Merry Christmas

 

Merry Christmas!

from our family to yours

 

"Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!" Revelation 5:13b 

Happy 18th Birthday!!

Guess who is turning 18!!!  It's Riley!! 

Happy Birthday, Riley!  We love you!

Malawi

 

The true beauty of rural Malawi.

Natural Beauty

 

 

 

 

 

Malawi is a naturally beautiful place.  These are just a few photos from our time walking in Lilongwe.

Kumbali Lodge

While in Lilongwe we also had the privilege of being able to stay at Kumbali Lodge.  Kumbali Lodge is located at the edge of the city but it seems like it is a world away.  At night we could see the village cooking fires across the way.  It was simply amazing - a wonderful place to end our journey.  While staying at the lodge we continued our walking - lots of walking.  We walked to a nearby cultural village and visited with artists.  Another path we walked took us to a permaculture farm.  This farm is trying to promote permaculture and help people throughout Malawi produce food for themselves so that a.) people no longer starve to death and b.) Malawi does not need to import food from neighboring countries, thus keeping the cost of food down, thus people who cannot grow their own food no longer starve to death either.  The lodge itself runs a farm; all vegetables are grown on site and the menu is made up from what is growing at any given time.  It also runs a small dairy, producing its own milk, cream, butter and yogurt.

Lilongwe

Before leaving for home we were able to spend a couple of days in Lilongwe, the capital city of Malawi.  The city is so different from the rural areas where we had been.  One of the days we spent traveling around the city with a Malawian man named Peter.  Peter took us to the big city market - it was very similar to the markets in Ntcheu, Balaka and Dedza only much more ginormous.  (And, yes, I bought fabric - and a can opener as there aren't any twist top bottles.)  We went to several different grocery/convenience type stores, getting an idea of how much it would cost to live there.  He took us to a strip mall (a place where lots of stores are connected but the entrances to each are outside) and we shared a pizza at a big, new food court and talked in depth about family and life in Malawi.  We got to see the World Vision office and talk to Peter about non-profits, aid and what Malawi needs.  We were also able to go to the Lilongwe Wildlife Center - the world renowned center for hurt or neglected zoo animals.  (The one eyed lion from Romania and tons of baboons from Israel are there...along with several other animals.)  Peter drove us past a very large memorial/mausoleum dedicated to the first Malawian president and the new four star hotel and conference center being built by the Chinese.  We were also able to go to a 'tourist' market and spend time in the heart of the city during traffic time.  We had the real Malawian city experience.

Dedza

Our time in Ntcheu came to an end.  On the way back to Lilongwe we drove through Dedza District.  This district is halfway between Lilongwe and Ntcheu - about a one and a half hour drive from each.  Dedza District Center looked very similar to Ntcheu, but not as busy.  Action Malawi Trust is not currently serving here because there is so much to do in Ntcheu and only a few people to do it.  But the churches in Dedza are asking for help.  As we left Dedza we felt very burdened for this area.

Happy Thanksgiving

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

 

"You are my God, and I will give you thanks; you are my God, and I will exalt you.  Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever."

Psalm 118:28-29

Donkeys

     Now is the time to tell you about Hayley's favorite Malawi story - donkeys.  While in Ntcheu District we saw goats, cows, chickens, pigs, dogs and doves, but no donkeys.  While in Balaka District it was the same thing.  And Dedza District, too.  We didn't really think much of it until we learned why.  But before I tell you, let me ask you a question.  Can you think of a passage in the Bible that mentions a donkey?  How about in Numbers 22 where we are told of Balaam's donkey who saw the angel of the LORD and whose mouth the LORD opened.  And in Matthew 21 where we read how Jesus rode on one as he entered Jerusalem.  The evidence is there, donkeys are special animals.
     Ok, now back to present day rural Malawi.  Donkeys do have a special gift; they know who the gules are.  (Remember gules - witch doctors - from a past post...)  When a gule walks near a donkey, the donkey will act up.  It becomes uneasy, distressed and causes a commotion.  And this is true even when the gule is not all dressed up.  A donkey just knows.  And because of this, gules will kill any/all donkeys in the three districts.  And that is why there are no donkeys in that huge area of rural Malawi.  After learning this I have a new respect and admiration for donkeys.  How about you?

Pastor Leadership Development

Most rural pastors in Malawi do not have any training and most church attenders do not have Bibles.  Action Malawi Trust has seen the need and is involved in pastor leadership development.  One of the ways AMT serves and teaches pastors in rural Malawi is by hosting Biblical seminars, or training sessions.  While we were in Malawi we had the privilege of sitting in on a class Dr. Gary Riebens taught on the first two chapters of Ephesians.  This class was open to church leaders, teachers and members as well as pastors.  The class was in a village located near the main road so it was easier for people from surrounding villages to attend.  When the several day class was over the participants received certificates of completion and a Bibles all their own.

Bazaar

Thanks so much for your patience - I spent last week preparing for a holiday craft bazaar that took place last Saturday.  It was fun and festive and I am already looking forward to the next one.  But for now I have more Malawi stories to share.  :)

Random Isaac Village Photos

Village Videos

I am again calling on my video disclaimer - beware of motion sickness as you watch - and beware of smiles as you see the beautiful children. 

Shortcut

... we learned that the word shortcut does not mean the same in Africa as it does in America.  When I think of a shortcut I think of a shorter way to get somewhere.  However, we learned that in Africa it means a route that passes by something one person wants to show another or a route that passes by the most people - and it is generally longer than the original route.  The shortcut we took as we left Isaac Village took us on a very narrow, over grown path, down a steep ravine, across a river and up hill the whole rest of the way.  It was a very long and hot walk back to the road.  But seeing Mtinga's face as he showed us the village gardens and explained how they grow their cabbage and rotate the plants to produce as much as possible made it all worth while.  He was also excited to show us the village 'lumber mill' - the place where wood is cut by hand.  It was remarkable to see the trees and the smoothness of the wood and to know it was all done by hand.  On the shortcut we also passed through another village and spent time greeting many people.  Another interesting thing about our walk back to the road was that many of the village children walked with us.  Because Rob had spent time playing soccer with them they wanted to honor him.  They walked with us (most barefoot) all the way to the river - then the pull of going swimming won out.

the Jar

This young man followed us around the whole village and every time I had the camera out he held up his jar.  I am not sure what is in it but I know it is very special to him. So as we were heading out of the village I took a picture of him with his jar - and he was thrilled!  Then someone said there was a short cut to get back to the road - and we were thrilled!  Until....

Soccer

As we were walking around the village we attracted a very large following of children.  At the far end of the village we reached a field.  And once on the field the children got together and sang songs for us.  Then, seemingly out of nowhere, a ball appeared.  Now, by ball, I mean a bunch of plastic bags tied up into a ball shape.  It started to get kicked around and when it went Rob's way, well, what could he do but join in??  And join in he did!  When he did, the children's eyes lit up - no, not just their eyes but their wholes faces.  More children came running and laughing.  It seemed as if play could continue all day.  But, alas, we still had a long walk ahead of us....

Bricks

On the tour Mtinga showed us the village's brick making area - and we actually got to see bricks being made.  Mud is gathered, molded and set in the sun to dry.  Then the dry bricks are stacked and dry cornstalks, leaves and branches are stuck in the stacks and lit on fire.  The fire needs to be constantly fed for several days - and then the bricks are ready to use.