Today we went to church in a Presbyterian Church in Khanda in the region near Lake Chilwa. It was a great service that lasted 3 hours! There were 3 choirs and they were all fabulous, especially the children’s choir. Sixty children sang in harmony. It sounded glorious! All the choirs danced while they sang and we got up and danced with one of the choirs too! The Americans practiced singing Amazing Grace in Chichawe and we sang as the “American Choir. ” Liz preached the sermon and Daniel translated for her. What an inspired sermon it was! She preached about Mark and kneeling before God. It was the story of the woman who touches the hem of Jesus’ garment and is healed and the story of the rich merchant whose daughter dies and is raised by Jesus. She talked about rich and poor people all kneeling before God. After church the women of the church prepared lunch (rice, greens, pidgeon peas, chicken), which we ate in the church. I learned how to cook the food. I also spoke to a woman who walked barefoot 2 hours each way to go to church!
In the afternoon we hiked up a hill behind N’amanghazi Farm. It was halfway up Zomba Ridge and really steep, sweaty and buggy. It was a beautiful view, though, and a good work out! Joe led the way and we moved quickly!