Malawi friends

Our new Malawi friends invited us to join them for dinner last Monday night. The day before we had learned that Manesi's (the wife) sister-in-law had just passed away on Sunday after a three-week diagnosis of cancer.This sad news came just a few weeks after Nakari's (the husband) mother had suddenly passed away in their home village in Malawi. As we sat visiting, imagine our surprise when the entire Malawi embassy delegation came to pay their respects to Nakari and Manesi. What a delightful treat for us to meet Nakari's co-workers. Later in the week Cheryl and another BBC wife had an opportunity to have lunch with Manesi, their daughter Pauline and friend Angelina. Manesi admitted that she understandably wasn't herself that Monday night. She and Nakari told us how close the two families had been while their respective children grew up together.

We have enjoyed getting to know this family. Before being asked to come to BJ, Nakari shepherded a PCA body in Malawi. A friend in their government hand picked Nakari to help improve economic interest and investment in Malawi. We actually met Nakari when he first arrived last spring, met his wife a few months later, now have met one of their daughters who arrived after completing high school. We often think about how our Father provides all sorts of resources to improve the lives of his people everywhere.

Mark, Cheryl, Manesi, Nakari (aka Lewis)

Malawi custom of washing hands before dinner