Missions in Malawi

Goodbye

2011-08-05T14:20:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone!

Thanks for waiting patiently for me to post another blog. Honestly, I wanted my last blog to explain what I will be doing for the upcoming school year and I just found out yesterday what I’ll be doing.

I loved everything about being in Malawi. That doesn’t mean that everything was fun and easy, but I don’t regret any of the hard times I went through. My first year in Malawi was filled with long hours in my classroom, confusing moments around the city, and lots and lots of learning. My second year in Malawi has been very different. I was able to build on what I did last year and felt like I could see the needs of those around me from a different point of view. I saw God work in my life in different ways everyday. My worldview was stretched and transformed as I was able to interact with other cultures and religions from around the world.

My favorite 2 babies from Crisis Nursery: Mateo and Peter

It is amazing to see the differences and similarities from the life I have always known in America compared to the lives of those in a third world country. The differences are the obvious ones. We live in air conditioned houses, all have a drivers license AND a car, and we don’t leave the house without being appropriately dressed for the occasion.

In Malawi many people live in mud huts in villages, walk to work, and many walk barefoot. The similarities took me longer to discover but all comes back to our human nature. When you bring food to a village, people will eat until they’re full, but beg for more. At first I didn’t understand this attitude. Then it hit me, Americans do the same thing. We have more then enough to be happy, but always feel as though we don’t have enough. Seriously, have you ever thought that life would be better if you had a nicer car, or could take better vacations? Yeah, so does everyone. It just comes in different forms. I was appalled by the way the woman and children acted in the village until I understood that I have acted the same way, and I have so much more!

In the village

I would like to ask you all to pray for African Bible College.Pray for the leadership and that all decisions will be God centered.

My 2-3rd grade ballet class (30 girls!)

Please pray for the village I went to. I threw a party in the village for my last time there. We had 2 goats prepared by the woman, and rolls sodas for everyone! About 10 chiefs from the surrounding villages joined us for our party. There, they asked me if I would like to stay and start a ministry on their land. They have a desire to learn more about the gospel. They desperately want to know more about Gods word and don’thave a solid foundation. I would love to go back and do something when I know it is what God wants me to do. Please pray that God will be present in their village and that the seed that was planted there will bloom and flourish.

Kim came to visit! And she helped SOOOOO much!

I made some amazing friends that I will keep for the rest of my life. Please pray for my transition back into the states. Please also pray for God’s direction in my own life as I continue to pray for my next overseas mission, and if there will be one. I know that serving God is my future, I just don’t know where he will lead me.

My friend Ben; recent ABC GRAD!

I have a job waiting for me in Jackson, MS as the assistant youth director at Pear Orchard Presbyterian Church. I’m excited and nervous to move and start a new chapter in my life. In my time in Malawi, I missed being with youth and young girls. I haven’t yet decided if I enjoy working with kids, or youth better. Maybe I just like both!

Thank you all for your continuous support in my 2 years away. I couldn’t have done any of it without the financial and prayer support of my friends back home. People asked how my health was when I was in Malawi. I told them all that I was surprisingly healthy and never got malaria. Mrs. Smith told me that her and her husband prayed almost everyday for the mosquito’s to stay away from me. I know that God listened to their prayers and so many others. Thanks again for everything! Please continue to pray for the amazing Malawians I left behind! God really is doing great things there!

Mom and Grayson came to visit! It was so much fun!

Last couple Weeks of Chaos :)

2011-06-09T10:04:00.000-07:00

Hey! this is Kim! I am here helping Whitney finish up the school year! I have been here a week and life has been really busy but its been fun :) The first thing i did was go to the crisis nursery! the babies were sooo cute! i kinda want to take one home! I became best friends with Chisomo, the baby i held for three hours.

The first half of the week was consumed with the year end dance show! we had lots of long rehearsals but it turned out great! Whitney is amazing :) it is funny doing a show here because it is WAY more difficult to get everything we need. At one point we thought we were missing a ballet skirt and Whitney almost had a heart attack because there is no way we could jus go out and get another one haha I felt like i was back at Many But ONE for the most part tho :) I did a lot of hair! and the kids really liked the Mousse cause they don't have that here haha ;) Now that the show is over life has gotten less stressful we had open house for the parents which turned out nicely! I LOVE all of Whitneys first graders they r soo cute! We went on a field trip to Kumbli and dont ask me or Whitney what this place is cause we still dont know. All i know is that we learned how to make yougurt and cheese, we looked at farm animals, we made clay pots, and we made brickets which is water and paper mushed into a ball. The kids had a great time, it was just really random :P We had a bus fiasco while we were there tho cause ABC had a team coming in and needed the field trip bus......so the bus driver left us haha and Whitney was making a ton of phone calls in order to get rides back to school. It all worked out tho and it was a great day :)
Another thing i love about Malawi is how the lights will randomly go out! i laugh because it happens all the time and people dont mention it ever. Even the kids jus go aww and continue on with life! but there r generators so they r never off for very long :)

Tomorrow we r throwing a fiesta for the kids cause they r learning about North America :) it will be fun! We r also working on report cards and cleaning up the classroom........only 4 more days of school! We r also throwing a party on Sunday for the church at the village that Whitney goes too. I am excited it will be fun! we have to buy a goat so that should be interesting!

Jus pray that we will finish everything as fast as possible and that Whitney will have an ok transition coming back to the States! Although she is excited to come home she is starting to get sad to leave everyone and her life here. Everyone loves her and really wants her to stay....Which i guess is a good thing ;)

p.s the pictures r random haha and it take forever to load them here so i didnt put very many ;)

Coming to an End

2011-05-08T11:24:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone,
Sorry it has taken me ages to write in here. I haven’t known what to write or how much to share…
I haven had an exciting last month. After a 12 week, tiring term, we had 2 weeks of Spring Break! I was so emotionally, mentally, and physically exhausted by the time Spring Break rolled around. Last year I was able to go bungee jumping at Victoria Falls in Zambia. This year, my friend and I got plane tickets to Nairobi, Kenya to see what we could see. Somehow, I ended up doing a 4 day hike to the peak of Mount Kenya. It was one of the most challenging things I have ever done, and I am happy its over!
I wanted to see what types of ministries were being done there in the slums, as well as see for myself where Simba, Timon and Pumba became friends. We stayed with old family friends who took care of us. We went on a safari in Nairobi National Park, saw giraffes, and did loads of shopping.
I was also able to spend 2 days tutoring at a high school in the slums. The students were mostly people who once had to drop out of school to get a job and now want to return because they cannot find a job without an education. They were like sponges and clung to my every word. I love how much many of the Africans appreciate education and don’t take it for granted. It was definitely a time of much needed rest. The trip made me miss my kids and I had a wonderful first week back with them! I seem to have so much fun with my kids when I have a small break from them;-)

This has been a difficult semester for me as I pray about what God wants me to do next year. I thought I was definitely leaving ABC, and now I’m not so sure. I have learned so many things here. This has been my first teaching job and I have definitely learned a lot in the classroom. I have also been stretched with the new culture. Trying to fit in with such a different type of people has been a challenge and also exciting. I have made friends that I will miss terribly when I go back to America. The ministry opportunities are endless here and I have loved getting involved in a couple things.
I have been asked back by ABC, have a job offer in Alabama, and a promising job in Jackson, MS. I’ve been praying for God to make this decision clearer but am still floundering back and forth between the three. All three are ministry opportunities and I feel blessed to have them as options.
All this to say, if you could pray for me right now I’d really appreciate it. I want to serve God somewhere and know I could do it at any of these places. Please pray that I’ll have wisdom and that God will point me to the right place and the right ministry for the gifts he’s given me.
My mom and Grayson are coming to visit this week, then Kim comes to visit when they leave! What a great way to end my time in Malawi! I can’t wait to show them around what has been my home for the past 2 years! Thanks for your prayers and support! 2 more months....

March Update

2011-03-25T08:35:00.000-07:00

I just got back from the village after not being able to go since Christmas. The roads were horrible but we managed to get there. I was planning on seeing if we needed to put in extra support in the windows. Well, when we arrived, we didn’t see the church. Where the church used to be, there were some crops and weeds instead.
During the rainy season, the school, many houses, and the church fell down from the rain and a strong wind. The church supposedly found itself in line of a small river that had formed from the rain. The rains piled up waist deep and eventually, strong wind knocked down a whole wall. As the men went into the storm to collect long logs to hold it up, the other wall collapsed. They have saved the materials but will have to start from the bottom once again. The government fixed their homes and hopefully will fix the school as well. They have decided that the spot they originally put the church did not work well and the chief hasn’t told them where else they can build it. It is a different chief now and I’m hoping he still allows for it to be built. It was just a building, the church is a body of believers. Even so, I hope and pray they can have shelter over their heads during the different seasons that come.
Even without a church, we sat the kids against a hut with some shad and I taught about Hannah and her prayers to God. Meanwhile, Khuzwayo was able to gather the men and woman together while he preached salvation. I enjoyed hanging out with the kids as he finished up his sermon. Makes me not want to leave.
Speaking of leaving, I ask that if you remember, or as you read this, you pray for where God is sending me next. I have a couple of amazing opportunities in America that I am looking at, as well as the option of staying here. ABC needs a dance teacher and they are hard to come by in Africa. I want to go where God can use me the most and right now, I’m just waiting to see where that is. Whatever happens, I want to do some sort of missions, whether it’s in America or across the ocean.
On a random note, I saw a goat giving birth in the village today…….. how weird.
On a serious note, malaria isn’t just traveling through ABC but also through the village that I visit and an orphanage I was in last week. Many of the men have died in the village and a little girl in the orphanage. Please keep these people in your prayers.
My students seem to be doing great and haven’t gotten malaria. I hope their parents have given them the anti-malaria pills! My students seem to get funnier to me and I’m thankful for it because I’m getting tired and ready for Spring Break.
I have choreographed all of my dances and now still need to figure out costumes… which has turned into my least favorite thing to do in this world. At least I have some help and I’m hoping to get it figured out this weekend.
A college student and I am doing a Bible study on Romans with about 10 other people. I am loving it so far and enjoy every intense discussion about Gods wrath and how he shows us grace. It helps get me through the week.
Thanks for your prayers! They mean so much to me and everyone here!

