Team Photo

I thought I would post a picture of the kids we brought to the lake.  This is a very patient group - this was assembling took about 30 minutes and it was sweltering hot.  The kids waited and waited and waited for photos and this was one of the candid shots.  Do you remember when you would stop at the hotel or park and the kids just want to get in the pool?  Well these kids stood at the waters edge and didn't get in.

More later.....

Finally rested up

I think I have finally gotten my rest.  I wake up at about 3:30 AM and have checked with the other ladies and they are waking between 3 and 4 as well.  Then falling right to sleep between 9 and 10.

I have been messing with my pictures to try and figure out the best way to display them.  There are so many to share and so many to share with.  Also, different people are interested in different facets of the journey.  There isn't one part I don't relive when I review the pictures.  There are great pictures of the kids as well as the safari and all of Malawi.  Some are pretty special and I hope you enjoy the slide shows as well.

More later....

We are back!

Back in the USA!  We got into Detroit and had a short wait before catching our trip to KC.  We went through customs where they asked us if we had any animal products, fruits, vegetables, seeds, plants etc...  Sherry had claimed she had an elephant (wooden figurine) and that was the attraction for her - and my customs sheet claimed material and other wood carvings etc... but unclaimed was the orange in my backpack I had forgotten.  Because of that special distinction I got to go through additional screening with the agriculture department as they safely disposed of my orange from Zambia I had carried with me.

I made it through the additional screening and met back up with the team as we rechecked our bags to KC and got our boarding passes to come home.  We were all a bit tired and bedraggled.  You know the tired when everything gets "silly" and you laugh at stupid, insignificant things.  But I am pretty sure that in the past 3 days I had slept a total of 6 hours.  I couldn't sleep on any of the planes - others found no problem with cramped seats where they are in one position for such a long period of time.  The plane trips are not for the restless - the seats don't fit me correctly.  Even if we have unlimited music and movies, sitting there is not my favorite thing.  I also always got to sit with the lady in the cocoon, wrapped up in blankets, coats, minks and spilling over into my seat or the 6'5" Nigerian basketball player with knees up to the tray table.  My comfort was insignificant in comparision.  I am amazed at home many people can sit in that position for 9 hours with barely moving!!!  Next time, I have to figure out a way to get into business class.  We pass through those aisles where there two seats in the row and most of the trip they are laying down.  When you are going over to Malawi, I think you forget how uncomfortable it is as you are on an adventure.  But when you are returning you are tired and cranky and it isn't as fun....

I slept from the moment we got on the plane to KC - I didn't even see us waiting in line for the de-icing.  I had gotten on line in Amsterdam and noticed there were rows with no one sitting on that flight so I moved myself to row 22 in the back of plane by the engines and fell to sleep.  When I woke up we were descending into KC and my hubby was waiting for us to take us home.  By the grace of God, all 8 of our checked bags and tubs arrived and appeared to be unscathed.  Each of the tubs had at least three of their zip ties still on so we didn't have them opened.

We made our first stop at Taco Bell and had our "American food" - the wait was about 10 minutes which was long for the US but short for any of the restaurants we went to when we were gone.  We headed home, I got to talk to my mom, one of my daughters and text with others that we were back on our way home.

We said our goodbyes at the church and went on our way.  I don't know about updates in the future.  I have been encouraged by all the comments, FB messages etc.... thank you for reading and encouraging me along the way.  I hope you have enjoyed it as much as I have.  Now that I am home, I will pictures, slide shows and other things that I can post on here.  So keep tuned in.

More later......

Farewell Dinner with the Team

We had a farewell dinner last night with our ABC interpreters and Makalani village team including Gracian and Timothy.  We have new interpreters, John, Mary and Aninafe.  They have been such a blessing to me.  They worked tirelessly with me as I talked with the kids.  I had taken a book with each of the kids names and their sponsors' name of which I shared with them.  Everyone wanted to see their face in my book (photos taken by the team last year) -and they swarmed me.  It really gave me an opportunity to get to know the kids a little better each day as I recognized them, said their name and found out about them.  It also allowed me time to find out their interests, what they want to do when they grow up and what their favorite subject is in school.

They have the same interests as our children - policeman, teachers, President, pilots, surgeons etc....They had "hope" as we have a black President that they also could be President some day.  Their biggest interest is soccer (football) with the World Cup or whatever being held in Africa this year the interest is peaked even higher.  I was amazed that there wasn't any explaining that game.  However, we had a few issues when I taught them kickball.  They "thought" I said that they ALL had to run around the bases when one kicked the ball.  I know I don't remember all the rules, but think I lost something in translation when explaining the game to John.  I was surprised when everyone ran around the bases 4 times when the ball was kicked.  Well, maybe next year they will catch on?  They also learned volleyball.  I wasn't good at that either - but at least I tried.  We had to play in the sand and they made me remove my shoes as well - there is no restriction of glass on the beach or anything else, so you can imagine what it looked like.  There are goats that run down the beach with the little goat hearder and I can only imagine what else was on the beach along with the lizards and chameleons.

One evening we broke after our devotions and it was dark and there were lights.  The kids RAN towards the lights which had swarming flying bugs and started to catch them.  I thought - oh, just like lightening bugs as we did at home?!  But, no, these are giant termites that come out at night with a wingspan of 2-3 inches.  They were catching them to eat - ALIVE!  Oh, yes it was a treat to see.

