Welcome Home

I must confess, it was good to get back home.  It was a very long two-day journey back.  We almost didn't make it out of London due to some mechanical difficulties with our plane.  But, we prayed a lot and made it just in time to catch our connecting flight in San Francisco.  That was a close one too because they overbooked the flight and needed someone to stay behind.  No one was stepping up, so they almost selected someone at random.  That would have been painful!!  But, by the grace of God, we did make it back to Sacramento at a reasonable hour.  It was a joy for Cindy, Pegi and I to see all three of our hubbies standing in the airport waiting for us!  What a blessing!  We surely looked pretty shabby after 2 days of travel, but they did say, "for better OR for worse!"  ;o)

Recounting our adventures to Chuck while we were in Malawi, I really got to reflect on how wonderful our trip was. It is hard

to pick a favorite activity because we were blessed with so many incredible days.  Hanging out with the women was awesome.  It was so great to see the widow's ministry almost double in size.  It was also really neat to see their outreach grow.  Not only do they support women by teaching sewing and crocheting skills, but they have started supporting women in some of their God-given skills.  

We spent some time with a woman who makes a huge batch of nsima (sort of like corn flour dumplings), beans, and a cabbage/tomato relish.  She makes enough for dozens of meals, loads all the food into a large bucket, puts the bucket on her head and takes it all into town to sell.  The Widow's Program invested in her to get her business started and then she gives a small percentage back to the program.  Their goal is to help more and more women become self-sufficient.  It is wonderful.  

Regarding the women, I can tell you that many of them told us about how their life has changed because of this program.  Some of the women care for as many as 15 children.  Some children are their own, but often they support children of a relative.  This program has taken them from having nothing to being able to provide for their families.  Over and over again, they thanked us for helping to provide materials, and thanked COTN for helping to change their lives.  What a gift!  I also received requests from many women to pray for them.  Their lives are difficult and the conditions tough.  They live without power, with water that comes from a well, cooking that occurs in an outdoor kitchen over a wood fire, and mosquitos that are literally trying to kill them.  In fact, while we were there, there was a funeral for a child that died from malaria within 24 hours of not feeling well.  That was difficult to see.  They appreciate every prayer we send up for them, every item we send to them, and every minute we spend with them.  God bless you for your support of these people.

As for the children, the time spent with them was always filled with joy.  The kids love to sing and laugh, and we have many fond memories of welcoming programs, songs filled with hope and praise, and children who just want to be close to you, smile at you, and hold your hands.  Driving through the villages was such a treat because these children would be back from the road playing together but, when they heard our van, they would jump up, come running towards us with huge smiles, waving hands, and yell, "Azungu, azungu!"  They were very happy to have azungus or white people come to their village.  It warmed my heart and put a smile on my face.  

Many times we don't get to see if our efforts make a difference in the world but I can tell you that IT DOES.  It makes a difference when we sponsor children through COTN or World Vision.  It directly impacts the life of a child (and their families) when we support a child.  In fact, I was told that when our sponsored child, Violet, receives letters from Chuck and I, she sings and dances around and treasures every letter that she has received.  Violet's mom, Wezzie, asked me how Jake and Sophie were doing, and how my sisters, Kerri and Michelle were doing.  I was amazed that Violet's family remembers my family and prays for them!  It is a clear picture of how God's love crosses borders and literally reaches to the other side of the globe.  I think that is so cool!

I can also tell you that the children were incredibly blessed by everything that was sent over with us.  We did multiple crafts with them and left behind many supplies.  Their teachers were ecstatic to have materials to teach with, and COTN was thrilled to be able to care for many families.  Every toothbrush, tube of toothpaste, bar of soap, bottle of shampoo, stuffed animal, piece of paper, pencil, and crayon will be utilized to its fullest extent.  COTN has developed a process to get the items out to the most needy families.  There is no question that many people will be blessed because of all the items that were sent over with us.  THANK YOU for your generosity!  And thank you for your prayers and support!  May God bless you for all you have done for us and for others.  I pray that someday you will be able to see first-hand how you have helped change the life of someone in Malawi.

Lots of love to you,

~ Pam