There are very few building materials available in Malawi. Wood is very scarce and the government is actively trying to discourage using wood to make charcoal - the main heating source. I'm not sure what they are proposing that the villagers use instead, but the police can confiscate charcoal that is being sold. Anyway - back to the bricks -the soil in most parts of Malawi is a heavy clay - a good material for making bricks. Every village has brick makers who use a form to make the bricks. When enough are made they will make a kiln from the brick, build a fire in the kiln and fire them. The whole process takes several months. If the bricks are not fired before the rainy season, they will dissolve. Bricks last about 60 years. All the houses in the villages are made from brick with either a thatch or metal roof.
Bricks ready for firing
A kiln -
Typical village home
Those of us under 80 walked up the hill to see the church that is being built. I can't imagine carrying bricks up this hill to build the church.
They have been building this church for several years and hope to have in finished within a year. The setting is just beautiful, overlooking the hills and the lake. You can't help but feel closer to God here.
The altar
The sanctuary - as seen from the altar
View from the sanctuary of the hills and lake
Walking back down the hill
The difference in the standard of living between Chamasowa and here is startling. I'm not sure if it is because of the partnership between Glen Cary and Chamasowa, or other factors (mostly food availability/crop yields). It's just so hard to know how to help.
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