>> Why did you decide to intern with Esther’s house?
I was able to join an amazing team last year (2013) for 2 weeks and it just was not enough. I told the kids that I would be back. They just kind of smiled and said, “ No, everyone says that... but they don’t come back.” So basically I just had to prove them wrong. KIDDING.
I loved every moment of that short trip. I guess looking back on it now, I thought the relationships that I made were incredible. I couldn’t say 1/2 of their names, but me saying them wrong and them laughing at my attempts was so worth it. Our team did some evangelism in a village that hadn’t been reached by any other team before, and it was so amazing. The willingness these people have to talk about their faith, lack of faith, hurts, trials, blessings, hardships, and just all the in’s and out’s of life... you guys it is crazy. Americans are just do different, but we will get to that later. Malawi is a breathtakingly beautiful country, and the people man. THEY ARE SO
BEAUTIFUL TOO.
{These are some of the sweet not so little ones that were in my tutoring class}
>> What were your jobs while working at Esther's House?
I was able to teach a girls Bible study for a few weeks to some of the older girls as well as tutor a Standard 4-6 math tutoring class 3 days a week. There were 2 teams that came to Esther’s House during my stay, and I loved having them there so much! With that said, teams are a lot of work to prepare for. Who knew? I was able to help the on-site missionary families with all the duties that go into preparing for the team, and we sure had a lot of fun! I’m not sure if this was a real title or not, but maybe "relationship builder". I loved just getting to hang with the kids. Pulling my hair out while giving me a new hair style, teaching me Chichewa, watching Pollyanna on my iPad, finding songs on their radio for us to dance to, and cooking with me in the kitchen were some of our favorite things.
I almost forgot my favorite job... campus “nurse”. If any of you know we well, you already know how I am with injuries, blood, talk of your injury or blood, and anything to do with infection. Jesus is always around to be the one to pull us out of our comfort zone, right? It all started with the typical needs of ibuprofen, band aids, and cough drops. At least He started me off easy. Things then upgraded to learning how to test and treat Malaria. One drop of blood on a test. Whew, made it. THEN. Ya’ll, seriously. The sweetest widow fell into her hot coals after cooking her dinner, and because of her age could not get up very fast. He knee was badly burned. Thankfully after she walked to Esther’s House for a medical clinic day we were able to treat her. Visiting her daily and changing that gauze is something I could never forget. She was so tough though, all Malawian women are. It is crazy. Word spread around pretty fast and almost daily was I treating a wound of a widow, community kid, or residential kid. I’d like to think I’m pretty tough now, maybe I should check into nursing school. JOKES.
{Giving a malaria test}
{This is Faith. She lost her hands many years ago in a fire. She had such a sweet spirit despite all that she's been through. She would always run out to the road to greet me.}
Coming into my internship I wasn’t really sure what to expect, and I am grateful for that. Yes, I had been just 10 months prior, but staying 3 months and not having my trusty sidekick Olivia with me... that’s a different ballgame. It’s a little funny that I love to plan everything, and I live by my “to-do” lists and my planner. The Lord just has a funny way about changing you into what He wants you to be. Life at Esther’s House is quite different from my life as an “American”. Shocker, right? In many ways it is very slow. No one is in a hurry, which can be a good and bad thing (just ask the Wilson’s how long it took to get electricity over here... ;). I guess my major lesson, and it really is hard because I did learn so much, was just to stop planning my path and allow Him to do it. Stop living by my head knowledge or by what seems the most financially responsible and just follow Him. Coming to Malawi this time meant I had to leave many things behind, including my house and I had to leave my job. I loved my little house, and let me tell you I LOVED my job working with students so much. It was hard. Those three little words don’t even make it look like much, but just know I really struggled. Thankfully before I even left a sweet family from my church opened up their home to me. That took so much off of me to know at least I will have a temporary “home”.
