A Video Adventure of our trip to Malawi!

Our trip to Malawi is over, but a big part of our hearts remain there...we will never forget the people, the beauty of the sunset, the sound of laughter and the harmony of the voices....the eyes of the children...memories of Africa will remain with us throughout our lives, and perhaps God will allow us to return...Hope you enjoy the photographs and the videos. The music is that of the children in the orphanage and the people we met along the road and in the churches....it plays continuously in my mind...I LOVE IT!!!

Malawi Mission Video

Zambia Safari Video

Home...

We were welcomed at the airport by a group from Calvary...Pastor Steve and Faye, Anthony and Connie, Martin and Connie, Paul and Marie, Laura, and Brandon's wife Natalie and the kids...what a thrill to see them there with signs and balloons and smiling faces.

It's a bittersweet gathering...we, the current "team" full of visions of the awesome work that God did in and through us...the others having wanted to go so badly this year, happy for our having the experience, all but Lisa, for the very first time.

There are so many stories that we will share over the next few weeks and months...probably for the rest of our lives. God has revealed much in these last days but we know that He will reveal more to each of us as time goes by and we are ready to receive it.

I thank God and the people He touched to give their support in prayer and substance to send us on this journey. It will be a precious memory for all eternity. Thank you, dear friends and family...you will never know how much it has meant to us.

Day 10...Our last day...

We will be heading for home tomorrow... I know we will leave a part of ourselves behind...a big part of our hearts.

The Ohio Team, Danny, Jennifer and Sarah left this morning for home. We all had breakfast together and then Joe drove them to the airport while Fedson drove us to The Lighthouse Orphanage in Nathenji to deliver blankets. I also had a bag of bead bracelets that could have been diamonds, the children were so thrilled, and thankful for them!

The women meet in the orphanage sanctuary on Thursday afternoon each week to praise and prepare to head out for evangelism. They invited me to dance along, and I didn't do too bad for an "ago go", which is Chichewan for Grandmother or Grandfather, an old person :-) I will be working on a video of our trip on the long plane ride home, so be looking for that!

Then we went to the school room where the children were performing some of their songs for us. We were invited to also participate and one of the songs was the Chichewan version of "A Tooty Ta". If you don't know what that is you will have to come with us to Children's Camp next year to find out. Or I can explain it to you sometime :-)

We stayed awhile longer with the children and then headed to Fedson's house for a short visit. Lisa had some gifts she brought to Fedson's girls Memory, Jean and Esther. She brought them school bags packed with supplies and a stuffed animal. Lisa has watched these girls grow up over the last five years and is always anxious to visit with them when she is here.

We went for our last dinner together to an Italian restaurant and had a fantastic dinner. We drove back to the Guest House, with God's help, without a clutch. I will have to write a separate post to tell you all the funny, and sometimes a little scary, things that have happened with these vehicles. It will read like a comedy adventure!! 

We came together for a time of debriefing, reflection, and devotion. We've had some of the most moving devotional times here at the Guest House and I doubt that I will ever forget the worship I've experienced in the living room of this apartment. 

Our clothes and carved treasures are packed, Lanny is writing in his journal and I am sitting here thinking about today, about the last 10 days, and knowing that I will never forget them.  I have dirt under my fingernails that just won't wash out...perhaps it never will. I know there are a lot of things, feelings and tears, joys and the sound of laughter and singing that will never fade in my memory. I sense that it might even grow clearer as time goes by. As Joe said tonight, it may be next week, next month or even next year that the memory of an event or a sight will come to mind and I will see exactly what God was trying to show me. I look forward to that because I know that God sent Lanny and me here for a purpose, and I know that He still has much to teach us about the reason we were here these last 12 days.

Lucy making nsime.  Lucy lives next to the orphanage and helps there.

Hauling blankets to the children in the orphanage.

There is not yet a road directly to the orphanage so we have to walk across the bare winter fields.

The money for the blankets was donated by a church in Ohio. Steve will send a photo back to show them the children they will be ministering to with this gift!

I gave the children the bracelets that the Ohio team brought over for them.

