Malawi Update - Shaaliyah Lyons

​Proverbs 3:5 "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding"
 
 
As week 2 comes to a conclusion, the phrase I would use, to sum up, these two weeks would be “deleting your comfort zone.”  Merriam Webster defines comfort zone as: "the level at which one functions with ease and familiarity." During this trip, I have subconsciously experienced this phase throughout the days in many different ways.  In one hand you see it within the kids, the first week, they did not know us very well and stayed in their comfort zone.  In the other hand, I see it in myself, putting myself out there for the greater good of impacting the kids.  As week 2 ends, I do not think anyone would say that the kids remain closed off and in their comfort zone. It is almost as if we have experienced two different groups of children!  The children who would not say much in week one are now finding themselves speaking every minute.  Those who felt uncomfortable praying in large groups of people are now the ones volunteering. It has been amazing to watch them transform into their true selves, step out of their comfort zones and really trust everything that we are challenging them with.  
 
In America, some kids despise gym class because of their lack of athletic ability.  They will fake illnesses to not play or dread every minute of it.  I saw very quickly that Malawi was no different. Some kids would say they were not feeling well to sit out of a sport because it was not their strong suit and trying it made them uncomfortable.  It was important for us to create an open space for fun regardless of their skill set and level of athleticism.  There were two girls who sat outside for part of the first day because they did not want to play: Ethel and Nelli, they preferred volleyball or no sports at all so they did not come in.  I (metaphorically) had to drag them in, instantly Nelli got involved, but Ethel was as open to jumping right in.  To make her feel more comfortable, while keeping her involved, I took her to the side to work on some easier drills and at one point I just volunteered her to participate in the drill everyone else was going.  It was in that moment, that I saw her step out of this comfort zone and just try it.  Even though she didn't have the same skill set as the other girls, she went for it and gave it her all and this was far more important than how well she did. What helped her taking this leap was her peers encouraging her as opposed to laughing at her.  It meant a lot that she trusted in our ability to challenge her, despite not knowing her.  Day after day we see these children stepping out their comfort zones, trusting us, and trying new things and as a result, we have been building a strong relationship with them which translates in the way they open up during devotionals. All in all, this trip has been one of growth from all ends of the spectrum, every day we, as MOAMs, are challenged to step out of our comfort zones as well.  For me, this has translated into my relationship with Christ. It is important that I remain consistent in the process of stepping out of doubt, logic, and anxiety to trust him and give him complete control.