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theakpisinmalawi

Welcome Woézonlo Takulandirani

We are the Akpis; a Togolese-American family living in Malawi.

Sit down with a cup of tea

Life is an adventure waiting to unfold. Join us as we share stories about our blended family and navigating life across the continent of Africa and the globe.

I don’t make a lot of permanent posts a lot about our ministry, as this page for me is mostly about our family.

BUT-this video is just so beautiful, and represents so much.

I say this a lot.

When Kossi and I moved to Malawi, we didn’t know what we would do. We thought we would be here for 2 years and then move to the US.

But we love Malawi so much, we have been here 8.5 years.

In this video, a woman is sharing her testimony about the business she started by being a beneficiary of @familyhopeinternational . Last Friday, she was able to purchase rice, beans and a few other things to sell. She quickly sold everything, and purchased more to sell.

She concluded with saying that she can now drink tea with milk. Adding the milk was a luxury she didn’t have a week before.

This video is so special to me not only because of this victory, but also because of the way our brothers, who lead @familyhopeinternational in Malawi, responded to her—With such celebration, love and excitement.

I’ve moved around the entirety of my adult life, until these last 8.5 years in Malawi. In this season I am so thankful for the fruit of these years, the relationships that have been built and all the beautiful things that are growing.

I don’t make a lot of permanent posts a lot about our ministry, as this page for me is mostly about our family.

BUT-this video is just so beautiful, and represents so much.

I say this a lot.

When Kossi and I moved to Malawi, we didn’t know what we would do. We thought we would be here for 2 years and then move to the US.

But we love Malawi so much, we have been here 8.5 years.

In this video, a woman is sharing her testimony about the business she started by being a beneficiary of @familyhopeinternational . Last Friday, she was able to purchase rice, beans and a few other things to sell. She quickly sold everything, and purchased more to sell.

She concluded with saying that she can now drink tea with milk. Adding the milk was a luxury she didn’t have a week before.

This video is so special to me not only because of this victory, but also because of the way our brothers, who lead @familyhopeinternational in Malawi, responded to her—With such celebration, love and excitement.

I’ve moved around the entirety of my adult life, until these last 8.5 years in Malawi. In this season I am so thankful for the fruit of these years, the relationships that have been built and all the beautiful things that are growing.

Moments of June in Malawi ☀️ ⭐️ 🌕

#blendedfamily
#lifeoverseas
#thisgloballife

Moments of June in Malawi ☀️ ⭐️ 🌕

#blendedfamily
#lifeoverseas
#thisgloballife

Hopefully this is the last time walking to this toilet!! The builders are working on the bathroom and 🤞 it will be ready next week! Is that having too high of hopes?

Hopefully this is the last time walking to this toilet!! The builders are working on the bathroom and 🤞 it will be ready next week! Is that having too high of hopes?

I’ve loved our African Monarch journey. How beautiful to watch this journey unfold. Our butterflies are now happily flying in our garden, drinking from the flowers blooming on our avocado tree.

Now I just need to find some milkweed for our garden! #africanmonarch #homeschool

I’ve loved our African Monarch journey. How beautiful to watch this journey unfold. Our butterflies are now happily flying in our garden, drinking from the flowers blooming on our avocado tree.

Now I just need to find some milkweed for our garden! #africanmonarch #homeschool

A beautiful Sunday Birthday Matinée. Breathe. Bend. Brunch. Banter. @matchboxlifestylemw

A beautiful Sunday Birthday Matinée. Breathe. Bend. Brunch. Banter. @matchboxlifestylemw

Our lives would be tragic without you in it. You are our provider, protector, friend, husband and father. You are the rock of this family. A light in the darkness. An example of fatherhood. An example of a good husband. An example of a good human being.

I love you!!!

And for all of you ladies who are afraid of marrying a younger man-do it! If it’s the right person, who cares what the age gap is!

Our lives would be tragic without you in it. You are our provider, protector, friend, husband and father. You are the rock of this family. A light in the darkness. An example of fatherhood. An example of a good husband. An example of a good human being.

I love you!!!

And for all of you ladies who are afraid of marrying a younger man-do it! If it’s the right person, who cares what the age gap is!

“Our hands are the brushes, and the air is the canvas. We speak in shapes and stories.”

