The youth center for Active Youth in Development was going up too well. In Malawian standards there were no problems-every time I went to the site the youth group, led by a hardworking contractor, were diligently layering bricks, mixing cement and building a youth center. I am so proud of them.
Saturday I went to the site to help work for the day. By help, I mean I carry some bricks, try to mix some cement, and mostly stand in the way. They don't let me do a lot of work, but I like being around and it so cool to see a building come to life.
I was watching the contractor work on Saturday and thought to myself-'we really lucked out.' Not only was his quote the lowest, but the building was going up on schedule. He wasn't showy or chatty-he got the job done.
Sunday morning I got a call at 5:30am saying that he had died. Our contractor got hit by a car on his bicycle after buying some tomatoes at the market. It was dark outside and a truck was trying to overtake another car on the narrow road-the trailer of the truck swung and hit our builder. He died instantly from head trauma. I went to the funeral Sunday morning, the group was really upset but they are moving forward. And that is what I am taking from this death-life goes on. We bought the roofing this morning and the group is looking for a new builder this week. It is not because they are over the death of our friend, it is because they still have to plant the crops, they still have to draw the water, and they still have to build our youth center.
My sister comes tomorrow-it could not be better timed. I am so looking forward to her visit, followed my parents arrival on the 27th. I really need a vacation and some family time.
Happy holidays and cheers to the new year!
loads of love,
e
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