Friends,
As we prepare for our upcoming mission trip back to the beautiful country of Malawi during summertime, 2013, I wanted to take a moment for some updates.
First, we have just launched our new mission Facebook page. It's a great way to share your own stories about Malawi, whether you've been there on past trips or just carry the kids from there in a special place in your heart.
The Facebook page is located at www.facebook.com/lcpcmalawi
I hope you'll visit the site and share in the conversations there, as well as come back here often.
Second, we are working to finalize who's coming to Malawi in July 2013 as part of the travel team. If you have a sincere interest in being part of it, whether as a fellow traveler or as an active part of our back-home support team, please consider joining us for an organizational meeting on Monday, April 8th at 7pm at LCPC.
Please continue to spread the word.
With love,
Marc
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Sunday, departure day.
Hi there, everyone.
It's with mixed emotions that we know we've packed our bags and stand ready to head to the airport to begin our long journey home. We are so excited to see you again as we miss you a ton, but are also sad to say goodbye to Malawi.
For those of you who are interested in monitoring our flights home, here's our info:
We will be leaving Johannesburg for JFK in New York on South Africa Airways flight #203. The flight's scheduled to land at about 6:40am into Terminal 4.
Allowing time to clear customs and make it back out to LCPC, we hope to get back to Liberty Corner by about 10am.
Looking forward to seeing you Monday!
With love,
Marc
It's with mixed emotions that we know we've packed our bags and stand ready to head to the airport to begin our long journey home. We are so excited to see you again as we miss you a ton, but are also sad to say goodbye to Malawi.
For those of you who are interested in monitoring our flights home, here's our info:
We will be leaving Johannesburg for JFK in New York on South Africa Airways flight #203. The flight's scheduled to land at about 6:40am into Terminal 4.
Allowing time to clear customs and make it back out to LCPC, we hope to get back to Liberty Corner by about 10am.
Looking forward to seeing you Monday!
With love,
Marc
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Saturday: Just back from the lake. Last night in Malawi.
Hi friends, it's been a few days since our last post and I apologize for it. We just returned from a couple of wonderful days at the shores of Lake Malawi where we went to unwind and refresh ourselves while reflecting about our mission, what worked and what didn't, and already beginning to discuss next year's trip. We were joined there by our MOH host Dan and his beautiful wife Rabecca as well as Felix, our fierce and talented driver.
The drive up to the lake from our hotel was long - about three hours, mostly on paved highways, thankfully but the last half hour was more bumpy dirt road.
Arriving at the lake front was a sight for sore eyes. Imagine the whitest sands and the bluest waters you've ever seen, but in an otherwise landlocked country with no oceanfront land. Lake Malawi is more than 300 miles in length and more than forty miles wide, separating Malawi from Mozambique and Tanzania to the East and North.
The beach is gorgeous - like a travel magazine cover.
Not only was the beach beautiful, it was empty! Our team had the place mostly to ourselves, with only a couple of other guests at the hotel.
it was great to kickback with friends, enjoy a cold beverage and just enjoy great fellowship with one another.
The water was as warm as bathwater, and fresh, without the usual saltiness we'd expect to find at our beaches back home. It was so therapeutic!
Once we checked in, we walked to our bungalow rooms, all beachfront.
I could not help but notice a lot of movement in the overhead trees as we walked from the main house to the rooms, along the edge of the beach. Looking up, more carefully into the trees, I noticed dozens of monkeys playing, jumping from branch to branch and tree to tree, some even carrying babies with them as they climbed. It was such a wonderful sight!
We went for early morning sunrise walks on the beach, exploring the nooks and crannies of the hotel property as well as journeying next door, to another lodge/hotel where we enjoyed lunch and shopping at their gift shop. We met a few guys at their wood market who loved drumming as much as Keith, so it was decided to seize the opportunity for an impromptu concert. It was so much fun!
We said goodbye to the beach and Moses, the Hotel Manager Saturday morning and drove back to Lilongwe and back to our home-away-from-home, Cakes Lodge where we'll spend one more night before heading tot he airport Sunday morning.
It's with decidedly mixed emotions that we prepare for our departure. While we're excited to come home to our friends and families as we miss you all terribly, Malawi has become a special place and one that becomes harder to say goodbye to each visit.
I will try to post one final update Sunday morning with confirmed flight information for those who may want to visit with us at LCPC Monday when we get back in.
