Weds/Thurs pictures

The team wanted to share a couple of pictures from the past day.

Here's a shot of some of the girls with their great new dresses! They seem so happy with their new outfits and really look beautiful in them!

In addition, Paul and the guys have made some great progress in the installation of the solar panels. Here's a shot of Paul with the "electric board" already installed on the wall!

Looks like the trip's shaping up to become a great success for all!

As Ward saw, the kids at the center are very excited to see our visitors!

Weds in Khwamba

Lisa found she can email from Ward's Blackberry. At some level that's a huge discovery given the general perception that those phones work simply EVERYWHERE which clearly we've learned isn't true.

She said that they had a great day in Khwamba at the feeding center where they fed roughly 300 kids until the food ran out and the volunteers had to make more.

The first day of VBS was also a success and even showed the kids a world map giving a sense of perspective of a world outside of their own line of sight.

She added that the solar panel installation is going well and that it was neat to see everyone watching intently to see what is going on and what's being installed.

Finally, she said as they drove away they watched kids walking home wearing gold crowns that they made to remember Esther's bravery.

All in all it sounds like a full, rewarding and great day.

Tuesday in Malawi

This blog is coming to you from the US Embassy - no, we're not in trouble; just doing some business and checking out the digs our taxpayer money funds.

Yesterday was a great day spent at the nursery with 15 babies; the youngest is one week old.  Very moving experience as we consider where these babies would be without the nursery to take care of them.  They each have a unique and tragic story and we'll hear more of these when we return today.

Also lots of shopping for more supplies in preparation for our trip to Khwamba tomorrow.  Paul doing his engineering work to build a ladder and ensure we will be safe building the roofs. 

Next blog update will come when we get another surge of power (yes, cold showers again today) - ugh. 
Love you all and please continue your prayers...

Monday in Malawi

Today began with cold showers; yes, now it feels like Malawi.  Beautiful day in the 70's.  Met with the MOH team for an overview and plan out the details of our visit.  One obvious note has been the long lines for gasoline - there is currently a shortage and the gas stations that have gas have lines so long that people run out of gas while waiting.  This will impact our day as we need to book in time to fill up between drives to the feeding centers. 

The men are off to purchase materials for our projects and the gals are headed to the crisis nursery to hold babies - a true highlight.

All are well and healthy. 

They've arrived !

Great news! Lisa called early this morning. The team has made it to Malawi and have checked into where they will be staying. All made it safe and sound. All luggage, including all supply and tool crates made it there too! I could hear a sense of relief in her voice, for sure!

Given the timezones and almost a whole day on planes, the team will be taking it easy this afternoon and are already preparing for dinner. The hard work there starts early tomorrow.

More updates coming as I hear more from Lisa and the team, but having heard the news of their arrival I wanted to make sure I shared it with everyone.

This Morning's Send Off

Here's this year's Malawi team just before they are headed to JFK for their long flight to Malawi via South Africa.  Family and friends circled up with LCPC Minister Don Feuerbach to say a prayer before sending them off.

 But not before we all sang Happy Birthday to Lisa!

LTC

Final Preparation

The team leaves in less than 24 hours.  The bags and crates of materials will be packed up today and loaded for our early morning departure at 7:00am.  Here is our list of activities while in Malawi:
We will spend a few days at two rural feeding centers:  Matapila and Khwamba (hundreds of children gather here daily for their meal of porridge and beans).  While at the feeding centers, we will:
 - Expand the drip irrigation system we piloted last summer - enlarging the plot 3x
 - Install solar panels - this is the 2011 pilot and we hope to have enough power to charge solar lanterns, lighting in the center and some local cell phones
 - Run soccer clinics
 - Teach dental care and distribute hundreds of toothbrushes/toothpaste
 - Run VBS program focusing on how God loves the world, regardless of what country you live in
 - Repair thatched roofs for some of the widows
When not at the FC's, we will be spending time at the crisis nursery caring for the babies, attending a local church service and meeting with local folks to understand the culture and community.

This will probably be the last blog until we arrive, so please keep the team in your prayers as we travel.  God bless...  

At home support

As we prepare for our departure, we are very reliant on our "at home" supporters who make this trip a reality for us.  These are the folks that mostly remain unrecognized as they are the ones making the preparations happen behind the scenes.  In recognizing them, I fear overlooking a name as our supporters have helped in all facets.  If I forget you, please do not take it personally.  I blame my middle age brain.  I am bursting with love for these folks that have given so much for these children.

Thank you to Walter, Lucy, Mary, John, Lorie, Ron, Stan, Don, Jim, Peter, Sue, Lois, Beth and the folks that I will recall after posting this blog.  You guys mean the world to us and I hope you know how impactful your contributions are to these kids.

Malawi Team Prepares for Journey - June 2011

It's been close to a year since we were in Malawi and for some, it feels like last week.  The 2011 travel team departs on June 25, 2011 and will arrive back home on July 11.  Liberty Corner church commissioned us this past Sunday with other missionaries leaving for Tennessee and China.

The 2011 Team:
David and Emily Cutler -   David is the trip co-leader and this will be his 4th trip.  Emily is just completing her junior year at Ridge HS and is excited to bring her soccer skills to the children of Malawi.

Paul and Diana Sigmund -
Paul has been leading our capital initiatives over the past 3 years - drip irrigation, swing set construction and this year the installation of a solar system at one of the feeding centers.  His daughter Diana is graduating from Morristown HS this week and is looking forward to spending her 3rd trip playing with the children and managing the VBS program.

Ward Scheiderman -
Ward is returning this summer for his 2nd trip and has been actively involved in the chicken growth and sustainability project.  Ward also uses his accounting skills to ensure we don't run out of money.

Kristen Power -
Kristen is just completing her junior year at Ridge HS.  Kristen brings her experience from past mission trips to Appalachia and Honduras with her to serve the children of Malawi.

Lisa Mandel -
Lisa will be traveling to Malawi for her 5th visit and co-leads the trip with David.  She is looking forward to finding yet more babies and children to love.