Almost halfway

Well we are just about half way through our trip, 2 weeks and 4 days until we arrive home and to be honest it feels like I have been here forever. Malawi to me is like home, the opportunities that I have experienced in just the last few weeks have been ones I will never forget.

God has opened my eyes to the needs of people and although we think need to give money is greatest need, its not true. The Malawian people seem to be content with what little they have their greatest need is God, is to know and trust Him to be able to hold tightly to His word which they are so desperately wanting but unable to get easy access to it. So many have asked for Bibles, “you give one one” they say. Its so moving when they could ask for anything else food, money, possessions to sell, but no they want Gods Word.

Us with Sam - the school Patron

So much has happened since writing my last post. Amy and I are loving visiting the school and doors are opening. Last Friday we taught the S.O.A.P bible study method to the students and after the session finished Sam the school Patron couldn't express enough how very grateful he was for our visit, and how He can now see how through the study of SOAP he can start applying Gods Word to His life, and start studying it for himself, and aim to start to teach the students using the method. He asked Amy and I, “you have obviously gone to Bible collage or theology school” I had to laugh, but explained that its God working in and through us, and its spending time in His word and prayer that has grown our understanding. So many students here are preparing to study for exams yet they still all came to hear us share what God had given us to teach.

We have also had the opportunity to go to 'Open Arms' its an orphanage for babies-toddlers. I was blown away with just how well the centre was set up, as we spent time with the children all they wanted was to be picked up and held, one little girl who was about 18 months had no one to care for her so she is now in the care of Open Arms she was desperate to be picked up and cuddled, every time you put her down she would cry for more. Its heart breaking to see, yet I was praise God for Open Arms and that they had good care. We went for a walk down to the toddlers area and it was so beautiful, one little girl started crying as she stood near her bed, she couldn't open her draw to get out a jacket. Each child had their own personal bed and own draw for their clothes and bits and pieces. Its all set up so that the child learns to care for themselves, of course with cares to provided assistances yet they will one day leave the centre and need to know how to do things themselves.

Outside there was a hut, we were told that it was used for orientating back into village life, the child stays in the hut for 3 days with their new carer so they can build a new bond with them, the child is known to cry all day and all night for the first time, however they quickly learn to adjust before having to leave Open Arms to their new environment and home.

We then helped with feeding all the children, its a messy time but one of pure delight.

On the wall they had a picture with words that read “We have aides, hug me! you wont get sick” so beautiful and so true.

Me holding Mercy & Amy holding Memory

Amy and I gave cuddles to two twins, Memory and Mercy they had only arrived a weeks before we arrived, and sadly their mother had died and it was to much for the gogo (grandmother) to care for 5 children then the two babies, they were gorgeous and loved snuggling for cuddles.

We are hoping to go back soon, to assist in feeding and more cuddles.

I encourage you to go and read the teams blog site, http://stamp12.blogspot.com/, as I have shared about the awesome opportunity we had at the Youth Service, and how God moved the hearts of the hears.

All in all so much is happening and I am constantly being challenged to step out in faith, to trust God, and I am constantly being changed!

Continue to pray for us here,

Kylie.