Maize for Days, Yet Wishing for Water

Upon arriving back to Madisi, my lovely little village community, I’ve noted what is going on. People are greeting me, and amazed by the new confidence I have in speaking Chichewa, but there are so many more things to note.
It’s no longer the rainy season which is very evident due to the high grass and maize fields that have been burned down and observing creative african reuse the cobs from the maize for firewood.
Upon leaving Peoples, the local “grocery” store, where I have the employees as friends, and often buy my bottled water; I stopped to notice what was happening on a neighbors porch. Id say it was 10 women or so, practically drowning in maize kernels that were removed by hand to prepare for their families for maize flour, for the upcoming months. Not only the sight, but the sound; boy these women were having a blast! I mean, I was literally 20 steps to my house, but could not resist; I stopped, dropped my bag, and joined in. I wanted to laugh too(and help). Despite not knowing much chichewa beyond my 4 months of knowledge, I tried to communicate, and allowed the community to happen. Love & laughter were in the air, as we worked on burying ourselves deeper into the maize.
***The Maize here is the staple food, made for making nsima.
—
So to me it seems as if there is maize for days, yet I know many people will still suffer. In addition to these findings, I knew something else was different…
Tinashe’s kitchen is quaint and tidy, however, very different that what I am used to. There are at least 3 large drums of water, stored in the kitchen. Yes, we have a sink with a tap in the kitchen, but as of lately, its run dry. Now, if you do not already know, water usually comes 2-3 times a week to the tap. It is not always just “turn the knob and get water” type of kitchen sink I am used to. When the water comes, its pressure is very low, and Tinashe is generally up for 2-3 hours refilling the drums.
Now, you are aware of this typical day-to-day water crisis, but now, 7 days in counting we have not had any water. In fact, I have not seen the drums replenished with a drop of water since I returned on Wednesday. Not only here at our house, but all the taps in this trading center, and our only other alternatives are wells.

Picture with me…

a house with a toilet,
dirty dishes, dirty clothes,
dirty bodies/hands,
and thirsty bodies.
Without water coming from the tap, we are in need. We are in crisis.
With the alternative of fetching water from wells, well, that in itself is another blog post. (time to walk there, or money to hire someone on a bike/foot)
Its costly,
time-consuming &
quite unfair.
Not to mention, when the power gets shut off, and stores close early, buying water is no longer an option either.

It might sound silly, but we need prayer. We need water. I think of the less educated who are only use dirty water to feed the children, wash their bodies or clothes in polluted streams, or lastly, the toilets that cannot be flushed in the homes, because there is no water to fill the tank.

Last night Tinashe and I both had dreams about water coming out of the tap, and still nothing.

Please be praying…. this is injustice. With 80% of the country like this, access to clean water, can change lives

*Also, a favorite organization helping to change the lives of communities without clean water is Charitywater.org

City Girl Goes Back to the Village; With another Poem in her Pocket

Yesterday, I left Blantyre. It was a bittersweet day, but I wanted to keep my promise to my kids in Madisi, and to my staff at Rise Malawi Ministries.
One of my new friends, Gilbert, who lives in Blantyre offered to drive me to Lilongwe, then from there, I caught a bigbus to Madisi.
Think of it as a little roadtrip, with friends and laughter, a fun truck stop for drinks, and then stories as we drove into the dark of night.
As we were driving, sadly I did not have my pen and paper…but in my head I came up with some ideas as I saw the sun setting.
Today, I came up with this poem inspired by what was seen….

Close your eyes
count to ten
The Sun has Gone to Hide
as we drive
the scenes have changed
The Sun has Gone to Hide
glimpses of light
pop out of the clouds
The Sun has Gone to Hide
time elapses
light gets dimmer
The Sun has Gone to Hide
Open your eyes
say “ready or not”
try to seek…
The Sun has Gone to Hide
_________________________

Happy to be back in the village, I hope to continue exploring my creative side. I pray you all find your creativity inside you too!
ziiiiiikoooomoo!!

Top 10

I began this post on Thursday by trying to recap in words how incredible my visit to Kondanani Orphanage was….and then, as my week went on, I decided to help you picture yourself here with me in the midst of all good things happening here. Please comment!!