Malaria

2011-03-22T09:08:00.000-07:00

There has been a lot going on here at ABC and I think it’s time for me to spread it to my prayer warriors at home so they can lift them up in prayer.
Malaria has been running rampant through Lilongwe and even ABC. We have had many deaths at the ABC clinic in the last 2 weeks. One of them was a little 8 year old girl which was enough for the doctors and nurses, and everyone else to fall to their knees. This weekend however, one of our own college students, Vitu, got +4 malaria. He died within a few days of arriving at the clinic. He was only a freshman and loved by many. This tragedy was enough to shake up the entire student body, as well as staff.
As a foreigner, I often don’t think of malaria as being something you die from. I knew it is possible, but I didn’t know how common it is, even when the best medicine is provided. People get malaria all the time and usually come back to school after a week or two. Life here is hard. There is always an option that a loved one will get malaria and die and there is almost nothing that can be done about it, especially if you do not have the money for the anti-malarial pills.

Please pray for Vitu’s family and friends, the college staff who were close to him, and all of the college students.
Pray for people to start taking malaria seriously. Going to the clinic right away can save a life.

Please Pray

2011-02-11T05:17:00.000-08:00

Please pray for my former roommate, Katie. She is having something like seizures but nobody knows what's wrong with her. They are sending her to South Africa for tests but the whole situation is just very uncomfortable. Please pray for wisdom for the doctors and peace for Katie. This is something that I have seen happen several times and am responsible for not making sure she went to the doctor. I would really appreciate all of your prayers for the next couple of days at least. I will keep you updated. Thanks!

January Update

2011-02-01T02:56:00.001-08:00

Happy February!
I have almost been back in Malawi for a month and wanted to give you some details on what has been happening.
Everyone is getting sick, including myself, with some stomach bug. Don’t worry, its not malaria. As I sit here at home while my kids are at school, its not as fun as I thought it might be. My first day of skipping school ever, and it stinks.
A new law was passed in Malawi last week. It is now illegal to “break wind” in a public place. These are the laws they’re working so hard to pass when we still never know when we’ll have petrol available for our cars.
It was my new roommates birthday on Friday so we had a surprise party! She coaches volleyball at the college so the men’s team and a couple others showed up. My friend and I made a cupcake display that we were very proud of. I’ll try to put up pictures when I get them.
The college is starting back this week and my roommate and I have planned to storm the dorms with cookies on Thursday for the girls! I’m super excited to make more college friends!
I haven’t been to the village since December. The only campus car allowed to drive on dirt roads has been broken for 2 months. I have heard rumor of it being driven around town but who knows if it is actually fixed this time.
I had a fundraiser for ballet on Saturday night. We were in an outdoor pavilion watching Princess Diaries from a projector. We made popcorn and Sobo (thick sweet liquid that you dilute with water) and sold leotards that I brought from the states. Since there aren’t any movie theaters yet around here, most of the little girls from school came. I became worried when the rain began to blow sideways into the pavilion and made the kids and leotards wet! They handled it well. I became worried again when the power went out in the middle of the movie and some girls knocked over a tall speaker on accident. Thankfully it wasn’t broken. I distracted the girls with simon says, Father Abraham, and If You’re Happy and You Know It. Finally, the power came back on and we finished the movie with the few girls who were left. It was an adventure for sure. I’m trying to raise money for our end of the year ballet costumes. We have charged the girls a small amount for the costumes each time so we haven’t been about to keep them for the school. This time, I’m hoping to buy costumes for at least one dance so that we can have them for next year. I really hope I don’t have a costume fiasco this year!
My new found food is chimanga. Chimanga is roasted corn from the side of the road. It is crunchy and chewy and reminds me of popcorn. My roommate loves it and gets it everyday for her birthday week. It only costs 30 Kwacha which is like $.20. I’ll post pictures of chimanga too when I take some!
My kids are awesome as usual. It was poring rain yesterday during recess and the kids were sad they didn’t get to go outside. I turned on DC talk and we turned our class into a dance party! It was great! We also had fun last week planting sunflowers in my backyard. Some have begun to sprout, and some will probably never come up due to poking giant holes and packing the dirt down very tight.
I could use your prayer in a couple of areas:
*for my own spiritual growth as I get busy with things that seem important
*for my students to soak in what I teach
*for everyone’s health right now
*for details to work out so I can get started on the village ministry again this year.

Thanks for all of your prayer and support!

Christmas Update

2010-12-26T15:16:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends and Family,
I hope you’re enjoying this Christmas season as much as I am. As some of you know, I was able to make it home this year to South Florida for three weeks to celebrate Christmas with my family! The commercialized Christmas traditions are very different compared to humble Lilongwe, Malawi. Since I have been a terrible communicator this semester, I wanted to recap what has been happening lately with my ministry in Malawi.
I inherited a new group of students for my first grade class this year. Some of the most exciting things so far have included getting started on our Accelerated Reading program, going on a field trip to the new parliament building, baking bread, learning how to rap (taught by some college students, not me;), dressing up for reading day, learning to swim, performing various songs and skits for chapel, making Joseph’s coat of many colors, and many others. I love interacting with my students from this year and last. As time goes on, we seem to create a closer bond and I like to call us a little family.
I’m continuing my children’s ministry at Senza Village that I started last year. Our team of 3 goes every Saturday to teach a Bible lesson, sing worship songs, and play a game or two. The church that was started last year has been without a building since it began. The village and I decided that if they make the bricks and put up the walls, then I will put up a proper roof. After working for over 2 months, the people of Mafungulo Baptist Church finished the bricks and put up the church walls. I bought and delivered the iron sheets and lumber necessary to put up the roof as well as found people to build it. After about a week, the roof was up and the building was ready to be used as a place of worship. Attendance has increased from 132 to 298 members. Now, they can worship without the sun or the rain making them uncomfortable. I was encouraged by a letter written by the chiefs saying that the children have been reciting the weekly verses for fun.
I volunteered to be the “assistant director” of the school Christmas Program at the beginning of the year. I didn’t realize at the time how much work this would involve, even after watching my mom do it for so many years. I organized 200 costumes for the kids, 84 costumes for my ballet girls, as well as choreographed 4 of the 5 ballet dances. The kids did a beautiful job.
I have been having fun this semester getting to know the college students better and learning more about Malawians in the process. God is doing incredible things with their lives! I can’t wait to see what he does when some of them graduate in June.
Thank you so much for all of your prayer and support throughout this semester. I cannot tell you how much of a difference prayer makes in my attitude, patience, and health as well as the lives of those I work with. I pray often that God will use me for his glory with the kids he has put in my path. Please remember the kids of ABC and the kids of Senza village; that they will know the true meaning of Christmas.
Grace and Peace,
Whitney

Click to enlarge picture

A Crazy Week

2010-11-16T07:31:00.000-08:00

Muli Bwangi!

So many things have been going on and I wanted to share all of the details. I can honestly say that I had my busiest week of my entire life last week. The first couple days were stressful and I felt like tears could pour down my cheeks at any moment. But, as the week went on and I finished more projects, it got better and I got to see some cool things happen.

First of all, the Christmas show is coming. This means we need ballet costumes! It also means, that since we can't easily get pre-made costumes here, we have to get them made by a tailor. So last week the tailor and I measured 90 girls, collected the money, and went shopping for fabric. The fabric stores are in down town Lilongwe which is CRAZY driving for me. Too many people surrounding my car for my own comfort. They tailor and I worked out an agreement that whatever we don't spend on material is her income. That wasn't a smart move on my part because now she wants to make very small costumes with no sleeves and cheap material. Darn. But we purchased the fabric and we have worked out the designs. Most are angels with lace wings and satin dresses. I really hope they turn out ok. I will have to be calling her every couple of days to make sure she is getting the work done since it is only 3 weeks from the show.

Next, I threw a surprise party for my roommate. She turned 22! WOOHOO! I do love parties, even in Africa;-)

On Friday after school, Khuzwayo and I ventured out to begin the process of building the village church. I'm so proud of them! If you don't know, Khuzwayo, Katie, and I have lead a village ministry with the kids almost every Saturday. Last year they asked for a church building and I told them I just was concerned with the hearts of the children. Then, they built a temporary small grass church.

After coming back after Summer break I felt like God would want me to help them get the church they dream of having. It is something they have never had and with their new faith, I feel like they should have one. They know I come to bring the gospel, so now I feel like it would be ok to help them out with this. I told them that if they put up the bricks, then i will put on the roof. The roof is the part that they cannot afford on their own. They made all of the bricks themselves and called as soon as they put them all up. I'm not gonna lie, it sorta reminds me of the gingerbread houses I used to build when I was little. A little crooked, a little funny looking, but they are proud!

So My Friday was filled with shopping for the materials. We got 36 large iron sheets, LOTS of LONG wooden beams, nails, wire, termite paint stuff, and the top roof ridge. I've also hired some carpenters to do the job. They are great because they are staying in the village until they are finished because I don't have time to give them transportation everyday.

The REAL story is actually quite interesting.

We were pretty excited to start

After school on Friday, Khuzwayo and I met up with Pastor Noah Banda and the truck driver. The truck driver was an answer to my prayers because we had no way of getting the huge materials to the village without him. He offered to take the day off from his job to help and only required gas money. We took my car as well so that we could all fit. Our first trip all the way out of town was unsuccessful because they didn't have the right iron sheets. Our second attempt was a success and they loaded what we needed onto the truck.

Still in a good mood, thinking we were almost finished.....

Then, it was time to get the wooden beams. Oh those wooden beams. This is when I miss Home Depot. We had to go across town again and into a village where we could get them for cheap. The men loaded the wood onto the truck but couldn't seem to get them on right. They worked and worked. Took some down, and worked again. After over an hour and some lifesaving cokes I happened to have in my car, we seemed ready to go.