Then there was the "fishing" for small minnow-like fish in the lake.  They would catch them by hand, string them on a long reed and take them to the firepit where the cooks made dinner and roast them.  Eating them head and all.  This was also a treat to see.

Now, you would think, we weren't feeding them enough?  But no, we fed them three meals a day and they were large meals with fish, chicken, beans, rice, Nsima, etc.... and this is more than they typically get in a day - it is just that these were their delicacies.  I talked with a couple of the village elders (Gracian and Lawrence) and they said it was fine and common and quite a treat for them.  They weren't hungry - just something they like to do.

It was fun to see them happy, full and satisfied.

More later.... 

Nairobi flight home

We have made it two of the legs home.  From Malawi to Zimbabwe and then to Nairobi (otherwise known as Nai-Robby) as it isn't a safe airport to be in as a tourist. We followed a Scot named Scott into the Executive lounge where we are enjoying drinks and snacks and internet and AC for 20 dollars US.  Quite the bargain as the alternative is expensive airport crappy food and heat, sweat and masses of people sitting on the ground.  For 6 hours we are in the safety of a small room with others willing to pay the premium.

We get on a 10 PM flight and head to Amsterdam for an 8 hr flight, then 3 hrs in Amsterdam and 8 hr flight to Detroit tomorrow morning and then a 4 hr flight to KC.  Quite the trip to get over here, but part of the fun is the trip we think.  We have such a great group of people on this trip and I love them dearly in their unique way. We will always have a connection from this trip forward.  I am sure you remember a trip that you have been on where you have bonded in unique ways as you have discovered the idiosyncrasies about each person.  My favorite is Caleb - he is a character, has an infectious laugh and makes me smile as he discovers each new thing. His mom Sherry and his dad |ason have raised a good man in him.  He misses Ranch dressing and will bring Ranch next trip, he beats me at gin rummy, he will try anything as far as food or dares and he isn't afraid to be scared as an elephant is charging our jeep.

Then there is Sherry - she has an innocent concern and care for everyone and just has such an optimism and love. She is the athletic one of our bunch - always wanting to go for a walk, a walking safari, a swim or just being active.  I am amazed as she has biked the MS150 6 times, one organization very close to my heart as well. I love her dearly and can't wait to continue getting to know her as the semester goes on.

And who doesn't love Debbie?  Debbie is the best - she knows the ropes and is willing to share anything and everything to make it easier for the rest of us.  For all you people who decide to go to |Malawi in the future, you have to have a Debbie as your roommate.  She has highlighters, safety pins, duct tape, TP, paper towels. two cameras, envelopes, fans, extra glasses, kwacha (that's money) scissors, etc... you get what I mean.  A regular McGyver.  Yet, she is real with all the same ups and downs, strengths and weaknesses and never ever makes you feel anything but your best.  I love you Debbie!!!

Back to home ---- it comes so quickly, but not quick enough.  Hard to believe we have been on the road for 15 days.  We have missed so much, but gained so much in this adventure. I hope you have enjoyed the blog along the way as it will be ending very soon.  If you want me, or any of our team to come to your group, your church, your meeting place, please let me know and we will gladly show our prized possesions - our pictures and experiences of a lifetime.

More later.....

Lions, Giraffes, Hippos and Elephants!

Yes, we have seen them all!  It is hard to believe we were able to observe a lion's pride hunting last night (and escaped being eaten).  They crossed our path and were just a few feet away from me as we sat in an open jeep.  Yes, I was scared.  I can hardly believe that we didn't get stuck, necessitating a push or pull out and thus being eaten by the maneating creatures!  We had seen this pride of 10 earlier in the day laying on the road conserving energy for the night hunt.  The younger ones looked hungry and at least one female was pregnant.  We knew they would be hunting last night.  I guess it is a treat to catch up with them at night when they are on the prowl.

We also see lots of elephants with their babies, pukus, kudzu, baboons, giraffes, zebra etc....  I didn't realize a safari took place several times over the course of a few days.  We have already experience 2 evening rides and 2 early am to mid morning rides and we have 2 left to go.  Each ride consists of tracking by our guide and spotting after darkness falls and a short sunset viewing and snack along the way.  We come back to either a brunch at mid morning or a dinner at 8 PM.  We are treated well and this is a dichotomy to what we experienced on the first portion of our trip.  But, just as necessary.  The replenishment after so much being given out during the time with the kids, in the village and the travel aspects.  This was a nice treat.

Our accommodations are similar to an outdoor room withth ability to see the walking wildlife from our room.  The lagoon is in view and we see hippos, crocs and baboons and monkeys everywhere.  They escort us in the evening as there are only 20 guests that can be accommodated at one time and we do not go out at night without escort.

There is wireless internet at the office, so I travel some wooded paths to get the updates - and since we are pretty busy, I don't spend much time by myself outside. 

We head back to Malawi my mid morning and should be there in the early evening to pack and return to the states.  I know it is a long trip back, but we will all be glad to be back to normal-ness of home and with our families.

More later.....

Back from Camp

We are back from camp and getting ready to go on the safari in the morning.  We have to drive to Zambia into a preserve where we will be staying.  It will take about 6 hours.  I am excited about this part of the trip - not the driving on bad roads - but the trip once we get there.  We were able to see Mozambique from across the lake and I understand the lake is a transportation avenue into the Indian Ocean so saw some freighters today in the distance.