1. Kondanani Orphanage visit: Met amazing children, staff and got to explore a safe place where orphans can experience life. Got to talk to the founders about my experiences with adoption and stories about adoption.
2. Spontaneous invitation to homecell prayer group with neighbors: Literally some girls said, “Come pray with us!” It was a great evening to enter into someone’s home and pray for the community, and our families.
3. Anges: She is a 13 year old, in 11th grade, writing her graduation exams this june. Her birthday was today! Last night, I joined her 2 brothers, (both rays of hope students) and her at her house for dinner. In the power out, we sang songs of praise to God, with light just from one flame. After 30 minutes or so, the lights lit up the house, and we broke bread together. Friday, the following day, I took Agnes out for bday cake! Now, 14, she inspires me, and I am so thankful that she has “befriended” me.
4. Making connections at a new church: A pentacostal church in town is where many expat and malawians and foriegners meet to worship together in English. Might be a glimpse of Heaven. People from Canada, Pittsburg/Messiah College (she knows some of my best friends) Asia, Congo, Sweeden, Malawi and beyond.
5. Students are impacted by my English classes: I’ve taken over teaching English for one of our camp leaders. Whenever I get the chance, I try to create creative ways of learning English. Also, I’ve hosted 2 English lessons for those who were interested in learning more! Both sessions, 10-12 kids came out and got special attention for 2+ hours! This has been encouraging to me, insightful and allowed me to become more creative! God is truly molding me. (I am interested in Teaching English…professionally! Comment if you know how its possible)
6. One of the guys from Rays of Hope Futbol team, accepted Christ! 😀 He is considered a youth, but possibly in his 20’s or late 20’s. He told Willie that he has accepted Christ into his life and even wants to share this amoung the team. This is actually the mission of the team.
7. Being Active: I’ve been a part of a ZUMBA class! My sister is always encouraging my family to be active; and my dad is always saying, “Take care of your body now, so your not aching later…” Through Zumba, walking around town, and even a bit of hiking I am learning to enjoy a healthy body. Not to mention, I attended a Salsa dance night here in Malawi taught by a scottish girl. Yes, she really knew what she was doing!
8. Finding love: God is Love, and I am learning He is my provider, and my shield. Reading the Bible is a bit easier these days, and living out the life Christ has laid before us, helps me stay focused on what life is really about. (Not to mention Iv had some really powerful conversations with friends this week about how God is moving in their life! Please tell me your stories, too!)
9. Art: Throughout the past few weeks, I can only attribute it to God that I’ve enjoyed painting with watercolors, drawing with pencil, and allowed my attraction to abstract art, to allow me to try my own. I’ve painted graffiti and during a prayer time — God gave me this beautiful picture. 😀
10. Lengwe National Park trip: Yay!! 120+ students, staff and the Rays of Hope futbol team, all packed lunches and boarded a charter bus. Singing songs, and chants, happy children they were, we were off! The futbol team had a game, and we took the youth to see this National Park! I got to play with monkeys! The kids seem to have a good time, but more trips would be way useful for them. 🙂 It was a beautiful place & forever these memories will be with us!

The body, not a building…

What is the Church?
And is it a “make-you-or-break-you” life decision to attend?
Is church a building with pretty stained glass windows, or a choir of believers Praising the God who created them?

Before I left for this journey to Malawi, I sometimes “dumbed down” the gospel, hid my light under a bushel…
But now, the prayers of my supporters are coming to fruition in my life. I asked for people to pray Id be BOLD for Christ, and
BOLD in general. Jesus was Bold when He performed Miracles, and we can also be BOLD when we trust in Him.

I found myself walking…. where was I going, I don’t even remember, but 3 guys, (about my age) were passing me. I greet them in their native tongue and
surprised they laugh and say, “You know chichewa?!” Just a little caught off guard, they replied and there we stood for the next 25 minutes becoming
acquainted with one another. In those 25ish minutes, I was able to learn quite a bit.
Mike,
Michael
and
Maclean.
They love God, they believe in Him, and know Jesus, however none of the worship services they’ve attended taught them something new, or challenged them to know God
Deeper.
…..
It was one of those situations where I did not fully understand why we crossed paths, but THANKS BE TO GOD, I am so happy it did.
They are my friends now, we meet for nightly chats about
life,
education,
music (michael is obsessed with the rock music on my IPOD)
tv, cartoons,
art,
nature,
photography,
food (mostly bc I bring it up),
politics,
and
Faith.
I am continually challenged by my purpose in life, and how I represent myself and Christ to the world around me. One of my goals set out for my journey here was to be
BOLD for Christ.
Not
only for me, but for the sake of Christ, and for the sake of the lost. And it is also not for me to brag or boast about, but for me to be a challenged, humble and kind servant for
Christ, and others.