All loaded up

We drove about 5 minutes down the road at about 10MPH. The truck driver pulled onto the side of the road and told us he couldn't balance his truck because of the weight. It was also making one of his tires flat. Some truck huh;-) So thankfully, here in Malawi they have pick up trucks for "hire" on the sides of the roads for people who need to transport things but don't have a car. I drove back and hired someone to drive the pick up truck to our flatbed and load half of the wood onto it.

It was dark and the men needed light. I decided to turn off my car but shine my lights on them. Well, after about 15 minutes of this, I suddenly had a smartness attack (they don't come often obviously), and went to check the car. The battery was dead. Meanwhile, the truck drivers, pastor, Khuzwayo, and a few passerbyers were finishing reloading all of the wood. It had taken so much longer already that the first truck driver had to get headache medicine. He only has one eye due to cancer (eye cancer?) and needed something for the pain. He went to go get medicine while the other guys did everything in their power to get my car working again. Then, the new pick up truck driver needed petrol so I gave him money to pick some up around the corner. And THANKFULLY they had some around the corner because nobody has had it lately.

You tired yet?

So, Once all of these issues got settled, a couple hours later, we were on our way at a fast pace of about 15MPH. We made it to the village road (a couple miles long) when I started driving over wood. We stopped and had to reload. It happened again. We reloaded. And again. and Again. So, the men decided we needed a new plan and took all of them off the trucks and started again in a way that made a lot more sense. They wouldn't let me help because I'm a girl so I sat in a dark car at 10PM in the middle of villages not knowing what would happen next.

After about an hour of reloading, we started again and only had to stop 2 more times. We finally got there about 11PM.

But wait, its not over.

I had promised the men dinner earlier because I thought we would get back around 5... Riiiight.

So they still needed dinner and I took them to the only place open. We went in, got food to go, went out to the cars to go our separate ways, and my car wouldn't start again...

Once again, the men did everything in their power to start it againa nd I had to rev the engine for about 10 minutes. I wish I knew something about cars.

Saturday, I went to drop off some more small materials at the village. I couldn't stay because I called extra ballet rehearsals to finish our dances. I felt so relieved once they were finished!

Then, my small group had an outreach at my house. We hosted Malawian girls for a game/movie/chitchat/eat lots of food time. I had fun and I hope they did too!

Monday, I went to the village after school thinking I was going to help build! They're not too keen on girls doing that sort of thing, even though I wore my tennis shoes and long skirt!

The church with the beams up on Monday

I ended up starting a game of duck duck goose with the kids, fell on my knees, and scraped them like a kid. Haha how old am I?

Please Pray for:

The church building. I feel a little helpless because I don't have time until Saturday to visit them again and see how they're doing with it.

The Christmas show to come together quickly.

All of my sweet students: First grade and ballet.

I thank God that he has blessed me with such opportunities here.

I am also thankful that he has given me a wonderful church family that gives me so much prayer support. I am continually blessed by your comments reminding me you're praying. I was reminded this week of why I am here. I began the week relying on my own strength and not seeing how I would get anything finished. God gave me this verse from 1 Corinthians 13:3:

If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but
don't have love, I gain nothing.

It is not worth it to do anything we consider "good" if the condition of our heart is not right.
I pray daily for the condition of my heart to be right. Give FIRST to the Lord.

A monthly update

2010-10-26T08:09:00.000-07:00

Its been a long time. Sorry for that. Since my last post lots of things have happened but here are the highlights:

Last month was Reading Day.
Reading day is a day completely devoted to reading. I have been reading Pippi Longstocking to my kids so that is who I dressed up as. I ended up winning the girl teacher costume award! yay! I took the wires out of my hair half way through the day after I poked one of my barnacle like kids in the eye. Nothing bad happened, thank goodness! When I got home I desperately wanted to wash my hair but the water was only dripping out of the shower. I bucket washed it and it took me about 5 shampoo's and over an hour to get the red out. It was worth it!

I was also a part of a readers theater with some of the other teachers and played Baby Bear.

When I arrived back in August I found that the Chinchen's dedicated the old preschool room to my ballet classes! We have a couple mirrors and 2 of the barres I had made last year. I got 2 more 12foot ballet barres made and painted. Now it's feeling more like a ballet studio! I am currently working on choreographing 4 dances and teaching them for the Christmas show.

The Christmas show........
I am busy getting details ready for the show coming in only 7 weeks. My biggest job right now is figuring out angel costumes for 300 students. Something I have no experience doing. I am also working on making the flyer so that the students can have a design contest. I will choose a couple of cute ones and display them around campus. Then, the winner will be used as the program for the show.

The village program is going well! They have finished making the bricks for the church and just began putting them up. In a couple of weeks I hope they will be ready for us to put on a roof. I am praying that someone shows up in my life that can guide me through this process in a way to not confuse me completely. I am hoping to ask my growth group when it gets closer to the time to help me with this.

My growth group is a small group from my local church. We meet at my house every Monday night and discuss the sermon from Sunday. We also pray and share. I've enjoyed getting to know the people in my group and doing outreaches with them.

We are planning to do a girls outreach in a couple of weeks. We will invite the girls basketball team to my house for a chick flick and FOOD. I'm hoping we'll get a good response and can make some more girls feel welcome at the church.

Parent teacher conferences are this week. I will meet with each parent to discuss their child's report card. This is NOT my favorite time of the year, but I know it is needed.

It is getting HOT. I seemed to have forgotten how hot it was before the rains start. I'm hoping they start soon to give some relief to my hard working students. We call all become a bit grouchy when we're sweating through our clothes during math. I have a hard time staying after school when all I want to do is jump in the pool!

Chop-chops and roaches are in full bloom around here. We have killed 2 chop-chops already in the last couple of weeks. These are gross spider/crab things that I have never seen anywhere but here.

I just wanted to update you on how things are going. Please pray that all of the details are completed for the Christmas show! Pray for my sanity through it and that the kids will learn so much more then how to act and sing on key. Please pray for myself as a teacher. That I would be able to teach the information in a clear and fun way that they can all understand and remember. Almost all of the kids have moved up their reading score drastically since the first day of school!

I hope everyone on the other side of the world is having a fantastic Fall!

Meet the New Kids

2010-09-16T06:13:00.000-07:00

Here's the Happy New First Graders!

(Vanndel)

(Nzeru)

(Tabene)
( Sibonani)

(Emmanuella)

(Al-baatin, AKA: Bubba)

(Dominique)

Update

2010-09-04T04:32:00.000-07:00

I just got back from Senza Village! I was my first time back since I've been back in Malawi. I've been trying to get settled in my classroom and in my new home before starting our Saturday treks to the village. About 50-60 kids showed up (the regulars) and were eager to hear about the gospel. Our two Malawian friends who go with us, Khuzwayo and Chisomo, were talking to the adults while Katie and I waited in the little church with the kids. Katie and I decided that we know the songs, why not start one? So we began the song and the children sang right along to Palibe Ofana. After that, Chisomo told the story of the Good Samaritan while we acted it out. Next, I told the kids about sin and asked them who has sinned. They all agreed that they are mean to each other everyday. I explained forgiveness and Christ's salvation and we prayed that Jesus would come into our hearts. I don't know how many understand but it is not about me understanding anyway. It frustrates me when I can't tell what they're staying and can't quite get a feel for what they understand. I told about my frustration to a man that I met at the end who trains men in the village to pastor the new church. He reminded me that it doesn't matter if I win hearts. My job is to tell them the Truth, and God will do the rest. That made my day so I wanted to share it with you! Don't worry about feeling like you've done a good job. All you must do is tell the gospel, and God will speak to the hearts of those he has chosen. I'm so glad he does that because otherwise, I would feel like a failure! God is so much more mighty in my eyes when I realize my need for him in every aspect in my life. So you can imagine, being in Malawi really opens my eyes to his power!

Please pray for the people of Senza village. They have 5,500 bricks made for their new church building. They're working to have 15,000 before rainy season starts in a couple months. After those are ready, we are working out how to get cement and sheet metal for the rest of the church. Please pray for God to give me wisdom and for him to be involved in everything we do at the village. I know that it is bound to become disastrous if I am in charge.

Back to School Night is on Monday night. I've been working hard getting everything prepared for it but am still nervous to present to the 2 groups of parents.

Ballet has started and my classes are overflowing with eager little ballerinas! ABC has a new studio for our classes. I am busy getting more barres made for it.

Thank the Lord for the great year ahead of me! He has answered my prayers and brought fun and kind staff this year and I am hopeful for what this year will bring!
Thanks for your prayers!

John 3:30
He must become greater; I must become less.

Rats on a Stick

2010-08-30T06:43:00.000-07:00

Yummmmy! I finally made my way to the side of the road to buy a mouse on a stick. They were much smaller then I always imagined them. Not really any meat on there. The tails were really gross and they still had all their teeth. I was told the fur gets singed off but there was definitely lots of fur left. Of course I ate one..:-)

My neighbors saw me walking up with the rats (I was about to use them for my 3rd prank of the day) and they wanted to eat them. I was shocked when their moms got their video cameras and told their boys to take a big bite! Something is definitely right about those rats or the moms wouldn't let them eat them. Part of a balanced diet of course.

We asked what it tasted like and he said salty chicken. Notice the appropriate t-shirt.

One of the best parts is the way they are clamped onto the stick. They split the stick, shoved the little mice between it at the neck, then closed it tight with a string. And bada-bing, you've got Mickey in rigamortis. Glad I could share the experience with you all. Come visit!:-D

Servant

2010-04-19T08:40:00.000-07:00

If anyone knows me at all, they probably know that I can probably relate a conversation topic to a song- whether I learned it when I was 3, or if it was on Y100 yesterday. This very rarely comes in handy except to annoy people who want to just have a conversation without me breaking into a diddy.

