Our Final Night in Blantyre

I can't believe how fast our time has gone. It has been such a great week, and so much has happened.
We started our program for the street kids on Monday, it went from Mon thru Wed. When we were are church on Sunday, a couple of medical students from Scotland approached us to ask if they could help with the program. They had come to Malawi for something at the School of Medicine and when they arrived, there was nothing planned for them. They were looking for somewhere to help out. Of course we loved to have them - they were great helpers. We had around 15 kids attend the program, which was a pefect number. I was amazed at how much they wanted to learn. They were so well mannered and attentive. They absolutely loved the crafts we did (a braided bracelet, bead necklace and art), and would have sat and done that for hours. We had long praise and worship times where they had a blast playing big drums and tamborines. They loved the worship and the activities that we had. We had a great program for them, but all they really needed to hear was that they matter, and that God loves them. God was glorified!
There were so many special things that happened. We had Godknows (from STEKA house) and 3 children from his home come and help us every day. We got to hear many of their testimonies which was great, as they were all on the street at one time. There was a little 10 year old girl that came to the program, who immediately caught Godknow's eye. He was so worried about her surviving on the street, that he took her to his home so she would be safe. He left his number with the Police so that IF her parents looked for her, the Police would contact him. What a blessing for the girl to have a safe, loving home to go to.
Maribeth and Kelsey have an amazing team that they are working with here in Malawi. Those leaders were so great during this whole stay, but especially during the program that we had. We would just tell them what we wanted to have done, and they would do plays, skits, lead worship - what great leaders they are. Truly a blessing to this ministry.
After we finished with the program today, we boarded and minibus and headed to a the orphan care center that specializes in children with disabilites and two other centers supported by Maribeth and Kelsey. I have had the privelege of seeing these centers over the past several years. So much as been improved, it was so great to see. The teachers were doing such a good job with the students. Raising up young leaders to be sure!
I will be sad to leave Blantyre tomorrow, it seems like we just got here. I had such a great time with Kelsey - she is so special to me, and I am so honored to have been given the opportunity to return to Malawi. I hope that I can return another day.

God's Plan

When we got up yesterday we were greeted with the news that we wouldn't be able to go into the centers or have the team over for lunch as we had planned. Things were still a little too unstable. We did some quick rearranging, no big deal. God just sent us to love on the people of Malawi. He doesn't have a schedule or plan.
We were ablt to walk to STEKA house. This is an organization that Maribeth and Kelsey have been helping financially and with prayers. It is a husband & wife (Godknows and Helen) who have opened up their home to children from the streets. The police bring them children that have been abandoned or abused. Currently they have 30+ children there. They are patient, God loving parents. These children are loved and cared for beautifully. They get little or no support from the government or any other agencies!! We got to hear their stories, pray for them, and do a little story of Joseph with coloring & braided bracelets. Those children would have done crafts all afternoon, and were so great. The afternoon was opened up by a bautiful prayer by a sweet 3 year old boy. Had me in tears from the beginning.
Today we are having the team over for lunch. We are preparing a combo American/Malawian lunch. Always a challenge to cook on one burner for 10+ people. Plus use a little charcoal cooker outside.
It is so beautiful here. I love walking down the streets - we are greeted with such warm smiles.
The weather is nice - just a little over 70. Sunny...
Thanks for your prayers!
God Bless you as you shine the light of Jesus where ever you are.

Made it!!

We made it to Blantyre today around noon. Our flights over were all on time and went so great. We were more than ready to get off of the airplane, though.
We were greated at the airport in Lilongwe by Kelsey and Henry from Children of the Nations with a nice big hug and a "welcome home." It feels like home, so familiar and just such a warm feeling to see all of our friends here. We had a great stay at Henry and Jocelyn's home, they were so excited to have us there, and I was so excited to hold their 6 month old son. What a cutie!! We had a chance to visit the widows at the COTN widows program yesterday and gave them fabric and materials that were donated to us. They sang, danced and welcomed us back!! We also were able to spend time with our sponsored children. They have grown and changed so much in the last 2 years. I had written to the 14 year old guy I sponsor and told him that I would be over to see him this summer, apparently he asked every team who came from CA if they knew who Cindy was. He was so happy to see me and is doing so well in school - I am proud of how hard he is working.
Today we traveled by bus to Blantyre. There is some protesting in Malawi, so we had to take a different one than originally planned. But, we made it safely, the drive was so beautiful. I love to look out at all of the different villages and see the beautiful sights here. The house Kelsey and Maribeth live in is so serene. There is a nice breeze, and I can't wait to get outside to spend some time with Jesus here. There are no distractions, it is a truly special place to listen to my Savior.
Thanks for your continued prayers. We needed them today as we travelled!
God Bless all of you!

Ready to Roll

Bags are packed, each one weighing in at 50 lbs exactly! We are taking over a total of 6 bags filled with fabric and gifts to bless the ministries that we support in Malawi. Thanks to all who donated items to help fill those bags.
I have been stopped and prayed for so many times over the last week, I feel so blessed and ready to roll!
I will try to update this blog whenever internet service is available.
Thanks & God Bless You!

Blessed, Encouraged, Excited

I am so encouraged by the outpouring of support that we have been receiving. We are over half way on our fundraising goals - our list of people fasting and praying continues to grow. Both of our garages are filling up with goodies to sell at our garage sale. God is so good.
We are still accepting items to sell on June 18th at the Malawi Garage Sale in Folsom. Let me know and I will pick up items or you can deliver them to me or Pam. We also need helpers the day of the sale!
We have our travel arrangements made. That is a relief. The actual day-to-day schedule is a work in progress. We can plan what we think it should look like, but have to leave a lot of room for God to just use us where he needs. It is always an adventure!
Thanks so much for walking with me through this. Check out the links to Maribeth & Kelsey's blogs below!!
God Bless!

Moving Forward

We continue to plan for our trip. The checklist is growing... tickets, medications, arrangements for our time in Lilongwe at Children of the Nations. We have a very rough draft of what that VBS program will look like. Now we need to fill in the spaces and find crafts, skits, activities to make it happen. We will be having the older children act as "shepherds." That works great for the VBS camp that Lakeside hosts. It has already been arranged that some of the extra t-shirts from our Lakeside program will be sent with us to give to the little leaders. They will be so excited!
A team of two ladies just returned from Malawi where they helped with the Easter outreach and distributing 10,000 books and crayons to the children there. It was a huge success with so many great stories of healing and hope. If you want to see more pictures of that, check out Maribeth & Kelsey's blogs (linked below).
I have started accumulating items for the garage sale that we will be having in June here in Folsom.
Please continue to pray for Pam and I as we prepare for this trip.
God Bless!

Can You Believe It?

I am so excited to be planning another trip back to Malawi! I am already thinking of those beautiful children. My dear friend Pam and I are headed back to Malawi to support Kelsey who is doing a year long mission trip to Blantyre, Malawi. She has been working alongside Maribeth - who is coming home for awhile over the summer. We are going over to give her some moral encouragement, see all of the great things that God has been at work on in Blantyre, as well as help with a program for the street kids. Kind of a VBS, but not really because these kids aren't in school... you get the drift, tho! It will be very fun, and quite the challenge. Kelsey and Maribeth have been working with a church over there, and we will partner with them to put this on.
Right now we are just working on getting our flights and coming up with ideas for the program. When Lakeside Church sends teams out, we are required to have Share Partners - people to pray for us and stand beside us - so Pam and I are busy working to get our letters out. We will start our training meetings soon.