Many Christians are proud, and do boast, for they act as if sharing Christ is a thing to tick off of their “to-do list.”
However, the Jesus I know and the Jesus that is real in my life —
lived
LOVE.
Love is not just something to say, or a feeling, but its an action, rather a lifestyle.

In the states, my home community of believers live on the word that CHURCH is not a building, but a body of believers.
Jesus says in Matthew chapter 18:20 “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them.”…That is the Church.
So that day, I met Mike, Michael and Maclean, and got to understand their faith, we confirmed we are the body. We are the church.

Only if we Christians prayed continuously, repent for the hate we have for others and emulate Christ, can we house the homeless with a place to call home, spiritually.
Practically speaking, let us commit to prayer, love, and
living like Christ for this
might be the only way to reveal Christ to people who are searching. (or the
only way to reopen their hearts to really search for a place to grow deeper in their faith.)

I am thankful to the people in my life who encourage me to grow in my walk with God; learn more about the Word, rely on Scripture, love the poor as a lifestyle,
and
be the hands and feet of Christ.
Pastors,
Friends, old and new,
Activists,
Sisters,
Fellow Travelers,
Roommates, former and present,
Enemies,
Cell group friends
and
Children.

Unexplained Joy

21 days later
Joy in a box
colorful candy to share
chewing gum for the days my toothpaste runs out
truth. yes… maybe you do that also?
JEANS!! My skinny jeans!!
2 pairs in fact!
An Ipod, with a secret message of love
My twin sister has the best music taste!
Make-Up for the days I want to dress up, or feel extra pretty
oooh, sweedish fish….(wonder if Lake Malawi has those)….
Recycled Crossword Puzzles for my free time
Baby wipes, since Iv run dry
lipgloss
fitness reads, gotta get ready for summer 😉
A photo of my other half and me. On our bday trip to Miami a few years back
Watercolors, so I can test my creativity skills
and a toothbrush for those candies ill be chewing.
Seriously …. thanks to my sister, she is the best!
The Birthday box that arrived almost one month late, but with perfect
time.

None of this is a Coincident

One of my good friends in California and I have been keeping in touch through email, sharing life together. Recently, she was sharing about her time of fasting and praying.
I told her how I was inspired by the revelations she had experienced in this discipline, and that I desire to be a person/Christian more like this.

Confession:
Upon going to bed last night, I decieded I should actually do as I said. I picked up “Life Together,” by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. I turned to the portion of the book entittled,
“Confession and Communion,” and immediately I was was underlining and
agreeing with an “Amen!” as I read what Bonhoeffer was expressing. The pages were opinion, however, laced with Scripture. In fact the opening line read,
“Confess your faults one to another,” (James 5:16) He went on to explain we will only be alone in our sin if we do not confess to our fellow brothers and sisters in the faith. So true!
We will only live a life of lonliness, and pain living that life. So as I read, I asked myself, what about the fasting? How can fasting and prayer help?
I said a simple prayer last night and asked God to help me become more disciplined, so I can be a more affective person, volunteer,
Christian and member of society. I asked God for the motivation/desire to pray more, to be more disciplined to pray and have time in the word. (I do not always get
excited to read the Bible. Often I am unsure where to begin and then how to stay motivated) Starting off last night in prayer and in reading “Life Together,” by Dietrich
Bonhoeffer I was struck by the words he used to describe confession as a practice, and something we cannot live without. With assurance, I know the life of a sinner
is changed when we have the Gospel of Christ in our lives. We need to rely on God and our Christian community to uplift us and
help us out of our sins.
…
This morning I woke up with two significant dreams. First, I distinctly remember seeing two girl friends, who might claim Christianity, yet their lives are very much
living for the world. (Parties and the like) Another part of my dream was a man turning over his life to Christ. He just said, “Ok, I just want to live better. I know I cannot do
it alone, but with Christ, I can live…” Waking up, I made it a point to thank God for waking me up and later when I rememberd these dreams, it might be more clear why the
message at church was about prayer and fasting.

