Sunday, July 22, 2007
Our Team
One of the most amazing things I've experienced on this trip is friendship and unity. From a large team of 46 people, without sounding corny, I really do feel like I have made 45 new friends at Summit. Some people I already knew, but even in those instances our friendship has strengthened. God really brought the right people with the right gifts together for this trip...and I am so thankful.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Celebration
Today was another good day - I can't believe that our time here is almost over.
Today was the celebration day that we have been working towards - talking, encouraging and promoting HIV/AIDS testing and awareness in Mtsiliza Village. Many kids came out to play today when we arrived at 9 a.m. we began playing games and singing with all the kids.
The kids are so beautiful. When they look at you - it truly is like looking at the face of God. I have never before in my life made eye contact with another person and had it feel like that - the children look straight into your eyes. They see you. They see through you.
"Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men. For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness." Psalm 107:8-9
I like that Psalm verse because I feel like it describes what is going on here in Malawi. These children are hungry for food and I will be praying that their physical needs will be met, but you God are definitely feeding their hunger for you. I have never seen people have nothing, feel somewhat hopeless but yet still praise God with every piece of their soul.
We saw the Jack family that we have been helping all week for the last time. We took a picture together, and I have to remember to send them a copy of it through COTN.
Today was the celebration day that we have been working towards - talking, encouraging and promoting HIV/AIDS testing and awareness in Mtsiliza Village. Many kids came out to play today when we arrived at 9 a.m. we began playing games and singing with all the kids.
The kids are so beautiful. When they look at you - it truly is like looking at the face of God. I have never before in my life made eye contact with another person and had it feel like that - the children look straight into your eyes. They see you. They see through you.
"Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men. For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness." Psalm 107:8-9
I like that Psalm verse because I feel like it describes what is going on here in Malawi. These children are hungry for food and I will be praying that their physical needs will be met, but you God are definitely feeding their hunger for you. I have never seen people have nothing, feel somewhat hopeless but yet still praise God with every piece of their soul.
We saw the Jack family that we have been helping all week for the last time. We took a picture together, and I have to remember to send them a copy of it through COTN.
Friday, July 20, 2007
Traditional Dances
I spent the morning sorting through all of the clothes that we had brought as donations from Summit Church. We were sorting them into age-appropriate groups for the kids.
In the early evening, some of the kids from the village came to the COTN camp. They performed for us, and it was so awesome! They showed us some acrobatics and traditional African dances.
After the "show," we had a bonfire at the camp. We made smores, and the Malawians had no idea what they were.
In the early evening, some of the kids from the village came to the COTN camp. They performed for us, and it was so awesome! They showed us some acrobatics and traditional African dances.
After the "show," we had a bonfire at the camp. We made smores, and the Malawians had no idea what they were.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
VCT
First, I just want to say that traveling is going to become addicting. I can already see that.
I am riding in a bus looking out the window at the African terrain that God created. I love the sparatic, random mountains thrown into a mostly flat terrain. Is this symbolic for the way life sometimes is? The trees look just like you'd imagine they would. There are so many beautiful mountains that you'd want to hike.
"COLGATE. Let's save the world from cavities!" That billboard just made me giggle.
Yesterday after we left the clinic, we went back to the camp and I was feeling really tired. We were going back to the village to eat dinner at a potluck. That really scared me and I didn't want to do it at all. But then, after we got there, God slapped me in the face because it was wonderful. I didn't eat anything from the village - just because I was afraid of getting sick - but I did eat the rice and beans that we brought from the camp. It was interesting eating with our hands.
I think our whole group is in awe of how caring and giving these people are. They literally have nothing to give, yet they are having a potluck dinner for us. They call us family, and welcome us as brothers and sisters. And they always thank us. How is that possible?? We should be thanking them for the amazing people that they are. The mother of the 32 children that first night at the House of Peace thanked us...unbelievable.
They allowed us to get up and eat first, but before we did a few children from the village came around and washed our hands with a bucket of water. I couldn't help but be reminded of Jesus washing the hands of those "lower" than him. I see God in these children. I felt God in that room.
The Malawians from the village danced and sang for us during the dinner. The only thing I think when I hear these children singing is that this perfect harmony could be from none other than the living God. We always say how "poor" they are - but my God how truly poor we are sometimes. I have never seen community like this between people - this love, faith, and joy.
