Hope for a Better Life

To be involved with Student Missions providing care for the sick, words of wisdom and a promise of a better future to the weary, an education to the pupil, and a listening ear to those who find comfort and self-worth in the midst of a hard lived life, is to be a disciple of Christ’s character to the people of Malawi. Looking past the little prosperity that exists most notably in the form of brand new stylish black tinted Mercedes-Benz sedans or Limited Edition Land Rovers with rich creamy caramel leather interiors, exists an over-abundance of sickness, starvation, and deprivation that remains a reoccurring theme in the heart of Africa, Malawi.

In a society that has demanded allegiance to customs and commitment to traditions, rests an unwavering influential movement to undermine poverty at it’s worst and starvation at it’s core via the creation of a theoretical economy founded on the premise of ‘hope for a better life’. Although both parties share the mutual goal of having a better life, differences in beliefs and approaches to accomplish the task have caused escalating issues in society. The tension created between two non-agreeing parties has led to the development of what seems to be an air pocketed economy. An economy that stands erect like a sound building, appearing to be rock-solid and unyielding, paving the way in healthcare, possessing agricultural developments that are leading to nutritional improvements, and utilizing government regulated and supported programs, but this has not been the case. In all actuality, the economy through the eyes of a college student lies cracked and fractured, mangled by the roots of it’s problems and plagued by the existence of numerous notable air pockets. These air pockets, better understood as the inability to establish a well working civilized system of industry and commerce, unintentionally crafted by the opposing parties with a desire to preserve habitual customs important to society and the motivated entrepreneur with eyes of a capitalist. Air pockets have created a frail infrastructure only to be evaluated and deemed unsafe by any small or large market businessman that chooses to risk what he has in hopes of achieving ‘a better life’. The charm of modern technology and fascination for a higher standard of living have clashed with existing societal customs to produce internationally recognized issues among many African countries, especially in Malawi.

A society cannot function healthfully when there is no foundation to support the entire general public. The infiltration of many vehicles over the past five years has caused the higher-class citizen to reap the benefits of faster and safer transportation while the majority of lower class citizens remain in despair.

It is through the work of many humanitarian agencies and non-profit organizations that we find the purpose to continue to fight for ‘a better life’ for the people of Malawi and beyond. It is here that the meticulous and steadfast work of the Seventh day Adventist Church for over a hundred and forty years includes me, as my story of being grateful for our church leaders and the work they have accomplished has given me a sense of genuine and humble dignity begins.

Not too long ago Trent and I were making our way back home after a long but rewarding day in the classroom. As we left the compound of Blantyre Adventist Hospital, we began walking along the concrete parking lot parallel with the street, ready to cross, when we were stopped by a young woman in a red Land Cruiser. The young woman whom I’ll call Jen for privacy reasons shielded her eyes with her sunglasses and wore her long beautiful brunette hair in a classic looking ponytail. The few hairs that had managed to escape the grip of her ponytail wrapped around her slightly freckled forehead in a way that conveyed unhappiness with life as it stood. After graciously offering to give us a ride to our destination through the driver’s side window she pulled over into the parking lot for what seemed like a heightened interest in us. It was not until after Jen stopped the vehicle that I realized that she spoke with a distant but familiar accent. Jen was American and for one of the first times in over a month, both Trent and I understood her sentences the first time they were said. 

We began conversing like most Americans would on our purpose for being in Malawi, of all places. Jen was here with a humanitarian food aid project based out of St. Louis Missouri, distributing highly nutritional bags of food to underprivileged children in rural villages across southern Malawi. I could sense a genuine interest for others as I listened to her explain her work. We dove deeper into our first conversation and it didn’t take long to discover that she was a recent graduate from Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington. Just across town from Walla Walla University, the Whitman campus joins forces with WWU in several academic and volunteer events each year including Service Day projects and musical performances. There exists a shared general interest in each other’s campus, perhaps more so for WWU students who like to use their facilities to study in during dead week before finals. Because all three of us attended college in beautiful Walla Walla, it gave us something in common that allowed our friendship to grow.

That was a day to remember because a new friendship spontaneously but purposely commenced. After we met, Trent and I spent much time exercising, eating out, watching movies, and exchanging embarrassing stories. It was as if Jen was the missing link to our fulfillment of fun that heightened the reward currently being experienced. After all, there is a reason why God destined us to associate with the opposite sex.

One afternoon after a run, we decided that the best thing to do was take a trip to the pool to cool down. Walking from our home to the pool, I began introducing her to the Adventist establishment there on Kabula Hill. Still slightly concerned about what she thought of Adventists, I decided against opting out of having the rare but special opportunity to show her 'our world'. Starting with the Adventist Health office that was next door, I proceeded to show her the Malawi Union President’s home, the cardiologist’s home, the O.B. Gynecologist’s home, the pediatrician’s home, and Marantha’s One Day Church project workshop with several large trucks and shipping crates sitting out front. As I told her the little knowledge that I knew about each one, I began to notice an impressed facial expression sculpt the thoughts she was pondering. She had no idea how extensive our church was right here on Kabula Hill, despite being a close neighbor to it all. She asked questions showing a deepened interest and greater appreciation for it all as we pressed on.

Continuing across the street we entered the main gate of Blantyre Adventist Hospital (B.A.H.) making our way past the emergency entrance as we walked down the parking lot. My tour subsequently took us past the school, the fellowship room for the church, the church itself, the Adventist Lodge and Restaurant, the Union Headquarters, the Adventist Book Center, and finally the Dental office. It was truly a reward to make known our present establishment on just one small hill, in one small city, in one small country, of many others that exist in Africa and around the world as well. It made me feel honored to be apart of something incredibly influential in the lives of people and a necessary instrument in the ongoing work still left to accomplish.

The church is hard at work in Blantyre, making a difference through the work of its members in the lives of those who still don’t know Him. Providing health care, church buildings, literature, education, and the free gift in the promise of a soon return, God has empowered his willing people wonderfully. A perpetual hurricane of love and service is stirring up commotion amongst the people and gaining strength across the desolate soil of Malawi, knocking down the air pocketed walls of the existing handicapped economy.

The presence of God and His word have created a new kind of economy-one that offers a gift of eternal life and successfully meets the demands of both the traditionalist and capitalist’s wishes. The lord’s economy excludes any need for a hierarchal system based on wealth and provides sufficient equality among the people allowing everyone the ‘hope for a better life’.

Needless to say, Jen’s introduction to our church sparked a small glow in her own life. She continues to ask us questions about our belief system and I have noticed a change in what she thinks of the church and us. It has made being myself easier around her and allowed us to fabricate the ongoing relationship that I believe began because of our great God’s leading intervention.