God commanded the Israelites to go back into the middle of the Jordan river and collect 12 rocks to build a memorial.  As they stepped out of that tunnel with water piled up on both sides, I am sure they thought they would never forget.  Why was a memorial necessary?  It would be impossible to forget such a demonstration of the power of God!  And yet, God knew.  He set them up, knowing the nature of children, for they would ask:  Why is this pile of stones here, dad?  What does it mean?  And the question would stir a memory, and faith would rise.

How can there be hunger when there was a surplus of maize in Malawi?  Greed.  Jealousy.  Those who have lots want more, and hoard maize so that they can get an even more ridiculous price for it in the months to come.  How many more people will die before hearts are softened?  As the price has increased, people have been forced to buy maize one basin at a time, for as much as 500 Malawi Kwacha ($4.60 Cnd).  Several times in the last week, there has been no maize available at all in Bangula.  It is hard to tell where this will lead.  Many people are not eating every day. 

Rescuing butterflies is a delightful way to spend an afternoon.  In Zomba, our cool retreat, there is a certain sticky plant which attracts innocent butterflies presumably by some alluring scent.  As Kalina and I walked we came across clumps of brightly coloured butterflies slowly coming to a sticky end.  Careful not to touch their delicate wings, we gently removed a few and found that they were alive and eager to be free.  Likely many flew off to land on a similar plant and die a similar death.  I hope some of them found friendlier flowers.