Malawi Messages #2

Today (FRIDAY):

@All: Hi Everyone …we have had a fabulous three days and are glad to now be at the lake for a couple of days to rest and rejuvenate. Our senses have been filled on every front and we are drinking in the experience – and certainly, hoping and praying that we will never forget what we’ve seen. We certainly have a different perspective on what it means when someone says “I’m broke!”. We truly have no idea. We visited a village the other day and brought gifts of sugar, soap and Vaseline. One woman said after we had brought our greeting, “ Thank you. We are happy today because we were hungry … and now we are not.” How does one respond to that? Anyway … we are all doing well. We’ve had our share of tummy upsets in the group and a couple of fevers … but generally, everyone is fine, eating well, and all appear to be happy. They certainly love to talk and talk and sing!!! I’ll check in again soon.
~Karen de Smidt

@Meghan’s family and friends:I have to be really quick so sorry if this doesn’t make sense…but I miss you all! Thanks for saying hi, Shannon and Ms. Lanch and everyone else!Mom - Way to bring up my math grade…I had definitely forgotten about most of my classes (except English haha!)Mrs. Lee – Have fun at the game! I almost wish I was going…but I really can’t complain about spending my Friday night outside at the resort J It’s so beautiful! Thank you lots for the card, it was really sweet and a nice surprise! I had actually just been looking at the verse you included a few days ago!Gram – since when do you have all these cute note cards? Thanks for making me smile! Flo – We went to the flea market yesterday and it was fun getting to do some shopping! You would have loved seeing all those African carvings and painting s and stuff. Yes, I got something for Yvette! (And maybe you too…)Rich – Have fun in Denver!! I wish I was going ;) Root for the Rookies for me, please! Haha. <3>

Yesterday (THURSDAY):

@Khouri family, friends, and whoever else is reading this! - Elizabeth here. In Africa. I’m good. We just ate a wonderful dinner of chicken and potatoes. I forgot my retainers, and my teeth sort of hurt and I’m a little worried my overbite is growing. If I come home looking like a horse, don’t make any comments. I would like to let you know that I have fallen in love. Her name is Stylene. She is the most adorable girl in the world. Trust me. Natali is trying to steal her away from me, and we’re negotiating a schedule for sharing her. I am also trying to calculate how much she would weigh and whether or not she would fit in my suitcase for the ride home. Just kidding….sort of… To answer the question that I know you all want to ask – I have not yet bumped into Madonna. We saw the Vice President getting off a plane at the airport from afar, and I tried to convince everyone that it was her. Limited success. Everyone else wants to use the computer. They are staring me down. If Jesus were the one typing, I think he would let them use it. I am alive and healthy and am having a wonderful time and I love you and miss you all!
HANNAH BUCKO – Your presents are an answer to prayer.
~Elizabeth

@Smiley family and others:
Brothers-I cannot thank you enough that you got me addicted to Homestar Runner, Flight of the Choncords, and well Ben-STAR TREK! AHH! (The “Captain John Piccard..U.S.S. Enterprise” thing has been stuck in my head the whole entire trip.
Mother and Father- I don’t know what to say, but I love you and I admit..I’m not homesick! Hehe, Mom so INCREDIBLY excited for France! J
Would you all mind telling Maddi, Amy, Marissa and Taylor that I love them and I’m having a great time! (Maddi-your good-bye gifts have come into use! THANKS BABBEEEEEE!)
Love you all…see you after about 14+ hours of travel!
~Nutbi, Natali, Nasbug

@Faja and Cuma tay!!!!!
Just wanted to say that we are having a great time and were doing really well! Africa is amazing and we have been taking lots of pictures!! I had an amazing 17th birthday and cant wait to tell you all about it! We love you and miss you tons! Defintely wish that you were here with us. Keep praying for us and cant wait to see you soon! Say hi to Auntie Nona for us too! Love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! xoxoxoxJ ~Kiley and Mommy!

@Connors - mommy, daddy, sissy, camo, buddy, and everyone at church:
Mom and dad and buddy, thanks for the letters, they were great and meant a lot. Cameron I hope you miss me because I miss you. Everything is good, a lot of people have been feeling sick but I’m fine. Today a little girl, I can’t pronounce her name, at the end of the day said, “hi my number one friend, how are you, I am fine, you are awesome, my name is…, yours is hiena.” It was so cute and melted my heart, she might not have my name quite right but then again I don’t know hers either. Can’t wait to come back and share more. Hope you are all excited to here more stories! Sissy tell everyone at church my stories and that I miss them and I hope they miss me to. I miss you all and love you so much!
~Love, Savannah