Hospitality in Malawi is critical – critical to the art of the relationship. We have noticed one thing in abundance since arriving two months ago in Blantyre: many hospitable & warm hearts. A week ago we were able to have lunch with a new Malawian friend at his home. Timothy was our waiter at a restaurant where we frequent to answer emails and work on our newsletter. On our third visit, he asked us to come to his home for a meal. We agreed happily.

We met him outside the restaurant and, as he led us through the town of Chilomoni to his home – he was like an eager kid waiting for the first day of school. Timothy has four children and told us that the whole family was watching the clock in anticipation of the ulendo – visitors.

After arriving to the village we were taken on a tour while Evelyn, Thomas’ wife prepared fresh chicken and spaghetti. Timothy told us again how honored he was that we are his guests. His youngest daughter had never seen azungu or a white person before and cried every time I looked at her – which was often because I find Malawian little girls to be the most adorable children on the planet. Her tears were a constant addition to our afternoon. Sigh.

When lunch was ready, Timothy walked us through the process of washing our hands (something that happens at the table in Malawi) & saying grace. Lunch was an incredible spread of spaghetti, freshly fried chicken (not at all like KFC folks) & leafy vegetables. We felt like royalty with such a great spread, and Timothy felt like royalty because we were in his home. He told us so countless times.

There is a big difference between entertaining & exercising hospitality. Opening your home – even however humble – and offering whatever you have to your guests – is a precious lesson in hospitality we won’t be forgetting anytime soon. Thanks Timothy, Evelyn, Chrissi, Ernest, Vincent, & Praise (although I’m sorry for making you cry) for being our teachers.