There was magic in the air

And finally -- I am reposting just one more blog...one I wrote for Hope Village while Tracy was away.

There was magic in the air

Posted by hopevillage on August 15, 2012 at 4:00 PM

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The 2-day Fun Camp I mentioned in the last blog was much more than clothes, shoes and blankets (as good as that was!). It was so much FUN, the kids haven’t stopped talking about it, according to Day Care Manager Charles.

The teens had as much fun planning the event, as they did during the event! Pictured above from left: Alexis (our visitor), Annie, Chitkumbutso, Ruth, Wyson

As a precursor to the Fun Camp, we sought input from the teenagers who are sponsored in our program, to help organize and lead the 2-day Fun Camp for all of the younger children. After a series of planning sessions during the days leading up to the Fun Camp, the teens were eager and ready for this responsibility.

The young adults in their planning meeting from left:  Eliness, Aline, Weleard, Madison and Alexis (visiting from America), Annie, Chitkumbutso, Priscilla, Ruth, Wyson.

The 2-day event was a true celebration as the children and staff shared a meal for both days. The children arrived at 1pm on the first day and within the hour, we were all enjoying our Malawian lunch of rice, relish (a side dish made with a green leafy vegetable, rape, tomatoes and onion) and beans (slow cooked for many hours over the open fire).

Stella and Memory serve lunch to the children.

45 children were served each day.

Paul enjoys some nsima with Weleard and Chitkumbutso.

Day 1 of the Fun Camp was “Game Day”. The teens organized new games to teach the children, games that could easily be played if you were 6 years old, but also enjoyed if you were 19.

The kids play "Cat and Mice" - a fun game of tag.

Freeze Dance was a favorite activity of the day.

Day 1 ended with the distribution of new clothes and slippers mentioned in the previous blog.  Day 2 began with a special lunch - nsima (patties made from corn flour), cabbage relish, and goat meat from a freshly slaughtered goat the night before. The family from one of our children’s homes (the Kaswe house) have had a lot of experience in this, so were happy to take charge of meat preparation for the goat lunch:

Wyson, Weleard, Edson and Enoch, along with their friend Chitkumbutso, are helping prepare the goat for lunch the next day. Tina looks on.

After lunch on Day 2, Hope Village went C-R-A-Z-Y with a first-ever Hope Village Talent Show. God has blessed these children with talents that were unbeknownst to many, and we enjoyed a few hours of singing, dancing and skits. You won’t want to miss the next blog to view some of the kids’ talents we captured on video! We ended the day with the gift of warm blankets, as mentioned in the previous blog.  

Annie's Closet hangs up a little love

Here's the blog I wrote for Hope Village explaining the first Annie's Closet clothes distribution at Hope Village this summer.

Annie's Closet hangs up a little love

Posted by hopevillage on August 15, 2012 at 4:05 AM

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Exactly one week after we said goodbye to our 3 visitors from the U.K., we said hello to 3 new visitors from America. Brad, his 14-year old daughter Madison and her 14-year old friend Alexis joined us for a 2-week stay in Malawi. They are close friends of ours from Fallbrook, California and were here to launch “Annie’s Closet”.  

Annie’s Closet, as Tracy mentioned in a blog entry a few weeks ago, has sponsored the first Hope Village Job Skills Training program -- a sewing class. Our friends in California founded Annie's Closet after hearing stories from our daughter Annie about the rags worn by so many of the village children. Madison and Alexis, with help from their parents, raised funds to buy new clothing for the children and to buy sewing machines and sewing supplies for the tailor class at Hope Village.

Chloe joins the 3 Annie's Closet girls (Madison, Annie, Alexis) to pose for a picture with Chief Issoh, the tailor trainer, and a few of his tailor students.

You can find out more about Annie’s Closet on this Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/annie.closet

Brad, Madison and Alexis brought a few extra suitcases of new children's clothing from America, and brought money to buy additional clothes at the local markets. They spent a lot of time with the children onsite, and planned a special two-day “Fun Camp” with the sponsored children from Hope Village and their siblings, totaling 45 children. On the first day, we handed out new outfits (dresses or skirt/tops for the girls; trousers or shorts and a shirt for the boys) with slippers and a bar of soap.

The slippers are lined up for the kids to try on.

