Whoa, first of all I seriously can’t believe it is already month 6 and we are reaching the “halfway markâ€� of the race. Here’s an update of what’s happened in the past few weeks. We are still in Africa and still in Malawi..thus be the lack of internet and updates. Our team wrapped up our time in Mzuzu after a busy last week. We put on an outreach event, “For God So Loved Malawi,â€� which drew in people and kids all around the community. The church was filled like we had never seen before, the kids loved the face painting, and I had a chance to give a message to the kids…it was awesome to see God move through it and relationships be built. The church also threw us a “shortâ€� going away party that lasted all afternoon and evening that once again blew us away with their warmness and hospitality. We said goodbyes and had many hugs …and handshakes… Malawi has their own handshakes that lingers and kinda reminds me of a “secret societyâ€� handshake you would do growing up.. but I like it J ..
From Mzuzu, we headed to Lilongwe to meet up with our squad for a few days of debrief and rest. Lots of catching up with people, worship, and exploring. We stayed at a campsite walking distance from a good sized town and market and got our fair share of ice cream. The “A Team� also gained a new member at debrief, James! All in all, a good weekend.
We are now at our ministry site for December in Dzuwa, Malawi. We have teams spread out from Malawi down to South Africa and Swaziland and it happened our team ended up in Malawi again partnered with another team, which honestly, after meeting so many warm people the first month in Malawi, I’ve been looking forward to meeting even more Malawians. This month ministry wise and location wise is completely different than last. We are working with an organization called Joy to the World Ministries (check out the website to see pictures of where we are). Day to day we do different things in the area that needs to be done. So far we have helped with a feeding program, played games with kids, planted trees, and went to church …lots and lots of church. I’ve found my definition of the “middle of nowhereâ€� is constantly changing and I now think I have reached the middle of nowhere. We are staying in the missionary housing about 3 hours from a large town (with internet) where we have no electricity, we pump our own water (I can now carry buckets on my head!), cook over coal fires outside, and are surrounded by fields. Life is slower paced for sure but life itself takes a lot more work. It’s a totally different world that we are all adjusting to and learning from. Candle light worship and team dinners are priceless and memories I won’t forget. And the continual kids that stand on our front porch and stare through our windows (mazongos..or white people… are apparently quite entertaining to watch) is also something I won’t forget… sometimes a bit creepy/odd.. but they’re fun to chase and teach volleyball. The memories and lessons are in the making and we still have several more weeks to see what God has in store for us in Dzuwa.. including my first African Christmas!
Support and Prayer Update!
Thanks to everyone again for all the continued support and encouragement. I can feel it all the way in Africa! Financially, we have 1 month left to raise the rest of our funding or have pledges in. I have a total of 1,666 left to raise in that time (praise God!) . Prayerfully, please be praying for our teams continued health, safety, and effectiveness. Pray that we can really impact the community we are in and see it through God’s eyes and know the area’s of ministry we can be best of use! Yay! Thanks!
Family Christmas Picture!, Cooking dinner, chasing the kids outfront our house,team picture visiting a school in Mzuzu, speaking to the children in Mzuzu, church cell (home church night)/dance party evening!, and villiage church outside of Mzuzu.