This little one stole my heart. God gave me such a heart gift in that short time I was able to love on this precious little child. 

I was given a chilundu (a wrap) by Abusa (Pastor) Chibwenji and his wife. The design is the country of Malawi and this will be a treasure to me. I was also given the necklace by the teacher. It is made of newspaper or magazine pages wrapped tightly and sealed. These people are so very talented artistically.

And for you Laura, here is a picture of Happy in the new dress you sent her. 

The name suits her perfectly!

Day 9

Today was a very long day...we had breakfast in the city, visited the carving market for the last time, had lunch and headed for the villages.

Lanny was outside walking around and praying when one of the gatekeepers came over and asked him to talk Jesus with him. He said that every day we drive thru the gates, passing him by to go out to the villages to speak Jesus. Lanny led him to the Lord. I am not sure if Lanny will ever come down off this cloud!!! He's is high in the Spirit!!

The Gate Keepers, Patson and Medson.

Lanny gave Patson his ball cap and Medson his shoes...

Medson's soles were coming off.

I am not sure where we ended up today but it is certainly a day I won't forget. We worshiped in a village church and Lanny preached. Then Lanny, our interpreter Harold and I were left there to evangelize until time for the Jesus film.

Lanny and Jority dancing with the congregation.

We simply walked from house to house, Harold calling in Chichewan "Come, come to hear the gospel". People were coming from everywhere bringing chairs or mats for us and welcoming us with their beautiful smiles. We watched the children as they sat down in front, the adults sitting or standing behind listening to one of us share the Good News.

As we walked to the next open area the children ran along with us singing and dancing as we went. They were singing about "Yesu", following Him, or serving Him or just loving Him. Several of the women of the local church went along with us and it was an amazing day. I wish I could tell you all the stories of little ones that nearly cried when they first saw us but that ended up letting me hold and love them. They just want to touch and be close and never tire of shaking hands,  I wish I could tell you the feeling as they listen to every word and then raise their hand to accept God's gift of salvation.

The women of the church led songs about Jesus!!

As the sun began to set we headed back to the church area to set up the film. The YouTurn men have it all perfected. Poles and sheets, generators and small laptops...they can set up and take down in minutes and the children sat patiently waiting to see the film. They play Gospel Music Videos to call the people to come and the videos are about Naaman or Joseph or serving God. Colorful, joyful dancing and again, those melodious voices of the people.

Harold sat all the children down and chose some to lead in music. He has been a wonderful interpreter for us and we feel now as tho we have known him all our lives!

The pastors wife led the children in the Chichewan version of "We are the soldiers of the Lord."

The people watching and waiting for the film.

The moon was not out so the night was black and the stars were unbelievable. I could not help looking up at the sky and was just in awe of my Fathers creation. We saw the Milky Way and Southern Cross and a shooting star.

Lanny preached after the Crucifixion scene and Harold says that there were 800 people there...it was dark so I could only see the little ones sitting around the front. There really are no words.

The truck returned to pick us up just as we were tearing down the equipment and we headed back to Lilongwe, again like a pack of sardines, but so, so happy!

We got back to the Baptist apartments around 10 and Lisa, Sara and Jennifer made grilled cheese sandwiches for us. What a perfect end to a perfect day.

One more day for us here...bittersweet....

Brandon and Soko, his guide.

Lisa and Chibwenja, the YouTurn Country Director.

Days 7 and 8

August 11: As we started to leave the Mfuwe Lodge one of the attendants stopped us to tell us we had a flat tire. This hasn't been a good week for the YouTurn vehicles. Joe put on the spare and we headed back to Malawi. We made it across the border without incident and made the long journey packed in like sardines. We strapped everything on top of the Rover and were joking about Sarah's zebra backpack falling off. Well, it did! As we were speeding down the bumpy dirt road, suddenly we saw it just as Mike, who was sitting it the passenger seat caught it in mid air! "There goes a zebra!" But none of us were any worse for the ware...just a little tired. We had two for one hamburgers in town and came back to the Baptist Guest House for a good nights sleep...after we all got our wifi fix, of course.

