Malawi Day 1 (Sunday)

Hi Fans!

After a long twenty-two hours of traveling, we finally got the rest we needed! Most of us were struggling to keep our eyes open past 7 o'clock, so we hit the hay early and felt energized by the 10+ hours of sleep. 

Sunday morning started off with a delicious breakfast outside on the patio area in the superb weather and was followed by a fulfilling church service. Ken, one of our hosts, also the pastor of the church delivered a riveting sermon in which he commented on the significance of Palm Sunday.

We followed Church up with a trip to the nearest Superrite, an outdoor style market with ample food options. While most of the options were similar to American food, each had a dash of Malawian flavor that provided us with a glimpse into their unique culture. We then preceded onto the most challenging, but impactfing, part of our day: Queen Victoria's Pediatric Hospital. 

The hospital was a really tough place to be. For most of us, we had never experienced the kind of sounds, smells, and sights seen at Queen Victoria's. Nevertheless, we ALL managed to step out of comfort zone and interact, and even pray, for the children within the hospital. Some children were conscious of our being there and others were too sick to notice, but what remained so constant throughout the hospital was the response from the caregivers. All were thankful for our gifts (an assortment of Vaseline, soap bars, and stuffed animals) and even more thankful for our prayers. It was such a blessing to see prayer so well received and the impact it made on the caregivers knowing that their children were loved and priortized among others. Sarah and I were greatly struck by the level of joy these caregivers, primarily mothers, were able to uphold throughout these unpredicatble trials and tribulations of their child's health. Little glimpses of God's greatness shined everywhere as mothers flashed smiles, laughed, and held our hands in prayer despite the anxiety-filled and worried lives that clearly and constantl lived.

-Sarah Caylor and Sarah French

Today, we give God praise for so many things!

• All of us had a good night's sleep and no one is sick.
• The warm, welcoming people of Malawi who often smile and wave as we pass.
• Our hosts, Ken and Avisha, who shepherd us and take care of critical details for our group. Their ministry in Malawi is expansive as they direct MCM ( the feeding center), have a dairy farm, own and manage a restaurant, serve at Blantyre Baptist Church (Ken is one of the pastor's and gave the sermon today), and parent 3 young children!!! We are humbled by their energy and passion to help wherever they can.
• We were blessed to participate in spirit - filled worship this morning, Palm Sunday.
• We experienced firsthand the power of God's love and how God translates for us as we prayed with the mothers and their children at the hospital. We are reminded how much we all rely on God's strength and provision, but in different ways. The love of a mom and determination to provide for her children needs no translation.

We feel your support and prayers. Parents
I shared your posts with the students tonight.

-Kriss

There is a tree with hundreds of spiders....some very big!

Blantyre Baptist Church on Palm Sunday

Relaxing at Annie's

Singing Happy Birthday to Sarah Caylor on her 18th!

Dinner at Avisha ' Restaurant Hosteria