Hey everyone! We’re leaving in less than two weeks from today to begin our travels to Malawi. While we aren’t there yet, there is still a lot that needs to be shared. First of all, thank you so much for your thoughts, prayers, and monetary support! Many of our prayers are being answered and our concerns minimized.
Currently we are planning many things for our time in Malawi. Most recently, we’ve been asked to plant a maize garden (the seed is called Quinoa) and make a rocket stove. Our contacts who are going ahead of us to the orphanage, Kristie and Trevor, have raised, with their church, enough funds to support both of these tasks and more to spare. The surplus of financial support is now going to provide for the orphanage in other ways. Another blessing is the supply of Bibles, written in Chichewa (the local language), Gideons International have provided us with. Many of the rural people and refugees do not own Bibles, but desire them.
One of our original desires in ways to assist the community was to bring in a filter for a well. Clean water is hard to come by in many parts of Africa (37% have the luxury), as well as the world, and one of the main sicknesses that results from the unsanitary conditions in this area is called schistosomiasis (or bilharzia), and is about as bad as it sounds…look it up in order to save the weak-stomached audience from detail. However, in light of the recent cyclone in Myanmar and the earthquake in China, filter resources are being sent to more urgent needs. (It’s wonderful news that Myanmar is now receiving aid!)
VBS was also an idea we thought to include during our stay in Malawi, but it might be changed to weekend or after-school activities. We have been given some unusual belongings to carry with us in our luggage such as beach balls, cell phone keychains, and a crab hat. Kristie and Trevor alone know what these things are intended for!
A few other areas to be thankful for are the homes that will take us in for a night during our layover in Johannesburg during both ways of travel, and a cumulative donation of $16,930 for our trip! The financial need goal is $21,000, so we need just over $4,000 more. Thank you so much for all of those who have supported us through monetary donations and through prayer. It has been clear to us as a team since early training sessions that God’s hand is supporting us and carrying us through. Please continue to pray for us and spread awareness for the needs that exist in the area we will be going to. Malawi is a third world country that does not receive much publicity, but you can help to keep it from becoming invisible!
In your prayers please do not forget: 1) The orphanage we will be staying with (the people who have carried it this far without ever having confidence in the fulfillment of their needs, and the children who live there- that they may receive the love their parents can no longer give them, for good health and an end to hunger), 2) Kristie and Trevor as they serve the orphanage and our team, their safety and strength, 3) Our team as we finalize our plans in the next two weeks, that we may have passionate, loving hearts for the people of Malawi.
Also of concern- it has been evident that some of us have been facing some spiritual struggle. Please pray for our protection spiritually in order to rightly serve God and his people with the gifts and talents and blessings he has given us. This is of utmost importance since we are finalizing our preparations…and in some ways beginning them, as well as leaving to an area where we will be prone to weakness, which can bring down all that has been built. Please pray that we can build a strong foundation in the Lord now, and that we will eagerly soak up all he has to teach us now, but will also continue to learn and serve while overseas.
May God bless you through His might and strength!
-Team Malawi (a.k.a. your Malawi wowies)
Emily Price
Josh Tengan
Cody Atterbury
Cosy Del Carlo
Brian Hondorp
Christa Juell
Breanna Tabor
So today is day 4, and we are safe and healthy! Mariah and Amanda came in on Saturday and the rest of the gang followed Monday. There was a minor problem of Jordan`s guitar missing, but that was resolved within a few days. The weather is hot and humid, but liveable. Amanda and Mariah relaxed for the first few days and were ready to introduce the rest of the team to the beautiful town of La Herradura. We are staying in a very nice house which has provided three bedrooms for the seven of us. There are hammocks hanging on the porch, and fruit trees surrrounding the house. The family (Mami, Papi, Rica, Ale, Anji, Corazon) and their friends are very welcoming and helpful.
This is a list of our last few days:
Day 1: we met the family and ate dinner. Then Padre David, the local pastor, met with us and gave an overview of the history of La Herradura and CIDECO (where we will be working). Then we showered, prayed, and went to bed.
Day 2: We went on a 12 mile bike ride through a few rural towns. We passed pigs, cows, sugar cane fields, sheep, and all sorts of things. The poverty level seemed to increase as we went further. Then we went on a delightful boat ride. It was as if we were going through the Amazon River. There were mangroves (google it) that were sweeet. We ended up at a sandbar which divided the bay and the ocean–a sight to see! Then we went over to another beach-like area and swam for hours. Trinity and I (Jolie), had the pleasure of being pulled behind the boat with a rope and boogie board. Then we returned, relaxed, ate, showered, prayed, and went to bed.
Day 3: We had our first tour of CIDECO. This is a community which was founded to help aid all around development. There is a school, a medical clinic, and housing. A church is in process. Their goals are long term, which is very different then most aid organizations. They are hoping to equip the children and families with good work ethic and quality education. Next, we went on a boat trip to an island called El Ranchon. There we visited a school, and brought materials for the teachers to use. Students showed us around and gave us an idea of their daily lives. Omar described the town to be humble, but safe. Then Padre David took us to a rural town called La Zorra. This is one of the many towns that he travels to to give sermons. We met a women named Lucia, and prayed over her 14 year old grandson Luis Filipe, who has been sick for 3 years. We then came home, ate, showered, prayed and worshiped, and went to bed.
Today: we went and visted the local government officials, and learned their basic jobs. Now we are here at the internet cafe.
So as you can see we have been very busy. This weekend will be a lot more slow as we get the opportunity to go to Costa Del Sol (the beach) and relax. We start work on Monday. Please pray for our health and that we get good rest. Also for the family, language skills, and anything else you can think of. Thank you.
The E.S. Team has left and needs your prayer!!
*Where will they be?: La Herradura, El Salvador
*Traveling with: World Wide Open (WWO) Experiential Learning Program (ELP); CIDECO El Salvador
*Trip Length: 6 weeks; May 5th-June 13th
*Members: Manda Bakker, Mariah Kimbriel, Jolie Bernal, Jordan Johnson, Andrew Schwemmer, Trinity Hokama, Anna Molinari, and Jillian Partridge
*What are they doing?:
- Working alongside CIDECO El Salvador in economic development, education and rural health.
**Keep checking the website for further updates!**
click on the link under “downloads” for the two pages of the 2008 Summer Team Summaries, complete with pictures!
Teams: print them out and share them with people! Bring them to your church in SB, especially if they have a Church Missions Board, and ask them to support you and your team in prayer and/or finances. “And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:19)
2008 Summer Team Members!
Westmont’s Travel and Safety Policies are posted on the ER website!
Please read them and have your parents read them within the next week.
(click on side link under “downloads” to read the Travel Warnings Policy, two pages)