July 9 - Day One in Mzuzu

Well, we're in Mzuzu! Our great plan for getting to the bus station two hours early in order to get seats didn't really work out because the bus we needed didn't even get to the station til half an hour before its scheduled departure. Oh well.  We did get seats, though, which was good.  I'm convinced that bus manufacturers think that the average passenger is a midget, because there was not nearly enough shoulder or leg room for a normal size human being.  Even so, it was more comfortable that the mini-bus we took into town.  It was literally about to fall apart. The door fell off of its track when the bus stopped to pick us up.  Good times, good times.

Waiting for our bus to Mzuzu!

The bus ride was actually pretty nice, all things considered.  The scenery was beautiful, the bus wasn't filled to the brim, and I got to sit next to Danielle.  She is such a sweet person and is so on fire for God, she encourages me every time I'm around her. It was such a blessing to talk to her during the ride.  We even shared a pair of earbuds so we could both listen to worship music on her iPod.  I am so glad I met her, and I hope we stay in touch.  She's actually sleeping on the floor next to my bed here at the guest house, and we have managed to fit a mosquito net over both of our beds.

We also played Uno on the bus, which worked surprisingly well. Anna played with us, but insisted that her "son-in-law" (Mike) help her. She got so excited when she won and so frustrated when she lost. She cracks me up.  A little girl across the aisle from us, who didn't speak any English, even joined in and won a few rounds.

When we got to Mzuzu, Augustine, the driver for the crisis nursery up here, was waiting for us. It was SO nice to not have to wait around for a ride and fend off taxi drivers.  I swear, I when I get back home, I will not miss hearing "Madam, where?" and "Sister, sister!" being shouted at me from across a parking lot (or right in my face.)

We're staying at the Marion Medical Mission house, which is basically like Teethsavers, but they cook for you and do your laundry! Tonight we had a delicious dinner of chicken and chips with sides of vegetables and a salad! Ahh, so good.  We played some card games after dinner until everyone got too tired to do any more. That was around 9:30PM. We're wild party animals here in Mzuzu.

After dinner at MMM (picture by Danielle)