It was hard to leave the kids today.  I was still practicing names and faces and hoping to remember them the next time I come.  They are all so precious and the simplest things make them happy.  The ladies and Debbie and I worked on bead necklaces, bracelets and earrings as we had brought most of the items you need to make some pretty neat stuff.  They had a great time sorting through and fixing up what they wanted to make.  We will do that again next year.  It made them feel special to have that little extra adornment.

We took group photos - had devotions and our counseling time together today before we packed up to leave.  We also stopped by an artisan's shop to get some pieces of his work to bring home so we can sell at the Mustard Seed and set him up as a vendor.  Mr. Phillip remembered the group from last year and had some items they had left saved for us.  Even after a year - he remembered and pulled them out.  He takes in orphaned boys and teaches them the craft of building drums, carvings and other interesting African artwork.  You should drop in the Mustard Seed after we return to see the items.

Bethany downloaded all our pics from camp and so far so she can make sure she has good pictures from all the kids.  I haven't had a chance to sort through them - so I am hoping that I have some good ones to share as well.  I was amazed at how well these kids do without the resources we think nothing of having.  When we had counseling some of the older girls would like a Bible (they have the NT) and would like to have an English dictionary as they are learning Chichewa and English.  Many of the kids are eager to learn English as well because at the college level it is taught in English.

I am not sure our connections at the lodge on safari or if I will be able to update - but if I can, I will.

More later.... we are home on Tuesday.

2nd day at camp

Today was our 2nd day at camp. We awoke to rain hitting our chalet. You know how it is when you are camping and it is raining outside your tent. Think of 28 tents with 3-4 children in each with nothing but wet blankets and gully washing rains. Yes, it can be miserable – but it wasn’t. We started our day with devotions as our cooks were preparing the meal to be served to the kids. Since it was Sunday, Nick determined that it was a day of church and rest and there would not be any physical activity besides swimming during the day. This was OK as the day before was a travel day and the kids hadn’t gotten to bed until late. Since it was raining we used the conference center which had tables and chairs to have church and be led by Timothy who is a preacher from ABC. Timothy is married and has a baby who also joined us on this trip. We separated the little ones under 6 and there was a children’s as well as big kid church. It was a nice experience and there was an interpreter (John) who assisted Timothy in the short sermon for our benefit. It was nice to hear the rain hit the ground as the kids were singing.

After church we had the task of peeling potatoes for the fish and chips lunch meal along with a local mango for dessert. It looked very good. The afternoon was spent resting and playing quiet games for the kids. Late afternoon a big game of soccer was played by most of the boys as the girls did hair, looked at our photos and chatted. Dinner was prepared by the cooks and it was a cabbage dish mixed with other vegetables, rice and chicken. It also looked very good. I was so encouraged by the meals these kids are getting as provided by the feeding program in the village and the cooks Invest has hired. Being here makes me realize the care Invest takes on for these children and all resources in order to manage the services they provide to the women and children of the Makalani and Kasiyafumbi villages. They also employ several people including in country such as cooks, a guard, village director, program directors not to mention Nick and Bethany. If you are without a cause to be a part of or haven’t inquired about Invest, please consider the good work being done on the ground here.

The kids went to bed quietly in their tents. The kids are separated by gender – or probably more by choice. These kids are not much different from our kids, at this age, they have no interest in mixing it up. However, one huge difference is the older ones look out for the younger ones. When they line up for dinner it is by age. So always in the front are Grace J. an HIV positive 3 year old and Tamandani who is about 5 or 6 followed by the two Violet’s. As the line progresses the older kids are at the end. There is no shortage of food here at camp, but at times, there is more dispensed earlier in the line and if anyone goes without it is the older kids. The younger siblings always share if that is the case. I have never seen anything like it and I adore seeing the young girls picking up the babies and swaddling them on their backs. They just know that the babies need to be close and they take care of their every needs. You rarely hear a baby cry.

Tomorrow we are hoping for no rain and a day of games, devotions and time with our small groups, then an opportunity to break away to get an update on the internet. We found a hotel down the road that you can pay 30 Kwacha a minute. I am hoping for a fast upload from the jump drive. No pics today.

For those of you that were wondering what I might eat – it has all been pretty normal. Bethany knows how to take care of us and make sure we are getting what we need. “Chips” are french fries, but you are lucky to have a namebrand catsup. “Crisps” are potato chips.
More later…..

Village and Dezda

Today was our “off” day as we have been so efficient so I will tell a little more about yesterday at the village.

After giving the ladies their fertilizer and clothes it was raining again, so we all ran inside the resource center to stay dry. The eldest lady gave a speech thanking us for our gifts and coming to their village and helping to pay for the children and their support of the seed, fertilizer and feeding program. It was quite eloquent to hear in the native dialect and then have it interpreted for us. Then they broke out into dance and song/chant and it was all us women in the resource center together, mingling, smiling and being one voice. It was amazing to be a part of this.

Then the weather broke and we were able to walk outside in the muddy village and put all our tubs out. The children have been through this several times so they knew what was coming. Debbie and Bethany positioned themselves near a beautiful bush to take photos of each of the kids as they were holding their clothes and shoes. Caleb, Sherry and I handed out the items to each of the kids. It was very organized and not what I expected. Gracian. Timothy, Lawrence and John who work with Invest in Malawi and know all the kids my name and sight called the kids one by one and they each came up and accepted their gifts. Then they headed over to Bethany to get their picture so we could send something to each sponsor. For smaller children, they also got a wooden car handcrafted by the Missouri Woodworkers in Columbia. After the program we prayed for the kids and had several words from Timothy and our ministry leader Nick.

