Day 9 Monday

Day 9 Monday-

The last three days have been very restful.  On Friday, the staff of Somebody Cares had a “Thanksgiving Friday”.  We spent the morning in worship and devotions, everyone sharing what they are thankful for.  We shared a large breakfast (that consisted of beans, eggs, and lots of meat… lots and lots… when Chris wasn’t looking I unloaded quite a bit on his plate) J  The staff also put together an appreciation basket for Chief Theresa (or FED as they refer to her).  Each person brought something they knew/hoped she would like.  Chris and I got the opportunity to “spruce- up” the office bathroom a little bit.  We were able to add a mirror, tp and towel holders, a garbage can, cute coral towels, some soap and tissue.  Even in Malawi I was able to find something to shop and stage. J  Chief Theresa arrived home from South Africa in the afternoon and the staff was waiting at her home for her.  It is such a blessing to watch how the staff of Somebody Cares works together.  I have heard it said many times here that work is worship… and they worship together very well!

Friday evening ended on a not so great note when one of the vans was broken into and 4 laptops were stolen.  Although totally devastating the first and lasting response to this was immediate prayer and reminding each other that God is good, all of the time.  I just kept thinking how many tears, rants, and melt downs I could save myself if I would respond the same way.  But I know that this isn’t just a response but a heart issue… How easy that response is when you spend your whole day already walking and talking with the Lord.

Saturday was AMAZING.  Super restful.  We took a 2-hour car ride to Lake Malawi and spent most of the day laying in the sand and playing in the waves.  It was much needed.  The lake is BEAUTIFUL.  The sand is perfect.  The waves were great, and the best part- it’s a LAKE so no yucky salt water.  It was such a relaxing day.  Very much needed.  On the way to the lake we passed community after community.  Each one looked a little different, but all filled with beautiful people and lots of churches.  On the way home we stopped to do a little shopping at a market.  The craftsmanship of the wood carvings is amazing and we picked up a few fun things.

Sunday was another restful day.  We woke and went to church with Chief Theresa and her daughter.  It is a small church and is different from ours in a few ways.  Church is scheduled to start at 9am so we arrived at 9:30 because “they do a lot of ‘chat-chat-chat” at the beginning.  The pastor was about an hour late because he had to visit another church on the way, so we just sang and sang and heard a message from a few different people from the congregation.  Once the pastor arrived he delivered a message that again seemed to be directed right at me.  Like Mission we were right in the Word the entire time.  After church we went to lunch with the pastor and his family, at a place similar to KFC in the states and I had what seems like my 100^th Fanta while here.   From lunch we went back to Chief Theresa’s house and relaxed, watched tv, slept and enjoyed.

It is now Monday morning and I am sitting at the office.  We started this morning with a devotion from the pastor.  After, Keta brought together the entire staff to inform them of the computer theft that happened last Friday.  The theft of these computers is devastating to the ministry as these are their tools.  There have been quite a few thefts this year already and it seems to be never ending.  But as soon as the news broke IMMEDIATE PRAISE broke out.  God is good, all the time.  We just spent the last hour singing praises, knowing that no matter what comes against us (and things will come as you do the Lord’s work)  God is for us… God’s work is being done here.  He is delighted with this place.  Somebody Cares is in constant worship of God.  He if reflected in everything they do.  Everywhere they go.  It is so encouraging.  Keta continued worship by speaking about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.  The three men who were thrown into the fiery furnace when they would not bow down to the golden idle (the things of the world).  They had faith in the Lord that he would save.  God is able.  And even if God does not save them from the fiery furnace they would praise anyway.  That is the mindset, the faith of the staff at Somebody Cares…  God is able.  We will praise anyway.  We are doing the work of the Lord.  I can’t even begin to describe it.  I wish you all could experience it.  No matter what, in times of need, in times of despair, in times of harvest… CONSTANT PRAISE.  

Love it all.  But really miss my boys.  Can't wait to see them in a little more than a week!  The internet has been touchy but I will try and write again soon.  Sorry for no pictures. I've been battling the computer/internet trying to get them uploaded but I am giving up! :)

Day 6

Day 6- Thursday Evening

It seems as though 6:00 is our new bedtime because as hard as we try we cannot seem to stay awake past it!  The last few days have flown by which is funny because more than once now we have heard, “this is Africa, all we have is time”.  Really that expression seems to be so true.  Everywhere we go and whatever we are doing, nothing is rushed, there is no hurry…. what a difference that is!

When you have nothing but time it allows you to do the things that truly matter first- staff devotions.  Every morning the staff of Somebody Cares gathers in a circle outside of the offices for about 30 minutes or so.  They start with singing and prayer and then move into a devotion.  One staff member reads a small excerpt from the book (right now they are doing a Joyce Meyers book) gives their take-away and then asks for others to comment.  This leads into a time of honesty, vulnerability, sharing and encouragement.  This is by far my favorite thing about being here.  The two mornings we have been apart of this time with the staff have been personally challenging and encouraging.  It’s as if God knew I needed to travel all the way to Africa to really hear what I’ve been told before.  Love it!

On Tuesday we spent the day at the office and running errands.  Keta filled us in on what is happening within each ministry at Somebody Cares.  So informative!  I wish I could listen to her say it twice.  After our “orientation” we decided it would be good for Chris and I to spend our time here traveling around with the staff on their day to day.  That would give us a chance to visit multiple villages, different feeding centers, and sit through meetings of each of the different ministries within the communities. 