I've been thinking about what I will do in the future a lot lately. I have committed to a second year here at ABC, but am looking for what I will do after that. Perhaps still in Africa. Teaching, I've realized, is not very self gratifying. There is always something I could have done better, and always something I still need to do. I have thought about working with street kids. I know they need help, but am still not quite sure how. I’ve thought about creating my own ministries to start something new.
So, I was listening to my Kids Music playlist on Itunes the other day to find a song to teach my students, and a Doughnut Man song came on. Gotta love good ol' Doughnut Man:-) His song "I Wanna Be Great" came on and it struck me.

I wanna be great,
I wanna be super, absolutely wonderfully great!
James and John were hangin’ around, fightin’ over who was the best, but Jesus said you want a crown on your head? Well this will be the test, listen carefully: ‘if you want to be made great by the Lord well then you've got to be the servant of all!’

This is what I've been missing. I've been trying to think of what I can start or do that is new and that they don't have in Africa that is needed. Jesus says, just be a servant. Sometimes those aren't the jobs that are in the spotlight or make you feel good, but they have to do with your love. Tim Keller said:

“It ain’t ministry unless it is being dictated to you by someone else.”

When it comes to my future, I can do all I want to make a "difference" in Africa, but it’s not right if we’re doing it on our own terms. Only when you do it as a servant, is it pleasing to God. I cannot be a disciple of God if I don't execute what God wants me to do.
This song has been stuck in my head all day long so I finally decided to write it on my blog.

The greatest among you will be your servant, For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. Matthew 23:11-12

Victoria Falls

2010-04-11T03:53:00.000-07:00

I DID IT! That’s right, I laughed at the face of danger, I defied gravity, I purposefully did one of the dumbest things I have ever dared to do, I BUNGI JUMPED 111 meters (364 feet) off of Victoria Falls in Zambia! The video wont work so here are some pictures. I'll work on getting the video up.

5,4,3,2,1, BUNGI! (push)

Notice my dirty little foot slipping through

I wouldn't have been able to do it without Vicki

Was it fun? Umm… No. Will I recommend it to a friend? Ummm… NO. Will I do it again? Ummm NO! But I’m so happy I got it out of my system. The girl before me tore her ACL and couldn't walk off by herself. My head felt like it was going to burst open any second and I knew it might when my arm started to go numb. You can see in some close up pictures that my left foot was beginning to slip through the rope. I have the bruise to prove it!
I also was able to stay with my beloved friend from college who lives in Lusaka, Zambia. What a blessing to meet up with that wonderful girl!
I got there by bus. 12 hours of bumpy, stinky, bus travel. Don’t get me wrong, it was worth it!

This was the "bathroom" that costs 1,000 Zambian Kwacha to use.

After arriving in Lusaka and eating at SUBWAY (one of the highlights of the trip), we took a 7 hour bus trip to the falls in Livingstone. It is the rainy season so it was impossible to see the falls anywhere but this one point from the side.

Before we were soaked

The rest was like walking through the waterfall, even though it was only mist creating the monsoon.

After we walked beside the falls

The next day we drove about an hour to Botswana to go on a river/land safari. We saw SO many elephants and giraffe. It was awesome!

I had the Toys R Us song stuck in my head after I saw these guys

There had to have been at least 50 elephants

The next day we went back to Lusaka and saw a movie and saw what other types of ministries in Africa can look like. We returned back on another 12 hour bus trip making that 41 hours in all on a stanky bus. I don't miss it.

Now as I prepare to finish up my year with 9 weeks left of school, I can rejoice! He has made me glad!

“The heavens declare you are God and the mountains rejoice!
The Oceans cry Hallelujah as we worship you Lord!”

Jesus is in Heaven!

2010-04-10T02:28:00.000-07:00

I have so much to blog because I haven’t in so long!
The staff at ABC wanted to make Easter week a memorable one for the students. Easter is why we do what we do. It is why we sing songs in chapel, it is why we learn scripture, it is why we love Jesus. We love him because he first loved us. Each day of the last week before Easter break was made special by an ABC college student teaching our Bible lesson. This was followed by a craft. I am not patient enough to do a fun craft everyday of the week so this was a special treat. The teachers thought it would be fun to get balloons and helium for the last day before Easter break. The plan was to let them go up to heaven to remind us that Jesus not only died for us, but he also rose again and ascended into heaven. As the day approached, we realized it would be much harder to get helium then we thought. We sent out a flyer to all of the parents asking if they had any idea where we could find it. Thank goodness, a parent knew where to find some helium. As we handed out the balloons to the anxious children, I realized from their amazed faces that this treat was more special then I thought. Only 2 children from my class had ever seen a balloon float before. Sure they’ve seen balloons before, but none that they had to hold on too to keep it from flying away. I was struck by their kindness when a preschooler didn’t have a balloon and most of my students volunteered to share theirs. They were told to keep quiet because the big kids were having their chapel not too far away, but they couldn’t contain their enthusiasm for very long. They watched the balloons ascend into the clouds, and, up to God just like Jesus did.

During Easter week I had my students write about why it is important that Jesus rose from the dead. They all had answers that said it is important because it saves me from my sins. But these two were my favorite:

Why is important that Jesus rose? It is important because he will
save us and he can't save us wen he is dead thats why. ~Johanna
It is important because he wanted to save our sins and he also wanted to save the bag guys.~ Alicia

Alicia failed to remember our discussion that sin makes us all bad guys, but I love the fact that she understands that Christ came for the ungodly. Something we have talked about alot.

Let them know that you, whose name is the Lord- that you alone are the most high over all the earth. Psalm 83:18

Once apon a muddy road

2010-03-03T10:12:00.000-08:00

Once apon a time, I tried to go to the village with a couple of Malawian college students to ministry to the kids. We were hopefull, even though last time we tried the car broke. It was a beautiful day! The sun was shining and the Africans were out and about.
Shortly after beginning our journey, we came to a hole in the "road" filled with water and surrounded by thick mud. After careful deliberation, I proceded to go through the mud at about 2 Kelometers an hour.

After bumping along very slowly for a while, we came to a village! It must be market day!

OOOO AHHHH look at all that cool stuff! Lets go shopping!

There was a problem though. There was a huge ditch through the middle of the road and blankets of merchandise spread out along the "good" part of the road. I don't think they were expecting any guests.

People gathered around as I stopped and started in my standard car. "AZUNGU!" they shouted. (white person) I gave a wave and a wink then got back to business.

They seemed confused why I couldn't get the car through. They all had advice to give, even though most have never driven a car.

Cooswayo directed me on safe ground... sorta. I accidently ran over some pants someone was selling on the road. Thats right. Not next to the road, ON the road.

It is hard driving under pressure. Bright got out of the car and bought snacks as we tried to make our way through.

We have already turned around a couple of times and this is our last road to try. It doesn't look so bad............

And then we came to THIS. I stopped dead in my tracks and tried to process a way to get through the huge muddy potholes.

Bright went to survey the land to see if it was safe to cross. Of course, he said there's nothing to it. All you have to do is put one tire in the hole and the other on the hard ground and you'll be FINE. RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT.

After about 30 minutes of debate, everyone walking around in the mud, and about 30 Malawians stopping to help on their way by, I decided it is not safe to boud through the muddy ditches. I made a three point turn in the tobacco field and headed on home.

On the way back we saw some of the woman and children from the village we tried to go to so they knew we tried. It was a crazy day which took about 5 hours.

We will try again next week so I guess you could say this story is to be continued.

Wordless Book

2010-02-21T08:52:00.000-08:00

Friday was my class's turn to sing a song for chapel. Well, we are an ambitious class so we sang two songs! One is a fun song I taught this summer in VBS and then this one. Somehow, as I was making sure they were all bathroomed, tucked in, and zipped I forgot my camera. So we taped this in the classroom specially for you;-) I love it because since the first week of school I have sung this song to them with the wordless book and we talk about what all of the colors mean. They were able to explain it to the other classes before singing it in chapel. We learned that even though we might not be able to speak everyone elses languages around us, we can still tell them about Jesus through 5 colors. Enjoy.

Palibe Ofana ndi Yesu!

2010-02-15T11:13:00.000-08:00

I have to confess I've been listening to sermons by John Piper pretty much everyday and I'm PUMPED. God is teaching me so much right now I will explode! It has not been a tremendous week. I actually have received very bad and discouraging news about one of my friends and am in deep turmoil over her situation. My heart can hardly bare it. I have faith through that God will do something INCREDIBLE through my friend. There is no doubt that his glory will somehow be shown through her beautiful heart. God is so mighty. He is sovereign. He has chosen me and has me in the palm of his hand and will never let me go. I am seeing how wonderful God is for saving a wretch like me!
My students are doing great! Please pray for Tiffany. She has been sick every week that we have been back to school since Christmas. Pray for me to take my responsibility of shaping the lives of the 6 and 7 year olds God has given me for the year. Each heart is unique and precious in the sight of God. Last week for Bible I taught about the story where Jesus told the disciples to "let the little children come to me and do not hinder them." Some of them come from broken homes and some come from non-Christian families. Helping to shape their Christ-like character needs to be my priority everyday I am here.
Good stories for the week: Carey ate some bugs at recess which he was very proud of, Eungi has been talking in English a little during class and has started to write sentences!, and the bean plant that was supposed to die in the dark closet to teach that plants need sunlight, it grew taller then all of the other plants that had water and light.
We had our first youth small group last Sunday. 7 teens came. 1 South African, 1 European, and 5 Malawian guys. I am really excited about what God has in store for the group of teens who are not all confident in what they believe. We have a couple of ministry opportunities to do with the group and I can't wait to see Gods power! Pray for our next meeting this Thursday night!

Thank you all for your continual financial support! I am overwhelmed by your generosity and service!
Thank you for your prayer! I have been so blessed!

I would like to invite anyone who has a heart to serve and would like to teach next year to contact me. There are positions open at the academy next year. We also have a great need for someone at least for the summer to manage construction projects on campus. The current "fix-it" man has been here for 2 years and will be returning to the US at the end of the year. As you might know, I break things, not fix them, so I would be a hindrance in this area.

