Moni Wochokera Kwa Masisitere Ku Malawi

(Greetings from the Sisters in Malawi)

(Our Sisters Monica, Martha and Maria Nema have spent most of the past six months living in temporary quarters at the Bishop’s compound in Mzuzu—“the wilderness”—waiting for their convent to be completed. Undeterred by the 3+ miles to their home, they planted a six-acre garden around their convent building in Luwinga, which they tend every day. The following is an account compiled from their letters.)

Sometimes we wonder why God placed us in the wilderness first. Sometimes we ask ourselves, “Why us, God?” We know that God wants us to learn something we don’t know yet. It is good for us though, that we came here while our convent was not finished so that we can see how it is progressing, and it is our opportunity to make sure that the convent is being built according to the religious life.

We hope that you are doing fine. We are doing pretty well, and are enjoying the “cold”weather of Mzuzu now. Our garden looks so gorgeous. That is where we do our meditations. Everybody who pass by is amazed and say that, “We didn’t know you can do such things.” They thought we are [too] young.

Since we have stayed here for five months, it is easy to explain about our experience here. Let’s start with the Bishop; the Bishop is supporting us, as best he can, although he is busy. He has much trust in us. He really believes that we are the heart of prayer in his diocese. In our understanding, it seems like the Bishop understands the religious life very well. He does his best to explain our ways to the people

About the convent now: We are still waiting here in the wilderness. Building the convent seems to take a long time. We are learning to be patient, and it is really, really hard. We really don’t know when it will be ready because there are small things to finish up. Things here in Malawi seem to take so long. For example, it took four and a half months to get our computer order and five months to get a town water hook-up. We are having problem with the telephone now. You know what? The Bishop told us to follow up ourselves. We go to these offices by ourselves. It is really hard. It is good for us at the same time because we learn things.

We are also having the problems of boundaries. The people are saying that, “The Sisters haven’t paid the money for this place,” but they were compensated for the land a long time ago. The people even started gardening on our land. The Diocesan Secretary is dealing with this issue. We hope all shall be well.

Some people say we are Muslims because of how we are dressed. One day when we were going to the market, a man stopped with his car and asked us, “What church do you belong to?” and we said “We are Anglican sisters.” So he said, “You dress so nicely, like Muslims.” Off he went. When we take a walk, even children make songs like, “Muslims, Muslims, Muslims, Muslims” and so on.

We started using the [Diocesan] pick-up. People mocked us that we were riding in the back like katundus (Chichewa for “packaged goods”). Today we went to pick up cassava cuttings, and we were on top of the cuttings. Guess what? One Sister’s veil fell off because of the wind. So, you can imagine that.

One day when we were coming out of super market, a little boy was begging for money, and we said, “We don’t have money, please!” He said, “You are the Sisters, and you are wearing the crosses, and you are refusing to give money.” You know what people think here? They think that, if you are devoted to the service of God, it is easy for you to give.

When we buy things from somebody, some say, “You are blessed because the angels have bought things from you.” Some people think that we are students, that we have come for practicals [known in America as in-service training]. They ask all sorts of questions, and we answer them in a polite way. Some ask, “Since your priest marries, are you going to marry also?”

Although people say all these things, some encourage us. A lady came to visit us. She is a wife of a doctor. Her name is Farry Mkandawire. She is from one of the islands, Venada. She and many people here are saying that we should continue with what we were doing. We should not make any change. We agree with them. People share with us all their problems so that we can pray for them.

Our sisters take part in a liturgical procession at st. Peter's Cathedral on
Likoma Island in Malawi.

About out spiritual life: Although our day-to-day life seems to be hard, our spiritual life is fine. We try to do our Offices, meditations, lectio divina, and our studies. We are enjoying our life in the wilderness because we know that God is teaching us something He needs us to learn. We have to commend everything into His hands, as our Mother Foundress said, “Thy will be done whatever it may be, whether life or death,” or whether the wilderness of the convent.

Many, many thanks should go to all our donors, Associates and all those who wish us well. We, especially, do not forget our Australia donors for their gift to buy farm tools. We hope that you will continue supporting us.

God bless you all!! (Ambuye akudalitseni nonse!!)

Postscript: We have got tidings of comfort and joy to tell you. At last we have moved into the Promised Land. We moved into the promised land on the 28th of February. Life feels good, and it really feels we are at home.

We had our first mass on the 3rd March, 2003, led by Father Mponda, the Bishop’s Chaplain. The Bishop visited us on Ash Wednesday. Would you please pray for us for the following things: telephone and transport. We are strictly observing our Lenten season. We hope you will have a holy Lent, too.