Stoll’s missionary adventure continues on to Malawi, Africa

Last summer, Melanie Stoll began her quest to go on an 11-month trek with The World Race, a missionary organization. This is Part 4 of an ongoing series chronicling Stoll’s travels.

Nov. 23 – I’m Thankful for Ice Cubes
Who would have thought I’d be spending my first Thanksgiving away from family and home, in Romania? Definitely not me. I still can’t believe I’m in month-two of the World Race. An adventure I thought about for three years but was always too scared to do.
Today I am thankful for some pretty random stuff I wouldn’t have even thought about last year at this time – America’s freedom and safety, a good mattress, warm showers and water pressure, my B squad family, healthy diets, beef and wild game, opportunities to travel around the world, driving privileges and laws, legs for transportation, ice cream, my momma’s cooking (I’m actually thankful for this every day in the USA) a washer and dryer, vegetables, extra socks, Google translate, shampoo that’s not a lush bar, dog pounds, private bathrooms, laughter, ice cubes, my dad’s humor, smiles from strangers and fountain soda.
Although there are so many things I have taken for granted in my everyday life, I am thankful I have this journey to open my eyes to the things that really matter and it’s the little things.

Dec. 14 – Romania

in My Heart
Romania has been a tough month to get through but I’m so glad it was put on my route. The missionaries I was partnered with over the month blessed me with their huge hearts for doing the Lords work. They are tired and worn out physically, but they continue to have a smile on their face because they are finding a rest and delight in God that is helping them continue to go strong in what He has asked them to do.
As I pack my bags and mentally prepare myself for the haul to Africa, I think back over the month and how even on the worst, cold day, God always sent some sunshine my way.
Tomorrow night we leave for Malawi Africa.

Dec. 17 – Malawi
After more than 24 hours of flying and driving, we finally arrived in Nkhata Bay, Malawi. It is probably one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. We are tenting at a hostel called Butterfly Space that is run by A.J., an English woman. Over the years she has started different volunteer programs which we are assisting in. A few of the programs we are helping with but not limited to are: prison ministry, primary school, nursery and youth club.
My team mate Jess and I have been walking to the nursery every morning and hanging out with the kids. They range in ages of 2-6 and caught on very fast to the new songs and games we taught them. A normal day consists of song and games, break time with toys, porridge at 10:45 a.m., and then we walk home the ones who don’t get picked up, around 12 p.m.
This specific nursery is for the family’s that can’t afford much so there is no charge. The first day it was rainy so only 13 kids showed up. Most of them don’t have rain coats or umbrellas or the roads are just to muddy when it rains, so they stay at home. The other days have been dry so the small concrete room is packed with about 40-50 wild, little ones.
There is scheduled power outages all across Malawi due to there not being enough electricity to go around the whole country at one time. This is due to not enough water to run off of. It changes a lot but an example is 7 hours on, 24 hours off.
On that note, Wi-Fi is also difficult to come by. I really want to connect with all y’all back home but it will be super limited throughout the next 3 months and short when I do have the ability to.
Even tho the power outages have downfalls, and not being able to contact the states regularly kind of sucks, I kind of love it.
With no power, the stars are brighter and the sky is fuller. Y’all this African sky almost beats my Wyoming sky.
Not having Wi-Fi makes me feel more connected with this place and the people I’m meeting. I don’t have the distraction or comfort of checking in with home to see how it’s going and when I get homesick it makes me find new and better ways to deal with it.
With that being said, I have everything I need to survive plus some. Every month in a new country I have the same thought... “I don’t think I ever realized how blessed I am.”
Nkhata Bay is a tourist town but the poverty makes my stomach sink. I think being poor makes you appreciate the things that matter most. I have never felt more welcomed and the people here really value conversation, relationships, handshakes and hugs.