It's hard to believe that we are here - intact - with 32 pieces of luggage accounted for!
What a joy and delight for those of us repeat visitors to be back, and equally exciting for the newbies. Blantyre, unlike last June, is a luscious green. The rainy season is just ending and so the grasses are high and the scenery is almost jungle-like. We were rewarded with a magnificent African sunset last night. First impressions ... our accommodations are very simple, but comfortable, and we are thrilled to have the use of a pool with some lovely gardens. It's very warm and somewhat humid - we anticipate long, hot days. We visited MCM the afternoon we arrived, and gave our team an idea of where we will be and what we will be doing. Some of our familiar friends from last year rushed up, clearly glad to see us, but still bashful. It was precious watching our team connect with the kids straight away. Smiles and laughter are a wonderful means of "global communication". We literally came back, headed for dinner and collapsed into bed by 8:30pm. This morning we visited Blantyre Baptist Church and enjoyed a warm welcome and some great Chichewe worship. After church (over 2 hours), we went to a take-out place for lunch, came back and prepared for our visit to the hospital and while waiting for our ride, experienced a true African thunderstorm with quite a downpour. Our team headed off to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital for an hour's visit to the Pediatric Bay with about 70 kids and then the two surgical wards. We probably saw another 60 or so kids ranging in age from 2 weeks to about 15 years. It was hard to know what exactly was wrong with them - clearly some had had some major surgeries, others were bright-eyed and alert, others were very lethargic and listless and there were several children with hydrocephalis. The conditions in the hospital are pretty devastating - we only saw one or two nurses (bearing in mind there are about 30 kids or more in one room with no air conditioning and temperatures in the low 80's). We were able to sing, give the kids beanie babies and their mothers washcloths with soap - it's amazing how grateful people are for things we take for granted all the time.
Right now, we are unwinding and relaxing before dinner and that will be followed by a short meeting and yet another early night. We are very excited about our first day at MCM with the kids tomorrow which will be preceded by a visit with a high school group. Good Times. God is good; all the time God is good!
What a joy and delight for those of us repeat visitors to be back, and equally exciting for the newbies. Blantyre, unlike last June, is a luscious green. The rainy season is just ending and so the grasses are high and the scenery is almost jungle-like. We were rewarded with a magnificent African sunset last night. First impressions ... our accommodations are very simple, but comfortable, and we are thrilled to have the use of a pool with some lovely gardens. It's very warm and somewhat humid - we anticipate long, hot days. We visited MCM the afternoon we arrived, and gave our team an idea of where we will be and what we will be doing. Some of our familiar friends from last year rushed up, clearly glad to see us, but still bashful. It was precious watching our team connect with the kids straight away. Smiles and laughter are a wonderful means of "global communication". We literally came back, headed for dinner and collapsed into bed by 8:30pm. This morning we visited Blantyre Baptist Church and enjoyed a warm welcome and some great Chichewe worship. After church (over 2 hours), we went to a take-out place for lunch, came back and prepared for our visit to the hospital and while waiting for our ride, experienced a true African thunderstorm with quite a downpour. Our team headed off to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital for an hour's visit to the Pediatric Bay with about 70 kids and then the two surgical wards. We probably saw another 60 or so kids ranging in age from 2 weeks to about 15 years. It was hard to know what exactly was wrong with them - clearly some had had some major surgeries, others were bright-eyed and alert, others were very lethargic and listless and there were several children with hydrocephalis. The conditions in the hospital are pretty devastating - we only saw one or two nurses (bearing in mind there are about 30 kids or more in one room with no air conditioning and temperatures in the low 80's). We were able to sing, give the kids beanie babies and their mothers washcloths with soap - it's amazing how grateful people are for things we take for granted all the time.
Right now, we are unwinding and relaxing before dinner and that will be followed by a short meeting and yet another early night. We are very excited about our first day at MCM with the kids tomorrow which will be preceded by a visit with a high school group. Good Times. God is good; all the time God is good!
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How exciting to return to and/or begin such service, we send prayers for you serving and those you touch that the open hearts be filled with Christ and His Grace, it is quite an adventure to go to such a far away place but Christ has placed you here so know you are there for a purpose,
ReplyDelete"You may never know what results come from your action. But if you do nothing, there will be no result."
– Mahatma Gandhi
Ed Connor
We are praying for you all here at school... It is VERY quiet with everyone gone except the sixth and seventh graders! You are all sorely missed but we know you are right where God wants you to be! My prayer for you all...
ReplyDelete"For this reason, I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen (Ephesians 3:14-21)
With much love and big hugs,
Mama Bucko (or MOM, if you're Hannah! :) )
Hi Sarah B - Glad to hear you all arrived safely. I joined the blogsite for Malwai and sent a message but not sure where it went (hmm). I learned how to post a comment (thxs Glee). Praying for all of you. Lots of hugs and kisses, Mom, Dad, Curtis and Maxi :>
ReplyDeleteSarah B - tried calling Sunday and today. Couldn't get through. We'll try again. Love, Mom and Dad
ReplyDelete