Random Funny Things

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Nobody showed for "T.O.T.S." auditions this morning. Bleh. Anyhoo, some random funny occurences.

- I have been hearing this guy wailing a repeated phrase over and over while walking through the streets each morning. I thought I was hearing the morning call to prayer for the mosque. I found out recently that what I have actually been hearing is "Tomatoes! Cabbage! Onions!"

- "Azungu" is the Chichewa word for "white." We're getting really familiar with it. The little kids apparently get a really big kick out of us. When we walk by some of the younger classes at Hillside, we'll get a whole chorus of "AZUNGU!" or "MZUNGU!" (Mzungu is plural). This morning we were passing a big group of kids and they started up a chant of "A-zun-gu, A-zun-gu" like they were at a political rally or a soccer match. We just smile and wave.

- As we drove over a bridge about 100 yds. from Malawi's version of a huge IRS building, I looked down at the river and saw a guy standing on a rock completely naked. I think he was getting out of the bath. At first, it struck me as kinda odd. After thinking about it for a minute, though, I decided that was one of the reasons God gave us rivers, so it's cool.

- Local saying: "If you drive straight in Malawi, you're drunk." When you guys see the pictures of the potholes here, that will make a lot of sense. The hilarious thing is that the one bad wreck I have seen here happened when someone, probably a drunken someone, sent straight through a roundabout and ended up perched atop the flower arrangements and whatnot that decorated the center.

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Comments

[Lisa Garvin]

Hey!
Hey, Ben! Thanks so much for keeping us updated on your trip. Sounds like you all are having a GREAT time, meeting lots of interesting people, and experiencing God in the midst of it all. Y'all are in my thoughts and prayers! Keep the journals coming! Grace and Peace, Lisa Garvin