One of the sweetest things I saw was Zione. She is the young lady that needed the pull-PET. One of her sponsors is Katie Sharland who is a 19 year old Mizzou freshman. She sponsors Zione with her own money and has for several years. She purchased Zione ruby red ballet slippers with sequins all over them. I know, you are thinking, that isn’t very practical when you live in a dirt village, but for her it is. Since she has no use of her feet and they are mostly tucked under her body her feet are mostly decorative – and what better way to show them off in her new pull-PET than with red shiny shoes. Katie who is also wheelchair-bound with a childhood sickness also knows no boundaries. I know about Katie through her sweet mother Dana. Katie went to college, moved into a dormitory and has been to all the MU football games and activities that the other students know – even in the rain. I love the connection that Zione has with the west and her Invest friends as Zione and her family knows we will continue to assist her, as this is what the church of Christ does; they take of their church family when they are unable. I observed Zione taking care of the smaller kids, braiding their hair and spreading her smiles and helping to interpret for me as I fumbled trying to meet the other kids gathered around her. She was the first person I talked to and met when I went to the village as I wanted a connection with her. Bethany has since filled me in about the disease, it is where her bones break because they are weak, and they fuse together getting shorter and shorter with each break. She is now to the point where her legs are unusable and her arms are shorter, but not as much as her legs. Zione knows the love of God and I understand that last year she wasn’t as open as she was when I met her. She was all smiles.

We went on an hour long car ride today out to Dedza which is a hilly country with mountain villages and we saw beautiful scenery along the way. It was beautiful to see the ladies along the riverfront washing their clothes against the rocky banks. The villages changed as we drove down the highway. Each little village had a little different way of building their homes. They had community grain areas in wicker round shaped bins, they had outdoor kitchens and round or square huts. Some with stucco outside, some with red brick and some with stick and most with thatch roofs or tin slant roofs. They are mostly one room and have a little overhang on the front so they can get in out of the rain. I believe they have dirt floors (at least in our village they were), no electricity, running water or other facilities. A very simple life – but they don’t look sad. They work, they sleep when the sun goes down and they are up with the sunrise. Many work an hour or more from their home and travel in to their job. Add that to the 9 or 10 hours they work and another hour walking or bike riding home it makes for a long day, many times in the rain or dark on unlit roads. It makes me wonder about the lights I saw this summer at a conference on safety – they would be perfect for our walkers and bikers.

I have befriended our cook Paul. He has 4 kids and rode over to our kitchen 25 km and arrived to a kitchen without electricity and improvised. He still was able to make coffee with the generator and a simple breakfast. This was after traveling for an hour in the dark to be here for us. He is a good cook who can make magic.

Last night we had a popcorn card party in our room which lasted until 3 AM. We wanted to be together and have fun – we did. Sherry and Caleb taught us rummy and we made popcorn on Paul’s stove and drank filtered water. We hung out, talked, and laughed. No music. No TV. No alcohol. I think it was good for a 16 year old to see you can be silly, have fun and not use drugs and alcohol. He calls me grandma or mean-mom, and I call him man-child. I think it was good for Caleb – what HS student spends their Christmas vacation going to a foreign country and give so much? It is very rare to see and experience. It is my wishes to have kids of Woodcrest have this experience. I guarantee they would come home and give more, want less and be happy in their life. What kid goes to 5 countries in one trip, drives in an African country, builds a wheelchair for a child (twice) and bonds with 4 women so deeply. I will always care and cherish this time. Not ever having boys, I know how blessed my mother-in-law was to have 4 and Sherry to have Caleb and his older brothers Justin and Dakota. It was a gift to have Caleb on our trip.

More tomorrow……another new experience for dinner now.

Amazing Day Today

We went to the village today what an amazing experience.  We drove into the lane to see all the kids all lined up and waiting for us to arrive.  The older boys were dragging out 110 lbs of fertilizer we had purchased for the women and the bins were all set up to give to the women and children.

The kids stood there and sang songs to us about Jesus and they had the most beautiful pitch and it was so heartening to hear.  I started to cry and I am sure there are ugly pics of me floating around - but it really didn't matter.  We have had some pretty bad rain storms so the village was really wet.  We had a very hard rain come through and we all gathered in the resource center waiting out the rain.  Listening to the tin roof as the rain hit was magical sounding.

The village doesn't have electricity - so we waited it out in a dark room with 70-100 people crammed in there.  When the rain let up, we all assembled back outside and began the process of distributing the widow's fertilizer, t'cheinge's and shirt and taking photos with their family.

More later......

Rainy day

Since it didn't rain yesterday (Wednesday) it rained most of the night and into this morning sorta disrupting the day.  We moved things around and hopefully we will get to the village this afternoon to dispense of all the gifts to the kids and women.  If not it will have to be tomorrow which is OK too.

We are shopping today for the food for camp.  We will rent buses to transport the kids to Lake Malawi for a campout and experience of a lifetime.  It is going to be amazing.  I forgot to say that we ended our day at about 11 o'clock last night.  Needless to say, I am dropping off straight to sleep which is a good thing for me.