What a privilege it is to know Kati and her heart for the deaf community. I love you even more after tonight! Check out @tikonzeapapa to see what they are doing amongst the deaf community in Malawi.

And @swaswa.icetea3 @g.h.thrift.fashion I love what you’re doin girl coming alongside Tikonze Apapa!

#deafawareness
#deafcommunity
#deaffashion

“Our hands are the brushes, and the air is the canvas. We speak in shapes and stories.”

What a privilege it is to know Kati and her heart for the deaf community. I love you even more after tonight! Check out @tikonzeapapa to see what they are doing amongst the deaf community in Malawi.

And @swaswa.icetea3 @g.h.thrift.fashion I love what you’re doin girl coming alongside Tikonze Apapa!

#deafawareness
#deafcommunity
#deaffashion

May is my favorite month.

It’s the month I became a mother.

It’s when the rain stops, the air dries up, and sitting in the sun is refreshing instead of torture.

People have recently harvested their maize. The remaining stocks are in the fields, golden in color, with sweet purple flowers blooming up around them. It’s time to harvest Khobwe, cow peas, while Nandolo, pigeon peas, are drying on the bushes.

Fire season has only just begun, so the skies are still blue…soon a haze will settle across the country as people burn their dried leaves and fields.

It’s a moment in time, the changing of seasons, from warm and humid to dry and cool, and I love it.

#seasons
#southernhemisphere

May is my favorite month.

It’s the month I became a mother.

It’s when the rain stops, the air dries up, and sitting in the sun is refreshing instead of torture.

People have recently harvested their maize. The remaining stocks are in the fields, golden in color, with sweet purple flowers blooming up around them. It’s time to harvest Khobwe, cow peas, while Nandolo, pigeon peas, are drying on the bushes.

Fire season has only just begun, so the skies are still blue…soon a haze will settle across the country as people burn their dried leaves and fields.

It’s a moment in time, the changing of seasons, from warm and humid to dry and cool, and I love it.

#seasons
#southernhemisphere

Loving my life every day. #thisgloballife #lifeabroad #adventureintheeveryday

Loving my life every day. #thisgloballife #lifeabroad #adventureintheeveryday

Over the hill and to our home

Over the hill and to our home

Can’t believe these two are 8 tomorrow, although it feels like an eternity ago that we were all crying ourselves to sleep at night.

Eight is already revving up to be full of curiosity and questions, testing boundaries and growing in independence.

I can’t believe the years of them being little becoming fewer and fewer.

Thanks to these two for making me a mama 8 years ago!

Can’t believe these two are 8 tomorrow, although it feels like an eternity ago that we were all crying ourselves to sleep at night.

Eight is already revving up to be full of curiosity and questions, testing boundaries and growing in independence.

I can’t believe the years of them being little becoming fewer and fewer.

Thanks to these two for making me a mama 8 years ago!

“They say that no matter how old you become, when you are with your siblings, you revert back to childhood.” – Karen White

#homeschool
#thisgloballife
#adventureintheeveryday

“They say that no matter how old you become, when you are with your siblings, you revert back to childhood.” – Karen White

#homeschool
#thisgloballife
#adventureintheeveryday

“I have always believed that a blighted urban jungle of concrete destroys the human spirit. We need the greenery of nature to lift up our spirits.”

-Lee Kuan Yew

Singapore. The garden city.

The most humid place I have ever been.

“I have always believed that a blighted urban jungle of concrete destroys the human spirit. We need the greenery of nature to lift up our spirits.”

-Lee Kuan Yew

Singapore. The garden city.

The most humid place I have ever been.

I won’t stop talking about how good all the food is in Taiwan. These photos are mostly of my favorite childhood snacks that I came across.

What is your favorite thing to eat from Taiwan? 🇹🇼

I won’t stop talking about how good all the food is in Taiwan. These photos are mostly of my favorite childhood snacks that I came across.

What is your favorite thing to eat from Taiwan? 🇹🇼

Formed in Formosa: Values rooted within me from my birth and childhood as a cross cultural child living in Taiwan

Part 3:

As we visit this mountain town, my dad and I are always racing against our hosts to pay for our meals. It is common at restaurants to see full blown arguments break out between friends over who will pay.