Palibe Ofana ndi Yesu! (there is no one like Jesus!)

New Year Happenings

2010-01-31T04:25:00.000-08:00

Hey Everyone!

I'm sorry I don't update often.

Things that have been going on:

I have had 2 full weeks back to school. I taught about plants and all the things they need to grow. Each of the kids got to see a bean grow in a glass jar and grow cress in an egg carton. Kids love to see the change in the plants everyday! I have had a couple kids absent due to sickness so please keep them in your prayers. Finn has a record of getting hurt about once a week so he has gained a new place at the top of my prayer book. His head is a magnet for other hard objects such as the merry-go-round, tile floor, and another kids head.

I'm working on choreographing two dances for our spring concert. Lots of kids have signed up for ballet this term and I'm very excited!

My kids did a skit in chapel about Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt and into the promise land. They did an amazing job and I was so proud! I wish I taped it but I didn't:-( I got a couple of not so good pictures though.

Moses singing "Pharaoh Pharaoh, OOOH baby let my people go UGH! YEAH YEAH YEAH!God leading the Israelites out of Egypt as a pillar of fire by night and a pillar of clouds by day (clouds are on the other side of the cardboard.)Pharaoh giving the lesson at the end. Then they all recited "rescue me from my enemies O Lord for I hide myself in you!

I was also involved in a puppet show this last week for chapel. I was the narrator/actor with the puppets. I felt like I was in Sesame Street. I don't have pictures:-(

Please pray for the village ministry that a couple of us have started. Our car broke down and we are no longer allowed to take it to the village since the roads are so bad. We're looking into bikes right now but they are expensive to get one for everyone. I don't want the devil to discourage us from bringing the word of God to these people who are so enthusiastic to learn how to read and more about Jesus. We're trying to turn in into an outreach sight for the college students so that it will continue even after us azungu (white people) leave Malawi.

Please pray for a new ministry that my roommate and I are starting next Sunday the 7th. Through the church I have been attending, we are starting a youth group/small group Bible study for teens. There is Sunday school for the kids and small groups for the adults, but we noticed there is nothing for the teens in the church. Now, there are only a few teens, but there might be more if we have this specifically for them. This group will consist of mostly expatriate kids from a private school called Bishop McKenzie. I feel like they have been neglected because most ministries are geared toward the widows and orphans, but none to the white kids who are getting involved in drugs, sex, and drinking. We will take whoever shows up though so please pray for them to be curious about what we're doing on Sunday nights. I'm planning on sharing my testimony for the first week and we are still looking for a good book to study. If you have any suggestions please let me know!

Please pray for my own selfish heart. God has been teaching me that it is not my job to correct and teach others how to live, but to love them. He will teach through my love. God didn't tell us to give tough love to others so that they learn what they're doing wrong. He simply said, love one another because I have loved you.

Thank you all for your constant support!

By the way, I got a plane ticket home for June 20! This is an answer to prayer because there are hardly any seats available right now! I got the last one! Praise the LORD!

2010-01-11T11:07:00.000-08:00

I'm sorry I haven't written in a long time!
Last semester: I finished my first semester of teaching in Africa! I am more confident heading into the second semester knowing more of what is to come. That doesn't mean there wont be hurdles along the way though. My last week of school a boy pooped in his pants and tracked it all over the classroom before I figured out where it was coming from, a girl threw up in the doorway, and a little boy ran to the baby playground and I didn't know where he was! Kids can be unpredictable:-)
Christmas Break: Over Christmas break I moved out of the house I was living in to let another family move in. I was transported to a new house specially made for the "singles" on campus. I still do not have internet so I cannot guarantee when I'll get online again. I was able to go to Lake Malawi with two other girls for a couple days. It was beautiful! Vacationing isn't quite the same here. I sit on the beach and close my eyes to listen to the waves, and when I open them, there are 3 Malawians standing before me with paintings, jewelry, and cards they are selling. After getting annoyed the first 5 times my book reading was interrupted, I started seeing the humor of things and felt better. :-)
My spiritual life: I have been reading the Mark of the Lion series by Francine Rivers. If you haven't read them, you should. I haven't started the third book but the first two alone are almost too much for me to take in right now. There is a young Christian girl who is a slave right after the time of Jesus and goes to work for an aristocratic Roman family that worships many gods. Throughout the book I am struck by her unyielding faith in Jesus. She prays about everything and is a witness to everyone she encounters just by her obvious peace and joy. I have little faith. I want to be like her and love God more then myself. I am with so many Christians all the time here and don't always see the need to show the love of Jesus in my ever word. As I pray for the direction that I will go next year, I need constant reminder that the Lord has something in store for me. I want to decide NOW but need to wait on the Lord. Waiting hasn't always been my strong suit.
New Years Resolution: I decided that making a resolution to change something about myself, lose weight, wake up earlier, whatever, will probably not last for more then a couple weeks if that. Anytime I go out to eat I have decided to invite my waiter or waitress to church. I was too shy at first and it took me a couple times to get used to it, but it really isn't hard. I have had many people from the grocery store, market, and restaurants say they will check out my church. Just an idea for anyone who is interested. Every person I have invited so far has been excited to receive an invitation.

I pray my supporters are doing well! I'm sorry my writing is so choppy. Pictures wont load now, I'll try again another day.

International Day

2009-12-12T08:56:00.001-08:00

Here are some pictures I've been trying to upload for a while and they haven't worked. We had International Day the day after Thanksgiving to give thanks for us all being from different countries and being able to worship the same God. We tied it into how the pilgrims and Indians were very different but could come together and help each other. Although we are all from different countries, most of them have grown up in Malawi for most of their lives (they are only 6). Everyone

My little Zimbabweans. They live in a Zimbabwean village together and are best buds!

Lebanon. She is still learning English.

Canadian. Her parents are missionaries from Canada, but she was adopted from the crisis nursery in Malawi.

Americans. Their parents are ABC missionaries. Carey was actually adopted from Malawi as well.

Johanna my little German. She has a cute accent and the sweetest personality!:-)

Korean. He is so smart! He can read although he doesn't know yet what he is reading.

Austrailia. Another awesome accent.

Italy. He has a brittish accent so I'm a little confused with him.

Malawians. I love their dresses!

South Africans. Beautiful accents! They are best friends!

Rejoice!

2009-12-10T07:44:00.000-08:00

Funny story of the week:
I am taking doxycyline everyday to prevent Malaria. I'm greatful to it because I haven't gotten Malaria yet. But, one of the side effects makes my skin ultra sensitive to the sun causing sunburn. Well, I have been hiking and outside quite a few times and I haven't had anything happen to my skin so I figured I had nothing to worry about. Not so. I got just about the worst burn on my face I've ever had even after growing up in Florida. When I showed up to my class of Africans on Monday, they were shocked and slightly embarrassed at the sight of my face. They didn't understand why Miss Macks face is so red! "Wipe it off Miss Mack!" I couldn't. The next day it was very itchy and they asked if I had mosquito bites. No, its something that happens to white people when they're in the sun for too long. The third day my face was speckled from the peeling. I looked like I had a skin disease. This brought the biggest reaction from everyone I passed in the halls. I heard many comments and questions concerning the texture and color of my face, but my favorite was from a couple Malawian girls who stood outside my door looking at me through the open door unaware that I knew they were there. "What is it?" A girl asked. "It's what white people get when they go in the sun." "Man, I'm so lucky I'm black!" And off they ran. I'm happy I can help people feel better about themselves.

Other News:
I got petrol! WOOHOO! That means I'll be able to go to the village this week and get my students Christmas presents (thanks to the women at Hammock Street Church)! Thank you all for your prayers and support! Only 6 more school days until Christmas break! I can't believe I've been here almost a whole semester! Time flies when you're having fun.
It's funny how I tend to worry about things that don't seem to be going my way. They usually aren't even things that should matter that much in the grand scheme of life. And even if they are, all the more reason to give them to the God that supplies all of our needs right? I was reminded of this at staff Bible study last night when we sang

"O Love That Will Not Let Me Go."
O Love that will not let me go, I rest my weary soul in thee;
I give thee back the life i owe, That in thine ocean depths its flow
May richer fuller be.

What's there to worry about? When I lay my petty little worries and fears down, I am amazed how much lighter I feel. Rejoice!

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crops fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. Habakkuk 3:17-18

Pray for our Christmas program this Wednesday night! Two of my classes are dancing and my first graders are "stinky shepherds."
Pray that I get a plane ticket home at the end of the year. They are all booked June-July due to the World Cup.

Trust in the Lord

2009-12-06T02:20:00.000-08:00

There are so many things about Africa that I have gotten used to already. So many things I used to think were gross or weird are now pretty normal. But, I am now learning to be patient with something I never have thought about in the states. There is a major gas crisis in Malawi right now. We haven't had gas for about 3 weeks. That means that I haven't been out of the campus walls, except for church, in almost a month. I have food that doesn't spoil, and I walk across the street to buy bananas from someone selling them on the road so I'm not going hungry. In my big empty house it doesn't feel like Christmas yet because I haven't decorated. My December plans were to buy a Christmas tree and some other things to make it feel more like home, but that hasn't been able to happen with the gas crisis. There are so many stories about why we are in a crisis but nobody seems to know the real reason. One story is that the gas from Mozambique wasn't purified correctly so they sent it back and now that it's rainy season so the roads are too flooded to get across with a big truck. My favorite reason is that the president of Malawi bought a fancy new jet and it took so much money that Malawi can't pay for the petrol.
As much as i want Christmas decorations, I am more frustrated with not being able to go to the village. It would take us way too long to walk there and back so we haven't been for 2 weeks. I hope they don't think we have abandoned them. Please continue to pray for the kids in the village!
The gas shortage is also effecting my classroom. Some of the kids can't come to school because they have no way of getting there. We took one day off hoping that it would help but it didn't seem to make a difference.
Please pray for patience for me. My American side kicks in sometimes and can't believe how it is possible to go this long without gas. I guess I still have a lot to learn about Africa haha.

