The “Warm Heart of Africa” is this country’s nickname
The beauty in the faces has given it its fame
A place of peace, jokes, and constant smiles
A place of strength, endurance, and perseverance for the miles
But most importantly to me, this country holds a special place
A village full of children that could have easily been erased
Because though this country is beautiful, it is struggling all the same
Not enough food, too much disease, poor education, a cyclic game
But this one special village is trying to make a breakTo the cycle of helplessness, loss, hunger, disease, and mistake
This village has a dream to empower and equip
The next generation to get out from under injustice’s grip
This dream is big and lofty, of course this much is true
But one day at a time, they’re doing all that they can do
Within this village resides almost 200 of its nation’s best
Whose pasts are full of darkness, but whose futures can be blessed
This village’s name means peace; in Chichewa it’s called Mtendere
But it’s more than just tranquility or resting for the weary
It’s a place where within the peace, true restoration occurs
Where what was, is replaced with what can be; where true redemption stirs
Where acceptance, adoption, and forgiveness are part of each day
Where The Truth and The Life are ever exposing The Way
It’s a tiny little village in stark contrast to a great big earth
But to all who step foot on it, it grants a chance for new birth
It’s a slice of kingdom on this side of glory
And I’m so thankful that for three weeks I got to be a part of its story