Scripture Message: Fasting and Prayer
Today I attended Chilamoni Living Waters Church where preacher kept repeating “today is going to be a good day, we are going to learn about fasting and praying.” (I was thankful
they preached in both English and Chichewa for me…as you can assume, I was interested in hearing THIS message.) On he went, saying, we as Christians need to be bold for God,
and for the sake of others to know God fully as well as the Good News. However, we cannont be bold without the annointing of God. 1Samuel 17:55 explains part of the story ot David a youth and
Goliath the Giant and enemy. Verse 55-58 sets the scene where David was noticed for doing something unthinkable. Saul is a man wondering and asking Abner, the commander of the Army,
“who is this young boy, David?” When Saul sees David set out from the crowd as an ordinary person, with extraordanary strength he replies, “I am the son of your servant Jesse of Bethlehem.”
(David stood there, in front of the commander of the Army with the head of the slayed giant, Goliath. David was able because he was anointed.)

Action Steps:
The preacher reiterated we need to STEP OUT OF the CROWD! He was very passionate about this statement. Not only step out, but know that we as Christians
are not just ordinary people. The scriptures say David was a young boy, and no one expected him to kill the giant. The preacher reassured us, that because we are born again
in Christ, we are anointed and he urged us again and again to STEP OUT of the CROWD and BE BOLD for the Lord, and for His kingdom. With this anointing, we can slay a giant…or the
giants in our lives.

Anointing:
The preacher made us look to Luke 4:18 where Jesus says, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent
me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners…”(free those captive by sin.) The preacher advised us to become annointed by fasting and prayer. My understanding of anointing is “a call”
God will reveal to you about your life and your life’s purposes. All christians are anointed, yet we must actively partake in the relationship God desires with us.
We must confess and turn from our sins, and then, when we fast and pray God will annoint us. God will reveal ways for us to serve Him, and ways for us to be BOLD in His
Love in order to spread the Good News to those who do not know about it.

Tie it all together:
Perhaps my first dream was revealing through the others sinfulness, that I must confess and turn from the worldly life. Once I repent, and begin to change, God will reveal how
the second part of my dream can happen.
If you are not a Christian and are not sure about this life, please know transformation is possible if you so desire. God sent his only Son, Jesus to be a living sacrifice for us, and
to die for all our sins, so we can live on eternally with God the father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
He too wants you to be anointed, and know your life’s purposes for God has a plan for each and every life, yet, you
must turn from your old life and become new in order to live free, and eternally. (2 Cor. 5:17)

God had all of this planned and I am greatful. I am hoping to be washed clean of my sins, and begin to fast and pray more dilligently. I too, need anointment
so I can know my call, and also so I can be Bold for the sake of Christ.

Hope for a Generation

Malawi is full of beauty, kind people and inquisitive children. Despite all the good things, our children face many challenges and lack basic needs. Underwear, clean water, clothes without holes, two shoes, shoes that fit, money for a haircut (keeping hair short is urged in school to prevent lice), school uniforms, desks, and the list goes on.
Please pray for justice, pray for equality and pray for our children to succeed despite these setbacks.

Rise Malawi children arrive at our office everyday after school, looking over school notes, or reviewing what we covered in tutoring at the program the previous day. In school they learn English, Science and Technology, Bible(Malawi teaches Bible in schools), Agriculture, LifeSkills, Mathematics and Health. They sit on the floor, next to 150 of their classmates. They are required to be in uniform, or they are kicked out of class. Same with the haircuts. Daily kids walk from distances we would not dare to walk, through terrain and weather we cannot bear. Barefoot. And on empty stomachs.
Consider sponsoring a child through RiseMalawi.

Sponsoring a child guarantees them a chance to eat a meal. We serve every child a heaping plate of rice, greens, and one more side dish.

Often times, this is their only meal, all day.

If you cannot sponsor a child, pray for them. Do a fundraiser for Rise Malawi, ask how can you help make a difference?

All of our kids have a unique stories. They are beautiful children. They are so honest, so loving and noticeably respectful.  Even with setbacks, they exude laughter and honest smiles. These children are the best teachers of joy.
Please help
Please take action
Help the children get some of the basic needs
Support them for a chance to stay in school

Please consider changing a life

Interested, please Contact
Kelly Malefyt, ChildSponsorship Officer,
Urban Promise International
856-382-1858
kmalefyt@urbanpromiseusa.org
Zikomo.

The key question to keep …

The key question to keep asking is, “Are you spending your time on the right things? Because time is all you have.” —Randy Pausch