The End

Well folks, this is it.
After a quiet day on Wednesday ( shops were closed and there was a tense quiet ) God put his shield around us and life continued on Thursday.
My, what a trip this has been!
The learning curve for me has been over the top in that it is such a different culture and the communication is challenging. On the other hand, there have been so many God moments - as you heard in our daily blog.
The few "extra " days here were filled with: debriefing sessions with both Kawale and Biw. These were important times of building relationship and discussing how the week in their community went and how God was evident. At the meeting with Biwi this afternoon - God was very evident in that they repeatedly said - their learning in leadership especially - will not stop. How rewarding to hear that! In fact, a woman who had not attended our sessions, asked if Biwi would continue teaching on leadership because her friend had shared how helpful the teaching had been. All glory to God!
Today i also visited Village of Hope - an orphanage run by a couple from Waterloo . They are opening a school for the children this September and it was exciting to see one of the teachers from our teacher session last Thursday had just been hired. Since our translator - Bernadetta is the co-ordinator of this school - that was even more exciting. Two of the 4 staff have some great background knowledge. We trust the orphans will be the benefactors. If any retired teachers wish to help Village of Hope - they would appreciate help because during this year they want to assess all students to discern their level and then next year, include others from the area to help fund the program. Great place.!!!!
Then, my driver and I , after getting stranded with our vehicle due to car trouble, ended with supper at Steers - because he enjoys pizza. I thank God for a careful, reliable and wonderful man whom God put in our lives to help me understand the "African way" and to just be a good sounding board. Obed and Issah from last summer are the absolute best drivers anyone could have!
The red soil of Malawi is definitely under my skin and in /on my heart. The journey continues .... and only God knows what the next step will be.

The team is home now and i will be home Sunday night. Blessings on you as you continue to pray for our reentry. The culture shock in reverse is sometimes more difficult. Pray God will direct our steps as we seek to implement what we have learned here to our various roles back in CAnada. As they say: "May you and your family be blessed."

Lydia
WMBCMalawi 2011 team leader

Reflections out of Africa....

We woke up to the reality this morning that it was our last day to experience life in Malawi. After packing our suitcases we had the privilege of visiting the premie nursery at Bwaila Hospital where 14,200 babies are born every year ( the highest number of deliveries in sub-Saharan Africa). We were able to distribute numerous layettes into the hands of the mothers.

After enjoying lunch in the shade of a mango tree, we spent the rest of the afternoon making home based care visits in Mgona ( the largest slum around Lilongwe -50,000). Alice was excited to see the new library and Community centre that had recently been completed. This is the first and only library in or around Lilongwe.

Some of the words that come to mind when we reflect on our two week stay are:

-life changing

-hope

-God is good

-tears

-amazing dancing

-beautiful harmony

-being embraced in their community circle

-Africa is in our heart

-being called “fellow Malawians”

We will miss our driver Obed, the signs of African life, driving on the left side of the road, the smell of wood smoke from the cooking fires, our fellow team members and the warm faces of the widows and orphans.

Thank you again for your daily prayers that have sustained and empowered us.

Zikomo Qwuambili (Thank you very much) .

With grateful hearts,

Your WMBCMalawi2011 team.

Hope for the Handicapped...

We awoke today thinking our work here in Malawi had come to an end and some of us silently wishing we were heading for home.

Instead, we had the privilege of visiting Children of Blessing Trust, an organization run by a Canadian OT/PT Kathy Bowler. We toured the overcrowded facility that offers a variety of programs for special needs children and their mothers. In Malawi, children with disabilities are the marginalized of the marginalized and COBT (Children of Blessing Trust) is a haven and support group for these children and their families.

Recently a second building has been purchased and is undergoing renovations so that the growing number of children with disabilities will be able to receive physio treatment and preschool teaching.

Kathy put us all to work sewing various fabrics and objects on small fleece blankets for tactile stimulation for the handicapped. Later in the evening we enjoyed a delicious supper of steak, mashed potatoes, and fresh vegetables at Kathy and Steve Bowler's home.

Our hosts certainly made us all feel a little closer to Canada.

