Glimpses of Malawi: A Travel Log

Day 1

Warm Hearts, Steady Heads

Malawians are known for their “warm hearts” – but they also know how to use their heads.

Water, fruit, firewood – everything is expertly carried on top the head – no hands!

Of course, we had to ask for a personal demo. And this lady was only too happy to show off her balancing skills.

It was a lighthearted moment… we would need it ahead of what was about to come…

Children of AIDS

As the group of young children stood for a photo op outside their church, it struck me that none of them might live to reach adulthood.

In all likelihood, none of these children will marry. None will have families of their own.

Every one of them is HIV-positive.

They were born with the AIDS virus – and eventually AIDS will claim their lives.

Eight-year-old Tadala is the same age as my own daughter. Only Tadala is HIV positive.

Her mom and dad both died of AIDS. Now this orphan lives with her grandfather.

A year or so ago, Tadala was covered in boils and sores…. a classic sign of advancing AIDS. She used to vomit every day.

But now because of the support offered by World Relief through St. Mathew’s Anglican Church in Salima, Tadala is one of the HIV-positive children “fortunate” enough to have access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) – drugs that slow the brutal onset of AIDS.

Her grandfather says Tadala is stronger now. The boils have gone; the vomiting has stopped.
“When I pray,” her grandfather says, “I ask the Lord to give Tadala a long life, a healthy life.”

Is it possible? Is my Jesus able to give Tadala a future? Is He also the Lord over AIDS?