Splitting the bill? Inconceivable.

There is a fluidity between friends and family over who will pay for things.

My best friend and I lived this way in college. We never kept track of who paid for what, but out of friendship with each other we had found a stream of sharing expenses.

It is jarring to me to keep track of who paid for what. I love the foundation of love and sense of community that comes from generosity, hospitality and shared expenses.

Formed in Formosa: Values rooted within me from my birth and childhood as a cross cultural child living in Taiwan

Part 3:

As we visit this mountain town, my dad and I are always racing against our hosts to pay for our meals. It is common at restaurants to see full blown arguments break out between friends over who will pay.

Splitting the bill? Inconceivable.

There is a fluidity between friends and family over who will pay for things.

My best friend and I lived this way in college. We never kept track of who paid for what, but out of friendship with each other we had found a stream of sharing expenses.

It is jarring to me to keep track of who paid for what. I love the foundation of love and sense of community that comes from generosity, hospitality and shared expenses.

Taiwan is known as the food capital, having top tier food.

Before our trip, I told Kossi; be ready to eat…all the time.

And we did.

You can find restaurants on every street corner, and if it’s not a restaurant, it’s a 7-11.

We enjoyed each meal, so thoroughly.

Taiwan is known as the food capital, having top tier food.

Before our trip, I told Kossi; be ready to eat…all the time.

And we did.

You can find restaurants on every street corner, and if it’s not a restaurant, it’s a 7-11.

We enjoyed each meal, so thoroughly.

Part two: Formed in Formosa: Values rooted within me from my birth and childhood as a cross cultural child living in Taiwan.

Food as community:

As a young adult living in the US, there were two things that would cause my heart to sink; ordering individual meals at a Chinese restaurant, and sticking chopsticks straight up in a bowl of rice.

Naturally, as we began to plan our trip to Taiwan, my mouth would salivate as I thought of beef noodle soup, dried tofu, squid on a stick and all the other delicious foods that awaited me. It wasn’t until my mid 20’s that I learned that Taiwan was actually a food tourism destination; people from Asia flew to Taiwan just to enjoy their food.

Street food is a part of life here. It’s impossible to be in a location without a small shop selling…something. One can’t go far without finding a 7-11 or small shop selling breakfast, or beef noodle soup, or tea.

Each restaurant we go to is always packed. People love to eat, and eat in community. Every table is full with at least 10 dishes, and people scarfing down tofu, chicken, duck or vegetables with their chopsticks as they tell or listen to a story.

Food is central to life. Something to be shared.

It was at the same camp where as a young girl, I remember walking into the kitchen and being scolded for having chopsticks sticking straight up in my bowl of rice. I quickly learned how offensive it was, death to the chef. Unto this day, it makes me uncomfortable to see chopsticks standing in a bowl of rice.

So for those of you reading this; next time you eat Chinese food; please. Order as a table and share. You’re not meant to eat a whole plate of kung pao chicken.

Part two: Formed in Formosa: Values rooted within me from my birth and childhood as a cross cultural child living in Taiwan.

Food as community:

As a young adult living in the US, there were two things that would cause my heart to sink; ordering individual meals at a Chinese restaurant, and sticking chopsticks straight up in a bowl of rice.

Naturally, as we began to plan our trip to Taiwan, my mouth would salivate as I thought of beef noodle soup, dried tofu, squid on a stick and all the other delicious foods that awaited me. It wasn’t until my mid 20’s that I learned that Taiwan was actually a food tourism destination; people from Asia flew to Taiwan just to enjoy their food.

Street food is a part of life here. It’s impossible to be in a location without a small shop selling…something. One can’t go far without finding a 7-11 or small shop selling breakfast, or beef noodle soup, or tea.

Each restaurant we go to is always packed. People love to eat, and eat in community. Every table is full with at least 10 dishes, and people scarfing down tofu, chicken, duck or vegetables with their chopsticks as they tell or listen to a story.

Food is central to life. Something to be shared.

It was at the same camp where as a young girl, I remember walking into the kitchen and being scolded for having chopsticks sticking straight up in my bowl of rice. I quickly learned how offensive it was, death to the chef. Unto this day, it makes me uncomfortable to see chopsticks standing in a bowl of rice.

