Its a real JOY getting to know you :)

We started emailing Joy back in Feb/March to prepare for our school ministries in Blantyre, Malawi. Firstly we were confused of the mystery Joy on the other end of the emails gender, having associated the name Joy with a female because of our cultural upbringing.

Joy was super helpful, he escorted us to all our schools in the first week, making sure we picked up on the right social ques. With all the traveling and waiting we have had lots of opportunities to learn more about Joy... and its been a real JOY (hahaha I think I'm so funny) getting to know him. Joy is just a strong christian guy passionate about youth in Blantyre and their spiritual growth and commitment.

Joy and his wife Grace

Last Sunday it was because of Joys invite that Kylie got the chance to speak at St. Micheals, and it was there that we also got to meet his beautiful wife Grace. In this case its very true that behind this great man is a GREAT women. This is one power house couple committed to Gods service and we just really wanted to share them with you.

Village Visiting

On Thursday I tagged along with Sarah doing village visiting. We visit they the least fortunate which mostly involve injured grandparents looking after orphans and vulnerable children. We got to go inside peoples homes or sit outside with them. We would be introduced by Samson and then find out their story. We gave Bibles if they did not have one and then prayed with the family. We were also able to give small gifts that people had donated from Australia. 

The grandmother is holding up her new bible (left of me), with her 8 grandchildren
and the village chief and committee members

 

One lady stuck out to me, out of the four families we visited. She was a lovely christian lady, who had injured her arm so couldn't work, but had 8 orphans that she was caring for. She was surviving out of the kindness of others. She was so excited to get a bible, even though she couldn't read, she just really wanted the kids she was caring for to read it to her, so that they can fall in love with her Saviour too!!

Amy

New Family!

 Our time here so far we have meet so many amazing and beautiful people.. we would like to share with you some joyous faces who have made our stay here in Malawi one to always remember!

Catherine

Sulitha & Violet

Sulitha

Filed

Harrison

Kenneth

Caroline

Friday

Alex

Angelliana

Angelliana

Francis

Blessings

Jessie

Louis

xx Amy and Kylie

Vandalizing and loving it!

Amy and I decided to have some fun while visiting Joys office today. As girls, a little colour always does wonders to brighten up a dull space!

We went to see Joy at his office so we could say hi, however his office was empty, joyless! We decided to leave a hello note, then another... and well, see for yourselves a pictures can say a thousand words!!!!

It was so much fun, but what was even better, Joy was delighted and saw what crazy young girls we really are.

xx Kylie and Amy

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.

Sunday in CHIRADUZULU

Sunday (17^th June) John Wilson, Doug and Diane, Amy and I had the privilege of joining with the beautiful people of Chiradzulu for their Chichewa Service. After some time along the Zomba Rd we travelled for 20mins along a winding dirt track, travelling at not much more than walking pace to avoid the pot hole.

It was an old historical village church, we were warmly greeted, on the team blog a post is written up, please read it.

CHIRADUZULU CHURCH BUILDING

I just want to add the best part we all received a chicken, to them it would have been a costly gift to give however they wanted to give us their greatest appreciation for our visit.

Presented with chickens

You can be called upon at any moment to pray, to do a reading to lead something, its quick liberating. I was called upon twice to say a prayer one before the service with the elders and Abusa the other to pray for the children after the children talk. It was such a lovely sight to see the children come to the front they came from everywhere and stood right up front, when ask if the children could sit down they couldn't because they were all so tightly squished to the front.

Children packed in up the front

I was asked do the bible reading, thankfully not in chichawa, however I had the option given... maybe next time!

We were then invited to join the elders in the manse for a lunch, Amy noted that while we sat inside eating their finest food, the ladies who prepared had only had watered down porridge to eat, we felt bad however again they wanted to bless us and give us thanks for coming.

I would love to keep writing for there is so much to tell and I could go on for hours.. all I can say is in the last 5 days God is changing lives, not only mine or Amy's but everyone we meet. Its such a privilege to serve God, to be used by Him and to see Him work in ways I cant explain.

Your prayers are much appreciated and are bring heard... please continue to pray for myself and Amy this week as we start in the school ministries. We want to glorify God in everything we say and do, giving Him all the glory and praises!

Colossians 3v23-24 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as if working for God and not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving! AMEN!

Love Kylie and Amy

Beautiful Zomba

Saturday was my first true overwhelming day, God had began to move my heart, humbling me to see needs around, showing me how blessed I am back home and how quick I am to take it for granted, how low I am to meet the needs of those who are struggling just to make ends meet. How quick we are to hold on to the money or material things we have. Here in Malawi if their 'neighbour' is struggling they don't hesitate for a second to give what very little they have to another, even if it means they miss out on a weeks supply such as food for example. Act 20v35 Its is more blessed to give than to receive. Romans 12v8 If it is encouraging, let him encourage, if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously, if it is leadership let him govern diligently, if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

We travelled into Zomba today to join John Wilson (Team leader) in the Prison Ministry I had wanted to be apart of this well before coming to Malawi and today was my opportunity to do so, on arrival we were welcomed to go inside, at no moment was I at all feeling threatened, scared or overwhelmed by entering, I had the peace of God and felt overwhelmed with compassion, yes they are prisoners, however my heart breaks as one choice they made has place them in prison which would be their home for the most part of their lives, you wouldn't wish that upon anyone.

We had No guards checked us over, just a open door to enter, we walked into the first gate, we stood surrounded my few guards and some prisoners, some of which were woman with children/babies, who yes it breaks my heart to say but the children grow up living that life in prison. It was dark and smelt again like strong BO, not a all a place you would want to spend your days, we were then to walk straight into the court yard were we were surrounded by hundreds of convicted prisoners some who were on death-row.

As we were seated a choir of them started singing praises to God, I was informed I was sitting next to a prisoner, again didn't feel at all unsettled, there were speeches, more singing in Chichawa and plays preformed. The message was given by Abusa David Brown who spoke on Luke 18v9-14 Speaking on being justified before God, we are indeed justified before God when we humble ourselves in forgiveness before a holy God. None of us deserve Gods grace yet He offers us freely His mercy, if only we believe and acknowledge our sinful ways and being truly remorseful to want a changed life, one holy and pleasing to God. 

An invitation was put to the prisoners, if any want to recommit their lives to Christ or to give their life to Christ and have His forgiveness they were to come forward 30-40 came forward. At this point I lost it, tears streamed down my face as I many started walking forward, tears of joy to know that they are wanting to be closer to God, wanting a better life, His peace and assurance, His forgiveness and mercy, His grace and love.

Among them sat 2 of them who were on death-row. They then received bibles and hymn books as a gift from Australia which when received some held back tears others opened it up to the beginning to start reading. It was a joyous moment and so moving to see God work in such a impacting way.

When than handed out babies/children's clothes to the woman along with bibles and hymn books.

It was such a moving experience and as I looked around at the faces of all the inmates, It was a really life changing experience and gave me greater insight of what its like to live a life in prison.

We than went for a lunch at Abusa Colin Manse, Its custom for the woman to wash your hands before eating and enjoying lovely spread of food again more speeches.

We then headed down to CCAP Zomba primary School who received some of our educational boxes we sent over, it was a joy to see their proud face and how grateful they were and how they were putting them to use.

We then went to Zomba Nigoti woman's ministry were they made clothes and putting into use our boxes and sewing machines they received. They than welcomed us to singing and they sang like angels!

On the drive home I sat looking out the window so moved by the day and the sights I saw, such poverty yet such joy with what they have!