Until then,
Love to all,
Marc
The drive up to the lake from our hotel was long - about three hours, mostly on paved highways, thankfully but the last half hour was more bumpy dirt road.
Arriving at the lake front was a sight for sore eyes. Imagine the whitest sands and the bluest waters you've ever seen, but in an otherwise landlocked country with no oceanfront land. Lake Malawi is more than 300 miles in length and more than forty miles wide, separating Malawi from Mozambique and Tanzania to the East and North.
The beach is gorgeous - like a travel magazine cover.
Not only was the beach beautiful, it was empty! Our team had the place mostly to ourselves, with only a couple of other guests at the hotel.
it was great to kickback with friends, enjoy a cold beverage and just enjoy great fellowship with one another.
The water was as warm as bathwater, and fresh, without the usual saltiness we'd expect to find at our beaches back home. It was so therapeutic!
Once we checked in, we walked to our bungalow rooms, all beachfront.
I could not help but notice a lot of movement in the overhead trees as we walked from the main house to the rooms, along the edge of the beach. Looking up, more carefully into the trees, I noticed dozens of monkeys playing, jumping from branch to branch and tree to tree, some even carrying babies with them as they climbed. It was such a wonderful sight!
We went for early morning sunrise walks on the beach, exploring the nooks and crannies of the hotel property as well as journeying next door, to another lodge/hotel where we enjoyed lunch and shopping at their gift shop. We met a few guys at their wood market who loved drumming as much as Keith, so it was decided to seize the opportunity for an impromptu concert. It was so much fun!
We said goodbye to the beach and Moses, the Hotel Manager Saturday morning and drove back to Lilongwe and back to our home-away-from-home, Cakes Lodge where we'll spend one more night before heading tot he airport Sunday morning.
It's with decidedly mixed emotions that we prepare for our departure. While we're excited to come home to our friends and families as we miss you all terribly, Malawi has become a special place and one that becomes harder to say goodbye to each visit.
I will try to post one final update Sunday morning with confirmed flight information for those who may want to visit with us at LCPC Monday when we get back in.
Until then,
Love to all,
Marc
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Wednesday: Matapilla for the day today
The team made a one-day visit to a third MOH feeding center today. This one's located in another remote village area called Matapilla, a more mountainous area to the South. The terrain on the way out to the Center was gorgeous, with desert-like grounds alternating with farms and in the distance, rocky mountains jutting vertically, thousands of feet up.
Upon arriving at the Feeding Center, we were a little surprised to see only a few children. Probably, no more than twenty were there whereas in the other two centers there were literally hundreds. The likely explanation is that there was no lunch being served there today and most of the kids didn't know we were coming.
That said, there were still the usually, although fewer smiling faces to greet us upon stepping out of the van.
Our first order of business at the Center was to check out their vegetable garden and to inspect the drip irrigation system that was installed a couple of years ago. Paul took leadership on this work based on his personal familiarity with the system having supervised its original installation.
While Paul did this work with some of the local volunteers, others were inside the center, meeting with local maize growers looking to sell the center their crop to be used to feed the children. Although each grower brought their product in 50kg bags, the real weight of their product varied from bag to bag, so each had to be weighed and verified.
This center is also unique in so far as it has a full-fledged chicken coop that the LCPC helped fund and build a couple of years ago. The coop has almost 200 healthy chickens laying eggs that serve both as food and profit for the Center and the MOH team. In addition, the center also breeds pigs with three big ones in their pens as well as a bunch of bunny rabbits.
Lisa met an old friend at the Center. She's one of the teachers of the youngest kids. She ran over to Lisa, calling her by name remembering her from prior years when Lisa came to Matapilla. It was such a wonderful homecoming!
For most of us, the highlight of the day today was our final home visit of our trip. This one was to the home of a little girl, Valentina who Lisa has been visiting over the past six years, since she was barely a newborn baby in the crisis nursery. We drove out to a very remote village, over rivers and through small rickety bridges to reach her village and then through it, to the back edge where little Valentina lived with her grandmother.
We were graciously invited into her grandmother's home where we sat on a mat and spoke with the family, getting reacquainted and caught up.
We brought special gifts for Valentina and her grandmother, including a supply of Maize, toys for Valentina, and even two large supplies of fish for much needed protein.
Valentia was still afraid of us and spent most of our visit safe in her grandmother's arms, but even with that, we loved seeing how much she's grown and were excited for her current health.
She even got a brand new soccer ball!