A pretty new dress for a pretty girl.

The happy boys in this picture came to Hope Village wearing thier new clothes and slippers on the 2nd day of our Fun Camp.

On the 2nd day, we gave a new blanket to each of the children. Smiles were infectious! Although the winter in Chikwawa is short-lived and nearing to an end, many of these children do not own a blanket and welcomed this luxury with an unashamed smile. (Hope Village provided blankets to all of the children about 2 years ago, but unfortunately, the blankets cannot survive the harsh washing, scrubbing, and tugging as so many children try to squeeze under its cover).

Just a few weeks ago I went with Tracy to visit the home of a Hope Village sponsored boy, Petro. A family of 6 children and a mom, they told us they did not have 1 blanket in their small house. “How do you keep warm?” Tracy asked. “We sleep close and share 3 chitenjes to wrap over us.” Chitenjes are thin cotton pieces of fabric warn as skirts by women. My heart danced when I saw Petro and his 3 siblings clutch their new, thick, heavy blankets close to their bodies, and am sure I saw their smiles quivering as they couldn’t hide their joy.

Petro smiles and hugs his new blanket close.

Showcasing God-given talent

One of my favorite memories from this summer...the Hope Village Talent Show. Here's a recap in the blog I wrote for Hope Village.

Showcasing God-given talent

Posted by hopevillage on August 20, 2012 at 12:50 AM

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Our first Hope Village Talent Show was a huge success. The children were not shy (we had 100% participation!), they performed quite professionally, and I can tell you they glorified God by showcasing their gifts and talents with passion and respect. And when they were not in the spotlight, they were an enthusiastic and encouraging audience. I was so proud of them! Here are 5 short video clips and a few photos to give you a taste of the energy and talent that exuded from these children:

1. Weleard, Edson and Enoch from the Kaswe children's home show us fine dancing!

2. Brothers Chitkumbutso and Harold impress us with their brotherly harmonizing.

3. A group of girls joined together to perform as the Hope Village Girl's Choir.

4. Ruth (from the Children's Home) and Priscilla (from the Kaswe Children's Home) treat us to a sweet duet.

5. A group of young boys treated us to a high-energy improv dance ... definitely a crowd-pleasing act.

PHOTOS

Beki showcases his football talents, kicking the ball between 2 chairs as a mock goal post.

Annie and her 2 visiting friends choreographed an "American-style" dance, and performed for the children.

Pictured here is Wyson (fromt he Kaswe home) in a skit he and his friends created.

Mary (from the Kaswe home) and Berita (from the Baulen home) showing us the latest teen dance moves.

And last but not least, little Lawrence Baulen ends the show with some toddler jive!

Hamming it up in the village delivers a strong message

Another blog I wrote for Hope Village while Tracy was away...

Hamming it up in the village delivers a strong message

Posted by hopevillage on August 24, 2012 at 11:45 PM

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We’ve been blessed with the opportunities to accompany Paul and Tracy, as well as Pastor Ganizani, on a number of village outreaches in the last month. Don and I have been hungry for time with villagers, in their own neighborhoods, in their own time. That’s what we love about Hope Village – where all of us live within a village so when we walk out our door we are experiencing village life. Plus, this ministry is outward looking, so much of Hope Village projects take place right in the local villages.

Pastor Ganizani goes out to the villages each week to share the gospel with familes and neighbors of the vulnerable people and orphans that are in the Hope Village program.

This elderly man in the village of Simbi 2 shared the shade under his big tree with his neighbors for our village outreach.

Before the schools closed for July holidays, we joined Pastor Ganizani at a primary school he visits weekly. Here, he shares the gospel to the entire school and, with help from his good friend David (his guitar), he worships with the children enthusiastically and publicly. The teachers even join in … and it’s a government school! I thank God for this freedom in Malawi every day!

Ganizani leads the school in worship songs under the big tree with shade outside the classrooms.

Here, Ganizani is teaching the children from the book of Genesis.

The last school visit was especially sweet. We grabbed the ladies who were visiting from the U.K., as well as Joel, Chloe, Benjamin and our daughter, Annie. They were a brilliant team, acting out a skit about a village borehole. The school children were wild with applause and screams, and no doubt, went home with a good message about our Creator to share with their family.

