oh wow. did that just happen?
Wow oh wow oh wow oh wow.
Where do I start? Well, maybe by saying that I do not
want to not post about the 2nd and 3rd days of hiking mt
mulanje. They may not be as fresh
in my head when I write about them, but, I am about to explode with the past
couple days.
Last night, I came home, and I
could not stop smiling. In the
morning, I had said it outloud: this week, I have hiked a mountain, helped deliver
close to 10 babies, done school work (which also included some not-so-great
news about the ethics approval from University of Malawi about my project… but,
at least it is something which provides at least some direction.) and have
gotten to meet the archbishop of
Canterbury.
What the!??!?
How is this life so remarkable?
How is it that I get to be a person who experiences this? How is it that I can be so
blessed? How is it that my heart
feels like it is going to explode, because of how much joy I am experiencing
these days?
I have been so so SO amazed with how each week just
keeps on being more and more amazing.
And, I know, that this week will be amazing as well. Because, my beloved will be landing in
Malawi on Wednesday at noon. And,
for the next 10 days, we get to explore. Discover. Learn. See. Listen. Smell. Taste. Malawi.
Together. What joy.
October is the 150th anniversary of the
introduction of the Anglican mission to Malawi. Bishop Charles Mackenzie was invited by David Livingstone to
spread the gospel, abolish the slave trade, and settle in Malawi. It was these times, when David Livingstone,
Bishop Mackenzie, and the rest of those Muzungus sowed the seeds of
Christianity in a continent that is currently (arguably) the most vibrant
communion of christians on the planet. Christianity in Central and Southern Africa is deep
rooted, passionate, and oh so vibrant.
Yet, one thing which is nice… being Anglican, despite the fact that I am
so far from home, it is so familiar.
The same order of service, the same words said, and the same sacraments
shared. And, that is nice. It speaks of community.
- · He is the head of the Anglican communion world wide.
- · He presided over William and Kate’s wedding last year.
- · He is a poet, scholar, and theologian.
- · He is a vehement advocate for any person who might experience marginalization due to religion, race, socioeconomic status, beliefs, sexuality.
- · He meets presidents and world leaders, yet he shakes hands with the children.
- so... in my books? He is pretty much a rockstar.
I was so overwhelmed when I
heard that he would be here in Malawi.
Really?!?! I would never have this chance in my
life. The two main events were a
dinner on Friday night, and a mass on Saturday at Magomero (the site of the
first mission).
The dinner, as it happened,
ended up being a gong show.
It was meant to start at 7pm.
People were not let in until at least 8pm (don’t get me started with the
ticket system… definitely not organized or efficient. 100’s of people who were meant to be checked off one of
three lists when they gave their ticket: a ticket with one name [a single], or
with two names [a double], or if the list of clergy and officials. Things were late, and people wanted to come
in, and they were excited. as if
“list checking” works when that is the environment. What else. Oh,
right. Tables. There were chairs, in circles, looking
like they should be around tables.
But, there were none. The
tables didn’t show up until at least 9pm, and they trickled in slowly. After
that, things were ok. But, it was
a bit of a gongshow.
Thankfully, you gotta look at
things like this with humour. I
mean, you shouldn’t screw up a dinner with the archbishop. But… if you do, it is nice to remember
that he is a man who is so humble, and must have a great sense of humour, and
gracious, and forgiving.
On Saturday, I traveled to
Magomero with the Dean of post-graduate studies at Kamuzu college of
Nursing. (Her name is Angela, and
obviously, she is an Anglican. And,
she is so wonderful. Very nice to
have her as a contact here. ) She was just as excited as me about the
archbishop. In addition, she was
hosting the bishop of eastern Zambia, so we drove out with him as well. This location is on the road to zomba,
and then off the road into the middle of nowhere. But… thousands of people showed up. The children from the village crowded
in. anglicans from around the
world where there. Journalists.
Women in beautiful commerative outfits.
Choirs from Likoma Island way up in Lake Malawi. And… the PRESIDENT. Yup, dr. Bingu Wa Mutharika was there
as well (but, he arrived 2hrs late, which was kinda annoying).
Not going to lie… the service
was very long (very African typical.
Lots of presentations of choirs with songs and dance, and speeches at
the end.) and it was hot (first time I have gotten a bit burnt here in Malawi).
But. It was unbelieveable. I was amazed at the archbishop, who was
able to preach on the past history, and linking it to current time. How he was political, but based on
solid faith. How he spoke on
justice and inclusion because it is community. How he linked scripture, and relevancy (not just to one
culture, but to everyone). the full sermon can be found here. I was
amazed at how the service was held in 4 different languages, representing all
the people of Malawi. I was amazed
how they were able to serve communion to anyone who so choose to take of the
bread and the wine.
Unbelieveable.
This morning in church, one of
the visiting priests from Texas was delivering the sermon. And, one of the things that hit me,
what how visits like this are not meant to just minister for the time being,
but, is meant to minister into the future. And, to that Malwians have to hold
onto the grace and mercy and love and hope that was delivered this week, so
that it can continue to minister.
One of the things that amazed
me, which was a bit of retrospective thinking. I believe that the gospel… and, when I say the gospel, I mean Christ’s love and
sacrifice and the grace and mercy he showed up on the cross… is applicable to
all people, of all times, and all cultures. Archbishop Williams demonsrated
that with such a gift. I
just thought about how amazing it is that he gets to experience how Christians
(and anglicans) worship world wide.
He gets to see the traditions that are unique to each church, and he
knows how to share the gospel, and serve gods people in the most applicable and
humble and culturally sensitive way.
And, that is such a gift from God.
Wow. I kinda think I should
start praying for a gift like that.
And, I can so feel that. I leave this weekend with my
“cup” overflowing. And, I just
feel so blessed to be apart of this experience.
Two moments that were the
highlight yesterday.
1) I just tried to take as many decent photos as possible. And, I knew where the archbishop
was. And, I hovered. I kinda thought “oh, dear. I wonder if I can get my photo with
him. Oh, probably not. Not appropriate. But… when will I ever have the chance
again in my life? Would I be
using/abusing my whiteness if I just walked up to him? Oh dear. Oh dear. So conflicted. Yes. No. yes.”
And, so, I popped my head into
the room/building where he was (I could tell they were just chatting and
laughing) and said something to the effect of “um. Hi. Um…. Errr…. Ah. Do you
think, um, that I could get a picture with you? My friends, er, parish, er, people at home, I mean, my
church priest, crap, the priest at my church, will NEVER belive this. I’m from Vancouver. I’m Amelia. Thank you for coming to Malawi. This is amazing. Hi.” And he responded.
“yes. Of course. I
see no reason why not. What are
you doing in Malawi?”
AHHHHHHHHHHHH! so, i was then so awkward, and would've put my arm around him, but then I thought it probably wouldn't be appropriate. so. i hovered. kinda leaned in. and hovered. but, oh man. as you could see, i was SO thrilled. and nervous. hand shaking nervous, in fact. and, (as my dad would remind me...) i know he also puts his pants on one leg at a time... but... still.
AHHHHhhhhHHHHHH!
2) when the president said in a
speech “I would like to remind the archbishop that god loves malawians.” Um. Right. I think
that the archbishop already knows that.
He probably doesn’t need to be reminded.
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