Posted by sarah at March 23, 2004 03:20 AM