So for those of you reading this; next time you eat Chinese food; please. Order as a table and share. You’re not meant to eat a whole plate of kung pao chicken.

I don’t want to be greedy, but 12 days in Taiwan wasn’t enough, and I didn’t even touch half my bucket list.

Hoping there will be a next time.

#lifeabroad
#thisgloballife
#tck

I don’t want to be greedy, but 12 days in Taiwan wasn’t enough, and I didn’t even touch half my bucket list.

Hoping there will be a next time.

#lifeabroad
#thisgloballife
#tck

Formed in Formosa: Values rooted within me from my birth and childhood as a cross cultural child living in Taiwan.

Part 1// A place of rest:
The thing I looked forward to the most on this trip was being able to see the island of my birth with my adult eyes. To see, feel and hear the cities, mountains and ocean that shaped me to be who I am today. To be in the land where I took my first breath, first steps, first fall; where my identity and who I am was shaped and formed.

Everyday as I look around me, I am filled with awe, as it all makes sense.

It wasn’t until I was in my 20’s that I discovered my love for the mountains. Ministry and life at Surfing the Nation’s in Hawai’i was full on. They were long days of pouring in to young people and the community. On the weekends my friends and I would take to the mountains, finding new trails and reaching new heights.

Yesterday we went to the camp & retreat center that we went to once or twice a year, just 1 hour from our home. We gathered with the missions group my family was apart of. There were 20ish families that gathered. Our parents had a conference, and the kids got to play. There were two places we commonly liked to play; when I was little, it was a small man made pond that we used to catch tiny frogs in. As I got older, it became the ropes course. I remember eating breakfast and running down to the ropes course-everyone wanting to be the first one to whichever balancing activity they loved most.

It was here that I learned that elephant ears (the plant) cause serious itchiness if touched. And as I stood surrounded by tall palms, bamboo and the jungle I realized that it was here, in this space that God formed my sense of rest. That the mountains would be the place that I would run to to find solace.

Formed in Formosa: Values rooted within me from my birth and childhood as a cross cultural child living in Taiwan.

Part 1// A place of rest:
The thing I looked forward to the most on this trip was being able to see the island of my birth with my adult eyes. To see, feel and hear the cities, mountains and ocean that shaped me to be who I am today. To be in the land where I took my first breath, first steps, first fall; where my identity and who I am was shaped and formed.

Everyday as I look around me, I am filled with awe, as it all makes sense.

It wasn’t until I was in my 20’s that I discovered my love for the mountains. Ministry and life at Surfing the Nation’s in Hawai’i was full on. They were long days of pouring in to young people and the community. On the weekends my friends and I would take to the mountains, finding new trails and reaching new heights.

Yesterday we went to the camp & retreat center that we went to once or twice a year, just 1 hour from our home. We gathered with the missions group my family was apart of. There were 20ish families that gathered. Our parents had a conference, and the kids got to play. There were two places we commonly liked to play; when I was little, it was a small man made pond that we used to catch tiny frogs in. As I got older, it became the ropes course. I remember eating breakfast and running down to the ropes course-everyone wanting to be the first one to whichever balancing activity they loved most.

It was here that I learned that elephant ears (the plant) cause serious itchiness if touched. And as I stood surrounded by tall palms, bamboo and the jungle I realized that it was here, in this space that God formed my sense of rest. That the mountains would be the place that I would run to to find solace.

Bike riding in Sun Moon Lake! ☀️ 🌙

#sunmoonlake #taiwan #familytravel

Bike riding in Sun Moon Lake! ☀️ 🌙

#sunmoonlake #taiwan #familytravel

Hong Kong was an absolute blast from the million steps we took around the city, the countless cups of boba milk tea, to Ocean Park and Disney Land. But I think what the kids (and adults) will cherish from this trip is the special moments we shared as family. 🤍 thank you Mimi & Papa for making this happen!

Hong Kong was an absolute blast from the million steps we took around the city, the countless cups of boba milk tea, to Ocean Park and Disney Land. But I think what the kids (and adults) will cherish from this trip is the special moments we shared as family. 🤍 thank you Mimi & Papa for making this happen!