Flexibility is key in Malawi - if things don't work as planned you improvise.  I think it is like that most all over the world and we can take a lesson from that in our busy worlds in the US.  I think how often we get frustrated over a meeting running long, or start late, or things aren't completed by due dates how caught up we get in that "ruining our day" or our plan.  It isn't that way in most of the world. 

I am learning a little Chicewa.  Put it this way - it is easier for others than me.  I like to blame my little knowledge of German, Chinese and English that prevents me from learning another language.  Ha.  Age surely doesn't have anything to do with it.

Nick and Bethany are doing a great job.  I am impressed at their young age how they can plan and pull off a trip like this.  They have an amazing faith and reliance on God.

More later.....

Kids, Village - Oh what a day!

It is Wednesday night and I wanted to reflect on this day. To give you a little perspective, the day started at 7 AM where we went to the community building on the ABC campus to have breakfast. It is directly across the path from Debbie’s and my “chalet” with the 8 bunk beds. Bethany has hired a cook, Paul (who has 4 children and rides a bike 20km to get to work) to cook our meals. He prepared the best scrambled eggs with bacon, cheese, peppers and onion along with toast and juice. For those of you who were nervous about me being able to eat, I did not starve.

Then Nick led us in a short prayer before our devotional time in Ephesians. Joining us (Sherry, Caleb, Debbie, Nick and Bethany) was Timothy, from ABC and Lawrence who is friends with Nick and Bethany and works in the village day to day.

After that, by 9 AM we drove out to the school where most our little kids go. There are 5 buildings and 10 classrooms. We started with the bell ringing and all the kids scattered to their classrooms. We went to the class which was the equivalent of KG or Preschool. There were about 250 kids in this cramped classroom - normally only 125 – but the other teacher was out on funeral leave. As we stood outside the classroom there were the most beautiful sounds being sung in unison. The kids were all sitting on the floor with legs crossed and chanting some songs. It was beautiful sounds of children. They were all well-behaved and paying attention to the teacher. We met briefly with the Head Master who has told us the change in the school year and the curriculum over this past year with having a 3-term school year and out during our summer which will help when we have groups that go over in the future in the summer. They also have changed from Religious Education from Bible Knowledge as a section they learn about. I don’t know the difference but I believe they have Presbyterian support?

Then we went to the other classrooms and visited as well and saw a “Life Skills” section where the kids were learning how to take care of their clothing. When the teacher was quizzing the kids or asking a question, the child would raise their hand kind of at half mast out in front of them and snap their fingers to get the teacher’s attention. She would then call on the child and they would stand to make their answer. We saw them learning to read and write English in addition to their Chichewa language. It was an interesting experience. The kids are SO well behaved. They have a recess time and their periods are longer. No electricity in the schools so it is all done by daylight (holes in the brick walls), no fans to cool them – it was about 85 and very muggy.

Malawi is sub-tropical with red dirt – similar to the weather in Hawaii year-around. It usually rains part of the day, but we didn’t have rain where we were today.

After the school, Caleb drove the vehicle to the Makalani village where we got out and saw everything that is going on there. They have a resource center where they have storage, a small class room, an outdoor kitchen and clean-up area where they have the food preparation for the kids when they return from school. It smelled wonderful. A common meal for the kids is beans (like baked beans) plus vegetables in it – I saw tomatoes, onion, pepper etc… and they were cooking over an open fire. This is the feeding program for our kids. We walked through the village and saw houses – very small brick huts with thatch roofs, we saw the wells where they can pump their clean water and not have to travel far to get water. There is not electricity or running water in the village. There are also not cars and I didn’t see bikes either. The children have to walk out of the village to the school and it is quite a ways. I think at least 10-15 minutes by car. We also spent time going over to the land that was donated by the village Chief. This land is planned as a building project for the future where they can move the feeding station or have a classroom building, or housing for our livestock. It is currently being used to grow for the feeding program so they don’t have to buy. I am very encouraged and excited about the future for this village and these kids’ lives. A couple more things we did was put the PET pull cart together, twice. I apparently didn’t listen well enough at my informational meeting about the pet and included instructions were pictorial and had a few missing steps. We had a couple of extra parts I will ask dad about and let Lawrence or Timothy redo my work. It works though – and we will see her face tomorrow when we are able to transport it out to her. Caleb and I tested it out on all sorts of terrain and it works REALLY well. Thank you again http://www.giftofmobility.org/. We have plans for a feature article on PET and Invest, hopefully in a local newspaper or magazine (as we have a few connections) and think it would be a good special interest story.

The last thing we did today was go to the open air market (not a safe area of town) and purchase 23 te-ting-ge’s (not spelled correctly) a cloth we will give the women along with their donated t-shirts so they have something to use. They wrap their kids in the cloth to wear on their back when working in the field or wear it as a skirt or sit on it to not get dirty. Tomorrow we will also give the women their 200 lbs of fertilizer and clothing and we girls will get a taste of gardening big time by assisting with fertilizing their crops by hand.  Fertilizing is a process where they poke a long stick down into the plant mound near the roots and pour in the fertilizer, then cover it back up with dirt.  Sounds fun?

More tomorrow.

Malawi - We are here!

We have made it safely and without any trouble to Malawi. Our accommodations are fabulous - Debbie and I share a bungalow with 8 beds and two bathrooms. I think that is plenty of room. We were able to unload all the bins and sort through all the clothes yesterday. They are all scattered on our floor now. We have also been to the school where the kids go and visited all the classrooms and met the headmaster of the school. We took some photos - but it was overwhelming to meet Rose and Bettie Banda. Photos will be coming but Sherry who sponsors Bettie was overwhelmed to be able to give her a hug. Rose is TINY!

