Get out of Town!

Yesterday, we got out of Lilongwe! We headed south towards Dedza Pottery Lodge for a one night stay. We wanted to at least do something for our anniversary. So, we go out of town.

We passed by Maula Prison on our way out of town. Not a very high security prison as you can see. The whitish buildings on the left are the men's quarters and the ones on the right are the women's.

ABC has an outreach to this prison every Thursday, and Dan has preached here a few times. There are many believers at the prison. In fact, the women are going through (or at least will soon) one of Barbara Henry's Bible study books. We have asked our supporters to pray for those in this prison. We have seen your prayers be answered as more and more inmates are believing in God and are growing in the knowledge of Him. Praise God!

Driving down what we call 'Coffin Row' on the way out of town. There are as many coffin shops in Lilongwe as there are coffee shops in Seattle. Death is so prevalent here. Usually once a month, we know someone who has lost a family member, and I'm not talking great aunts or uncles who have lived full lives, but children, fathers and brothers. Please pray for a country whose people are constantly grieving.

And now for the scenic drive. I love taking pictures during the drive. Lilongwe is so dusty and brown and flat. It's nice to see some geography!

Cows grazing on the side of the road

Donkeys grazing on the side of the road, too.
I love this picture of the three ladies carrying stuff on their heads. I think I've shared a picture of this old bridge before. Apparently, it is part of the origonal road from Lilongwe to Blantyre.


Anyone need to use the telephone? Yes, it's no joke. You are looking at a telephone booth made of straw. I'm not sure how it actually works. Maybe they just let you use their cell phone for a price.

Potatos anyone? There are tons of these little stands on the side of the road.

I got a few 'well' pictures while driving (actually, Dan was driving)

Things to look out for while driving Malawi roads:

Cows crossing!

Goats crossing!

Big trucks broken down on the "side" of the road

Man carrying a forest on his bicycle (again, on the "side" of the road)
Men carrying HUGE bags of maize on their bikes. I am always so afraid that the bikes will tip over into the road! I'm sure it's happened before.


Scary mutant bugs that might crack your windshield! Seriously,we thought the bug that created this yellow mess was a bird!

And last but not least, cops! Yeah, we got a speeding fine on the way home. Ooops. The funny thing is that we weren't pulled over. The cop was actually standing in the middle of the road with a tan colored uniform on. Doesn't he know that he's going to blend in to the brown background that is Malawi??? We nearly hit him! Here is Dan paying the fine at the cop car.

Our cozy room at Dedza

(from the outside)

I loved the green bathroom! All of the tiles are made and painted there.

Kind of like the Meeksarosa :)

Playing Scrabble while Eli naps (Dan beat me so bad!)

This beautiful painted tile picture was on the wall outside our room. It is a painting of this really cool rock mountain just outside of the pottery lodge. (see picture below)Pretty good, eh?

The view from outside our room
Eli and Dan hanging out at the Dedza cafe.

I love this 'Water Closet' sign! The people at Dedza sure have a sense of humor.

Some of the pottery that is for sale. We bought a few things, one red baking dish and two matching red bowls and a few other things which I cannot say, because some of you will be getting them as presents:)

Back in Lilongwe

This is the main mosque in town.

The Big Muddy of Africa: Lilongwe River

We passed by our church on the way home. Good thing we didn't go today. Today was Golden Sunday, the day where you sit in church for four hours while they fundraise. They actually give out trophies for the areas (neighborhoods) which give the most. Yeah, we usually don't go when it's Golden Sunday. People were still there at 1pm! (and service begins at 8am). Eli never would have survived!

Elijah slept the whole way there and the whole way back. He is such a good little traveler.

Home sweet home

Let's go in and take a nap after that long drive...wait! Don't touch the door, there's a snake!


We are not sure what kind it is, possibly a Black Momba but could have just been a house snake. Needless to say, we were a little freaked out. Thankfully, Dan and Brian were excited about snake hunting, although it wasn't there when they went back to kill it.

Over all, it was a nice relaxing weekend away.