Home is where the Hilux is

Truly, Lilongwe took a step closer to becoming our home when we finally found a car to buy. Bravo to Andy who also learned to drive stick, driving on the left, in Africa traffic!



We live in a large compound surrounded by brick walls and razor wire. The yard is green (because we water like crazy) and filled with fruit trees--mango, papaya, avocado, lemon, orange.



Scout has turned some developmental corner and is now a kid who likes to play with other kids. She spends every moment he's willing with Precious, who lives on our compound too.



We sleep under bed nets so we don't get malaria while we sleep.


Michael, one of our guards, told me tonight that one of the best things about going to church is speaking in tongues. Here he is at our gate.



We live in one of the nicest neighbourhoods in Lilongwe, just down the street from the vice president's compound. When the rains start in a few weeks, there will be leaves on these trees.

Our dining room



and the compound within our compound, where Precious lives with his parents, Mohammad and Matilda (known as Potato for pronounciation reasons in our houshold). Mohammad is our housekeeper, and Potato watches Scout a couple hours a week.


Because they cook on an open fire (and for lots of other reasons I'll tell you about at length in future posts) we've made the rule that Scout can't just go and hang out at Precious' house. But if we can't find her, that's where we first look.