We visited the village this morning as well and saw the wells, the feeding program and they were making lunch. Wow it smelled good.  They had just painted the resource room and were cleaning when we arrived.  We look forward to going back tomorrow to help the widows and give them their gifts of shirts and skirts.

The PET made it to our destination as did all 13 bins.  We also recruited two gate agents for next trip and they can ship for free.  We scooted through customs without a hitch and the guys from the college were there to help pick up our bins.  None of them were secured but we only lost a few items after we had sorted through them. 

It is warm here and humid but warm showers, clean rooms and good food.  We went to dinner last night and to the grocery store - both were an experience! 

We are all fairing well - no one sick - just tired and a little warm but drinking lots of water.  Oh yeah, Caleb, our 16 year old had the experience of a lifetime.  He drove our vehicle from the school to the village and was able to avoid all potholes, not strip the the gears and drive on the right (I mean left) side of the road without hitting anyone.  It was fun and something I doubt he will forget.

We should have internet back at the college today or tomorrow so I will be able to think through my blog and share more later. 

More later..... keep praying for safety in travels and rest.

The PET pull cart made it through!!!

Praise God!  We went to the gate, and God led us to THE gate agent that helped the group last year.  We immediately clung to her and told her about the trip etc.... we checked all the tubs EXCEPT for the PET pull cart.  Then we dragged it over - over weight, over sized and we kept praying and trusting that it would make it through.   They were measuring and it was obvious it wasn't going to make it through.  It was marked PET on the side and she the gate supervisor, Margo said that if we could prove it was a wheelchair they would consider it.  I knew I had the flyer from PET which had photos and their mission so I ran it over there to her and she looked at it, read the mission and said, "we are going to not charge you".  This went just as I knew it would and it potentially would have cost $450!!!  Praise God!

Well, we are on our way with 13 bins, 5 adults, 2 children, 1 PET pull cart, 1 car seat, 1 stroller, 14 carry-on backpacks and ALL SMILES!!!

Oh yeah, the gate agent Angela chased me outside to tell me that she was serious about this and that she and her supervisor indicated that they REALLY want to go with us next year.  We will be in contact with them and use that opportunity.

By the way, our bus driver Tom and Lisa Clements got us to the airport with plenty of time, and they joined the mission and have decided to sponsor Leonard Juma - my lone child without a sponsor.  I am SOOOOOOO excited.   This photo is of Lisa and Tom.

Thanks honey for taking us to the airport and freezing all the way - and Tom for driving and Lisa for guarding the bus.  We really appreciate you.  This is "serious" Jana Kay and Sherry warming up to her.

More later......our flight leaves in an hour.

Belisi and Ishmael and Zione and all their gifts

I keep telling myself that these last two weeks, building up to leaving for this trip has been worth its weight in gold for me.  God has shown his faithfulness in the minute detail and has provided for me and the trip in miraculous ways.

First of all, Zione will be getting her pull cart.  I didn't realize until I went to PET (http://www.giftofmobility.org/) what a beautiful organization it is.  Please go visit the link below to see their ministry.  This pull cart will provide not only transportation for Zione (an 18 year old young lady with a debilitating disease that causes her bones to easily break) but it will provide her dignity.  I am so excited to see her face when she gets in that cart for the first time.  The cart that can be pulled through rough terrain where wheelchairs or other modes of transportation don't work.  I was so excited to go and tour the facilities and see the work of the volunteers to get these carts in the hands of needy folks.  I have enclosed some pictures.  This would be a GREAT place to visit, volunteer or take a tour with your group of scouts, class or church group.

During the "negotation" for getting the cart and the visit I also met TWO people that have spent time in Malawi.  THAT just doesn't happen.  I was able to hear the stories of Mel who spent time with  Habit for Humanity and Roger with the Peace Corps - two super Godly men that share Jesus in a demonstrative way.  By the way, that "negotiation" was no more than ASKING for a PET for Zione.  God just put my father's dedication to volunteering regularly with PET in my path that opened that door.

I asked Roger what he missed about Malawi, as he spent the most time there (2+ years) and he just said, "the feeling of being home" and he hoped that I spent a long enough time there to have that experience.  I hope so too.

Then the other thing that happened that kind of smoothed the path for me was at work.  My last day before going on vacation was Friday and I was working really hard to get everything completed and all my loose ends finished and anticipate what people might need.  Needless to say, besides leaving to go get the PET and learn how to rebuild it, I didn't leave my desk.  At about 2:30, my boss asked to see me - I thought, darn, he is going to need something and that is going to put me behind to complete everything I wanted to get done, or worse yet, was this was that pink slip call - did they decide that I wasn't necessary since I can be away from my office for 2.5 weeks?   I followed him reluctantly into a conference room, where I soon discovered I had missed an email about someone's birthday or something because there was a big cake on the table and everyone gathered in the room.  But no, I soon found out, my office mates had treated me to a cake, decorations of wild animals and well wishes from everyone.  I couldn't keep the tears from rolling and soon found out my mascara was not waterproof.  I was floored at the support my team had of my trip.  Thanks Columbia claims and especially Shawn, Kim, Ted, Lynne and Annelle as they will be bearing the responsibility for allowing me to be absent for so long. 