Wednesday we traveled to Chikudzulire.  Chris was so excited to visit old friends and I was happy to meet everyone he has been talking about for the past 5 years!  While there we helped distribute the second/fortified meal to the children.  Every weekday the kids receive a meal of a nutritionally enriched porridge and then three days a week they receive a second meal of porridge and beans.  This gives them additional protein which has helped a ton!  Wednesday is also the day that all of the ministry groups in Chikudzulire meet together (counselors/teachers, youth, widows & women, hiv support group, safe motherhood, pastors)  We had a chance to meet with each of the groups, listening in on their updates and training, and met with their group “champion”.  It was also really great to listen to Nonni, a staff person from Homes of Hope in Fiji speak on sexual assault and the role a teacher/caregiver/counselor plays in a young persons life.  The kids loved having visitors and enjoyed watching Chris and I “explain” the games, Duck-Duck-Goose, Simon Says, and The Hokey Pokey.  I only made one baby cry  which was good compared to today!

Today (Thursday) we (all 15 of us in one little van) traveled to Mgwangwa, and Deya, but spent most of our time in Mtema.  You could definitely tell this community does not get as many visitors because I made about 4+ babies cry while there!  We arrived during lesson time and got to watch as 260 children sat quietly and learned from 3 teachers and 3 assistants.  I was in awe!  The children ranged in ages from 1-7 years old.  Most of the kids, ages 1 to 2 were strapped to an older sibling’s back (older meaning a 5yr old).  During meal time the kids at so quietly,  Although, some were not as neat as others ;) Yes I did make this baby cry!  (my photo wont upload!!! :< )

We sat in on the Safe Motherhood meeting.  It was interesting to hear the points Somebody Cares has been teaching the moms in this community.  Topics such as hygiene, feedings, baby weigh-ins, birth-spacing…  all are now being implemented in their homes.  But the most touching to hear is what is happening in marriages.  Husbands are now going with their wives to their first doctor appointment.  At the appointment both are being tested for HIV.  Once the results are given a plan is put in place while both the husband and wife are there.  The woman testified that because their husbands are attending this appointment with them and being tested together they are connecting more.  Since attending the appointment the bond between husband and wife is greater and the husband is now bonded to his baby.  He then is attending more appointments and seeing his responsibility is not over with conception but it continues throughout pregnancy and into their child’s life.  This mindset is drastically different then before Somebody Care’s started this program.  Since Safe Motherhood started not only are babies and moms MUCH HEALTHIER, marriages are also healthier as well!  Praise God!   Another takeaway from the group meeting- ALL MOMS NEED A COMMUNITY.  They need friends to bounce ideas off of, friends to talk with, friends to help raise their children with, friends to be in the Word with.  Just like back home… thanks friends! ;)

The day continued with the youth singing and dancing for us and including us in their bible study on Lazerus..  At one point the youth translator told us that Lazerus, “kicked the bucket”. J  We ended our time there with a plate of sema and “beef”.  I haven’t quite gotten use to eating with my hands (or the beef)! 

Well it’s later than I’ve stayed up in awhile, 7:17.  Hopefully the internet will cooperate and I can get to bed soon!  Good night!

Below:  The kids reactions as they watched videos of Kai and Jack dancing

Below:  The kids give the cows some water from the well

Below:  The HIV Support Group garden Chris helped plant in 2010

And We're Off!

Day 1-3

Well, we are off… and I’d be lying if I said I haven’t cried at least once an hour since we left… it’s probably closer to 2 or 3 times an hour.  Gosh I miss the boys so much already.   It’s hard to believe that the crazy week we just finished is already over and we are on our way to Malawi!

We left this morning from Phoenix at 9 am.  After a 5 hour flight we are now sitting on the Subway (it smells like pee) waiting to be taken into NYC.  Super excited for tonight!  We caught up on a little bit of sleep on the plane and since we are still “on” AZ time we feel a little ahead of the game when thinking about staying up all night to sight see the city. We met with our friend Josh  (WE LOVE YOU JOSH AND ARE SO THANKFUL FOR YOUR NYC KNOWLEDGE) earlier this week who is our New York travel expert and we have quite the itinerary for the next 15 hours before we need to be back at the airport for our flight to South Africa. 

I am feeling excited, anxious, and a bit tired.  I can’t wait for what is ahead of us and for what God is going to show us…. But I sure do miss my boys!!!  I will do my best to keep you posted with what we are up to and pictures as well!  Thanks for all your prayers.  Keep them coming! J

A Night In New York- 24 hours later

We made it!!!  All night long we roamed New York City.  It was exhausting, but fun.  We managed to fit in everything on our “itinerary”  9/11 Memorial, Statue of Liberty, pastrami sandwiches at Katz’s, drinks at Pete’s Tavern, Time Square, Rockefeller Center, Madison Square Garden, and LOTS AND LOTS OF WALKING!!!  I’m serious we walked everywhere.  When we should have taken the subway we decided just to walk thinking. “let’s walk, we have time to kill!”  so walk we did.  I wish I had worn a GPS just to track how far we walked!   After being up 24 hours and sightseeing throughout the night we made it back to the airport at 8am to catch our 11am flight to South Africa.  The 15 hour flight was the BEST THING EVER.  It was everything I imagined it to be!  Fifteen uninterrupted hours of rest!  I watched movies, sat quietly, was served food, and slept.  No one asked me for anything.  I didn’t take anyone to the bathroom, I didn’t cook, I didn’t clean… amazingnous! (is that even a word?)  I did break down and cry a few times thinking about how much I missed my boys.  Mom guilt has definitely set in.  We did a quick switch of planes in South Africa and then 3 hours later we arrived in Malawi!!!

YAY!!! WE MADE IT!!!  Keta and her assistant Chris picked us up from the airport.  We had a quick lunch and are now at the Somebody Cares office.  Out the door right now I can see and hear the staff singing beautifully, dancing, clapping and praising God.  Thank you Lord for this experience.  Please pray for peace in my heart as I miss Jack and Kai terribly already, and for everything we are about to learn and experience.

I will update again soon!!!