Gifts for our Interpreters

It's customary to gift our interpreters, who are Malawian Pastors, 

so we've chosen some items with Bible verses and Christian messages. 

The hats say "Jesus Christ - The Lion of Judah, The Prince of Peace...

Lanny and I will wear the T-shirts while we are there and then gift them to our interpreters...

"Fear not for Jesus, the Lion of Judah, has triumphed."

Revelation 5:5

And because they are pastors they like to wear a shirt and tie when they preach. 

The verses on the ties are...

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life 

in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Romans 6:23

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only Begotten Son 

that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

John 3:16

We are also going to take some kitchen knives for their wives and some other clothing items that we will wear while we are there and then leave.

"So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, 

and especially to those who are of the household of faith."

Galatians 6:10

"Let each of you look not only to his own interests, 

but also to the interests of others."

Philippians 2:4

Last Malawi Team Meeting....July 24, 2014

We met for our last Malawi Team Meeting at Steve and Faye's house Thursday night. There were fourteen of us...four that will be going and ten who will be here praying for us as we go. We had a wonderful time of fellowship, food, and prayer for the mission ahead.

Faye shared a few entries from her past journals that were inspiring and encouraging, and because Brandon, Lanny and I are rookies, we found ourselves overwhelmed at the wonder of God's grace...to allow us to be His hands, His feet, His heart on the ground there in Malawi. 

Everyone shared some experiences...some funny, frightening, fascinating...but the most amazing experiences were in the number of decisions among the people there...thousands and thousands every day hearing about and coming to Jesus. 

We are so excited, nervous, awestruck...wondering how God can use such imperfect vessels as we...

but knowing that He WILL!

Circling up for prayer before our meal...except for me :-) I am nearly always behind the camera!

Faye grabbed my camera and took a picture of me!! See, I WAS at this meeting :-)

Lisa again went over all the ins and outs of international travel, what we needed to pack and how to pack it...we are SO glad she is a seasoned vet when it comes to Malawi. She certainly has her work cut out for her having to babysit three newbies!!!

Faye just would not let me take my pans home dirty. I love you Faye!!!

There are so many of you praying...we can feel it and we thank you for it. Please continue to pray for us as we prepare and as we travel and especially as we walk the dusty trails, village to village, telling the beautiful people of Malawi how much God loves them!!!

Check List

I cannot believe all the STUFF on our check list...most of this stuff we never use at home but things are MUCH different in Malawi. No telling what we might need and it would be hard to get it there if we do, so....we've got it!

Now to make room for the clothes :-) Actually, I'm not taking a lot - a few skirts and tee shirts, a jacket (it's winter in Malawi right now - days are warm in the 70's but the nights and mornings can be 45-50 degrees...a little chilly), hiking shoes, jammies, etc. I'll make it all fit. Women have to wear long skirts and no sleeveless tops. And because of the skeeters, ticks, and other arthropods I plan to wear leggings and long socks under that skirt!

So, we have our eTickets, our passports, our shot records....hmmm, what else.....?

We are allowed one checked bag up to 50 pounds, so it might be close. Especially since we have to take lunch/snacks for ourselves and our interpreters. Anthony and Lisa say that one of the favorites of our interpreters is Vienna Sausages, so in they go!! This little box of sausage weighs 5 pounds! But we'll eat pretty good at lunch time :-)

Lanny and I will split all this stuff between our two bags, so no worries. I KNOW it will all fit and well within limits :-) 

THIRTEEN DAYS TO GO!!!

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unit Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Acts 1:8

Father God, prepare the hearts of those we will minister to, and especially prepare our hearts to share the Love, Truth and Light of Your Word. 

Thank you for this opportunity to go to the "uttermost part of the earth" with Your Message.

We love you!

In Jesus Precious and Holy Name,

Amen

MORE SHOTS!!!

Finally, we've had the last of our shots! Lanny and I just had two to go (we have already had four), but Brandon had to have FIVE today! I don't even want to tell you how much travel immunizations cost these days!! Let me just say it's not cheap.

Just two weeks to go.... we will have our last Malawi Team Meeting this week and then countdown begins....

Hmm, malaria, yellow fever, typhoid, dengue, measles...

...but we are COVERED!!! in more ways than these...God is in control!!

OUCH!!!

I'm not very good at Selfies :-) but you get the picture.

Am I Strange?

I have made Nichole an instruction book with instructions and pictures for everything from using the DVD player, remotes, radio, washer and dryer, maintaining the pool, feeding the turtles and fish (yes, even how to care for my Soldier Fly Grubs :-)....am I a little weird? Lanny is impressed with my Procedure Manual...at least he says he is :-) He knows me so well.....

I'm sure something will come up that I haven't covered, but at least MOST of the day to day dilemma's should be easier for her to deal with.. I know I will feel better. And Robbie and James as well as my Daddy are all on call, ready to come if needed! 

It's Getting Serious!

We have 21 days to go and I am starting to get serious about my "Take Along" checklist. Of course we need the usual day to day stuff like socks, undergarments, etc. :-) but we also need flashlights, malaria pills, meds for various bacterial ailments that might get us (ugh), insect repellants, sunscreen, hiking boots, first aid kits, bandana's for the dusty trails, duct tape (not sure why, but I'm told it's a MUST)...oh yea, you can fix anything with duct tape and baling wire :-) ...that is a Texas joke.

Anyway, I am getting our stuff together and getting more excited every day. This last three weeks will probably fly by.

Lanny has done so much around the house so that our house/pet sitter will be able to relax, enjoy our fun and fabulous puppies and not worry about the pool hoses busting (Lanny changed out all the hoses with PVC), or the old GFI failing. It looks great around here....maybe we should go off for 12 days more often :-)