Author's Note: First and foremost, if you have any hangups, you won't like this story, especially if those hangups involve incest, interracial sexuality, and/or bisexuality of any type. This story takes place in a universe where there are no STDs. Secondly, I wish to apologize to anyone offended by my portrayal of Malawi and its people and customs. I have taken very generous liberties with regard to customs and the general infrastructure of the country for the sake of the story. Comments are greatly appreciated.
Missionary Family
"We are so blessed to be given this opportunity to serve the Lord through Christ," Harriet Moore said as she intoned a prayer before lunch. "May He continue to bless each of us as we strive to do His work."
"Amen!" James Moore replied to finish his wife's prayer.
"Amen!" John, 23, and Mary, 22, added.
"There was a lot of interest in this mission," James explained as they ate. "I don't know why they picked us as opposed to some of the other fine families, but the Lord's Blessing has fallen upon us."
"I had no idea where Malawi was," Mary said. "I had to look it up."
"David Livingstone was the first European to discover Malawi," Harriet explained. "That's the Dr. Livingstone of Stanley & Livingstone fame. He thought it was a beautiful land and encouraged the British government to create settlements. It was part of the British crown territories for a long time."
"How do they feel about Christians and white people today?" John asked.
"The country is basically a Christian nation," James replied. "The Anglican church and our own Presbyterian church were very active early on. There is almost no racial strife. English is the primary language, though there are probably a dozen native dialects spoken."
"And we're going to be based in the town of Nkopola, very close to the border with Mozambique at the southern edge of Lake Malawi," Harriet added. "It should be very exciting. We'll have a wonderful opportunity to spread the word of Christ."
"I hope we can make some new friends," Mary said. "I'm going to miss mine."
"We're all going to miss friends," Harriet sympathized. "And we're going to have the opportunity to make new ones. I'm sure we'll have no trouble."
"How is it that there is this opening?" John asked.
"The last family that they sent had some difficulties adjusting," James replied. "Not every family is cut out to live in primitive, 3rd-world conditions."
"We've had some correspondence with other missionary families already," Harriet explained. "They've all pretty much said the same thing; if you truly believe in the Lord and his Word and Christ, His Son, and can adapt and accept that not all people do all things alike, then Malawi is a kind of heaven on earth."
"They advised us to keep a very open mind," James added, "and to trust in our faith in Christ."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Wow, it sure is warm here," Mary said when they deplaned into the sweltering tropical heat.
"I think we're not going to be able to wear a lot of the clothes that we've brought," Harriet said.
"This is like summer," John said, "and it's December."
"Oh, look at all of the colors!" Mary exclaimed. "It's so beautiful against their black skin."
"It looks sensible, too, for the weather," Harriet observed.
"Ah, there they are," James said, seeing a sign labeled MOORE waving from the small crowd awaiting the passengers.
"You must be James Moore," a large, florid-faced man said, a big smile on his face.
"I am indeed," James said, holding out his hand. "Are you Abel Hooker?"
"I am," Abel confirmed, "and this is my wife, Julie," he said, introducing the small, blonde woman next to him.
"Welcome to Malawi," Julie said, smiling as she held out her hand, her sea-green eyes sparkling. "We're so happy to have you here and I just know that you'll come to love Malawi as much as we."
"Thank you," Harriet said as they shook hands. "I'm Harriet, this is John and Mary."
"Let's get you to the house that's been prepared for you," Abel said. "Then we'll let you get settled in and rest a bit. We're having a community dinner in your honor tonight so that you'll get a chance to meet a large part of our community, plus all of the mission leaders."
"That sounds wonderful," Harriet said.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Oh, what a beautiful house!" Harriet exclaimed when she saw the colonial-era, colonnaded and balconied, 2-story home that was to be theirs.
"This house is over 125 years old," Julie explained. "It's very comfortable. Anything that's missing that you need, just let me know and I'll do what I can. Once you learn the ropes, you'll find that pretty much anything is available."
"This is Chabwera and his wife, Teleza," Abel said, introducing an ebony couple in their 50s. "Chabwera means 'he who has arrived at last', though you'll find that he is always on time, if not early. Teleza means 'slippery'. She lives up to her name, always finding ways of getting things done. They'll be in charge of the house for you. You just let them know what it is that you require and they'll make it happen."
"I'm not sure if I'm comfortable with the idea of servants," Harriet said after shaking hands with Chabwera and Teleza. "It seems contrary to the Lord's word."
"You shouldn't think of them as servants," Abel explained. "They're more like extended members of your family, just like you'll be extended members of theirs. Them helping you is part of their service to the Lord, just as you helping them to understand our Lord's Word is your service."