When we returned to the center from the visit, Lisa ran an impromptu VBS class for about 100 kids who were eager to learn.
And then, the kids sang wonderful songs. They have such a great singing voice, alternating songs in English and their own local language. It was really terrific!
Finally, just before we headed out for the evening, David presented the MOH staff at the center and the kids there a bunch of donated soccer gear. Balls, uniforms, and even shoes. Enough for multiple teams to play fully outfitted. The kids couldn't believe their eyes as they saw David carry out all the equipment and clothing!
It was such a fantastic, reward, and exhausting (but, in a good way!) day.
Tomorrow we'll be off to the lake for three days of relaxation and reflection before we head home. I am not sure if we'll be able to blog there as internet access is uncertain. I hope to be able to share more stories with you from there but if not, we'll just have to do it when we're home early next week.
The past couple of weeks here in Malawi has been a life-changing experience for me and one I'll never forgot. I hope to make coming here a regular part of my life and look forward to coming back as often as possible.
Until next time, with love,
Marc
Upon arriving at the Feeding Center, we were a little surprised to see only a few children. Probably, no more than twenty were there whereas in the other two centers there were literally hundreds. The likely explanation is that there was no lunch being served there today and most of the kids didn't know we were coming.
That said, there were still the usually, although fewer smiling faces to greet us upon stepping out of the van.
Our first order of business at the Center was to check out their vegetable garden and to inspect the drip irrigation system that was installed a couple of years ago. Paul took leadership on this work based on his personal familiarity with the system having supervised its original installation.
While Paul did this work with some of the local volunteers, others were inside the center, meeting with local maize growers looking to sell the center their crop to be used to feed the children. Although each grower brought their product in 50kg bags, the real weight of their product varied from bag to bag, so each had to be weighed and verified.
This center is also unique in so far as it has a full-fledged chicken coop that the LCPC helped fund and build a couple of years ago. The coop has almost 200 healthy chickens laying eggs that serve both as food and profit for the Center and the MOH team. In addition, the center also breeds pigs with three big ones in their pens as well as a bunch of bunny rabbits.
For most of us, the highlight of the day today was our final home visit of our trip. This one was to the home of a little girl, Valentina who Lisa has been visiting over the past six years, since she was barely a newborn baby in the crisis nursery. We drove out to a very remote village, over rivers and through small rickety bridges to reach her village and then through it, to the back edge where little Valentina lived with her grandmother.
We were graciously invited into her grandmother's home where we sat on a mat and spoke with the family, getting reacquainted and caught up.
We brought special gifts for Valentina and her grandmother, including a supply of Maize, toys for Valentina, and even two large supplies of fish for much needed protein.
Valentia was still afraid of us and spent most of our visit safe in her grandmother's arms, but even with that, we loved seeing how much she's grown and were excited for her current health.
She even got a brand new soccer ball!
When we returned to the center from the visit, Lisa ran an impromptu VBS class for about 100 kids who were eager to learn.
And then, the kids sang wonderful songs. They have such a great singing voice, alternating songs in English and their own local language. It was really terrific!
Finally, just before we headed out for the evening, David presented the MOH staff at the center and the kids there a bunch of donated soccer gear. Balls, uniforms, and even shoes. Enough for multiple teams to play fully outfitted. The kids couldn't believe their eyes as they saw David carry out all the equipment and clothing!
It was such a fantastic, reward, and exhausting (but, in a good way!) day.
Tomorrow we'll be off to the lake for three days of relaxation and reflection before we head home. I am not sure if we'll be able to blog there as internet access is uncertain. I hope to be able to share more stories with you from there but if not, we'll just have to do it when we're home early next week.
The past couple of weeks here in Malawi has been a life-changing experience for me and one I'll never forgot. I hope to make coming here a regular part of my life and look forward to coming back as often as possible.
Until next time, with love,
Marc
Tuesday night: Celebration dinner
The team hosted an awesome celebration dinner at Cakes Lodge last night, inviting five members of the Ministry of Hope management team as well as the proprietors of the hotel for a feast fit for a king. We had chicken, beef, salads, and lasagna my Italian grandmother would have died for, along with veggies, cole slaw and two incredible chocolate cakes.
The food was too much to finish, but we all pitched in giving it our "best shot" while having great fellowship and team building time between our team and our partners and hosts.
The food was too much to finish, but we all pitched in giving it our "best shot" while having great fellowship and team building time between our team and our partners and hosts.
