Making Malawi Memories

Colin Gifford & Eric Cuyle (Coric)

So... It's Thursday night here in Malawi, and during our rest night Coric decided to blog. Aye matey.
"Maaaaaaaa" -Anela

This past week has been one of the most life changing events in Coric's life. The kids are so accepting and they love it when you pick them up and hold them. They are attentive to whatever we tell them, and are extremely meticulous about bringing our belongings back to you! Cameras are a BIG hit... along with the Hokey Pokey.
The kids take our cameras from the moment we step foot off the bus until we leave. I've (Colin) gotten some verrrry beautiful pictures of grass... and hands.... and more grass... and the occasional face. I (Eric) have bountiful harvests of pictures of grass as well, and they especially love it when they take videos and watch themselves!
The weather has been perfect. Imagine Hawaii, minus the beaches and resort hotels. The mountains are truly awe-inspiring, and the terrain is exactly how it is portrayed in the movies (well...minus the lions and hippos).The lodge we stay at is amazing, cleaning our rooms every day. The breakfast is some of the best we (Coric) have ever had.
OKAY apart from breakfast, Coric would have to say the dinners are by far the best meals we've had so far. we've had a variety of African-Italian meals, ranging from 30 pizzas, a variety of oodles of noodles, and scrumptidilioumpous chicken morsels. It is interesting however because their 'chips' are actually fries..and their bacon isn't crispy :(. Oh well. The kids are the cutest kids in the entire world, and Coric wishes we could adopt all of them. They always offer to carry our stuff off of the bus, hold our hands, and help out. Today when Coric -- pause-- Happy birthday to Daniel de Villiers and WuBear and Anna! And Abraham eventually. --end pause-- was working to move all the rubble from one of the back rooms in the feeding center, two of the kids (Alick and Daviechombo) helped bring the wheelbarrow back and forth for us (even though the wheelbarrow was probably heavier than the two of them). Later when we were leaving, even Big Vic (who's only like...1 and a half...) carried my water bottle which is probablyyyyy bigger than his head. Bus Rides. 28 people stuffed in a bus no larger than my Sienna Minivan at home. SO. MUCH. FUN. Songs and stories are constantly being sung to pass the 45 minute drive from our lodge to the center. The hospital visit was definitely an eye-opener to all the people who need God's love. There's a song (King's and Queen's) that talks about how we as God's people need to serve those less fortunate; the "least of these" to use the lyrics in the song.  When seeing the conditions of those in the hospital, ranging from hospital beds being made out of wood to Malaria patients strung about on the floor, manifests the calling for all of us into the ends of the earth. It's still weird how only about half of this trip has passed by, yet so much has happened. As we follow God's lead into the rest of this trip, we cannot wait but earnestly seek His wisdom of what He wants to teach us throughout this trip. Coric cannot wait to give another update (this was only the first opportunity for us to blog).
The girls are getting antsy because apparently we're taking too long... We hope everything is going well at home and can't wait to see y'all. We thank you for your prayers, they definitely have helped! Coric will continue to proclaim God's blessings through this trip in a future blog, but bedtime is quick-approaching and we're still the first
bloggers with everyone else to go :P. May God's blessings be showered upon you all!


Anela Sierra:
Hey mom and dad and everyone! Africa is seriously the best! The kids at MCM are so adorable and shower us with so much love. they are so cute and willing to teach us new things everyday, just as we teach them. When we visited the hospital on Sunday I really saw how much the people are in need, and how we are being the light in their dark times showing them that they are not forgotten and loved. I honestly do not want to leave! I love you guys so much and miss you! - Anela <3


Joanne Yeh:
Hi Mommy, Daddy, Janice, Jessica and all our Malawi supporters! Zikomo gwambili (thank you very much) for all your prayers! So far our trip has been full with laughter, prayer, building relationships with the MCM children and the people of Malawi, as well as among our team. The people here are blessed with open hearts and welcome us with  warm smiles and greetings. My favorite part so far has been the Queen Elizabeth's Hospital visit where our eyes were opened to the needs of the health system in Malawi.
SO ABRAHAM IS RUSHING ME RIGHT NOW :( But everything has been great and the children and their smiles and joy have melted my heart :) Thank you all of you for making it possible
for me to come to Malawi! Love you all and see you next week! Love, Joanne

Caitlin Johnson:

Hey every body!

We are having a GREAT time over here! The kids at MCM are adorable; their joyful laughs always make us smile. I have become good friends with some of the little 3rd grade girls. They love to take pictures with my camera, play with my watch, and wear my sunglasses! At the end of the day, they give all

of my stuff back :). I have taken about 20 pictures, while the little ones have taken over 700! It's really nice having your own personal photographers take photos for you. The kids also enjoy nail 

polish...A LOT. Even the boys jump at the chance to get their fingers and toes painted. I probably have 5 coats on my fingers and 3 on my toes. I am never taking the polish off; my little girls 

Bridgetand Esther painted them for me!! Sadly, I had to wash the face paint off from this afternoon. (The face paint was just as popular as the nail polish) Did you know that face paint doesn't 

have to be used on JUST the face? You can also apply it to your arms, neck, and legs! I do not know how I will be able to part with these beautiful African children! I love them so much and have 

grown soclose to them.

Thank you for your prayers; we all appreciate them greatly!!  Love, Auntie Cait