Ironic that I have been working with my class to learn Proverbs 3:5-6- Trust in the Lord with all of your heart. Lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your path straight.

The Power of the Gospel

2009-11-11T08:18:00.000-08:00

I wish I were a good writer because that is what it would take for me to explain last Saturday to you. My words are simply not enough to explain what I have seen in the villages here. A car full of academy teachers and 2 Malawian ABC college students have started a little ministry in a local village only 30 minutes away from our campus. Even though they are just outside of the city of Lilongwe, my roommate and I were the first azungu (white people) many of the children have ever seen. Just recently the chief became a Christian and kicked out the gule wamkulu's from the village. A gule wamkulu is a designated man from the village to practice the Chewa religion. They dress in animals skins, paint, and wear masks. Everyone who I have asked has given me a confused and different answer, but I believe their job is to practice the demonic religion and scare the villagers into giving them food, money, clothes...etc. So after the cheif built the church at the place where the gule wamkulu danced and practiced his religion. This church is only 6 months old.
When we stepped out of the car on Saturday, we were met by about 50 children who were awaiting our arrival. This was only our second time there but we were welcomed with an excitement instead of fear this time. I taught about creation and sin the first week, and Noah and the flood this past week. After, we sang many songs in Chichewa led by our Malawian friends and then played a form of duck duck goose. By this time, I counted about 85-100 kids, women, and teens. After, they made an open circle and taught us how to do their tribal dances. I was shocked by their movements because they weren't far from what you'd see in an American club.
These people are hungry for the gospel. The first week I was very frustrated after I taught the lesson because it seemed boring and choppy with the translator. I thought that surely the kids would not want to come back. What I learned is that these kids are not like American kids. They don't have TV's or video games and don't hear Bible stories everyday at home or even at church. They are facinated by the name of Jesus and someone who came to save THEM! Them? Them in this small little village with no power or plumbing of any kind. Them with lice in their hair and a cloth wrapped around their waiste for clothing? It is a reminder to me what we look like in the sight of God. We are dirty, unhealthy, and poor. God picked us up, cleaned us up, and gave us a new heart. How amazing He is! The hope this village has to become new creations is refreshing reminder to me how amazing it is that we can have the hope of a savior.
The village has much to learn now about the way of Christ but our little team is planning some ways to help them learn. Most do not know how to read so my friend Cooswayo (SP?) will be biking there once or twice a week to give reading lessons in Chichewa. We are also looking into getting them Chichewa Bibles because they only have 4 that rotate throughout the church. Once that is established, we will try to build a church building for them that will be suitable for rainy season which is starting this month. Right now they meet in a straw wall box with now roof. Please pray for our new brothers and sisters in Christ.
Even though we don't speak the same language, there is a lot to say for being related in Christ. I feel like we have connected at a different level with no words being spoken directly.
Again, my words don't do this experience justice, I guess you'll just have to come see it for yourself!

Mother's Day Break

2009-10-18T04:59:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day!

October 15th was the Malawi Mother's Day. We got off of school Thursday and Friday and got to play! On Friday I went to Lake Malawi with a big group of missionaries from ABC.

It was nice to get off campus and see another side of malawi. I never knew a lake could be so pretty! I thought they were always infested with alligators and snakes but this one is like a freshwater ocean. There are hippo's in other parts of the lake but not where we were... I really wanted to see one but they're dangerous. I did see wild monkeys though!

They were running around the place we were staying! When we first arrived at the lake we sat under a hut on the beach before we swam. 4 little Malawian girls came and sat with us. Their ages ranged from 11-3. They were really cute and friendly and only the oldest one spoke some English. We soon realized they weren't there to hang out, just to get our money. I find it so sad that they are taught at such a young age that white people mean money, and they need to use their childish charm to get it from us. In return for money they will let you take a picture of them, sing a song, or play a hand game with you. It's so hard because I want to minister to those kids but cannot speak their language and I feel helpless.

Anyway, I just wanted to share another fun part of Malawi. I am happy for the break but ready to get back to work tomorrow. I miss my kids;-)

My Class

2009-10-03T13:48:00.000-07:00

I have been promising pictures of my class so here they are! We had reading day on Friday so we all dressed up as our favorite book character! This is Bess and me.

Nathan-Malawian, Carey-Adopted from malawi by American missionary parents, Brandon-Malawian, and Finn-Australian

I had them all bring in blankets and pillows to relax around the classroom in as they listened to stories and read.

Obe One Kenobi, Pinocchio(My favorite), Pocahontas, Belle, Little Red Riding Hood, Little Bo Peep, Little Mermaid

Cinderella, Little Bear, Wizzard from Where's Waldo, Peter Pan, A Nook (from Dr. Seuss)

Fairy, Pink Little Ballerina, Barney, Monkey, Little Red Riding Hood

Alisa-Malawian but Adopted by Canadian parents, Nour- Lebonese

All of the classes had to do a fun picture for the year book. My class took one on a fire truck. The firemen were so nice and let us climb all over it and even ride in it with the sirens on!

Carey-Malawian, Eungi- Korean, Riccardo-Italian, Nathan- Malawian, Finn- Australian

I'm the Captain! I thought the firetruck picture would be appropriate because we have had to learn about fire safety and firemen for social studies this year. We've also had 3 fire drills so far.

I really enjoy my students! It is so much fun to get to know each one of their personalities! Almost everyday at recess now one of them will stay behind to talk to me. I love that time to talk even if it is just talking about their puppies or something. 2 of my little girls talk about living in a village and give me the details on that. They don't have electricity or running water. There's so much to learn from them! When I tell them to get their books from their cubbies, they will usually put them on their heads and walk back to their desks. They don't think anything of it but I always watch in amazement.

On Thursday for Bible I presented the wordless book and explained why we need Christ in our hearts. Not all of them come from Christian homes so I have to remind myself not to act like they should already know the simple things that are taught in Sunday School. Churches around here don't always teach very much of the Bible either. Many of them were very eager to pray to receive Jesus in their hearts so that was exciting!!! I am going to help in Sunday School tomorrow with some missionaries to see what that is like. It will last about 3 hours! I've never been to a 3 hour Sunday school class before but I'm sure it will be interesting!

Please pray that my kids will do well in their school work, they'll be open to Gods word, that I'll be a good teacher, and that I will be able to show Christ to them everyday even when i'm tired and cranky!

P.S. We found a dead rat under the bathroom sink! So gross! But hopefully it is the only one. I'll let you know if we find anymore...

BABIES!

2009-09-27T11:07:00.000-07:00

I went to the crisis nursery again this weekend and finally took some pictures! There about 20 babies there ranging from new born-2. There are about 5 workers there at once so needless to say, they need help. We walked into a room with the oldest babies and they were all standing up in their cribs holding their arms out for us to pick them up. SO SWEET! I can't even imagine what it would be like to not have at least one parent that you want to go to. These kids see different faces all the time and don't care who picks them up, as long as it is someone!

This little guy is named Chisomo Joseph. He was the biggest one there and wanted all of the attention! Most of the kids were fine playing by themselves because they were used to it. But he cried everytime we put him down.

This is Theresa. She is about 2 months old but very very small. I think her eyes are
bigger then her little body.

If you stay here for 2 years you can adopt........ That'd be awesome! When we went to the nursery, the workers prepared their dinners and changed diapers. They're so busy and need a break! We took some of them out of their cribs and they had fun just bouncing around.

They each eat porrage in the morning, then porrage again for dinner. These little guys can eat a huge bowl of it! It doesn't have much neutritian in it so they need a lot to be full.

We sang songs with them and they all clapped their hands. I wish I lived here.

Show me your ways, O Lord, Teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 25:4

rats and fender-benders

2009-09-25T12:58:00.000-07:00

Hey!
I have a lot to update you all on this time. I didn't think I was too squeamish until I got to Africa. First of all, we have rats. We noticed rat droppings in our kitchen cabinets and our trash was everywhere about 3 nights ago. The night after we noticed, my housemate came into my room and screamed bloody murder. A rat ran behind my bed as I was sitting on it. Needless to say, we freaked out. Then, she went into her room and I was in the hallway that connects the rooms. She started screaming again and a rat ran out of her room into the kitchen. All three of us ended up crouching on top of the dining room table screaming. It brought my confidence in our outside house guards down because they never checked on us after we screamed for 10 minutes. So the next day, a guy came to put rat poison around the house. He climbed into the Attic and fell through the ceiling into my bedroom. The good thing is that he didn't get hurt. The bad thing is that I came home to rat poop all over my bed. It is hard to wash things here because I don't have a dryer. Anything I wash needs to have at least a day to hang dry.
Next story:
Since the ABC rotation cars don't work very well, they were so nice and bought a new car! It is an automatic so that me and my housemates can drive it! We got it this afternoon and I was so excited to drive it! Katie and I had to get gas on the way to the market so we stopped. While still in park after our gas tank had been filled, a HUGE semi flatbed truck drove right in front of me and took the corner too sharply. I honked when I noticed he was getting too close but then he ran right into the car. all three sets of tires went over the front bumper of the car. It was a frightening thing to see it coming but not have enough time to back the car up. Katie and i were fine and the car isn't in bad shape, but the irony of the situation is great. I got my first experience dealing with Malawian police, truck drivers, and gas station owners.

My class is doing well. I am becoming very attached already. The more I enjoy my kids, the more motivated I am to teaching them well. I am motivated when I see improvement. Thanks for all of your prayers for that!
My roommate Megan might have malaria so keep her in your prayers. My roommate Katie has been having a lot of health issues since she's been here so just pray for our whole house I guess. I have been healthy since I've been here and owe it to Gods grace. It is common to get sick here, especially with malaria, but I haven't had any severe problems. Thanks for your prayers!

Did you know you can put blue food coloring in mashed potatoes and then you have blue potatoes? Try it, it's awesome!

2009-09-21T11:13:00.000-07:00

Hey guys!