August 12: This morning we had a very moving devotional time together. Joe read and spoke from the book of Jonah and we all felt God's Presence as we prayed to empty ourselves of all except His Spirit.

We headed for Kasyia, an extremely poor area, but we only made it as far as Nsaru. We stopped in a large village and preached there. Joe told the story of David and Goliath and Danny shared the Gospel. Many raised their hands to receive the gift of Salvation.

We drove along the dirt road dropping off a team member and interpreter at different sights, and ran into a large group of Guli Wan Kulu, a group of "thugs" that scare the villagers and force them to give money and other items. Joe stopped the Rover, we all jumped out right in the middle of them and he started preaching. They mocked, yelled, waved their machete's and sticks, but one of them was obviously under conviction but could not overcome the "peer pressure". But they've heard the Word and God will not let it return void.

The people sit attentively as they hear the gospel.

They are happy to receive tracts in their own language.

The Guli Wan Kulu danced around and yelled and threatened, but Joe just kept on preaching!

Lanny and I were dropped off together and Harold led us to several groups in the village, including a crippled woman that I was privileged to pray for. I gave her one of the cloths that Marie sent with us and she was very happy to get it. We also shared with a crippled man and his family and several in that group accepted Jesus.

The Malawian people must be the friendliest in the world, and they love to smile for the camera!

I am practicing my Chichewan but not really very good at it. The people don't mind, however, and just laugh when I say it in my southern drawl :-)

I prayed with this sweet woman and gave her one of Marie's crochet cloths.

The children run along as we drive the roads.

We continued on for several hours preaching and sharing and finally met up with the rest of the team in a large marketing area. Lanny preached to a large crowd and we handed out tracts. As we were waiting to get everyone into the Rovers a man came up to us bringing a friend that was ready to take his life. It reminded us of the men who lowered their paralyzed friend through the roof to be healed. Lanny shared the gospel and the young man received the gift of salvation, and no longer wanted to end his life. He asked for a Bible and I just happened to have one. His friend promised to read it to him. What a thrill for Lanny...he says that was his one divine appointment. Praise God!

Lanny sharing with the suicidal man.

A new brother in Christ!

We came back to the Guest House to clean up a bit and then headed to town for Two for One Pizza. We now have a new favorite, Piri Piri Chicken Pizza. It's HOT and delicious. You can be sure that we are bringing home several bottles of that hot sauce.

Now we are back "home" for the night and resting for a very full day tomorrow. We plan to head for Kasyia again tomorrow and show the Jesus film, so we may not get back here until midnight. But we know God will bless the day and I am excited just thinking about the new souls that will be added to the kingdom.

Lisa's Interpreter Samuel

Lanny's Interpreter Harold

I couldn't catch Brandon and interpreter long enough to get a picture, but I will make sure I get one tomorrow because Anthony will be so happy to see his old friend!

Safari Photos

You'll discover very quickly that my favorite animal is the elephant. And as God would have it, we found them right away and saw many groups along the way. The babies are so precious!!

There were plenty of zebra as well.

Africa is certainly a beautiful country!

The baby was staying very close to Momma.

Momma and baby baboon. There are a LOT of baboons in the park...and they also like to play on the roof of the hut at night, trying to get in for snacks!

We stopped for tea and biscuits about halfway thru the tour.

We found a leopard that had been injured. Probably a hyena or an impala horn in a chase. But he was very healthy and the guide said it would heal.

You can see the injury on his hip. He just finished his bath and didn't even bother with us.

Then such a treat!! I cannot believe how beautiful giraffes are. Video's to follow.

Wild dogs. The guide said that in 24 years he had only seen wild dogs in the park few times. We had a rare treat.

Our guide Gilbert.

Lisa taking a picture of me taking a picture of her!

Lisa was missing her workouts so she did some major curls... we figure about 75 pounds!

I didn't need a workout....

A lion track...a BIG lion track.

Well, elephants are my favorite but hippos have to be real close. I love them!!!

My buddies again. They just kept following us around :-)

We found the wild dogs again - one was collared for tracking.