Mulibwanji from Malawi

Hi Family and Friends

We all arrived safely in Malawi on Friday after a VERY long trip were met at the Airportby our Friends Kenneth and Avisha Mpemba. We piled all the luggage into Ken's truck and then climbed on the bus we have rented for the 2 weeksin Malawi. Samson our driver took us to Grace Bandawe Conference Center (GBCC) where we settled in. The accommodation is basic but VERY adequate ... although some of the team had to have cold showers the firstnight, but we didn't care :)

Our Friend Shingi Chunga (married to Bayana) is our dinner Chef for our time hereand she and her team have been feeding us well !!

On Saturday morning we began our daily start of the day ritual - breakfast provided by GBCC, individual quiet times (we are studying the theme of servanthood), followed by our morning team meeting (singing, a leader sharing on the quiet time passage, and a time of prayer).
Late Saturday morning Samson drove us to meet with the Blantyre Baptist Church (BBC) Youth Group for a Braai (BBQ) - we had a lot of fun playing games to get to know each other, enjoyed good food and then sang and danced as we taught each other new songs.

Some of the team then went back to GBCC to SLEEP, while most of us went to the FIFA World Cup Soccer Round 2 Qualifying Game between Malawi and Burkino Faso (West African country) - we cheered and chanted for MA-LA-WI, but sadly they lost 1-0 :(

After another great dinner by Iron Chef Chunga (our nickname for Shingi), Bayana lead the team in our evening Devotion after a meaningful time of singing and praise, while Ken and I went to the Airport to try and retrieve Kylie Soetje's bag which never made it to Jo'burg from Paris. After a long negotiation which tested our African time patience, Ken and I managed to get her bag after a comedy of errors :)

This morning the team appeared in their Sunday best and after our morning ritual (described above) we headed to meet with the body of Christ that meets at Blantyre Baptist Church (BBC). Everyone enjoyed the 2.5 hour service which was filled with worship, prayer and teaching. We were made SO welcome !!

Afterwards we all went for a pizza lunch - the team is getting on SO well and having a lot of fun together - we have really bonded over the long trip and the time in Malawi so far.

Later, after changing, we headed out on the 45 min drive to Malawi Children's Mission (MCM) to get an idea of the lie of the land. Ken took us on a tour of the building that is ready for use,but still needs some finishing work, like painting (we will be doing some of that later in the week :). We met some of the children and the Team fell in love with them instantly! We all enjoyed hearing Ken and Avisha share their vision for MCM which includes a Library (we need books donated!), a Medical clinic, pre-school, etc... in addition to the primary focus on the feeding program). After praying together as a group for the week ahead we climbed back on the bus for the trip "home".

The bus passengers began singing all kinds of Disney Movie theme and other songs and it was like a scene from a move with a bus full of singing teenagers driving through the African countryside and towns as the Sun sank on the horizon. On our return to GBCC we divided up all the craft and games materials for our 2 weeks of program at MCM and then enjoyed yet another great dinner, before tonight's Devotion by Bayana.

Tomorrow morning we head to Queen Victoria Hospital to visit and give toothpaste, toothbrushes and stuffed animals to the children in the paediatric wards, before we head out for our first day of feeding, playing with the kids and presenting our Bible program at MCM.

The Team is LOVING Ken and Avisha's new baby - Ezra - as well as little Isaac who is running around between the Team enjoying ALL the attention.

Sean and Kiran - Ezra is SO cute and Isaac is adorable and has such a precious smile!

ZIKOMO (Thanks) to you all for ALL your prayers !!

Thanks too for the comments on the Blog, I am printing them out and will be reading them to the Team at our morning meeting tomorrow ... keep them coming!

In His Grace
Kevin (for the Heart for Africa 2009 Team)

PS: Pray that the solar water pump parts will clear customs tomorrow without incident or expense! PPS: We will probably only get to post every few days or so ...