Even More Adventures

Sunday was an amazing day! ROB PREACHED HIS FIRST SERMON IN MALAWI! We rode to a village in a minibus and arrived to an incredible welcome. We were blessed with great worship and many testimonies of how Action Malawi has served the people in the village. Rob had an interpreter and did a super great job! We were asked to come back and preach again. It was simply amazing. After the service we were greeted by the congregation and we made them smile as we tried to speak Chichewa. They appreciated our effort and made us feel special. We were also served a traditional meal - a very large one that we were told they only eat on very special occasions, like Christmas. We were honored and humbled by the love they showed us. (Keep checking the blog because when we get home we will tell you more about this day!)

More Adventure

Rob and I walked to the market in Ntcheu, had great conversations with Chet and LeAnne Burns, rode on the back of bikes (what an experience!), bought a chitanga and a soda (Rob had all the vendors smiling and laughing), spent the afternoon and evening with the Action Malawi team - including four Malawian pastors/board members - and ate first traditional Malawian meal.

First Day

flight delays - stranded on runway with no air while mechanic changed fuse - passenger problems (one needing to be escorted off plane) - arrived late, tired and stiff wanting a shower and bed only to arrive in Ntcheu to... - no water - eight inch lizards coming into our room through paneless window - dogs barked all night long ... however - great food, great weather, great people, great landscape, great God! This is Malawi.

DARE TO DREAM

This past weekend at Hayley Ann's graduation party one of our older friends quoted Acts 2:17 in "that young men will see visions and old men will dream dreams".

I wonder, how long will it take us young men to take those dreams and start making them into realities. What will it take for us to rise up and proclaim Jesus Christ with all that we have?

Over the years I have been told on more than one occasion and by several different men that my dreams, my ideals--I will eventually get over them.

I hope and pray that I never do and I am tired of being caught in one of his satan's favorite baits, that is... busyness. I was so thankful this past week for Pastor Jeff's reminder about how satan like to trap us.

I am hoping and praying that God will use our trip to renew and refuel our passion for Him and our desire to carry out His work.

Will you please pray along with me that our eyes do not ever become deadened nor our hearts become apathetic or worse yet, that we would become to busy and not allow for time to do His work. Pray that God will refuel us but also that he would give us a clear dream, a vision to fulfill His work-no matter what that is.

Keep Pressing On!!!

Here we are waiting in Dulles airport in Washington DC. Soon to connect and began our journey to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia our next stop in our journey to Malawi.

We brought all kinds of reading material and so I thought I would share some things as we learn along the way.

Did you know that in Malawi 6 people an hour die of AIDS, which is over 50,000 a year. Yikes that is a whole lot of souls.

Keeping Pressing On!

We are off!

When asked why go, there is but one response - to make the name of our Lord exalted among the nations - to have His glory revealed among all peoples. When asked what it is about Africa that we love so much, again, there is but one response - it is God that we love above all else and He has placed Africa in front of us for this moment.

Thank you in advance for all of your prayers!

Congratulations Riley!

I just have to share this exciting news with you - Riley was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa - an international, two-year college honor society. Way to go, Riley! We are so proud of you!

Malawi Update

Here is a quick update on our trip to Malawi. We leave in two weeks - yes, two weeks! The only vaccination we needed was a hep B series - we had two and get the third in a few months. Rob is opting out of malaria medication but I am planning on taking it. We spent time with a local couple who is involved with a ministry in Malawi - in fact, the wife is Malawian. We had a great time of fellowship and learned a bit about Malawi, its culture and language. (Like how I was totally pronouncing Ntcheu wrong!) We still need to register with the embassy, shop and pack -although, we have started to gather items to take for the Burns' family, like Nestle hot coco and Tollhouse chocolate chips - neither of which they have in Malawi. I am ready to start packing. Not so much to have it done but more because I already feel like I am forgetting something. I would sure appreciate your thoughts on what to bring - maybe you'll remember what I am forgetting! We also need to confirm dates and details with those who will be helping out stateside while we are gone. (We so appreciate the help!) And we would love to know if you will be praying for us - we are asking for a team to pray for health and safety, clear direction and that we would glorify God in all we say and do.

And a quick bit about Malawi -
Along with the increase in gasoline prices (over $11 USD per gallon) the Malawian Kwacha fell and lost value so food (and other) prices are skyrocketing. The lack of rain has caused crops to fail and so a severe famine is predicted. We learned that in Lilongwe the children that are able to attend school have very limited supplies - very, very limited - meaning 25 children share one desk and one pencil. People are suffering and the need is great - but God is greater!!