After dinner, Lisa gave a wonderful, stirring thank you speech to everyone, recognizing the partnership with the MOH and hotel proprietors, and recognizing each member of the team for their specific and unique contributions. It was a wonderful presentation and testament to the relationships we've developed with one another and those on the ground, locally that support our mission.
Everyone headed home or to bed here at the hotel with full bellies and warm feelings.
It was a fabulous evening!
With love to all,
Marc
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Tuesday, a transition day in Lilongwe
Today's been a transition day of sorts, coming off four days at one Feeding center and preparing to visit our third, beginning tomorrow morning. The team divided this morning with Paul heading back to Khwamba where we were first, working with the electrical efforts there to ensure everything is in tip-top shape before we head back to the States. David headed out slightly later, and went shopping to prepare for our visit to the Ministry of Hope's Crisis Nursery where 16 vulnerable babies are being currently cared for by some of the most generous and amazing volunteers.
David shopped for baby formula, diapers and other supplies which with sixteen babies in-house, are always in short supply and need.
He found a compassionate store manager at the local grocer and was able to secure a special price for the supplies and formula, allowing for the purchase of everything hoped for!
Then, it was all about the babies.
David, Lisa, Keith and I went inside to the various rooms, each holding five or six babies with a volunteer caregiver and we held and fed some of them for about an hour. It was really pretty magical to see these kids and their big bright brown eyes looking at us and smile. It just melts your heart.
Tonight we're hosting a lovely dinner here at the hotel for our team and local senior members of the Ministry of Hope Office. I hear the kitchen here at the Lodge is making something like a six course meal with a combination of local and Western dishes for all to enjoy. It should really be a great celebration tonight. I'll write more about it afterward or in tomorrow's entry.
Until then, all our love to friends and family back home,
Marc
David shopped for baby formula, diapers and other supplies which with sixteen babies in-house, are always in short supply and need.
He found a compassionate store manager at the local grocer and was able to secure a special price for the supplies and formula, allowing for the purchase of everything hoped for!
Then, it was all about the babies.
David, Lisa, Keith and I went inside to the various rooms, each holding five or six babies with a volunteer caregiver and we held and fed some of them for about an hour. It was really pretty magical to see these kids and their big bright brown eyes looking at us and smile. It just melts your heart.
Tonight we're hosting a lovely dinner here at the hotel for our team and local senior members of the Ministry of Hope Office. I hear the kitchen here at the Lodge is making something like a six course meal with a combination of local and Western dishes for all to enjoy. It should really be a great celebration tonight. I'll write more about it afterward or in tomorrow's entry.
Until then, all our love to friends and family back home,
Marc
Monday, September 24, 2012
Monday, our final day in Chimwong'ombe
Hello everyone! I write this on another beautiful Malawi evening, reflecting back on the day, today, our final day in Chimwong'ombe.
We started the day downtown in Lilongwe, where we shopped for last minute supplies to finish the electrical work and gifts for another home visit today, as well as cashing in some additional US funds for local Malawi currency. While in the city, some of us took the opportunity to browse nearby displays from local wood artists who make gorgeous statues and other carvings before piling back into the van and heading up to the feeding center.
Remembering there was the local equivalent of a tailor near the center who offered to make a new, Malawi national style dress for Lisa if she supplied the cloth, we stopped off to see him again and dropped material off. The dress would be custom made for her for only the equivalent of $3.50 US and take less than the time we'd be visiting the center today to finish it.
Again, like the past few days, the arrival at the Center was joyous, with hundreds of children running up to the van thrilled to see us arrive. It was quite a sight to behold! (Video of the arrival forthcoming, once we return stateside and have faster internet access. It's a big video file.)
Once we pulled in and unloaded the van, Keith and Paul got back to work finishing the solar lighting project. There was great pressure to complete the project today since it was our last day in the area and we'd not be back on this trip.
While the guys worked on the electrification work, Lisa and Marc played with the kids again, entertaining the littlest ones tickling them and chasing them around the property and practicing reading English with the older ones.
Then, it was time for another home visit at another nearby village. This village, like the past two was about a 20 minute walk from the center up a small dirt road to a village populated by modest clay or brick homes. We were welcomed by a wonderful woman and her children who allowed us into her home and we sat inside getting to know one another and answering questions about each other and our lives. At one point during the conversation the subject of food came up and the woman and her family found it puzzling and funny that we, as Americans didn't find Nsema at home as our 'staple food' as it is theirs, here. The woman said, "If you don't have Nsema, what do you eat?" and expressed concern that perhaps we didn't have food if we didn't have that.