Here's a brief recap of the borehole story for your enjoyment!  (Don't miss the short video here of Claire dancing):

Benji played the part of the borehole, a valuable, appreciated asset in the village that brought them clean water for washing, drinking, cooking. 

Chloe and Annie played the part of the villagers, shown here cranking the lever on the borehole to get their water. One day, however, the borehole broke.  Distraught, the villagers tried everything they could think of to fix it. They invited many "so-called professionals" who claimed they had the answer to fix the problem:

• Laura played a singer, who tried her singing to fix the borehole. The villagers paid her a fee for her help. Still, the borehole was broken.
• Kate played a witch doctor, who tried her magic to fix the borehole. The villagers paid her a fee for her help too. Still, the borehole was broken.
• Clare played a funny dancing girl, who tried to fix the borehole by making it laugh. This didn't work either.

Here's a short clip of Claire and her dance to fix the borehole. The children went wild!

'

Finally, Joel played the part of the Creator of the borehole. He knew the borehole intimately, and lovingly and carefully restored the borehole to its original shape and purpose. He was the only one who knew what was needed to fix the borehole. And he was the only one who did not accept a payment in return.

In the end, the smiling borehole in the blue sweatshirt was producing water again for the joyful villagers.The message? Remember, troubles will come and there are times when you feel you are broken.  Do not waste your time and money seeking help from "well wishers" or purported professionals who have a quick fix for you. Seek your Father, the maker of heaven and creator of earth.

I lift my eyes up to the hills - where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and creator of earth.

He will not let your foot slip. --Psalm 121:1-3

Malawian youth + American youth - SMILES

Here's a short blog I wrote for Hope Village when Brad, Madison and Alexis were visiting us this summer...

Malawian youth + American youth = SMILES

While Tracy, Chloe and Joel were gone for the last 4 weeks, our daughter Annie was really missing Chloe. A good time, we thought, for her to bond with the teen Malawians who live here as our neighbors!  Pictured here are the girls enjoying a “teen girl night” at our house.

From left: Alexis and Madison (visiting friends from America), Annie, Ruth, Priscilla, Aline, Mary, Berita

Ruth adds color to Annie's nails.

It was an easy recipe for a fun night: a little candy, some nail polish, and a lot of makeup warmed them all up before sitting down for a nice dinner around the family table.

An American-Malawian meal of rice, fried chicken, sauteed cabbage and a green salad.

A few days later we held Movie Night in our living room, inviting all of the young and old kids from the onsite children’s homes. We were able to squeeze in 12 of the Malawians with the 3 American girls onto cushions and pillows on the floor. Popcorn and Sobo (a Malawian sweet punch) was the perfect accompaniment to the Pixar movie, “Despicable Me.” I heard many “oooo”s and “eeeeee”s during the moving which, in Chichewa, means something along the lines of, “This is fantastic!”

15 friends on the "comfy" brick floor watch the movie projected onto the living room wall.

There was a unique bonding with the teenagers throughout the 2-week visit from our American friends, as they all worked together to plan for the Fun Camp. As I get to know each of the Malawian youth individually, I see a love and respect for family, a quiet Christian maturity, and a hopefulness that is ready to burst as they teeter on the edge of adulthood and independence. These young people (especially the oldest - Aline, Eliness, Priscilla, Ruth, Weleard, Wyson) really need our prayers more than ever: that they will seek God’s provision for wisdom, confidence, guidance,and mentorship to continue on in the right path
.

Divine Appointments in the Village

Another blog I wrote for Hope Village while Tracy was gone ...

Divine appointments in the village

Although Tracy, Joel and Chloe arrived back to Hope Village a few days ago (hurray!), I have a few small blog postings to share while she organizes her home and her schedule (her priority right now is getting Joel's health back on track.)

I'd like to share this ephiphany I had recently:  Living in Malawi as missionaries is like reading a good novel that you just can’t put down. Surprises and clever twists keep you turning the page into the wee hours of the night.

Every day we unravel an amazing human survival story, see God’s grace in a gift from a stranger, gasp at a miracle only God could perform, weep with a heartbroken mother or grandmother, fall in love with another baby, or belly laugh with a Malawian man’s contagious humor.

