We say goodbye, but not forever

'We say goodbye, but not forever.' This song was sung to me when I said goodbye to the children in Kwanjana on 30 January. It touched me and I prayed: ‘Let heaven be filled with these children!’

I have been back in the Netherlands for a few weeks now after a wonderful trip to Malawi. Meanwhile, I have started my final internship at a primary school in the Netherlands. How long it seems already since I was in Malawi! They are two completely different worlds, which makes it feel extra far away. I left for Malawi with my cousin in November and we spent a total of 2.5 months there. I look back on an unforgettable time, during which I learnt, saw and did an awesome amount.

I remember well when my cousin and I arrived in Malawi, after a journey of almost 20 hours. Tired and sweaty. In fact, we had no idea what we were getting into. We marvelled at all the people on the streets. They were only too eager to sell something to those two azungus (white people). After we landed a bit, we headed to Kwanjana, where a new experience awaited us. On the way, we feasted our eyes. Bicycles overloaded with all kinds of merchandise, pick-ups with sometimes up to 20 people in them, overcrowded minibuses and motorbikes really popping up everywhere. Kwanjana lacks the luxury of a asphalt road and so we were introduced to the dirt road. There is a Dutch children's song which talks about a ‘dirt road, gravel road, bumpy bumpy, pit in the road’, and this was now a reality. I found these really delightful drives.

At first, the children were very shy of us. They did not dare to say much and watched us from a safe distance. Fortunately, that got better and better and we really bonded with the children. I was allowed to give more and more lessons and I really enjoyed that! The advantage is that these children are much better behaved than those in the Netherlands... A lot was asked of my creativity, because the children are not really used to ‘our’ way of teaching. Also, English is still quite a challenge for many children. Telling Bible stories was so nice to do! We also learned the song ‘my God is so big, so strong and so mighty’. We read fun books and drew beautiful cows and windmills. One group even got to taste liquorice... The song ‘a ram sam sam’ was a favourite, in time I heard it throughout the school....

Christmas was special. I had been asked to do the Bible story. All the children got to hear about the shepherds who went to visit Him, ‘Who for thy sake became poor, since He was rich, that thou through His poverty mightst become rich’.

Far too soon, it was time to say goodbye. The children have found a place in my heart. The whole school was present and we were really put in the limelight. We were sung to and given a farewell gift. ‘God be with you, till we meet again’. These children need Jesus. Will you pray with us?