1 week left!

Alright, we are in full on countdown mode! 1 week left! We have gotten a lot done, but there is still more to do.

We have sold our car and our table. We both turned final grades in today. We have somewhat packed. We are moving in with the Ketchums on Saturday (because we need to give our beds to the buyer then), so we need to be all packed by then!

The past few days have been totally filled, but very fun. Awards day went really well. Here are some of my girls getting their awards: Catarina (Portuguese), Shannon (Zimbabwean), and Se-gyo (Korean).

On Saturday, I worked on yearbook while Bech helped slaughter pigs. Ugh! Then we went to a "braai" (South African word for a cookout) at some South African friends of ours, the Le Rouxs. We had a great time spending time with this sweet family!

Then on Sunday, we went to church with Lucius. His family goes to the Catholic church in Kauma. Well this Sunday was a special Sunday, so they went to a big church service celebration at another church. Seriously, everytime we visit a Malawian church, it ends up being some sort of special celebration Sunday-->which means twice as long of a service!

The first funny part of the day was when we pulled up to pick Lucius up. We figured it would be Lucius, his wife, Esther, and his two daughters, Tadala and Jesca. When we drive up, we see three other women and two other children with them. I say to Bech, "I think they are planning on coming with us," to which he answers, "No they aren't...they wouldn't even be able to fit." Oh but they did! Jesca sat up front with me, Bech drove, and 4 adults and 3 kids sat in the backseat.

Then we got to the church. The service was from 9 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Part of the reason it was so long is that there was a parade of sorts where everyone followed the priests around (but the priests were under a tent) and sang songs. Then everyone would suddenly stop and kneel. It was very strange. I have lots of Catholic friends and have been to mass many times, but they have never done anything like this in America. Please fill me in, if you know anything about this.

The best part of church was that the President (His Excellency Bingu wa Mutharika) was there. He spoke a little at the end. It was really cool to be that close to a President.

We then went to Lucius' home to eat lunch. We stopped and bought some soft drinks and a bag of Malawian chips. Tadala loved the chips, as you can see in this picture!

Here he is: His Excellency Bingu wa Mutharika!

Here is Bech at our interhouse athletics day, last Friday. He looked hilarious!

Here I am with Annelise Stauffacher. Bech and I worked at the records and certificates table.

We will be home soon!!!!!!!!!