Warm Heart of Africa {Malawi Monday}

Out of 53 countries on the continent of Africa, Malawi is the only one dubbed 

"Warm Heart of Africa."

Today, I am going to give you the top 5 reasons why Malawi is deserving of this title!

1. No matter if you are invited or not or if the timing is convenient or not, when you show up at a Malawian's home, they will greet you warmly! They will hustle to pull out their grass mat (which also happens to be double as their bed) to allow you to sit in a clean spot. Even though Malawi is listed as one of the top 15 poorest countries in Africa, that does not affect their hospitality. Many times, I have left a house with a bag full of ground nuts (peanuts) that were generously given.

2. Malawi has never had a Civil War.

3. Wherever you go, people will always greet you! It goes something like this....

Wa Wa, Muli bwanji? (hello! how are you?)

Ndili bwino, kaya inu? (I am fine, and you?)

Ndili bwino! ( I am fine.)

zikomo! (thank you)

zikomo! (thank you!)

zikomo! (thank you! thanking can go on for quite awhile back and forth)

After the greeting, you are friends! Simple as that!

4. Whenever you visit a church unannounced, the pastor will usually invite you up and let you share a word with the congregation. Same rule follows at most functions. David was visiting the Ministry of Education the other day and they were having a teacher's inservice. They invited him in and and gave him the floor to speak to their teachers. They sang songs for him and let him video tape! We have always been welcome into the schools and classrooms of our kids here!

5. The Malawians have a saying, "a gift is a gift". Which to them means that you are always thankful for what you receive and no gift it considered "too little".

 

As I was thinking of all the ways that Malawians truly show their "warm heart" it was hard not to be convicted! They have definitely taught me that "more stuff" does not necessarily equal a generous heart. That a person can have so very little, but still make someone feel welcome and comfortable in their home. Isn't this an awesome thing?

 

If you come to visit Malawi, you are sure to feel "most welcome".