Mosquito Nets, School and Village Visits

Today's post courtesy of Corey Stamen

The day started in Chapel followed by a great breakfast prepared by our chef Paul (not Gunther). Visiting the village was our first priority but we couldn't just load up and head out without a drive downtown to pick up more mosquito nets and some gifts (food items) for the village widows.

We purchased 20 nets a few days after we arrived but the village chief said they still needed an additional 68. We went back to the People's Kwikmart, a small grocery/convenience store, to get more nets. We bought every one they had unfortunately it was not enough. We still needed 20 more which meant another stop but as it turned out Kim spotted some on the shelf at the grocery store where they purchased the widow's food items. We were lucky enough to get the rest there.

One final stop a short distance away at a not so friendly looking market to pick up a large bag of Maize and we were finally on our way.

We really wanted to see the school where the children attended so we headed there first. We were greeted by over 800 curious but smiling children ranging in ages from 5 to 16 years old. A tour of the campus revealed 8 classrooms (only one had desks) and 7 teachers for all those kids! We took lots of pictures, asked lots of questions, and donated paper and pencils.

From there one car headed to the village to drop of the remaining mosquito nets and the other headed back to campus to drop off Charles our translator.

We had a traditional nsima (pronounced nn-see-mah) lunch with the ABC students - we ate it without any silverware! You know the old cliché "when in Rome..."

After washing our hands we piled into two vehicles along with our 4 ABC translators to head back to the village.

Once there Paul went with the village chief to tour the village boundaries and do a video interview. The rest of the team split up to meet and visit all of the widows. It took nearly 30 minutes to walk to her hut. She was so happy to recieve her gifts.

Finally before leaving we sang songs with the children and handed out suckers which they loved. Wow! What a day. The things we saw and experienced today will no doubt last a lifetime. These people are incredible and have so much to share. Their smiles are unforgettable, we can't wait to share our pictures with you.

Good night and God bless.

Tuesday September 8 - In the Villiages

Today's post courtesy of Mark Ruff

Tuesday was a fantastic day! We were able to spend time in the villages of Chipampha and Malika which surround the church at Chiuza. The village that we thought we were going to was Chiuza but we found out that Chiuza is actually the name of the church and the villages are named after the chiefs.

I think all of us were struck by the friendliness and openness of the people. We saw things in person that most people will never have the benefit of seeing.

The villages are about 8 miles away from African Bible College near Lilongwe.

God’s timing on this trip, as always, has been impeccable. About a month before our trip, the Christians in one of these villages changed chiefs because of what they felt was persecution by the Gulywonkulu -- or witch doctors. Our arrival was a sign of answered prayers on their part.

The chief, Amfumu Malika, said she’d been a Christian for many years but the Jesus had only become real to her in recent years.
It is late now. The ladies, Kim Franken and Jennifer Job, are out visiting a birthing clinic right now at 8 pm. The men came back to their dorm room to find a bat in their room. Your pastor, Paul Gunther, acted like a little girl but he’s all better now that the bat has been removed.

God is doing great things in Malawi and with the team you are supporting. We are tired and dirty but each night we are extremely excited for the next day.

Please continue to remember us in your prayers. We love you and be assured that The Grove has a presence in Malawi.

Monday - September 7th, 2009

Today's post courtesy of Jennifer Job

We all went to chapel today on campus with the students at African Bible College. Paul Guenther spoke at the service and handed out copies of his book “Cheap Black Bracelet” to all of the seniors and Live Love bracelets to all of the students.

We were able to go into India town (downtown) today and purchase 20 mosquito nets. It was a very busy downtown full of street vendors, little shops with baggers that were mostly disabled. It resembled a typical border town like Nogales.

We have been staying on campus at ABC in their new housing that was built for guest. They have been wonderful accommodations and they even have a cook that has been providing us with some great meals. We were able to help them with a couple projects they had around campus.

We spent most of the evening further brainstorming about our visit to the village tomorrow. Paul and Steve were able to meet with Charles, a former student at ABC, who will go with us tomorrow to make the formal introductions between us and the village. We have put together our good will gifts for the chiefs and elders of the village. We have learned today that we are not required to bring two white chickens, rather they could gift us the two white chickens. Again, good photo opportunity may arise.

Fields burning to drive the mice out where they could be caught.

Corey sitting with some African children

Arrival... At Last!

Yesterday we all were very tired from the flights and went right to sleep after dinner. Here is what we have done so far...

We were greeted by Paul Chinchen and Michelle Clark (sister of Chris Clark from COTN). We got our first taste of the poverty in Africa for instance we noticed fires in the fields and Paul told us that it is the children that set them to smoke out the mice then they use a stick to kill them as they ran from the flames. Then we know his story was truthful when we saw people selling mice on a stick on the corners. By the way, you can buy about 10 mice on a stick for around $1.00 USD. (157 Kwatchas - Malawian money)

After unloading our stuff at ABC we were able to drive to the village of Mgwayi. We saw the people of village using the well that the Grove put in last year. It was so exciting to actually see it and know that it was being used. It is a good to know that because of the Grove's support this village has clean safe water. We were able to interact with some of the children. They loved having their pictures taken with the digital cameras and then showing them their picture. They asked us our name and were proud to tell us their name. They were full of big smiles and loved the dum-dum suckers that we passed out. We we saw women carrying firewood for the night on their head and babyies in slings on their back. It was a great first experience for this group and has really got us excited about going to Chiuza. After dinner at ABC we all headed for bed. It had been 31 hours of airplanes and airports and most of us were on about 3 hours sleep.

Sunday Sept 6th -

We all went to church at the chapel on campus, then we headed out for some exploring and shopping in the town of Dedza about 1 1/2 hour away.