So this weekend I had to get off campus. I haven't been able to drive and had cabin fever. Its not like college when you can just walk up to anyone your own age and have a conversation. There are 4 single missionaries and girls tend to get a bit petty. I am a girl so I am alowed to say that. So, we took another hiking trip on Saturday. This time we went to Ncohma Mountain. It was so hard! I am not a cross country runner and never should be. Running up rocks is fun until you can't breathe anymore. Anyway, we did that for a couple hours and finally made it to the top. There is something about being on top of a mountain looking over Africa that gives me chills. Gods knows how to make scenery. I used to think the vast nothingness in Africa was dead and boring, but now I think it is beautiful. I appreciate the way the Malawians live such a simplistic lifestyle.

I don't think I ever wrote about the Malawian wedding I attended a couple of weeks ago. It lasts all day for a week but I only went to a couple hours of the first day. It is neat because nobody is rushed. They have bridesmaids and groomsmen but they dance down the isle. Its not like that youtube wedding dance, it is a slow step. Each couple takes about 10 minutes to get down the isle. People are cheering the whole time and scream moving their tongue back and forth in their mouth. I can't do it right. Then After the bride and groom get down the isle, groups of people take turns dancing around the couple throwing money all over them. I got to participate in this but felt a little akward since I stuck out like a little sore white thumb. Here's a picture of the maid of honors dress:

Yeah, its pretty fancy. The groomsman carries the flowers, and the bridesmaids carry the groomsmans coats.

Anyway, I thought it was fun and interesting. For my wedding I'll do the money throwing thing for sure but I might pass on the dress.

One more exciting announcement then i'll end this; I drove on the main roads today!! I went to the market and the grocery store and only stalled twice! haha. I am starting to build up my confidence and will soon be able to venture out without a coach.

I really appreciate all of your prayers! I mean it when I say that I can feel them in my everyday life. I haven't gotten sick or been chosen as a carrier by putsi flies(not cool) yet so I think that is a major success! Love you all! Thanks for your encouragement! It means a lot to me!

Bunda Mountain!

2009-09-13T12:14:00.000-07:00

Sorry its been so long since I last posted! I finally have something to write about! I'm amazed with the number of people who are reading this! No pressure!

Something fun:
I've been on the ABC campus the majority of my time in Malawi so far because I'm so busy with work that needs to be done here. This weekend, 7 of us decided to go hiking. Owen said he knew a good mountain to hike up called Bunda Mountain. We get to the mountain and Rebecca and i were a little skeptical about getting up the big rock. It was not the grassy trail I envisioned. They assured us it'd be fine so we went on. After about 10 minutes of rigorous hiking, we got to a giant rock mountain going straight up. I joked about not bringing my parachute but I was actually pretty nervous. I've never been mountain climbing and wasn't prepared for doing it with my bare hands for the first time. Luckily there were 4 guys and 3 girls so they helped us when we almost died. There were moments when I just laughed because my feet were gripping the side of a mountain with the rubber of my shoes, holding on to a little groove in the rock with my finger tips, and not knowing where to go from there. Talk about being scrrrrrrd. I sang songs to make the time a little lighter. I got more and more confident as I went and loved it! Anyway, we got up the mountain in a couple hours and there were about 50 Malawians at the top worshiping and praying to God. Many of them were in tears pleading with God. They paid no attention to us. It was an amazing experience to be looking out over Malawi listening to the Malawians sing praises to my God. My friends got pictures so i will try to post them soon. The funny part of it is that by the time I got up, I looked like I got into a fight with a rabid cat or something. My hair toolie (rubber band) broke, there was dirt all over my face, and my legs were bleeding in 8 places. Haha doesn't get much better then that. But the funniest part is that there was an easier way the whole time (The way the smart Malawians went) so we went down that way.
About 10 Malawian boys met us at the bottom and "escorted" us around the mountain to our car. They were awesome, but unfortunately, I don't speak their language:-(

I went to my first Malawian home today! We ate Nsima (the food staple of Malawi). You eat it with your fingers and use it to pick up "relish." This relish was spinach and peanut butter mixed. Nsima is made of Ufa flour and is kinda like play dough/grits.

I've been here for one month, but am already beginning to think about all of the things that can be done in Malawi. There is a need for so much and such a great opportunity to bring it to them. I love ABC, but thoughts are running through my mind for things I can do next year. I was asked by a college student if I could teach a college ballet class. I wish i had the time!!! I honestly don't have extra time right now.
Anyway, those are my unorganized thoughts spewed out. It seems so hard for one person to make a difference. Especially when I still have so much to learn from the people here. But, I know my concentration needs to be on my classroom right now so I will devote my energy towards that. Please pray that I teach my kids in a way that they will succeed. I'm scared I'll ruin them!
haha Alright, I hope everyone at home is doing well! Thanks so much for all of your prayers! I need them all the time! Especially when I'm scaling mountains and such.

Skype me sometime! Gracefuller218

Whitney

2009-09-01T10:43:00.000-07:00

Moni!

The first week of school is OVER! I was a wreck. Everything was hard, tiring, long, stressful...

My schedule right now is

Wake up at 5, go to school at 6, teach until 12:30, stay in my classroom to work until 6pm, eat dinner, skype, then go to bed at 10. haha so people keep asking me if "Africa" is SO exciting? I laugh because right now, I am doing the dirty work. Tuesdays and Thursdays I teach dance, Friday is ABC missionary potluck, Sunday is pancake night, Wednesday is missionary Bible study, Thursday is girls bible study, and then shopping takes like 3 hours for me.

So thats my life right now. woohoo!

During my hard first week I have thought a lot about why I'm here. It was very hard for me to figure out why God would send me here if I'm not doing a good job, I don't feel like I'm helping anyone, and anyone could come here and do what I'm doing, but better.

I wonder if I am the one benefiting from being here more the the Malawians. Just last week I have been learning to trust God with everything. I am out of my comfort zone in every situation I encounter here so there is no way I can lean on my own understanding. This place has shown me my weeknesses instead of building up my pride. I feel broken. That is what God wants from me to be able to serve him. I need to know that I can't do anything without Christ's strength and guidance. My challenge now is to learn what it feels like to do my best and work overtime to serve and to glorify God, not to make myself look like a better teacher. That is the hardest thing for me to do because I want to serve God, but feel like I'm working so hard so that I don't show everyone my failures.

Anyway, I'm not ragging on myself, but I am saying that it is good for me to be here because I need the slap in the face. I need to know that I can't help to build Gods kingdom without God directing my every step. God has taught me this time and time again. Maybe one day I'll get it. Before I try to change the world I need to be changed.

I know this is random but, I said I would post pictures of my classroom so here they are.

Before:

After:

First day of school

2009-08-25T10:37:00.000-07:00

Moni!

I had my first full day of school today! My kids are cute and I only have 18! I have one Korean student who does not speak a word of English. That will be a challenge. I have another student from Lebanon that hasn't spoken to me yet. I don't think she speaks English very well either. I found out yesterday that I don't have an assistant in my class and was a little stressed out today. I was so nervous! You have to plan way ahead here because the power goes out all the time. I had to meet all of my parents with wet hair and make up I did in the dark because the power was out from 9PM-9AM. That means you have to make copies early for when the power goes out expectantly. I also still can't drive on the scary roads so its hard to get supplies I will need for later.

I wish you all could hear the Malawians worship. It is so joyful! The don't sing like Americans they SING! It is beautiful. In a village church on Sunday, the kids sang, then the teens, then the women sang lots of songs while moving and dancing. They use their entire voice and are not shy about it. Malawians are one of the shyer African countries but you can't tell when they worship! I think that's what heaven sounds like. I only wish I knew what they were saying!

My new friend Owen says he'll teach me cultural things like Zimbabwe cloth paintings. He is also going to teach me how to make Nsima. He is basically my tour guide. He drives me around because I A) can't, B) am too scared. The college students just started school this week as well and I have been meeting lots of them. I hope to make some close Malawian friends.

Sorry this is boring. Pictures to come!

Whit

2009-08-19T14:24:00.000-07:00

Hey,

I have my mailing address now for anyone who is interested. I meant to post it earlier but kept forgetting. Be careful sending anything too valuable over here. If there is something that looks appealing to someone delivering a package they might take it for themselves. Its kinda like every man for himself around here. Anyway, here it is:

African Bible College
P.O. Box 1028,
Lilongwe, Malawi

A good way to get something to me is to send it to the home office and when someone comes over they can bring it with them. Many people come and go throughout the year so we use them as our delivery men. That address is:

African Bible Colleges
5343 Clinton Blvd.
Jackson, MS 39209

If you remember, pray for me to get all of my classroom work done. We've had orientation everyday this week and it doesn't leave me much classroom time. It is a mess right now and I haven't even begun to look at what I'll be teaching yet.
The missionaries here go to bed early and wake up early. They'll be in bed by 8PM and up by 5! I'm learning quickly that sleep is hard to get if you don't plan it well. I'm exhausted. The sun comes up around 6AM and sets before 6PM. That leaves me a very short day to get work done before its dark and unsafe to walk around outside. All of the lights in my room and bathroom have burnt out as well so I have been lighting candles;-)
Pray for my worrying tendancy to subside and remember that God commands us not to worry about anything but to pray about everything.

2009-08-18T14:58:00.000-07:00

I went to the Crisis Nursery down the street from the school a couple of days ago. There were 4 Malawian workers and 18 babies who couldn't walk yet. The kids are all orphans and babies that parents can't/wont take care of until they get older and are off formula. They were so cute and all despirate for attention! I want to go back everyday but my schedule right now doesn't allow it! I will post pictures of these precious babies as soon as I can.

Today we went to the market to shop for groceries and a chitenje which is a wrap the Malawian woman wear as a skirt, headdress, or baby carrier for their back. Malawians don't like when white people come in and take pictures of their poverty. As I walked through the tight, crowded market I held my camera at my side and tried to snap some pictures. Most of them came out blurred or of the ground but I got a couple of good ones. I wanted to show you all what the city looks like and how people make their livings.