We presented the woman the same cooking supplies and food, Colgate toothpaste, toothbrushes and floss, soaps, and a local language bible which, while she can't read, said her eldest son who lived nearby would help read it to her and her kids.
She also shared sad news, that her health was not good and that she likely needed medical care which wasn't sufficient, locally. She needs to get to a good health clinic which may involve travel back and forth into the city, almost two hours away by fast car, each way.
Again, like with the other home visits the family was very gracious and grateful for our visit and agreed to allow us to take a photo of her an her family outside, as well. She was obviously quite proud of her home, even if modest and without a finished floor.
When we said goodbye to the family and walked back to the Center, we saw the most beautiful view of the center, in the distance as we approached. It was quite a pretty vista!
On the walk back, we encountered more of those scary Nyau tribesmen with knives and machetes along the path, but we were able to pass without incident.
Once we got back we were thrilled to see the solar work was done and the lights able to be lit! It was such a sight to see the center, previously without power to have enough light inside to allow it to service the villagers long after dark, something previous impossible to do! The panel installed also even has electrical plugs on it especially designed to help local villagers charge mobile phones. It was such an exciting moment and quite an accomplishment for those on the team who made it possible!
As the day wound down, David led today's Bible lesson with the center full of children. He talked about God's word and how if we make mistakes or do something wrong, God will help make us right again. It was a great lesson for everyone and delivered very excitingly!
David also led a discussion about dental hygiene, teaching the kids how to brush, use only a small amount of toothpaste as not to waste it or make someone ill, and being sure to brush twice a day. The kids showed they understood and were excited to learn.
Finally, just before leaving, we mounted a commemorative plaque on the wall with a bible quote from John 8:12 about Jesus being the light of the world, and thanking those of you back home who were generous with your donations making the project possible.
Just before leaving for the day I tried something fun. I gave my camera to a 10 year old boy and asked him to take photographs of what was important or interesting to him. While we wound up with a lot of headless shots due to his rookie photographer status, I was flattered he decided to take one of me, with some of his friends.
Again, it was quite an exciting and exhausting day.
Tomorrow will be a bit easier than the past few days as we'll be closer to "home" and doing some preparation for the balance of the week while also visiting a local crisis nursery and seeing those babies. More on this tomorrow, after the visit.
Love to all,
Marc
PS: Lisa got her dress today. It was gorgeous on her. I'm sure she'll want to model it for everyone when she's back home.
We started the day downtown in Lilongwe, where we shopped for last minute supplies to finish the electrical work and gifts for another home visit today, as well as cashing in some additional US funds for local Malawi currency. While in the city, some of us took the opportunity to browse nearby displays from local wood artists who make gorgeous statues and other carvings before piling back into the van and heading up to the feeding center.
Remembering there was the local equivalent of a tailor near the center who offered to make a new, Malawi national style dress for Lisa if she supplied the cloth, we stopped off to see him again and dropped material off. The dress would be custom made for her for only the equivalent of $3.50 US and take less than the time we'd be visiting the center today to finish it.
Again, like the past few days, the arrival at the Center was joyous, with hundreds of children running up to the van thrilled to see us arrive. It was quite a sight to behold! (Video of the arrival forthcoming, once we return stateside and have faster internet access. It's a big video file.)
Once we pulled in and unloaded the van, Keith and Paul got back to work finishing the solar lighting project. There was great pressure to complete the project today since it was our last day in the area and we'd not be back on this trip.
While the guys worked on the electrification work, Lisa and Marc played with the kids again, entertaining the littlest ones tickling them and chasing them around the property and practicing reading English with the older ones.
Then, it was time for another home visit at another nearby village. This village, like the past two was about a 20 minute walk from the center up a small dirt road to a village populated by modest clay or brick homes. We were welcomed by a wonderful woman and her children who allowed us into her home and we sat inside getting to know one another and answering questions about each other and our lives. At one point during the conversation the subject of food came up and the woman and her family found it puzzling and funny that we, as Americans didn't find Nsema at home as our 'staple food' as it is theirs, here. The woman said, "If you don't have Nsema, what do you eat?" and expressed concern that perhaps we didn't have food if we didn't have that.
We presented the woman the same cooking supplies and food, Colgate toothpaste, toothbrushes and floss, soaps, and a local language bible which, while she can't read, said her eldest son who lived nearby would help read it to her and her kids.