Some of us are really feeling the effects of the widespread poverty of Malawi. We brainstormed about how our week was going to play out and what our ultimate mission for this trip and many more trips will entail. Before we all go into the village, we need to get permission from the chief. Which we heard was now a woman. Hopefully we can accomplish this in the morning and all go out there soon. One of the missionaries suggested to establish good will we come with two white chickens. If I get a picture of Paul bringing them to the chief I will definily upload it for everyone's viewing pleasure. But Paul seems hesitate to take this advise. (We are all pushing for it).

Hopefully I can get to a computer tomorrow and be able to send some pictures too.

Jennifer Job

Day 1: Travel to Africa

Throughout the Malawi 09 trip we will get updates from the team on the ground. Come back frequently to see what is going on and what you can pray for!

Friday, September 4
We are currently in Kenya right now and will be leaving here in about an hour. Flights so far have been smooth.

First there was a 10 hour flight from Phx to London. We had a 7 hour lay over in London but because we had 11 boxes along with our luggage and had to transport them all between 2 terminals we were unable to leave and see the city. We have a long lay over on our way back home so we will try to go into the city on our way home due to not having to bring the boxes back with us. The boxes were full of books, team uniforms, and requests made by the African Bible College. Some of us have brought along items to distribute to the children in the villages such as dum-dum suckers, rubber braclets, shoes, and hats.

Then we had about an 8 hour flight from London to Keyna. With a 4 hour lay over here.

Everyone is excited to get to Malawi and looking forward to get down to the tasks ahead of us. This group has great dynamics with a good mix of working together to get things done along with a great sense of humor. We are looking forward to seeing what God has planned for us in this project.

I will send you another e-mail when we get to Malawi.

Jennifer

Meet the Team

Why would someone go halfway around the world to spend time with people in Africa? Why would they take time off work, spend so much time on an airplane, enter into the lives of poverty and suffering?

I asked some of the people on the 2009 Malawi team to tell me about their journey to decide to go to Malawi. Here is what they told me. In their own words (mostly).

Mark Ruff
My wife, Carmen, and I have been attending The Grove for over a year now. On one of the first Sundays we attended, Palmer had people come up and put their name on a board if they committed to going to a foreign country in the years ahead. I sat on my hands because I knew it was the right thing but was afraid of leaving the comfort of my home.

A year later, I am leaving to be 9000 miles from home.

As I prepare to go, what God has been teaching me this year is that my life is supposed to be uncomfortable and uncommon.

Jennifer Job
I went to the Africa meeting several months ago thinking it was for Malawi ’10, when I heard in that meeting what they were doing in ’09 it intrigued me to be able to go over with a small group and lay the foundation for years to come with trips to Malawi.

I have always had the desire to go on a mission trip since I was in junior high. I wanted to go to Haiti to help build a church and my Mom would not let me go because she said I would be to afraid of spiders and conditions over there. Apparently, I give off the impression that I am high maintenance. My Mom had the same reaction when I told her that I was going to Africa, but now I am old enough to make my own decisions.

Honestly, the feeling God has put in my heart to do what I can to help has always been there and the possibility to actually act on those long held and deep feelings is unexplainable.

Kim Franken
I really prayed about going to africa again this year. Last year I went with my husband Daryl and son Derek. We left our 4 years old, Spencer, home with friends. The thought of going this year and leaving my family behind was difficult. I prayed that god would let me know if He wanted me to go. I was so undecided. I think I drove my husband crazy because one minute I wanted to go and the next I didn't. I woke one morning and my head was filled with all of the things that I wanted to help accomplish in Chiuza. I knew that God wanted me to go.

God is teaching me to let go and trust in him. I am using this time to help our oldest son become more independent. He is a senior in high school and needs to learn to do laundry and cook, you know, bachelor survivor skills. My husband Daryl does not cook but he can order some mean take-out and I have faith that my friends will not let him or the kids starve.

John Vice
I think I am moved by the stories that everyone has talked about. I feel God has called me to help where ever help is needed. I also think that this will really mature my walk. I am looking forward to the stories and the bonding with not only the group I am going with, but with the people that we are going to meet.

I think God has taught me to rely on Him for everything. Before this trip I valued a lot of material values and was very worried about my everyday life. When we give it to God and pray, we don't have to worry about what makes us look or sound good, as well as worry about the craziness we clam our lives to be.

I think personally that the power of prayer can move mountains. I also feel like the fact that my wife is content with me being gone will be a big help. I think other support would be to just make sure that everyone is aware of the impact we make as Christians is world changing.

Corey Stamen

I feel God is teaching me how important it is to pray. Prayer has never been a big enough part of my walk and now that I am in a position to really NEED God to provide, I am praying more than ever. My funding is not what I would like it to be, especially with less than 2 weeks till we depart. I must be diligent and persistent with my petitions. My family cannot afford to fund most of this trip. I need to have faith and know that God will see this through, somehow, someway.

I really want to yield to God's guidance. I want to eagerly and without fear or reservation do His will. God has done so very much in my life and want's to do great things in other people's as well. I want to be able to share that and show them how great and powerful God really is.

Who's on the 2009 Malawi Team

On September 3, a team of people from The Grove will be getting on an airplane to travel to Malawi for almost 2 weeks - Until September 14. In an effort to make them more accessible here's a list of who is going:

• Corey Stamen
• Jennifer Job
• John Vice
• Kim Frankin
• Michael Shuck
• Paul Gunther
• Rex Perkins
• Steve Hoesel

If you can remember, take time to pray for each of these people (by name) while they travel. It will go a long way to making their trip a success!