Tio nana! ("See you later!" in Chichewa)
I am riding in a bus looking out the window at the African terrain that God created. I love the sparatic, random mountains thrown into a mostly flat terrain. Is this symbolic for the way life sometimes is? The trees look just like you'd imagine they would. There are so many beautiful mountains that you'd want to hike.
"COLGATE. Let's save the world from cavities!" That billboard just made me giggle.
Yesterday after we left the clinic, we went back to the camp and I was feeling really tired. We were going back to the village to eat dinner at a potluck. That really scared me and I didn't want to do it at all. But then, after we got there, God slapped me in the face because it was wonderful. I didn't eat anything from the village - just because I was afraid of getting sick - but I did eat the rice and beans that we brought from the camp. It was interesting eating with our hands.
I think our whole group is in awe of how caring and giving these people are. They literally have nothing to give, yet they are having a potluck dinner for us. They call us family, and welcome us as brothers and sisters. And they always thank us. How is that possible?? We should be thanking them for the amazing people that they are. The mother of the 32 children that first night at the House of Peace thanked us...unbelievable.
They allowed us to get up and eat first, but before we did a few children from the village came around and washed our hands with a bucket of water. I couldn't help but be reminded of Jesus washing the hands of those "lower" than him. I see God in these children. I felt God in that room.
The Malawians from the village danced and sang for us during the dinner. The only thing I think when I hear these children singing is that this perfect harmony could be from none other than the living God. We always say how "poor" they are - but my God how truly poor we are sometimes. I have never seen community like this between people - this love, faith, and joy.
Tio nana! ("See you later!" in Chichewa)
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Starbucks and Starvation
It's almost unreal to think that as I am living in Orlando and going to UCF - drinking my $4 Starbucks latte, typing on my laptop, driving my brand new car - that this is the life people are living here. People are starving. People are dying. People are suffering.
I am sitting again in a Malawi classroom watching these children engulfed in a children's book that Traci is reading as the translator explains. Everyday as I see these faces - some of them beginning to become familiar - they are becoming more and more human. HUMAN. Not statistics. Not a story I read. Not a face on TV.
We went into the schools to promote HIV/AIDS awareness and to explain about the VCT testing that would be going on for free all week. The reality is that 10-15% of all Malawians already have HIV/AIDS, but if they don't know they are infected, then they can't get treated. There is some national funding allowed to provide some medicine to those that come in for testing if they are HIV positive. The things we experienced in the classrooms were disheartening and somewhat terrifying. When asked what the students had heard about HIV/AIDS in their community, we heard responses such as,
"If you get AIDS, you must have sex with 5 virgins to rid yourself of the disease."
"The herbal medicine doctor in our village cures HIV/AIDS in a few days."
There are way too many people that still don't even know that HIV/AIDS exists.
I looked around all day for the girl I met yesterday, but I couldn't find her. I can't stop thinking about her!
We went back to the COTN camp at "half-eleven", or 11:30, to eat lunch - coleslaw and rice. The food is always rice and beans, and the Malawians love to eat "Nsima." Which compares to...a patty made of farina or cream of wheat that is three days old. It's made from corn and I don't like it at all.
After eating we loaded up the bus and headed to the clinic - where people of all ages were waiting to receive the VCT test for HIV/AIDS. We were supposed to be sitting with the children trying to break the tension of such a serious moment. That is a huge task. I sat there thinking how serious those few moments actually were. These children and young adults were walking through a door and five minutes later walking back out with either one of two bits of news: "You will live." or the dreaded, "You have a terminal, incurable disease. You will die."
All the while we are making conversation with the kids and coloring books. We had some nail polish, and the girls LOVED when I painted their fingernails! Then I let one of the girls paint mine and she loved that even more. I loved it too - maybe even more than she did. One girl named Elizabeth wanted to teach us the language of Chichewa. It was so neat to see someone wanting to teach us! She was 13 and of course when I asked her what she wants to be when she grows up, she responded, "A teacher!" I spent a moment along praying for the girls going in for testing that I'd just spend my afternoon with.
I am sitting again in a Malawi classroom watching these children engulfed in a children's book that Traci is reading as the translator explains. Everyday as I see these faces - some of them beginning to become familiar - they are becoming more and more human. HUMAN. Not statistics. Not a story I read. Not a face on TV.