Sunset on the Savannah

• Early Saturday morning we went on a once in a lifetime adventure. After a stop at the pottery factory, the final leg of our 4.5 hour drive was 16km on a dusty, narrow, sandy African path full of potholes, which ended with our arrival at Mvuu. After a delicious lunch of Chomba ( Malawian fish) , roasted potatoes, and a luscious milk tart dessert, we headed on a Black Rhino drive that ended with a drink and popcorn as we watched the amazing red sun go down by the Shire River in the company of hippos, wart hogs, impalas, and a variety of birds.
• After watching the red sun in the west, we turned around to witness the beautiful full moon rise in the east. Our driver Frank also showed us the Southern Cross, which is only seen in the southern hemisphere.

• Instead of waking to the crow of the rooster, we heard elephants chomping leaves and hippos grunting outside our chalet. The 5:30 wakeup call was early, but well worth the safari hike where we were led by our guide in the front and scout with a rifle at the back for protection. We made sure we stayed out of the path of the elephant who was in close proximity, saw a variety of wild life, and returned for a 7am breakfast. The boat ride was a highlight in that God provided us with a glorious show of an elephant herd that had just come to the river for their morning drink. Nearby, a large number of crocs were sunning themselves on the river bank, and hippos were enjoying their morning swim.
• Everything from our lodging, to the food, service and guides was superior.
• Saturday evening and Sunday morning we took time to debrief in preparation for our homecoming.
• Tomorrow we are anticipating a day of helping at Children of Blessing which is a facility to empower mothers of special needs children.
• Your tired but happy WMBC2011 team.

Follow the Leader

As the sun rose this morning, we awoke knowing this would be our last day in the community of Biwi. It also marked our 15th day since our feet touched the red soil of Malawi. As we gathered to leave, we each had bags and suitcases in hand that were filled with clothes, school supplies, blankets and mosquito nets.

After Alice (our amazing teacher!) finished her two day teaching seminar, it was great to watch as she distributed the school kits to the 18 teachers that represented the 12 school areas. Their faces clearly showed their appreciation for all that was taught. Blankets and mosquito nets were given into the hands of three child-headed households.

As we reflect on these past two weeks, we are extremely grateful to a women who's heart flows with the love Jesus. Here are a few thoughts from our little family in Africa about our leader, Lydia.

~Joyful

~Strong Leadership

~Affirming our spirits

~Attention to detail & organization

~Covers our day with prayer

Thank you, Lydia!

Love from Naomi & Judith on behalf of the team

Empowering Teachers in Malawi

"EMPOWERING THE TEACHERS OF MALAWI"

Today Alice and Lydia met with 22 teachers at our hotel for a full day of teaching.

We had fun singing songs, playing games and growing in our understanding of early childhood development. They were all enthusiastic and very appreciative for all the ideas that will help them instruct the children in their schools.

Tomorrow we will have one final workshop where we will finish our presentation and distribute the materials among the teachers. Please pray for wisdom on how to share them fairly.

Bernadette our translator, summarized the day by saying "You have given the teachers more than a start, you have given them the best."

Alice - tired at the end of a long but worthwhile day!

“HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET…”

As a follow up to where our dusty feet took us yesterday, the pastor from the village of Biwi shared with us some very exciting news today.

There were three chiefs at our meeting in Ngala yesterday that did not profess to be Christians, who indicated that they wanted to make a change in their lives and villages, and they made a decision to accept Jesus. They also said that they were ready to start going to church, which was a huge step for them.

We started our day in Biwi with Joy and Sara teaching the children the flannel graph story on Creation, and singing choruses in both English and Chichewa. It was fun to watch even the smallest children take the lead in some of their songs.

Liz had a special presentation for the widows on personal hygiene, oral rehydration, and malaria prevention. A local Malawian nurse interpreted for her as well as adding insight from her own experiences with the people. The widows showed keen interest in basic health teaching. It was encouraging to see.

Once again our dusty feet took us on HBC (home based care) visits of the sick, to present them with packages of fortified porridge and sugar as well as pray and sing for them. We quoted scripture to bring hope to their destitute circumstances. We always come away so blessed when we can give them encouragement.

At the end of the day, we went to purchase mosquito nets for the orphans with the funds that were raised at home. They will be distributed in the various communities we have been working in these 2 weeks.

When we return to the hotel after working all day, we look forward to washing our dusty feet AND sandals. We are so blessed to have that privilege that we so often take for granted.

Blessings to all and thanks again for your continued prayers.

Liz and Joy for the team