She also shared sad news, that her health was not good and that she likely needed medical care which wasn't sufficient, locally. She needs to get to a good health clinic which may involve travel back and forth into the city, almost two hours away by fast car, each way.
Again, like with the other home visits the family was very gracious and grateful for our visit and agreed to allow us to take a photo of her an her family outside, as well. She was obviously quite proud of her home, even if modest and without a finished floor.
When we said goodbye to the family and walked back to the Center, we saw the most beautiful view of the center, in the distance as we approached. It was quite a pretty vista!
On the walk back, we encountered more of those scary Nyau tribesmen with knives and machetes along the path, but we were able to pass without incident.
Once we got back we were thrilled to see the solar work was done and the lights able to be lit! It was such a sight to see the center, previously without power to have enough light inside to allow it to service the villagers long after dark, something previous impossible to do! The panel installed also even has electrical plugs on it especially designed to help local villagers charge mobile phones. It was such an exciting moment and quite an accomplishment for those on the team who made it possible!
As the day wound down, David led today's Bible lesson with the center full of children. He talked about God's word and how if we make mistakes or do something wrong, God will help make us right again. It was a great lesson for everyone and delivered very excitingly!
David also led a discussion about dental hygiene, teaching the kids how to brush, use only a small amount of toothpaste as not to waste it or make someone ill, and being sure to brush twice a day. The kids showed they understood and were excited to learn.
Finally, just before leaving, we mounted a commemorative plaque on the wall with a bible quote from John 8:12 about Jesus being the light of the world, and thanking those of you back home who were generous with your donations making the project possible.
Just before leaving for the day I tried something fun. I gave my camera to a 10 year old boy and asked him to take photographs of what was important or interesting to him. While we wound up with a lot of headless shots due to his rookie photographer status, I was flattered he decided to take one of me, with some of his friends.
Again, it was quite an exciting and exhausting day.
Tomorrow will be a bit easier than the past few days as we'll be closer to "home" and doing some preparation for the balance of the week while also visiting a local crisis nursery and seeing those babies. More on this tomorrow, after the visit.
Love to all,
Marc
PS: Lisa got her dress today. It was gorgeous on her. I'm sure she'll want to model it for everyone when she's back home.
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Going to church in Chimwong'ombe
Hello everyone. It's Sunday night here in beautiful Malawi as I write this, reflecting on our first week ending on a high-note -- going to church in Chimwong'ombe.
The team drove the same 90-minute drive we have been making over the past couple of days, returning to Chimwong'ombe but this time, instead of heading to the MOH feeding center, we headed to the area church.
The first impression made upon arriving is just how impressive the church is, whether for local or global standards. It's a large brick building able to comfortably invite hundreds of worshipers to church service that can typically run anywhere from 2 to 6 hours depending on the Sunday and what's on the agenda.
We were greeted by the Pastor and the church elders who invited the team in and welcome us warmly in a small anteroom just outside of the main area. We all introduced ourselves and learned a little about the church which impressed us. Then, we were led into the main church room and given VIP seating up front, facing out into the group sitting with the elders and Pastor.
One of the most touching parts of the church visit today was seeing more than ten little boys and girls there wearing the new dresses and outfits we distributed yesterday. It was a amazing seeing them treat the modest clothes we gave as their "Sunday best" and how beautiful and handsome each of them looked in their outfits! They all seemed so proud to be wearing their new clothes to church!
Like in a past year, Paul was honored with the opportunity to deliver the day's sermon. He climbed the pulpit and delivered an hour of thought provoking ideas and held everyone in the room on every word he masterfully delivered.
There was significant music both before and after the sermon with various choirs singing, dancing and playing musical instruments in their joyous celebration. Even the audience got in on the dancing and singing from their seating areas!
Following Paul's sermon, the collections were conducted with people generously offering their last coins in thanks to the church. Interestingly, they immediately did the count of all collections and announced the notable ones by name and amount in front of the room, even mentioning Liberty Corner's gift which caused a couple of older worshipers to break out into spontaneous dance.
The team also presented a donated guitar to the church, complimenting the drum set which was given last year. I can't begin to explain what their own instruments were like - just imagine hand-carved wood and cardboard boxes making music. They were thrilled to receive the guitar!
The team was surprised by the church's gift back to us when they gave us a huge bucket of locally grown nuts and a beautiful bowl, as well as really great (but somewhat warm) wool wrap in thanks for our visit and support to their church family. It was amazingly flattering!