Best of all, the visits to the villages reveal divine appointments that have been scheduled by an all-knowing Father ... as he guides our every step. Like any good mystery novel, we never know what the next page will bring, but trust that the Author will not let us down.

This unscheduled visit to a nearby village resulted in an impromptu message complete with drama and singing.

At one of our recent visits to Tamari 2 village, Don met 5-year old Steven.

 

When Don saw Steven’s crooked little body compensating for a leg that had stopped growing, he felt God nudge him to move. Within 3 weeks and 3 trips to Blantyre, Steven was in a custom-fitted leg brace and walking straight. Now running too! We thank God for the Beit CURE International Hospital in Blantyre that specializes in treating the orthopedic needs of children with physical disabilities regardless of their ability to pay.

Steven’s leg was extended over 6” with this brace, and he must now wear special shoes…not your typical village shoe!  

On another trip to this same village, Paul and Tracy learned of a very old “agogo” (elderly lady) living alone with no family to provide assistance, losing eyesight, losing weight, without food, blankets or proper clothing. Another unexpected heavenly interruption that couldn’t be ignored. So on our next trip out, we surprised her with a new blanket, new chitenjes (fabric worn as skirts), and enough food to strengthen her weak body and warm her sorrowful heart. We checked in with the village chief and her neighbors to ensure others are checking in on her as well.

After a time of prayer, we said goodbye to her with tears in her eyes as she thanked us for the “riches” we’d laid at her feet. Don’t thank us, we reminded her, but your heavenly Father who has not forgotten you and loves you beyond measure.

The agogo, sitting on her porch, next to her new blanket and bags of food.

A few weeks later, Don and Godwins checked in on the agogo again. She was doing quite well, wearing her new chitenje, and seemed to have a renewed spirit. While there, a few dozen village children and other adults gathered around her porch. Don and Godwins took the opportunity to sit down with them all for a chat, to tell this eager audience about the love of Jesus. “Who is this Jesus,” they said? “What more can you tell us about him?” Don and Godwins, somewhat surprised at this divine appointment, dived into an impromptu message on Jesus Christ and his gift of salvation. They returned again a week later,  this time with picture books to help tell the Bible stories.

The audience was young and old, eager and attentive. And now, the village elders have asked them to come back each Saturday morning, so they can continue to receive teachings. Please pray that God’s love will create a new community of hope, faith and love in this small village … a fire that will spread as it warms. And thanks for reading Tracy’s blog faithfully, responding to so many prayer requests and praises throughout the years. It may not be the best-selling novel you read last week, but it certainly is unpredictable and precious in how God’s heart is revealed.

Whistle While You Work

Here's a blog I wrote for the Hope Village blog while Tracy was away. Wanted to share it with you, as it tells of Annie and Chloe's job, working with the animals on the Hope Village "farm".

Whistle while you work

Posted by hopevillage

Last month we noticed that Chloe and Annie were running out of airtime more often than usual on their cell phones. (In Malawi, we buy “units” of time for our phones. Usually, 1,500 units (a little over $5 or £3.5) will get the girls through a month.

A brief investigation uncovered the fact that they were texting each other throughout the day, even though their front doors are close enough to throw a rock at (with a good arm).

Annie and Chloe - it seems that enjoying time together requires a lot of phone messaging.

The solution? At 13 and 14 years old, they were now old enough to work for their money, and could choose to spend it on airtime as needed! We presented the idea to them and were pleasantly surprised at how happy they were at the thought of working. They wanted to work with the animals in the micro business, and weren’t too proud to do anything that needed to be done on “the farm”. Their boss Luka was willing to train them and bring them on as official staff. Although we, their parents, are paying their wages and not Hope Village, they are still treated as regular workers with normal responsibilities.

We outfitted them in the same smart blue uniforms and gum boots that other Malawian workers wear.

The job has been good life lesson for them, and they have risen to the occasion – always punctual, respectful, and communicating directly with their co-workers and their boss. They are independent and responsible, and we are so happy they have each other!

It's funny how pig poo can make you smile!

Cleaning the pig pens requires some pig loving time too!

