One week down, eleven more to go. There are many things that change when entering into a different country as you would assume or many already know, and they go beyond the basics of the hour on your watch. Once on the ground, the pace of life is very different from the western world. For one, time is viewed as more of a measurement than a deadline. In Canada and the US we are in a constant rush to complete the tasks of life, we get up and start the race against the clock, and then once that is done, for many people, we take at least a portion of our evening and rest and get mentally ready for the next race. In Africa, there isn’t the same perspective, and it benefits how the people in Africa live their life. With less stress on the time spent and more focus on the people it is spent with, you can simply enjoy the small aspects of your day that pass by in the midst of our Western race.
For example, the start to our day differs from day to day, sometimes we are up and lively at 3:30 or crawling out of bed at 6:30. But we rise with the birds and the sun, and go to bed not too long after the sun sets. And this is very normal for the average person. With such a large amount of the country living on a small family income, electricity is a luxury that not everyone in Malawi can afford, so the measurement of the day is quite literally the sun. This does not make life easier on the local people, it just changes their pace. Just like most of North America, many people here have thirty minutes to an hour commute to and from work, usually by bike or by foot. Where the western world may choose to start work at 8, most things here start around 7 such as school. The children will wake up with the sun and get to school, sometimes without the help of a clock at all.
And our office hours start around 8-8:30 and end around 4-5, usually a few hours after the children leave for home. This gives us more time in the morning to get our priorities done and have a slower morning with God. And that is probably the best aspect of the lifestyle change that comes with moving to Africa, besides the people, and the work that we get to do, the slower lifestyle is one that help you determine you priorities. It teaches you to slow down and be present in the moment, and helps you remember just how much time you really should be spending with God and your loved ones.
There is something about slowing down your life that is more conducive to a life that God calls us to live, no matter where you live. It is hard to live a life for God, His creation, and His people if we are moving too fast too be in relationship with Him. Too busy to stop and enjoy the creation that He created for us, and too busy to spent time in relationship with the people He designed us to care for. So our first week in Africa has been majorly impactful in helping us live a life that is more conducive to the heart we feel God is leading us to have for the people of Malawi.
So if you can spare some time in the western race, I would encourage you to try an African style day or two if you can. A day that starts with the evening before as you’ll need to sleep earlier, then waking up around 5 and spending more time in the moment and less in the future, more time with God and less on the clock. If it has been this impactful on our day to day in only 10 days on the ground, I’d be willing to bet that you can gain something out of living a slower day with us.
Mulungu Akudalitseni.
God Bless you.
Jeremiah
Our First Journey Together 
One response to “The Western Race”
Love this perspective and it is oh so true! Thank you for writing and for sharing your thoughts. Cal and I are in continued prayer for you both and are excited for all that is to come!
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