We went into the schools to promote HIV/AIDS awareness and to explain about the VCT testing that would be going on for free all week. The reality is that 10-15% of all Malawians already have HIV/AIDS, but if they don't know they are infected, then they can't get treated. There is some national funding allowed to provide some medicine to those that come in for testing if they are HIV positive. The things we experienced in the classrooms were disheartening and somewhat terrifying. When asked what the students had heard about HIV/AIDS in their community, we heard responses such as,
"If you get AIDS, you must have sex with 5 virgins to rid yourself of the disease."
"The herbal medicine doctor in our village cures HIV/AIDS in a few days."
There are way too many people that still don't even know that HIV/AIDS exists.
I looked around all day for the girl I met yesterday, but I couldn't find her. I can't stop thinking about her!
We went back to the COTN camp at "half-eleven", or 11:30, to eat lunch - coleslaw and rice. The food is always rice and beans, and the Malawians love to eat "Nsima." Which compares to...a patty made of farina or cream of wheat that is three days old. It's made from corn and I don't like it at all.
After eating we loaded up the bus and headed to the clinic - where people of all ages were waiting to receive the VCT test for HIV/AIDS. We were supposed to be sitting with the children trying to break the tension of such a serious moment. That is a huge task. I sat there thinking how serious those few moments actually were. These children and young adults were walking through a door and five minutes later walking back out with either one of two bits of news: "You will live." or the dreaded, "You have a terminal, incurable disease. You will die."
All the while we are making conversation with the kids and coloring books. We had some nail polish, and the girls LOVED when I painted their fingernails! Then I let one of the girls paint mine and she loved that even more. I loved it too - maybe even more than she did. One girl named Elizabeth wanted to teach us the language of Chichewa. It was so neat to see someone wanting to teach us! She was 13 and of course when I asked her what she wants to be when she grows up, she responded, "A teacher!" I spent a moment along praying for the girls going in for testing that I'd just spend my afternoon with.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
The Purpose for Everything
I keep hoping and feeling like there is definitely a bigger purpose for me being here than I realize - other than the enjoyment and the experience of it all right now. Maybe someone I will meet down the road...because I know that everything happens for a reason. God is connecting us with certain experiences and souls and love and tragedy and laughter - amazing experiences and awful ones. They are all connected to form His purpose for our lives - and I can't help but feel that this trip personallly is one of those building blocks for my life.
A Bunch of Hokey-Pokey
I am feeling a little drained today. I'm not sure if it is the jet-lag, the change in atmosphere, or what. We went back to the village at 8:30 this morning and went into the schools grades K-9. The school systems here consist of an open room with no chairs - no desks - and no supplies. My small group of four was assigned to a kindergarten classroom.
The children were so eager to learn. I can't help but think about all the times I didn't want to wake up to go to school. When you think of that old tale, "I walked to school barefoot, two miles, uphill both ways..." I swear to you, these children really do. School for these children lasts from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. with two 30 minute breaks. So, as you can imagine - 2 hours of school per day where attendance is sparce is a reality.
The children recited the whole alphabet in English for us. If you don't believe that there is hope in Africa - that someday there will be a change - I challenge you to visit a kindergarten classroom in Malawi. Because even though these schools are not what we, as Americans are accustomed to, these children want to learn. They want to grow up to be leaders. When we asked the kids what they wanted to be when they grow up, the answers were the same there as they are here. "A doctor! A nurse! A teacher! A journalist!" We are not that different.
We read a book to them, and played some games - including the hokey-pokey, head-shoulders-knees-and toes, which they loved. Even though they don't speak Engish, any game that can be translated or shown through motion is wonderful.
I want to pray for all of these little souls - because God cares about each one of them. It seems so easy to get caught up, lost, confused, overwhelmed, etc...by the mass numbers of children swarming all around us at every moment - and to forget that each beautiful little face is an individual - with different thoughts, feelings - a different soul.
I don't know if all the thoughts and revelations about this trip will hit me right now - it may not until after I leave Africa.
We went on a tour of the Children of the Nation's facilities right in the center of Mtsiliza Village. First, to the House of Prayer where nine orphan girls receive full home care from COTN - they sang a song for us and presented us with their testimonies. Then we went next door to the House of Grace where eight boys aged 16-20 were saved and brought into full home care by COTN. They also told us their testimonies - they had lost both parents and were living along with no home, no hope. Jesus, they love you so much and they believe so wholeheartedly in your grace.
Then we visited the kitchen were the food for over 400 children is prepared two times every day by only 6 women. Simply amazing.