My cake!

Today, I was able to see all the gifts for Belisi and Ishmael - two children sponsored by the Gentry Middle School kids - those two children will be the talk of the town - as Belisi got several notes, specially made bracelets and a cross necklace, dolls, books, coloring books and other various gifts donated by Ms. Hummel's classes.  I was imagining playing Belisi's life out - one where she gained confidence by the support of several children across the world - and because of that support, she goes to school, grows up and gives back to her community and makes it a better place.  All because 5 classes of social studies lived beyond themselves and gave a little to make the difference in Belisi's life.  Thank you kids.  Ishmael has a uniform as well and several gifts too.  How exciting will this be for them!!!

Kerry and Cindy Delisle and their son Clark pictured below with my husband Tom are sponsors of Ezekial.  He is in my group and they are anxious to hear about their "son" in Malawi and see photos.  I can't wait to tell them of my dear friend's the Delisle's.  Without the Delisle's support, Ezekial wouldn't have much of a chance.  Thank you Kerry, Cindy, Clark and Colby.

So, tomorrow morning we leave for Kansas City for the flight to Detroit, Amsterdam, Nairobi, Zambia and then Lilongwe. We will be there by Tuesday afternoon after what I am sure will be the adventure of a lifetime in just those hours of getting there.  I am looking forward to this time when I get to fulfill this dream and place myself in God's hands for what He has next.

More later.....

Brrrrr it is cold outside

It is so bitterly cold.  Now I have a NEW thing to worry about.. Will the bus start?  Did the bus get plugged in to warm its engine block (diesel engine)?  Will our bus driver chicken out because it is too cold?  Can I get over to PET to pick up that Pull Pet for Zione AND learn how to assemble it without instructions?  Can I get it all done before I leave town??

I went and got a package of 100 Charm pops - won't the kids love them?  Now, can I fit them in my backpack without eating any of them?  How many licks until you get to the gum in the middle? 

More tomorrow.......

PET, Gentry School and supportive MEM marketing and communications department

Sorry but this entry is going to be a long one.

This has been the all time best day!!!! It started out with getting an email from one of the kids' sponsors I contacted 10 days ago about my going to Malawi. Actually, it wasn't a sponsor, but 5 classes full of kids at Gentry School in Ms. Hummel's Social Studies classrooms. Ms. Hummel's kids have been studying Malawi and last year followed Jackie who went to Malawi. The kids sponsored Ishmael and his sister Belisi. I had contacted her because I "thought" she had sponsored Ishmael, who is in my group of kids. I found out that they sponsor TWO kids!!!!! Wow, what a commitment - I felt so honored to have Ishmael in my group, knowing that these 6th graders are learning about a country across the world and support children they don't even know.

Ms. Hummel has been able to see her kids grow in the experience - they have pictures from last year and a poster and I have heard since they celebrate their birthdays and do fundraisers along with providing their school clothes, books, shoes etc....She intends to use my blog as a learning tool in her classroom and would like me to return with pictures and experiences to share with the kids. When I got the email I WAS FLOORED!!!! The school that she works at is Gentry which is my employer's Partner in Education school. I have been involved with that partnership during my 16 years at MEM so I am very familiar of the true "partnership" and mentoring, and support we have provided through the years - and not only what the school gets out of it - but what our employees get as well. We are blessed with concerts (band, orchestra and choir), job shadowing, mentoring and more. This is when I knew this is by God's design to partner me up with kids from Gentry and kids from Malawi.

I asked Ms. Hummel for questions from her kids of what they would like to know about Malawi and/or Ishmael and Belisi so I can share along with pictures in my blog. That will be a whole new facet of the blog that started out just as an informal communication tool for my family and friends.

Now I want to make it purposeful and meaningful to the kids and a teaching tool as well. Maybe you might have a question or two of your own you would like answered as well?

Secondly I was in contact with PET (Personal Energy Transportation) organization who builds wheelchairs and carts for people that have a limited ability to transport themselves. (see their website below) They have built and sent thousands of chairs to people outside the US so the deserving folks can get around. You may have seen a Sara's Stories about PET. My dad has been volunteering for years about PET and assisting building, packing and sending these to other parts of the world. He asked me at Christmas to take a picture of one in use if I see one when I am traveling. He was casually talking to one of the other volunteers and mentioned I was going to Malawi. The individual he was talking to HAPPENED to be a physician that practiced in Malawi and lived there several years. He asked for my blog information and phone number so we could chat about my trip. I was excited about that so I told Bethany (Invest director) and she mentioned we have one child (Zione Jumpha) who has a disease where her bones break easily and how she would really like to take her a PET cart so she can be transported through the village. Long story short, called dad, then Mel West, a volunteer at PET and they agreed to give me a PET cart for Zione!!!! Wow, AND in talking to Wes he indicated he had ALSO been to Malawi on a Habitat for Humanity project. More God non-accidents!

We called the airlines and to take the PET cart with us, it would cost $450 to transport!!! This is going to take all kinds of prayers - but I know there will be provision of the the $450 or a pass by the airline charging us for the transport of this cart. I think it is necessary to take it now vs. trying to ship it because it will have to be assembled when we get there and I would just love to Zione's face when she finds out she has transportation.

Thirdly, MEM's marketing and communications department has just been willing to help me with this trip. They are thinking up ideas for when I return to help springboard this into an even more fun relationship with Gentry. We will just have to wait and see how creative they can be!!!!