This is a street in Lilongwe. People walk in it until a car comes right behind them and honks. A mini bus zoomed right past me and was about an inch away and I yelled and lost my breath! My life flashed before my eyes.

There are lots of people and kids along side the roads selling fruit and veggies. This little boy was so cute I had to get a picture of him!These ladies were so nice to use when we hardly knew any Chichewa. The Malawians speak Chichewa unless you can't understand them. Then they'll try to communicate to you. I thought I could get by only knowing English but I'm definitely going to try to learn the language. It sounds cool!

This is Usipa. They dried these little fishies and eat them like a snack. The fish market smelled horrible and flies went up my nose. You lose your will to shop for food once you come in because you want to throw up.

Women selling fruits and veggies

I really want to carry stuff on my head like this!!! Women carry everything on their heads! Suitcases, boxes, fruit, fabric,...

This is a witch doctor. I was with a Malawian girl from the college and she brought us right up to him to talk. He offered medicine but we didn't want to buy any so he got mad and told us to go. Honestly, the medicine looked like something I could have dug up from the ground for free, but what do I know. I was too scared to take a closer picture.

This is a bad pictures of the narrow paths through the market vendors. I'll put up more pics later.

It is very interesting trying to understand the Malawian culture. Many things they do in the bush are still a secret. Sometimes the Malawians at the college will write about traditional practices in their papers they turn into their professors and we get to hear about them. Most would be unheard of in America. I can write about some of those later too.

Shifty Sticks

2009-08-14T12:20:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to write about my experience driving a stick shift car today. We called it stick shifting. Basically when my roommate and I were finished driving it around campus it smelled gross and the Malawians who were doing construction were very confused. I felt like a rich snob when a Malawian girl asked why we couldn't drive. I told her it was because we only know how to drive an automatic. She said "oh, Americans" and walked off. The only car we have available to drive is a stick shift so we have to learn now.
I know its random and you might not think it has anything to do with Malawi and what I'm here for, but, to me it is just another thing that is different from what I'm used to. I've been taken out of my comfort zone in so many ways. I rely on comfort all the time to get me through every day. I like to eat my favorite foods, be with my family and friends, drive my car, go to my church, and just do what I know I can do. Well, all of this is changing and I am excited. I know it will stretch me. I'm hoping that since I have nothing familiar to lean on I'll lean on God. I like to depend on my own efforts to get me through but now I'm thrown into a new country, new job, new responsabilities, and new people and cannot rely on myself to get me through. Anyway, thats just my life lesson for the day.
Tomorrow I'll be visiting the Crisis Nursery located 2 minutes away from campus. Even though I'm crazy busy and not anywhere near to finishing my classroom, I want to get off campus and try to get involved in the city of Lilongwe.
God bless!
Thanks for your prayers! I appreciate them so much!!!

New beginning

2009-08-13T11:42:00.000-07:00

I'm here!

The flight was long and hard but I finally made it! I was relieved when I got off my last plane and the Chinchen family (my host family) was shouting my name. Their daughter Bess will be in my class so that is exciting! Everyone has been really nice and welcoming and have made the whole process of coming to a third world country a somewhat comfortable one.

I have a huge house on the school campus! It has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. I have the most space to myself that I've ever had. It is all dirty and bare right now though and I don't have much time to clean it up. I spent yesterday shopping for food and all day today working on my classroom. Shopping is an experience let me tell ya. We went to 2 stores and the market to buy groceries. They have more then I thought they would but they say it is expensive. I can't really tell yet because $1500 sounds like a lot to me but apparently is pretty cheap haha. I'm hoping I will get used to it soon so I can barter like everyone else. If you don't, they will sell you something for way more then its worth.

Something that is interesting is that there are a lot of animals on the campus. I'll be walking down the sidewalk and a deer will come up to me. It is another missionaries pet. There are also lots of dogs, roosters, turkeys, pet rats, and pigs. There are also lots of kids on campus and look like that have so much fun all the time!

Anyway, as for working, I went to my classroom today and worked on it for 8 hours. I feel like I have hardly even started yet. I'm nervous for school to start and could use some prayer in that area! It is nice being down the street from the school so I can work on my classroom anytime.

Tomorrow will be exciting because I have to learn to drive a stick shift! There are 3 cars the missionaries share if they dont have one and they are all stick.

And no, sadly I have not seen a giraffe yet. I will let you know when I do.

My roommate and I are looking into other ministries in the city of Lilongwe with an orphanage. There are so many we just need to pick one.

Ok, thats a little bit of whats going on here. I'll put pictures up when I take them

Thanks Hank!

2009-07-30T14:42:00.000-07:00

You all have done a great job overwhelming me, and let me tell you why.

I am overwhelmed by all of the generosity that has been shown to me through the support friends, family, acquaintances, and strangers have given to me toward my ministry in Malawi. I am pleased to share that I have raised enough money for my first year in Malawi through many donations, big and small! They are all big in Gods eyes. I am still trying to raise support for my second year since I will only be home for a month next summer, but it is truly amazing that I have made it this far. I cannot thank each of you enough and tell you how thankful I am for every one of my supporters, whether you send money, or are faithfully praying for me. Even with all of the money in the world, I am nothing without Christ. I am nothing without his protection and grace in my life. Your prayers help me greatly and for that I am very thankful.

The process of raising money is humbling. This is not exactly the best time to be handing out hard earned money while the economy is crashing down around us. There have been many times where I have received $10, $50, or even $100 from someone who I know does not have that much to spare. I am so happy that you all can help me serve God and the Malawian people even while you are still in the US.

God has done all that I could have ever asked or imagined, truly he is faithful.
I will be leaving Boca on August 9th to fly to New York. There, I will spend the night with some Many but One gals who will be there the SAME WEEK to dance! I know, amazing accidental timing! The next morning I will be flying to Johannesburg, South Africa then to Lilongwe Malawi. That process will take 2 days so please pray that I don't get too antsy and make anyone mad with my problem of not being able to sit still in a chair with my feet on the floor. I have gotten the evil eye from people who sit in front of me.

Thanks again to everyone who has helped me with supplies, funds, and prayer!
To God be the glory!
I would be lying to myself if I did not throw a "thanks hank" in this e-mail, because it is usually the only way I truly thank people!:-D

Everything that has breath PRAISE THE LORD!

Love,
Whit

2009-06-21T22:50:00.000-07:00

Hey guys,
This is a list of things I will need to bring with me to Malawi because they do not have it there or I cannot get the same type. If you would like to donate anything on this list, please bring it to West Boca Presbyterian Church or give it to me directly. For the larger items that I will only need 1 of, please call 561-483-0566 to see if it has already been taken care of. Thank you so much for all of your support!

1. Recipes- made from scratch
2. Sunscreen
3. Ink Cartridges- HP black 21, Color 22
4. Katadyne Water Filter and extra filter cartridges- Should filter down to 2 microns or less. Popular brands are British Berkfeld (Big Berkie) and Cetadyne
5. Iodine Tablets- emergency water filter tablets.
6. Dry packets of food mixes (taco mixes, spaghetti mixes, Sloppy Joe mix, salad
dressing mixes, chocolate chips, marshmallows, etc.)
7. Ballet tights, leotards, and dance shoes
8. Dry erase markers
9. Children’s books (k, 1st, 2nd)
10. First grade books, curriculums, ideas…etc.
11. Bulletin board letters
12. Bulletin boarders
13. Pencils (fatter ones don’t break as easily)
14. Pencil Sharpener
15. Strips of Velcro
16. Strips of magnets
17. Flip video ($150)

Video

2009-06-04T13:39:00.001-07:00

Hey guys,
Here is a video about ABC Christian Academy and Lilongwe, Malawi.
It will give you a picture of where I will be and what I will be doing.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3775214202663584994

First Post

2009-05-29T10:24:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone!
I will be updating you on my life in Lilongwe, Malawi through this blog as well as e-mails and facebook. Here is somemore information on what I will be doing there.

I have recently graduated from Belhaven College with a degree in Elementary Education; and I’m pleased to tell you about an opportunity that I have been given for this upcoming school year. In August, I will be traveling to Lilongwe, Malawi, located in southeastern Africa, to serve as a first grade teacher at the African Bible College Christian Academy. The academy is staffed with volunteer missionaries and is designed to provide the best Christian education possible in Lilongwe. It currently runs kindergarten through tenth grade and has children enrolled from 28 different countries. I will serve for 11 months then return again in August for a second year. My class consists of 20 students, from six different nationalities, with the majority being Malawian children. The countries represented in my classroom are Malawi, USA, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Australia, and South Africa.
My role as a teacher in Malawi will be to teach my diverse group of students from an American, Christian curriculum. I also have the privilege of opening the day with prayer, a short devotion, and have the freedom to teach the gospel to young, open hearts whenever the opportunity arises.
In addition to being a classroom teacher, I will be teaching after school ballet, jazz, and hip hop to Christian music. I would like to teach both the lower and upper grades and incorporate dance into their annual Christmas Pageant.
Because Malawi has one of the highest percentages of people with HIV/AIDS in the world, there are a large amount of children who are orphaned and living on the streets. I am excited to be able to volunteer in the villages to relieve orphanage workers, hold neglected babies, and share the love of Jesus whenever I have the time.
Before I can leave for Malawi, I must raise $1200 per month to pay for my food, apartment, and travel. If you would like to support my missions to Malawi financially, you can write a one-time check made out to African Bible College, or fill out an electronic transfer form for an automatic monthly withdraw from your checking account. All donations are tax deductible and are greatly appreciated!
Send all donations to:

African Bible College
P.O. Box 103
Clinton, MS 39060

I covet your prayers as I venture off into a new land. Please pray for safe travel, good health, creative teaching ideas, and changed hearts for the Malawian people as well as for myself.

Thank you for your time and God bless!

Whitney Mack
Whitneymack@belhaven.edu
Africanbiblecolleges.org

“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6