There were many nights (pretty much every other night) sitting with Catherine and I was just saying , “What am I going to do , I’m applying for jobs consistently and nothing is happening. I’m getting discouraged because I just thought when I followed His plan, that He would just magically show His plan out before me... and HE ISN’T.” She was such an encouragement to me without even knowing it. I kinda always felt silly talking to this lady about my little problems, when HELLO... she has just given everything to Him and has been serving for the last 2 years with her family. She is just so wise, understanding, and loving. (Catherine don’t delete this because I know you are going to want to. :) I also met a previous intern while I was there named Seth. He reminded me of this truth many times. God can do anything He wants with you right now. "Brittany this is an awesome thing! Jesus could call you to go or to do anything! Isn’t that so exciting?!” At first I just looked at him like he was crazy, but you know, he was totally on to something. Although I was nervous, scared, and worried about my bills that were due soon, and what my life plan was. Jesus knew. Jesus had me. If you would have asked me before this journey if Jesus knew my plan, I would have said of course He does. I guess He just had to really show me how much He cares, and I’m so glad He did.
{These two beauties came to the medical tent and we couldn't stop smiling at each other. Their happiness is so contagious.}
>> How has the journey at Esther’s House changed your worldview?
Literally laughed when I read this. America sucks. Can I say that?
Obviously I knew going over things would be different, but really it wasn’t until I came back that it really hit me. We are so unnecessarily busy. For what? Half of the things that we think we are so busy with are just pointless things. I saw women walk for miles to come to church, and to come to Esther’s house. I saw how hard they work for just a day of food. I saw how long they would stand bent over the river washing clothes. It’s just amazing all that we still complain about. LIFE IS SO EASY here. Well, let me say this. As an American life was so easy there. I think there were 2 times I called one of my closest friends here in Arkansas and questioned my length of stay. A few tears were shed and I would just tell her I missed foods, I missed people, I missed church, I missed driving, I missed my everyday life. You know whats funny though is I worked around the food thing. I met some of the best people I could ever meet in this life. Watching them being able to truly worship all day in church, when we are mad if we don’t get out right at 12. Don’t worry, Suzgo (best driver in the world) taught me to drive. Life is really what you make it. After the first month or so, I was settled. I really didn’t like leaving, and honestly it’s been really hard being home. Things are different. I’m different.
{Reading a book during the Summer Reading Program.}
>> What is something you learned from a Malawian/orphan/widow?
This one makes me instantly teary. I really fell in love with the widows. These women are fighters. They are tough. They are determined. They love on the orphans at Esther’s House, and they loved on me. As I visited many of their homes to check on the children in their care or to check up on their wounds, they were always so nice and welcoming.
Even through a huge language barrier we were able to laugh. I figured out that “hug” is the same word in Chichewa so that worked out nice. We would dance around on Saturday’s when they were all gathering waiting for lunch. Man. I love those ladies.
{Chicken and Dumplings at Suzgo's house}
>>What is your favorite memory of Esther’s House?
This one is impossible for me, here's but something that’s cool. I remember pretty much everything. I journaled almost daily, and I think that helped. I could talk for hours about all that this place means to me and all of the funny moments. Like Miles (the night guard) getting a rat out of the Wilson’s house. Ashley and I stuck in the city looking for a guy we didn’t know... long story. Me showing up on Bonnie’s doorstep one day after riding a bus for 2 hours to get there;) it was all amazing. I was able to buy a kitten from the market and make her a pet so much so that now she won’t eat rats. I made dinner in a Malawian kitchen with the help of Suzgo’s wife Janepher. I was able to see the hospital where Esimy’s baby was born and hang out with babies for a few hours. There were high points and higher points. I will forever love these little and not so little faces.
{I love this picture for many reasons. Mostly because it represents everyone. These families all give so much and I'm thankful for the chance to get to really know their hearts. Left is the Wilson crew, Seth, the Fern family, and the Martins clan.}
If anyone reading this is thinking about going to Malawi. I just want to tell you to do it. Get more information. Know your calling and go there and do it.
Brittany Whatley better known as Blittany.
