Day 14 in Malawi August 28th

Today Peace and I slept in until 9am! WooHoo! We were so tired and slept like two pieces of wood. Then we got ready for the funeral. The funeral for Thandie’s brother took place in their home village. Because Thandie’s brother didn’t have a home in his village the funeral was at their mother’s house. When we arrived the casket was inside the house and many women were sitting inside the house with the casket singing hymns and crying. I went in for just a couple minutes. Then the Jorgensons and I were escorted to a neighbor’s house to wait. I think it was the nzungu (white person) waiting area because we were the only ones in the house. There was a huge fire nearby and ashes were falling on us through the roof of the house. Then it was time for the funeral to start so they sent for us and we went back to the front yard of Thandie’s mom’s house. There was a huge tent set up. Under the tent were all ladies sitting on the ground. Around the edges of the tent were benches that looked more like low balance beams. That is where the chiefs, the elders and we three nzungus sat. There were about three hundred Malawians there. The men sat on the ground outside the tent.

Then it was time for the family to pay last respects. The casket is opened and the men line up and go in a single file line into the house and walk past the casket. Then the women go in. Thandie wanted us to go with the family and she wanted me to take a picture. Mrs. Jorgenson went in with me. I have to say it was a bit uncomfortable to be non-family going in where only blood relatives go, be white, and take a picture when there were no other cameras at the funeral. But I would have stood on my head for Thandie, so I went in. Then the casket was brought out under the tent. A few men said a few words and a choir sang a few songs. A pastor from Blessing’s church preached. Then the casket was taken to the cemetery on foot. I stayed behind as the cemetery is down a steep slope with only a foot trail. I am not quite ready to go mountain climbing although I really did want to go. The entire service was about 3 hours and then the Jorgensons took Peace and I back to the Good Samaritan campus. The Jorgensons went to show the Jesus film at another village.

I walked over to the children’s home and saw the children and took some pictures. All the kids were so excited to see me walking. I decided this morning it was time to take up my mat and walk. So I wrapped up my foot stuck it in a shoe and I have been walking ever since. I have no pain. I am taking it easy so I don’t fall again, but I feel great. Thandie is spending another night in the village, but Peace stayed with me. We are all looking forward to Brother Gentry’s arrival tomorrow night.