They have a weekly schedule that rotates between 7am mornings and 2pm afternoons. They smile, giggle, chat and even whistle while they work – enjoying cleaning pig pens and rabbit cages, feeding the animals, loving the new baby livestock, and getting some good, old-fashioned friend time with a shovel and a bucket of manure.

The Death of Mada's Twin

On Thursday, Oct 4, we received a call that Mada's 19-month old twin brother had just died from unknown causes. So unexpected. So sad. Such a surprise when Joseph was considered to be the healthy one of the two.

Our last visit with Joseph, sitting next to Mada, just 3 weeks earlier.

As we learned more, it appears that Joseph died from dehydration. Here's the story we got from his aunt Mary: Joseph developed a temperature on Wednesday. On Thursday they took him to the hospital -- a 3 hour trek on a bike under the blazing Chikwawa sun. It was about 110 degrees that day.  As typical in Malawi, Joseph would have been carried on the aunt's back wrapped in a blanket.  When they got to the hospital, he was tested for malaria. His test was negative, so they sent them home with instructions to come back on Monday if he was still feverish.  So off they went...another 3 hour, sweaty hot journey.  And as we've seen this family travel by bicycle many times, they never carry water. With a high fever and no water, he most likely began to suffer from severe dehydration. He was dead just two hours after they arrived home.

So sad, so unnecessary and just so preventable.

This is the dirt road the family travelled on bicycle 

for 3 hours to and 3 hours from the hospital.  

Joseph died at 3pm on Thursday.  At 5pm, the family was all packed and set out on foot to travel to the village of the deceased mother, where Joseph would also be buried (Mada and Joseph's mom died about 9 months ago).

The family of 5 (Mada's aunt and uncle and their 11-year old daughter Gracie, and Mada's siblings - 10 year old Matale, 7 year old Chamanza and 3 year old Thomas) walked for 5 hours and arrived to their destination at 10pm.

My heart breaks to think of the family and those little children making that long trek with Joseph's limp body.

Here are a few pictures to tell the story of Joseph's goodbye:

We met up with the family early the next day, and paid our respects to sweet little Joseph who lay in this small house. The Aunt met us with sobs, taking us into the house and uncovering Joseph from his baby blanket. As you may recall from the first blog on Mada, Aunt Mary took Joseph into her home when he was just 1 month old, because his mom was ill and could not care for both twins. The mom died months later, 

but Aunt Mary was the only mom Joseph ever knew.

We brought a 50Kg bag of maize (corn), beans and dried fish that would be used to feed the many mourners who joined the family for the funeral.

Although we could not stay until the afternoon when the funeral was taking place, 

we did spend time under a shady tree with family and villagers who were gathering 

to comfort the family.

Don, with translation help from Godwins, tells the attentive audience

about Jesus' love for children, for baby Joseph who died yesterday. 

He tells about the promises of heaven, the joyful reunion Joseph now has with 

not only his mama who died last year, 

but also with the only Father he's ever had...the one who created him. 

Joseph's family listens to this message: from left: 

sister Matale, cousin Gracie (with Mada on her lap), brother Chamanza.

3-year old brother Thomas was eager for cuddles.

These ladies sat off by themselves making beautiful wreaths 

for each of Joseph's siblings to put on the coffin.

Brittany and Kevin were pulled into this emotional day on just their 3rd day in Malawi. They were familiar with Mada's family because of stories we'd shared for the last few months. Brittany, who said she had the "Santa Clause Fever," had gone clothes and shoes shopping for each of Mada's siblings. We had a visit to their village planned for later to deliver these special gifts.  Unfortunately, the visit came too abruptly, sadly. Still God's timing can't be wrong. 

The clothes were a little bright spot on a heartbreak moment.

3-year old Thomas received the most clothes, because the set Brittany bought for Joseph 

was added to his.  He grabbed tight to the pile, and never let go!

This lady is the agogo (grandmother) of Mada and his siblings.  

Seeing Madalitso brought a smile to her sad face that day. 

His thriving body was a far cry from the skeletal frame just 3 months ago.  

Although the children were sent to live with her when Mada's mom died, 

she was unable to care for them properly. 

Thomas and Mada say their goodbyes.

The car ride home - 

An emotional and draining day for everyone, Mada included.

A 2-hour bumpy ride home on that same hot, dusty, dirt road.  

Good-bye sweet baby Joseph.