“Do not be transformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” Romans 12:2

The picture above is myself with our Peace Corps Country Director and the U.S. Ambassador of Malawi at our Swear-In Ceremony.

It’s hard to believe I’ve already been at site for practically a week. Where did that time go? I feel like I ask myself this question often. Which is contradicting in the fact that Malawian time takes forever to get things accomplished….or maybe it’s just because time isn’t money, like it is perceived in the United States. Time is valued in a different way here either way, and to me it is flying. I’m scared I’m going to wake up one day and be like, “where did those last two years go?” as I’m about to board a plane back to the U.S. (or more realistically to some other country, to spend my readjustment allowance traveling, instead of getting “readjusted.”) It’s a reminder to enjoy every minute of my time here, and to look around and appreciate each moment. Because everyone who told me before I left, “time will go so fast,” they were certainly right.

Last week at this time, we had already said our goodbyes to our village and celebrating with a Village Appreciation ceremony, where we as volunteers had the privilege to show the community members how thankful we are and will always be for them truly showing us what it means to be welcomed into The Warm Heart of Africa. There were speeches given in Chichewa, presentations on technical skills we have gained, music made (with drums, banjos, ukuleles, and even a mandolin), lots and lots of dancing (by both villages and by all of us volunteers), smiles, and tears as we recognized how both this village, and we as guests to this community have grown into the transformed individuals that we are today. We were also honored with the experience to see traditional and cultural dancing done by Guli Wankulu. (I have lots of pictures and videos I want to share, but for now Google it…it’s awesome, and sort of scary haha).

A day later we then headed to Lilongwe where we were invited to the home of the U.S. Ambassador of Malawi to be sworn in as official Peace Corps Volunteers (and ate, easily the most delicious food I’ve eaten since arriving in Malawi haha). We each said the oath that both the Ambassador herself, and President Obama said before they started their terms, and soon we were “officially” volunteers, and no longer just trainees. Boy did it feel official….which again makes me feel honored to be here. (My landlord who lives next door even saw us on TV, she told me today, in the little English that she knows…pretty cool!)

As the time here has passed so quickly, and so much has already happened, it feels strange to me now, looking back to the time before I even boarded the plane to Philadelphia, where we had a staging event before coming directly to Malawi. A time where I went on Facebook and saw pictures of other Peace Corps Volunteers being sworn in all around the world. It seemed only a dream at the time, a distant dream. A dream that would happen eventually, but certainly did not feel as it would happen “soon.” And here I am now; knowing that dream is a reality.

Even though many of our dreams have now been made realities, I’m not sure it’s hit me yet, that I’m actually living in Malawi. And not just that I’m living in Malawi, but that I’m living in Malawi for the next 2 years of my life. (I’ve only been alive for 23 years, so right now, 2 years feels like a really long time.) I think I’m still in that honeymoon stage; on an extended vacation in Africa…though a little different than your normal vacation considering the lack of electricity, flushable toilet, and flavorful food that currently exists in my living situation. However, I’m sure it will hit me soon enough, and as for now I will enjoy the feelings I have.

Afterall, I didn’t come to Malawi because I knew it would be comfortable. Comfortable with the luxuries that I am blessed with the in the United States (and when I say luxuries I mean a toilet that is inside a bathroom, that is also within the inside of my house, or having a refrigerator that makes water cold). I didn’t come to Malawi because I knew everyday would be easy. Like an extended vacation in Africa for 2 years. No. I came because of the opposite. I came to Malawi because I knew living how I am living, in a rural village, would be outside of my comfort zone. I came to Malawi because of the challenge. Because each day the universe would find one way or another to make something difficult. I came to follow a calling. A calling that not everyone is honored enough to have.

The way I see it is, it is a privilege to be living here, doing the work that I am doing. That I am choosing to live in the circumstances that I am, but that the people surrounding me in this village don’t have the privilege of that choice. That I am blessed with the opportunity to become one with this village, and to share the culture of the United States with these people, while also be completely submerged in a place that feels foreign now, but will likely soon feel like home. My life is benefiting as I grow into the person I want to become, but I also have to chance to make change in this village, and allow the people here to grow as well.

Thinking about what I just typed in the last paragraphs gives me absolute chills (and it’s like 90 degrees in my house right now, so it’s definitely not chilly). It is those chills that confirm each day, even on the difficult ones- the ones I’ve already had and the ones to come- that I am supposed to be here. That I should feel honored to be here. Because not everyone has the opportunity to experience what the next 2 years will give to my life. That even though the days are going fast, to cherish each one as its own. To remember the things that I am grateful for. And to be thankful for the things I used to take for granted.

Before I left my friend Rachel told me something that made me think about this journey in a different way. That “the biggest testament to your faith is your life.” So let the experiences of my life shine with love and peace, and may people see Jesus through me, while knowing how thankful to Him I am for this opportunity to serve.

#peacecorps