April 25 we left Blantyre in the south enroute to Chitipa in the North. We took the "long way" around and a variety of vehicles to arrive in Chitipa (Blantyre-Lilongwe-Mzuzu-Karonga-Chitipa rather than the direct route Blantyre-Karonga-Chitipa)...1. Maxwell's Minibus from Blantyre to Lilongwe (he uses this minibus for ministry and as a taxi in Blantyre to help fund the ministry and provide for his family).
2. Regular Bus from Lilongwe to Mzuzu (7 hours), then by another minibus crammed full of people to Karonga (5 hours). We were the first people to enter the mini-bus, but after 20 minutes or so, others joined us we had 13-15 people, plus all their baggage. It was a tight squeeze for sure.
3. Pick-up Truck from Karonga to Chitipa. Nancy Sue and I rode in the cab of the truck. Patrick Malasi, John Kadalinga and Maxwell Mpitinyanga rode in the back. We had 100 km of dirt road to travel - taking us 5 hours.
As the pick-up made its way to Chitipa we stopped and picked up more passengers and bags until the back was crammed full.4. After 10 days in Chitipa, we had a pleasant surprise on our return to Karonga - they now had regular bus service from Chitipa to Karonga! As always Nancy Sue and I watch in amazement as people bring all kinds of things onto the bus, including their live chickens!
From Karonga to Mzuzu and Mzuzu to Lilongwe we had regular buses on our return trip. We give thanks for God's protection as we traveled. Also, Nancy Sue and I are thankful for Maxwell who had to take care of these two white women along the way!