Yesterday we had a discussion with a friend who is about to become a dad, and he shared that his first time hanging out with Kossi, he was taken aback that he had brought Delali with him. Delali was one and a half at that time, and I probably needed a break, so he took her along with them. This friend wasn’t used to seeing men so involved in parenthood.

That is one thing I love about Kossi. He lost his father at a young age. He did’t have a role model as for what a father was. And yet, he is the most incredible dad.

I’m so thankful to have you as a partner, and that I’m not in this parenting thing alone! @akpikossi

Yesterday we had a discussion with a friend who is about to become a dad, and he shared that his first time hanging out with Kossi, he was taken aback that he had brought Delali with him. Delali was one and a half at that time, and I probably needed a break, so he took her along with them. This friend wasn’t used to seeing men so involved in parenthood.

That is one thing I love about Kossi. He lost his father at a young age. He did’t have a role model as for what a father was. And yet, he is the most incredible dad.

I’m so thankful to have you as a partner, and that I’m not in this parenting thing alone! @akpikossi

I love our life and the living education my children are receiving. ❤️

#homeschool
#outdoorschool
#livingeducation

I love our life and the living education my children are receiving. ❤️

#homeschool
#outdoorschool
#livingeducation

Congratulations @anzombewe19 and Eric!!! The most beautiful Chinkoswe!

#thisgloballife
#lifeabroad
#homeawayfromhome🏡

Congratulations @anzombewe19 and Eric!!! The most beautiful Chinkoswe!

#thisgloballife
#lifeabroad
#homeawayfromhome🏡

I’m just gonna jump on this trend because I’m SO excited to be going back to Taiwan, my home in the 90’s, and 80’s. And so yes. Some of these photos are from the 80’s because I don’t have that many photos of myself in the 90’s!

#90strend
#thirdculturekid
#thisgloballife

I’m just gonna jump on this trend because I’m SO excited to be going back to Taiwan, my home in the 90’s, and 80’s. And so yes. Some of these photos are from the 80’s because I don’t have that many photos of myself in the 90’s!

#90strend
#thirdculturekid
#thisgloballife

Our unconventional life. In my 20’s I was taught to live outside the box.

I took that seriously.

#thisgloballife
#homeawayfromhome🏡
#adventureintheeveryday

Our unconventional life. In my 20’s I was taught to live outside the box.

I took that seriously.

#thisgloballife
#homeawayfromhome🏡
#adventureintheeveryday

A quick little preview of my first Malawian Chinkoswe 🎉 Only took 8 years!
#culture #crosscultural #thisgloballife

A quick little preview of my first Malawian Chinkoswe 🎉 Only took 8 years!
#culture #crosscultural #thisgloballife

The rain and cooler weather has been much welcomed this week.

Also not mad that Pearl Jam is making a comeback.

#crossculturallife
#everydaymoments
#slowliving
#missionarylife
#lifeinafrica🌍

The rain and cooler weather has been much welcomed this week.

Also not mad that Pearl Jam is making a comeback.

#crossculturallife
#everydaymoments
#slowliving
#missionarylife
#lifeinafrica🌍

Nature therapy.

Today I was having one of those moments wheee my brain was doing gymnastics trying to explain to the tailor how I wanted my curtains made. My nervous system hit a wall. The math wasn’t mathing and my brain wasn’t able to solve the problem.

I took a walk in my garden and was mesmerized by these beautiful passion flowers. My thoughts shifted from overwhelm to-how is it possible that this flower will one day become a fruit?

Do you take nature therapy breaks?

Nature therapy.

Today I was having one of those moments wheee my brain was doing gymnastics trying to explain to the tailor how I wanted my curtains made. My nervous system hit a wall. The math wasn’t mathing and my brain wasn’t able to solve the problem.

I took a walk in my garden and was mesmerized by these beautiful passion flowers. My thoughts shifted from overwhelm to-how is it possible that this flower will one day become a fruit?

Do you take nature therapy breaks?

Doing something I said I would never do!!

Golf.

We found it to be a fun date, and something we’ll definitely do again!

Have you ever golfed??

#dateyourspouse❤️ #golfdate #golfinginafrica

Doing something I said I would never do!!

Golf.

We found it to be a fun date, and something we’ll definitely do again!

Have you ever golfed??

#dateyourspouse❤️ #golfdate #golfinginafrica

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