"Chabwera and Teleza will bring you to the community hall for dinner," Julie said. "We'll leave you to get settled in and see you then."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Oh, James, this is so beautiful!" Harriet exclaimed as they stood with their arms around each other's waist on the balcony of their bedroom overlooking the town of Nkopola and Lake Malawi beyond.
"It does seem like paradise," James concurred. "I'm really looking forward to this."
"Me, too," Harriet replied, "though I do have to admit to having had serious trepidations. I'm mostly worried for the children. I worry for them socially. They're at an age where they should be starting to look to their own future families."
"I'm sure things will work out just fine," James assured her. "There are the other four missionary families and I understand that there's a bit of a European population spread throughout the country. I'm sure that they'll meet people."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Good friends, please join me in welcoming the newest members of our missionary family, James, Harriet, John, and Mary Moore," Abel said.
The room contained one long table around which sat all five of the missionary families. There was a simple, yet banquet-like meal served, accompanied with seemingly unlimited supplies of South African wine. Though a bit uncomfortable at first, the Moores slowly relaxed in the obviously friendly atmosphere, meeting each of the families and learning a bit about them, as well as telling about themselves.
Abel and Julie Hooker, 53 and 50 respectively, were stationed in the capital, Lilongwe, not that far as the crow flies from Nkopola, but a full day's travel given the circumstances of Malawi. Abel was 6'1" and 240lbs with balding brown hair and hazel eyes. Julie was 5'6" and 135lbs. She seemed a bit more serious than jovial Abel with her dark brown hair and dark eyes.
Harry and Sally Simmons, 48 and 45 respectively, were stationed in Mzimba in central Malawi close to the Zambian border. Harry, at 5'10" and 185lbs had reddish hair and green eyes which lent themselves to his playful personality. Sally with her brown hair and eyes on her 5'4", 140lb. frame was the perfect complement to her husband, her C-cup breasts seeming a lot larger than they really were because of her diminutive stature.
Greg and Susan Nance, 44 and 42, were stationed up north in Chipita near the Zambian and Tanzanian borders. Greg's 6'1" and 195lbs fit well with his blonde hair and blue eyes on a very fit frame. Susan at 5'8" and 150lbs with brown hair and grey eyes was a couple of inches shorter than their daughter, Charlene, 22, whose 145lbs and full C-cup breasts were complimented by the same blonde hair, though far longer, and had the same blue eyes as her father.
Steve and Sara Bishop were the youngest of the group at 40 and 38 respectively. They were the children of missionaries who had served for many years in Malawi and were as good as natives. They were stationed at Rhumpi in the north. At 6'3" and 200lbs, Steve was a physical presence with his brown hair and hazel eyes. Sara was typically Irish in appearance at 5'6" and 125lbs with her red hair and green eyes, her B-cup breasts seeming perfect for her. Their son, Bruce, 19, was 6'2" and 185lbs, his brown hair and green eyes going well with his dark tan.
Harriet noticed that John seemed to spend time talking with Charlene Nance, while Bruce Bishop kept Mary engaged in conversation. Everyone was full of encouragement, telling how they wouldn't dream of living anywhere else.
"Given, not every place is right for everybody," Abel Hooker said, "and we've gone through several families before you trying to fill this post, but I have a feeling that your family is going to be perfect for Malawi."
"We sure hope so," James said. "We've dreamed for a long time of doing the Lord's missionary work."
"You'll find the people very receptive to the Lord's Word," Susan Nance said, "especially in the towns and cities. When you start moving into the bush and dealing with the various native groups, then you need to be more open, tolerant, and imaginative."
"You'll find that you can't sell the whole car, that you need to first get them to accept a wheel, then later a door," Steve Bishop explained.
"There's a lot of give and take," Sally Simmons said. "When they see that you are accepting of their ways, then they'll be more inclined to be accepting of ours."
"It's a fantastic growing experience," Julie Hooker said. "You'll learn a lot about yourselves and your faith."
"We're a bit worried about John and Mary," Harriet said.
"They're the least of your worries," Susan Nance said. "Our experience is that the children adapt faster, are more open to other ways of thinking and being and doing."
"It does seem so exciting," Mary Moore said.
"I'm sure you'll catch on quickly," Bruce Bishop said. "Nothing opens doors better than a beautiful girl."
"Well, aren't you the gallant one!" Harriet said with a smile when she saw Mary blush.
"We're all going to stay for a few days to help you get oriented," Abel Hooker explained. "We'll take turns spending time with you, showing you different things, explaining how things work, and answering your questions. After a few days with input from all of us, you'll be ready to take the bull by the horns. I'm sure that Bruce and Charlene will be happy to show John and Mary around."
