Out of Africa

Saturday, May 9, 2009

We are now in the Kenya airport awaiting our flight to London. We have had an amazing journey these past two weeks. After spending a week with COTN in Lilongwe working with the widows and children and putting up new screens at three children's homes we left for Blantyre. We spent a week with Maribeth at Acts III Children's Home. It was quite a different experience as we were staying right in the village. I will post more details when I get back home but it was an experience that I will never forget. Maribeth has started a Montessori school for the village children. It was amazing to see the children learning english and math and reading. We were able to bless two Orphan Care Centers by painting the ABC's on the walls of their classrooms. God is working wonders in this village through Maribeth. I was so blessed to be able to participate for this brief time. Please continue your prayers as our team travels home. God Bless all of you.

In Malawi

We are Malawi, Africa! When Henry met us at the airport he said “Welcome Home!” and it does feel like that. The people are so welcoming. No wonder this is called the “Warm Heart of Africa”. It is so beautiful here. We have been working with the widows, visiting their homes, spending time with them and teaching them some basic business skills. The children are so beautiful. They come running, waving and calling “Azungu” (white person). They just want to hold your hands. I was walking down a road in the village, holding hands with three little girls and I turned around and there were about 25 other children following after us. I felt like the Pied Piper! Yesterday I got to have lunch with Bertha, the little girl we are sponsoring and another little girl, Cecilia who believes that I am her sponsor(long story). We had a traditional Malawian lunch put on by COTN and then played with a ball and colored in some books that I brought for Bertha. It was a joyful day. Later we went to the Crisis Nursery. There are 14 babies some as young as 5 days old. I am so blessed to be here. Keep those prayers coming for our safe travels.

Days Away

I cannot believe that I am only four days away from leaving on my second mission trip to Malawi, Africa, I have been so blessed by all of my friends and family who have supported me on this trip. We had our commissioning at Lakeside Church on Saturday and there are so many who will be praying for us on this trip. I am travelling with an awesome team! Three of us are on our returning trip and three are going to Malawi for the first time. Oh how I remember my first impression as we got off the plane in Malawi! My "things to do" list is getting shorter. My bags are packed to the limit and we are ready to go. Thank you all for your continuing prayers.
More to come!