Old Friends and New in Malawi

We start the first tower in Chitala.
The Water Mission technicians are pretty bashful at first, watching carefully as Sam, Craig and I start the lower level. Except for an aluminum multifold, all other  ladders are en route…we decide to just climb. We have quite an audience watching. 

Meet Nixon and Ben.
Nixon (left) is Water Mission’s Country Manager over all of the Malawi Operations. He is ever smiling and takes a lot of teasing from us. We kid him about driving too slow when he gets to talking history. Nixon was the best host you could imagine. He kept us safe and well fed, and filled the rides with history lessons of Malawi. Until we had to say “so long” at the airport on Sunday, I never saw his face without a smile. 

Ben (right) is the chief engineer for Malawi. Like most of the WM crew, he is very quiet at first but fully engaged in the goals of these projects. When Ben spoke to the children at the school we attended in Liwaladzi, he was funny and passionate. Just underneath that big smile is a very serious manager. He is proud of his team, as he should be, for when we returned to Chitala, the work to plumb the entire system and have it operational was amazingly complete. 

My cousin and best friend Sam.
Here he is imitating the women of the village by balancing his tiny hard hat on top of his head. Sam and company, Natalie and I have been adventuring since our children were small--from extended beach vacations, to motorcycle trips, to hike hunting.  But I think we all agree that this trip was the best…and the first of many like it.

This is WM Regional Director Doug Lawson. 

He is down from Kenya where he lives now with his family. Doug is looking at the big picture, he’s from South Carolina and a moderate Clemson fan. We mutter some “Roll Tides” in the background to keep him going. He is serious about his faith and speaks freely to one and all about not just clean water but the living water from God. Here he is involved in a mission to prevent flat Chitala children. They love to be close to the action and we occasionally drop things from the tower. Doug extends this guide line he is holding for the tank we are raising to create a visual barrier.  The children comply and fall back.

This is Chris. 
He’s the team comic, first called “bolt man” by me since I never get names very well. He quickly became a great steel worker, although coming from a carpenter my compliment may not carry the weight he deserves. 

“Buying in” means...
after your standard dawn-to-dusk work to exist, you are willing to dig miles of ditches and this square hole approx. 36" deep for a valve box at the base of the water tower. This reinforces for us that Malawians embrace making life better for the next generation much as our parents strove to do. 

There are no words for some of things we've experienced…

Please meet Nesbert.
He is a welder and natural fabricator. He now owns the "patent" on the NES STANDOFF BRACKET--designed and fabricated right here in Chitala--that withstood lifting two tanks successfully. A man of few words, gravity surrenders meekly to anything Nesbert decides needs to be relocated. A natural tower builder… 

First, a stranger, then a co-worker, now a brother.  I miss him already. 

Nixon casts a critical eye…
most likely at some of us goofing off. He gave the same look to the overcharging merchants at the market. Still, he could not keep the silly azungu from overspending…

Sam’s sweeties--Addie and Oriana--make us all smile. 

Submerged in love and laughter.
I’ve never met anyone who loves to laugh like Oriana. When we are too tired to help, she tells herself little jokes...and laughs at them. 

Addie shines like a 200 watt bulb.
She and I easily steal the “whitest azungu” award away from Sam, Ori, and the Italians. She receives so much attention as our “rock star” entertainer. She reminds me of her Mom and all the things we did together, memories wash over me…

Natalie gets a formal head dress from Manesi. We agree that this is our best adventure ever. We are planning our way back on the ride home. I make sketchy dreams, Natalie paints them into reality. 

More goofing off. We were told to look more serious by our handlers--the women. 

My friend and partner Craig for over 20 years.
Craig is a true builder and craftsman. He is the trip IT guru. Newly nicknamed “Hotspot” as he plays benevolent dictator with internet access to those too lazy to figure it out. Here he is undoubtedly up to some trick and about to scare the poor woman out of her wits with a loud pop or bottle bomb. He is the official drone flyer and documentarian of the trip, accumulating thousands of pictures and videos. He also keeps everyone on their toes by producing a continuous stream of small hard falling objects whenever he’s tower building. 

Natalie is totally enjoying this experience.
Sorry gents, she goes home with me!

My buds Sam and Chris, just hangin out. 

I think Craig is taking the picture but this is most of the crew at Liwaladzi. Everyone is tired but it’s very nice to be done. 

Manesi is a widow and does not speak English. 
Her home is very near the tower site in Liwaladzi. This day she gets someone to translate 
that she is already lonely because we are leaving and that she will be praying for us. 

Back at Chitala for the commission ceremony. 
I have a heavy feeling knowing we are soon to leave. 

I’m sitting at the top of the tower near the end of the day. We started in Liwaladzi this morning and its nearing sunset. The work has been steady today, steel moving up; and we made it to the top level in one long day. The men are moving down the ladder. I hesitate a minute to look out over the fields. With the noise of the day subsiding, I can see paths through the fields and a woman walking with a basket on her head. She wears something bright but in the twilight she passes by tall darkened grass and bush and it seems like a light is blinking. No doubt she carries something essential to her family before dark to a place far enough that I cannot see. 

I reflect upon the day’s warm smiles--children and strong men laughing--and as the last red blip sinks away…I am happy.