Immediately following the church service, Keith offered to work with some of the church's local musicians to explore new drumming techniques. The drums could be heard throughout the village as Keith jammed with some of the best local musicians who loved the session with him.
Finally, the local MOH feeding center Director graciously invited the team back to his home to meet his family and enjoy a local African meal of Nsima, eggs and peas. They prepared such a lovely meal we all enjoyed it, even if some of the foods or their preparation were new to some of our taste buds.
It was such a fantastic day.
We can't wait to go back for our final day at Chimwong'ombe and have the chance to see those kids one more time while at the same time finishing the solar project there, bringing light to the feeding center where up to now there's none.
It's so amazing being here!
Love to all,
Marc
The team drove the same 90-minute drive we have been making over the past couple of days, returning to Chimwong'ombe but this time, instead of heading to the MOH feeding center, we headed to the area church.
The first impression made upon arriving is just how impressive the church is, whether for local or global standards. It's a large brick building able to comfortably invite hundreds of worshipers to church service that can typically run anywhere from 2 to 6 hours depending on the Sunday and what's on the agenda.
We were greeted by the Pastor and the church elders who invited the team in and welcome us warmly in a small anteroom just outside of the main area. We all introduced ourselves and learned a little about the church which impressed us. Then, we were led into the main church room and given VIP seating up front, facing out into the group sitting with the elders and Pastor.
One of the most touching parts of the church visit today was seeing more than ten little boys and girls there wearing the new dresses and outfits we distributed yesterday. It was a amazing seeing them treat the modest clothes we gave as their "Sunday best" and how beautiful and handsome each of them looked in their outfits! They all seemed so proud to be wearing their new clothes to church!
Like in a past year, Paul was honored with the opportunity to deliver the day's sermon. He climbed the pulpit and delivered an hour of thought provoking ideas and held everyone in the room on every word he masterfully delivered.
There was significant music both before and after the sermon with various choirs singing, dancing and playing musical instruments in their joyous celebration. Even the audience got in on the dancing and singing from their seating areas!
Following Paul's sermon, the collections were conducted with people generously offering their last coins in thanks to the church. Interestingly, they immediately did the count of all collections and announced the notable ones by name and amount in front of the room, even mentioning Liberty Corner's gift which caused a couple of older worshipers to break out into spontaneous dance.
The team also presented a donated guitar to the church, complimenting the drum set which was given last year. I can't begin to explain what their own instruments were like - just imagine hand-carved wood and cardboard boxes making music. They were thrilled to receive the guitar!
The team was surprised by the church's gift back to us when they gave us a huge bucket of locally grown nuts and a beautiful bowl, as well as really great (but somewhat warm) wool wrap in thanks for our visit and support to their church family. It was amazingly flattering!
Immediately following the church service, Keith offered to work with some of the church's local musicians to explore new drumming techniques. The drums could be heard throughout the village as Keith jammed with some of the best local musicians who loved the session with him.
Finally, the local MOH feeding center Director graciously invited the team back to his home to meet his family and enjoy a local African meal of Nsima, eggs and peas. They prepared such a lovely meal we all enjoyed it, even if some of the foods or their preparation were new to some of our taste buds.
It was such a fantastic day.
We can't wait to go back for our final day at Chimwong'ombe and have the chance to see those kids one more time while at the same time finishing the solar project there, bringing light to the feeding center where up to now there's none.
It's so amazing being here!
Love to all,
Marc
Saturday in Chimwong'ombe
Hello all!
Before discussing Saturday here in Malawi, I wanted to thank each of you for the supportive emails and blog comments from you back home, our loved ones with all the homefront support you've been sharing. We miss you and while we're energized by what is going on here in Africa we look forward to our homecoming to you soon.
Saturday was a busy day as we got a slightly later than usual start in the morning before a 90 minute drive from our hotel to the MOH feeding center in Chimwong'ombe, a remote village.
Paul and Keith went right to work on the interior solar lighting, continuing with the electrification of the center and the installation of the light fixtures inside.
As the morning progressed, Lisa did our planned VBS about Jesus being the light of the world and followed the lesson by distributing the same small solar flashlights we shared at Khwamba last week. The kids were thrilled to get them, putting them around their necks and played with them with their friends.
We followed the flashlight distribution by also sharing more of the amazing handmade dresses with over one hundred girls in the center. They were so thrilled to get the beautiful clothes they couldn't wait to put them on and model them for us and their friends.
