Things to get use to

As we live here in Malawi there are many things we see that are so much different than the states.  Here's our list of things that we are going to need to get used to.   We'll try and keep adding to it before they become normal to us…

• Seeing 21 men painting lines in the middle of the road instead of a machine
• Men riding bikes with goats and chickens hanging off
• Being surrounded by beggars begging for money
• Buying beans or sugar at the store one day and then not being able to find it the next time you go
• Handing your housekeeper the grease from the meat you just cooked and asking him where you should throw it away and he says that he'll take it home and cook his beans in it AND he is thrilled
• Throwing away your peanut butter jar and when the housekeeper separates the trash he takes it home because there is still some left in the jar
• Giving your help a half a bag of rice and he tells you that tonight they will have a special meal because they can't afford to buy rice
• Being in the middle of cooking your dinner and the power goes out
• Being in the middle of eating your dinner and the power goes out
• Sleeping under a mosquito net
• Cooking meat and having a child walk in and say, "What stinks?"   The meat definitely has its own smell but so far we haven't got sick—keep praying!
• Not being able to find anything by its address even if it had one
• Just because your help has a job, don't assume that they are doing well.   The average salary for housekeeper, gardener, nannies, etc. is $50 - $60 a month 
• Sharing the shower with a HUGE cockroach (you southerners don't think it's a big deal but it is for those of us from the west it is)
• Cooking dinner and having a gecko fall from the ceiling and land right at your feet
• Having huge lizards climbing on the window during bible reading (the boys loved it)