They have welcomed us into their home with open arms and gracious hearts and they treat us like family. Their house is very nice for African standards – with power (although very intermittent), running water, a refrigerator and comfortable furniture! It’s kind of eclectic and very homey. Rosey cooks all of our meals, which have been diverse and delicious and warms us hot water for bathing each morning. We are served tea every afternoon and wished a good night’s sleep in the evenings. So far it seems that a day doesn’t go by without someone saying that they feel they’re at their grandparent’s house.
We can’t believe that this is our last month on the field. Every day we travel to someone’s house or somebody’s church to preach a sermon and worship together. Wade usually introduces us, as he has every other month, by saying, “we’re travelling to 11 countries in 11 months”, but this time he adds, “And THIS is our 11th month”. Dan and I always glance at each other in disbelief – it sounds so surreal when spoken out loud.
Malawi is known as “the warm heart of Africa”, and that couldn’t be any truer. People here are genuinely happy despite major adversities. They give all that they have to serve others. Take Crispin for example – the youth leader at our church. At only 21 years of age, he’s still a youth himself, yet he serves as a translator and coordinator. When I sat down to get to know him better he told me that both of his parents have passed away, as well as one sister. So he is now the sole provider for his two younger sisters, one of which was hospitalized yesterday.
As we continue to be inspired by people like him around the world, we also continue to pour out all that God is teaching us. We officially have only 14 days left on the World Race! We’re pretty much bursting with excitement to go home, but also very content with where God has us right now. Please keep us in your prayers – for continued motivation each day, to go deep and finish strong here In Malawi. Also, for our health – for healing, protection and endurance that can only come from our heavenly Father.
Sending our love and blessings from the nations,
Katrina & Paul