Not to be left out, the boys were also given new outfits; tee-shirts, shorts and flip flops which they loved too. Many of the kids don't have shoes, and while they loved the whole outfit, I think they especially liked getting the sandals.
Once the gifts were shared with the kids, the Director of the Feeding Center took us to a nearby village for another home visit with a local village family.
The road to the village was treacherous, with huge gulleys washed out on either side, leaving little more than a single lane and no room to pass if an on-coming car, bus or ox-cart was coming in the opposite direction.
The team brought gifts to the home consisting of a warm wool blanket to keep the family warm in the winter months, cooking oil, sugar, salt, toothbrushes, toothpaste and floss and a bible written in the local language.
The family we visited with on Saturday was headed by a lovely woman with five little kids. She loved the gifts and was incredibly gracious in meeting with us and sharing her home. While she said she could not read, she really appreciated the bible and agreed she'd find a villager to help her to read it and share it with others.
As our day wound down we had a very frightening moment. The children at the center were getting very agitated and scared and began to stop what they were doing and ran to hide inside the building. Members of an African cult organization called the Nyau came to investigate what outsiders were doing in the village. They are a very dangerous and secretive sect unique to Malawi and neighboring countries, and they have been known to attack, injure and sometimes even kill those who they cross paths with.
Not knowing much better, I decided to walk over an introduce myself and take pictures of them up close. At first I couldn't really understand why others were concerned but having learned about who these guys are afterward, I can see why and clearly should have steered clear.
No harm done, and as the day ended and we all headed home for the night, the team and those at the center felt the day was a great one.
We look forward to returning to the center on Monday to finish the lighting work and continue the bible study lessons with those amazing kids.
Lots of love,
Marc
Before discussing Saturday here in Malawi, I wanted to thank each of you for the supportive emails and blog comments from you back home, our loved ones with all the homefront support you've been sharing. We miss you and while we're energized by what is going on here in Africa we look forward to our homecoming to you soon.
Saturday was a busy day as we got a slightly later than usual start in the morning before a 90 minute drive from our hotel to the MOH feeding center in Chimwong'ombe, a remote village.
Paul and Keith went right to work on the interior solar lighting, continuing with the electrification of the center and the installation of the light fixtures inside.
As the morning progressed, Lisa did our planned VBS about Jesus being the light of the world and followed the lesson by distributing the same small solar flashlights we shared at Khwamba last week. The kids were thrilled to get them, putting them around their necks and played with them with their friends.
We followed the flashlight distribution by also sharing more of the amazing handmade dresses with over one hundred girls in the center. They were so thrilled to get the beautiful clothes they couldn't wait to put them on and model them for us and their friends.
Not to be left out, the boys were also given new outfits; tee-shirts, shorts and flip flops which they loved too. Many of the kids don't have shoes, and while they loved the whole outfit, I think they especially liked getting the sandals.
Once the gifts were shared with the kids, the Director of the Feeding Center took us to a nearby village for another home visit with a local village family.
The road to the village was treacherous, with huge gulleys washed out on either side, leaving little more than a single lane and no room to pass if an on-coming car, bus or ox-cart was coming in the opposite direction.
The team brought gifts to the home consisting of a warm wool blanket to keep the family warm in the winter months, cooking oil, sugar, salt, toothbrushes, toothpaste and floss and a bible written in the local language.
The family we visited with on Saturday was headed by a lovely woman with five little kids. She loved the gifts and was incredibly gracious in meeting with us and sharing her home. While she said she could not read, she really appreciated the bible and agreed she'd find a villager to help her to read it and share it with others.
As our day wound down we had a very frightening moment. The children at the center were getting very agitated and scared and began to stop what they were doing and ran to hide inside the building. Members of an African cult organization called the Nyau came to investigate what outsiders were doing in the village. They are a very dangerous and secretive sect unique to Malawi and neighboring countries, and they have been known to attack, injure and sometimes even kill those who they cross paths with.
Not knowing much better, I decided to walk over an introduce myself and take pictures of them up close. At first I couldn't really understand why others were concerned but having learned about who these guys are afterward, I can see why and clearly should have steered clear.
No harm done, and as the day ended and we all headed home for the night, the team and those at the center felt the day was a great one.
We look forward to returning to the center on Monday to finish the lighting work and continue the bible study lessons with those amazing kids.
Lots of love,
Marc
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