That's a great day for me. I am going to repack all my items to make sure I have everything and tuck away a few more things to give away etc.... Every nook and cranny will be filled with things to give away.

More later.....

Kites, Haircuts and More Packing

By the looks of this picture - I was in need of a haircut before I went. Not taking a curling iron, blow dryer and asked for a miracle from my hairstylist. Too bad it wasn't my lucky day.

More of the packing. Today I received in the mail a huge box of kites to take to the kids! I'm so excited that Debbie decided to buy the kites. The kids will have so much fun. It has been such a long time since I had a kite too - so we will see how it goes.

People have asked how they can communicate with me - if I can get into the internet, I will be able to get to emails. Here goes - my email address is lindakarl1@gmail.com so please free to send me an email. Also, please feel free to explore the blog, and sign up for updates. Only 4 nights - and I will be escaping the bitter cold. Stay warm friends.

More later.

5 Days and counting......

Well I am down to 5 full days left before we get on the planes. I am having trouble focusing at work, eventhough I have tons to do before I go - both personally and at work. I want to make sure that everyone has what they need before I go!

I am contemplating my friends that are launching a new big project while I am gone. I feel bad for abandoning them, however, this was planned before the roll-out date was. I don't feel that bad.

A friend created a poster with my head in place of Audrey Hepburn's face in the movie African Queen. It was fun.

Another friend had a grandbaby (in California) and because of that project, won't be able to visit for a while (especially since I am going to be out).

Life will go on - with the weather as cold as it is going to be here this week - I'm not too upset about being in a warm place.

More tomorrow.

6 days and counting.....

Last Sunday before we depart for Malawi. We have found a driver to Kansas City and I am praying the church bus will run smoothly (and start this year).

I have been going through mail and cleaning up last minute things, making sure I have accounted for everything that needs to be taken care of this week before I go. I have to find time to work out, get my hair cut and see my family. We intend on going to church Saturday night for the new series Piet will be starting. I hate to miss - but can always download to the Ipod and listen after the fact. Have you tried this? It is slick!!!

I got to meet Caleb (Sherry's 16 year old son) - he will be leading a group at the camp as well in Malawi. I told him I will be in need of being a parent - so he will have another "mom" on this trip. How cool is this, that Sherry and her son get to share this experience together??!

Also, I think I have my last kid Leonard Juma sponsored!! I am so excited - I was asked this AM if there was someone left that needed to be sponsored so she could designate her "birthday" gift to a child vs. something for herself. We should all consider something like this instead of another "thing". Thanks God and Godly women!!!!


More tomorrow....

Packing Day

Lynda Baumgartner (veteran packer)

One of the bins set to go - I see clothes for Mavuto and Funasi

We had Lynda's exchange student from Japan helping us as well as Cindy Parshall - counting the attached shipping money and checking the names

Bethany and Jackie rolling and packing - after clipping tags and tagging each of the children's clothes. Thanks everyone!!!

Today was packing day! The bins were filled with lots of kids clothes and shoes. We also have a t-shirt from the Blues Festival to go to the women of the village. When I arrived there were bag after bag of clothes/items for the kids adopted at Community Live and from within the Columbia community (and one group from KC and Atlanta). I was so impressed to open bag after bag and see that each kid had one set of good clothing. We even were able to put socks and undergarments with many of them.

Well only 7 nights to wait before we leave!!! I am told we will be handling the bins only until we check them on the first flight and then pick them up at the destination. We pray all of them make it. Last year two were misplaced. :(

We have located a driver for our bus - Tom Clements and my hubby will transporting us to KC to the airport. You have to be a "legal" bus driver in order to drive the bus - so we had to search for someone who wasn't working on Sunday in the church. We will have to treat him to dinner Saturday night for taking his time to help us.

More tomorrow....... 80 degrees in Malawi - while it is bitterly cold here, that may be nice.

Finished emailing my sponsors

I just completed emailing all the sponsors of the kids that I will be working with when I am in Malawi. I really wanted to thank them for being a part of Invest by sponsoring a child last year and encourage them to continue their commitment. I can't wait to see firsthand the work in the Makalani Village by Invest. I know that they do good work and by managing 85 kids and 40+ women in an agricultural project as well as feeding, clothing and schooling. It is an important mission and a few dollars goes a long way in a place of the world where the average income is $690 and average life expectancy is only 49.

Thank you sponsors! I can't wait to meet your kids.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!!! I hope everyone had a safe holiday. For me, it was quiet as I contemplate leaving for Malawi in exactly 10 days!!!!

Today - I will be going through the list again of kids and sponsors and preparing emails to the sponsors of my kids. I really want the connection to be more than the financial commitment - but also they are feeling an intrinsic connection to this part of the world and understand how the commitment has afforded a child at a good start in life. I would like to give them specific things to pray for as well as for me as I interact with their child.

Tomorrow- we pack the bins for the kids!!!! Close to 100 kids and widows were graciously given a skirt/blouse and shoes or slacks/shirt and shoes which we will be packaging and bundling to take to the kids in the village. I am really excited for this - I love wrapping presents - why wouldn't I love bagging, labeling and tagging the gifts for others for the bins. So many gracious individuals took the challenge to buy a gift of clothes/shoes and provide shipping for another child. I hope they took this challenge as I did - and spend less on myself or someone who has much to give to someone who has so much less..