Leaving Zomba for a 2 hour drive and 2 hour flight to Jo’berg and a 6 hour drive to Kruger for a 4 day Safari. Pray for travel mercies in this crazy country! It will be a long day 
Archive for the ‘Africa 2010’ Category
Travel To Kruger
Tuesday, September 21st, 2010Simyoni Village Art Project
Tuesday, September 21st, 2010
The first Gogo village we got to visit was Simyoni where a multi-purpose room was awaiting our painting. They had asked for volunteer help and 30 youth were ready and waiting.
I had taken with me 50 butterflies to be painted with the paints and brushes, and when I didn’t find them appropriate in Lilongwe, I wondered if I was bringing them back home unused.
WRONG, the good Lord knew they were for here. All of these kids (teens) had never painted, held a brush, or participated in anything artsy! They soooo got into it! At times it was overwhelming when they all wanted to paint on the walls, but we corralled their enthusiasm and got the job done from 10-4pm.
Steve and I returned on Sunday to glue the butterflies to the wall and seal all the work. The quality suffered, but they all took ownership. What a lesson! A gift from Leslie Lewis – in memory of her mom – helped to complete this building. What a legacy!
Teaser
Monday, September 20th, 2010I am behind in recounting our experiences, so until I catch up, this is a tease to let you know that we are fine, and I had the most incredible day today. And I am dancing!
Leaving Friends
Monday, September 20th, 2010
We were overwhelmed by our last day in Lilongwe. The Dedication of our artwork and the appreciation that came our way, as well as saying adieu to the wonderful Jansen family. There are so many emotions tied in with both experiences, they are heartfelt and words just can’t do it.
What a wonderful, warm, loving time for Steve and I. We felt welcomed, that we were of some small service, made friends, and made good friends better friends.
We are Zomba bound to relinguish all our luggage’s contents (panties, caps, scarves etc) in the villages that have Gogo Grandmother groups in them.
Be safe, dear ones in Lilongwe. God Bless you as richly as you have blessed us!
Zomba
Sunday, September 19th, 2010
Click to view larger image
We are REALLY rural now in Zomba, and only a spot of internet which I am taking advantage of for a minute right now. Have painted in one village and have visits and “pantie” delivery to several others.
There has been time in the last couple days if i could have magically appear on a plane going home, I would have. Some of this is hard to stomach. More later if we get the chance. xoxox.
Moms In Touch – Malawi
Thursday, September 16th, 2010
Most of you know of my loooong involvement with a group called Moms In Touch International. Well, I had the privilege of meeting the country coordinator, Mwawi Nyirongo! She is one busy lady!!
If you remember earlier in my trip, I visited the Crisis Nursery and fell in love with all the babies waiting for homes. Well, I got out the information on how to contact Mwawi and give her a hug from MOMS only to find out that she is in charge of the nursery, but hadn’t been there the day I had visited.
What an amazing woman; no kids of her own, but the mom to many, and a heart to have her country praying for their children. I left her a Village Prayer Guide (from Leslie Lewis) and a huge hug from praying moms everywhere.
Jane’s Quilt
Thursday, September 16th, 2010
Jane Keefer, this little boy is the proud recipient of your quilt, ball, a cap and some socks. His name is “Edward John Mwale” and his mom is Agnes. He is two weeks old and came after several days of labor and then a c-section, and then 9 days hospitalized with a fever. But he’s ok now, in fact, he is PERFECT!
Name Game
Thursday, September 16th, 2010These are the names of some of the people I have met while here…honest!
- Rejoice
- Patience
- Smart
- Good
- Gift
- King Hezekiah
- Blessing
- Often
- Innocent
- Trouble
- Chance
- Excel
and a little two year old I met yesterday named Desire.
Can you picture some of the introductions…”Hello I’m Good.”
Winding Down In Lilongwe
Wednesday, September 15th, 2010We have a bunch of painting to finish tomorrow, our last full day here at Partners in Hope. But the BIG project is done. We were to paint a peaceful African scene in the Education Room. It is where newly diagnosed AIDS patients come to learn how to live with the virus. So it is a fearful and stressful time for them.
Our goal was to give them some tranquility. The painting was massive and there are lots of landmarks represented: Mt.Mulanje, Zomba Plateau, Lake Malawi, Liwonde game preserve, tea plantations, and Psalm. 121:1-2
We are thrilled that on Friday morning they want to dedicate all our work during their morning devotion service. They want to talk about the efforts and then for us to give them all a tour. That’s quite an honor we don’t take lightly. It has been an amazing blessing to US!
Reality Check
Wednesday, September 15th, 2010
There’s a serious side to life in Lilongwe, Malawi. We visited it this past weekend when we went to Mtsiliza Village.
You could say it’s the equivalent to an inner city slum. But some amazing Christian programs take place there, and sanitation and communal wells are scattered about the very large neighborhood.
We visited “Children of the World” where they feed 565 children each day (so they know they get one meal each day) and also run a Widows ‘Club. This group of widows of all ages, greeted us with hugs and awesome singing. They each have learned a skill — knitting, sewing,etc — that they can use to generate some income. With all of their treadle machines in the background, we learned from them how widows are at the bottom of the totem pole; since their alignment with their husband’s family no longer exists, they are on their own with nothing to call their own! I have two treadle machines as night stands in my bedroom I wish I could give them.
They had items to sell, and though we didn’t need anything, we purchased a bunch. How I wish I could have gotten a CD of their singing!
The quantity of people this small country sustains is huge and because most Malawians reside in their small villages (and grow what they eat) this transitional inner city “slum” is the exception, not the rule like other African countries. The inhabitants in Mtsiliza are trying to find work and move out and make a better life for themselves down the road. But it was sure dirty, and poor, and bleak, and but for the grace of God…