Next we saw a few women from the Widow's Program - where COTN is teaching widows to rehabilitate themselves after losing their husbands. One woman told her story of how she lost her husband and still had 8 children to care for at home and also 2 more children she took in when her sister died. Her husband, of course, was the financial provider for the family, so she was left with nothing. The widows are learning how to sew, knit, and crochet so they can make items to sell in the market to make money to buy food. Parts of their profits pay for the materials to make the items, and another part of the profits is put aside as savings so eventually these women can start their own small businesses.
I feel ashamd as Americans of how extremely wasteful we are. These Malawians make the absolute most of everything that they have. From reusing plastic bags to using dried corn husks as string - I feel ashamed of the things I throw into my own garbage every day.
I need to be way more intentional about reading my bible. I want to memorize more verses. It is amazing how these children, who barely speak any English, know tons of bible verses by heart and what they mean.
We went back to the feeding area and played with teh children there. I found the little child that attached to my leg and my heart. She is so beautiful and so sweet and SMART! Sitting on the ground, we wrote the alphabet in chalk on the floor of the building and laughed and sang and hugged and danced. And then when the whole group prayed as the leader led the prayer, she bowed her head and held my hands as we prayed together. Then I taught her to say, "Thank you Jesus." Everytime I would put my hands together to pray, she would say, "Thank you Je-sa-us."
The children were so eager to learn. I can't help but think about all the times I didn't want to wake up to go to school. When you think of that old tale, "I walked to school barefoot, two miles, uphill both ways..." I swear to you, these children really do. School for these children lasts from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. with two 30 minute breaks. So, as you can imagine - 2 hours of school per day where attendance is sparce is a reality.
The children recited the whole alphabet in English for us. If you don't believe that there is hope in Africa - that someday there will be a change - I challenge you to visit a kindergarten classroom in Malawi. Because even though these schools are not what we, as Americans are accustomed to, these children want to learn. They want to grow up to be leaders. When we asked the kids what they wanted to be when they grow up, the answers were the same there as they are here. "A doctor! A nurse! A teacher! A journalist!" We are not that different.
We read a book to them, and played some games - including the hokey-pokey, head-shoulders-knees-and toes, which they loved. Even though they don't speak Engish, any game that can be translated or shown through motion is wonderful.
I want to pray for all of these little souls - because God cares about each one of them. It seems so easy to get caught up, lost, confused, overwhelmed, etc...by the mass numbers of children swarming all around us at every moment - and to forget that each beautiful little face is an individual - with different thoughts, feelings - a different soul.
I don't know if all the thoughts and revelations about this trip will hit me right now - it may not until after I leave Africa.
We went on a tour of the Children of the Nation's facilities right in the center of Mtsiliza Village. First, to the House of Prayer where nine orphan girls receive full home care from COTN - they sang a song for us and presented us with their testimonies. Then we went next door to the House of Grace where eight boys aged 16-20 were saved and brought into full home care by COTN. They also told us their testimonies - they had lost both parents and were living along with no home, no hope. Jesus, they love you so much and they believe so wholeheartedly in your grace.
Then we visited the kitchen were the food for over 400 children is prepared two times every day by only 6 women. Simply amazing.
Next we saw a few women from the Widow's Program - where COTN is teaching widows to rehabilitate themselves after losing their husbands. One woman told her story of how she lost her husband and still had 8 children to care for at home and also 2 more children she took in when her sister died. Her husband, of course, was the financial provider for the family, so she was left with nothing. The widows are learning how to sew, knit, and crochet so they can make items to sell in the market to make money to buy food. Parts of their profits pay for the materials to make the items, and another part of the profits is put aside as savings so eventually these women can start their own small businesses.
I feel ashamd as Americans of how extremely wasteful we are. These Malawians make the absolute most of everything that they have. From reusing plastic bags to using dried corn husks as string - I feel ashamed of the things I throw into my own garbage every day.
I need to be way more intentional about reading my bible. I want to memorize more verses. It is amazing how these children, who barely speak any English, know tons of bible verses by heart and what they mean.
We went back to the feeding area and played with teh children there. I found the little child that attached to my leg and my heart. She is so beautiful and so sweet and SMART! Sitting on the ground, we wrote the alphabet in chalk on the floor of the building and laughed and sang and hugged and danced. And then when the whole group prayed as the leader led the prayer, she bowed her head and held my hands as we prayed together. Then I taught her to say, "Thank you Jesus." Everytime I would put my hands together to pray, she would say, "Thank you Je-sa-us."
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