MPPC-Malawi

Malawi Photo Gallery now Available

A large (400+) gallery of Malawi photos is now available online. Clink on the link below.

Malawi 2010 May

An African “Safari"

[Posted after return to US]

After arriving late at Nkhotakota, getting up a 6 the next morning was the last thing we wanted to do. But, we all voted to go on the “safari” that would leave at 6. We left that morning with the hope of seeing an elephant. We were accompanied by a guide and a guard armed with an assault rifle. We walked a couple of miles through the brush. We saw monkeys, a river, crocodiles, different kinds of birds, and several signs of elephants but no elephants! When we returned to the van, everyone was a little disappointed, but it was an interesting experience.

 
 
 

  

Worshiping at Livingstonia

[Posted after return to US]

Sunday morning at 8 a.m. we walked from the Stone House to the old church at Livingstonia. The church, a large brick structure with brick floors and walls, is a beautiful old building mostly in good repair. We settled in on the old wooden pews for the two hour service in English (the early service is followed by another service in Tumbuko). Steven, the pastor, invited us and other guests up to the front so that we could introduce ourselves. Four choirs of different age groups performed enthusiastically and their voices filled the church. Von preached a wonderful sermon. We all remarked that even though we were in a different part of the world, we felt at home with the Lord's Prayer, the Apostle's Creed and the first Hymn, Holy, Holy. Holy.

  
 

Lunch at the Botas

[Posted after return to US]

On Saturday we were treated to a wonderful “Malawi lunch” at the Bota's home. Rev. Stephen Bota is the head of station at Livingtonia...and this station is on top of the plateau and 15 kilometers straight up a mountain. He and his wife, Linda opened their home and cooked a meal that filled an entire table. We ate the traditional chicken on the bone, rice, nsima (the staple of Malawi diet), pumpkin leaves with ground nuts, and collards. The hit of the meal was homemade donuts for dessert...a bit of Americana! Linda told us if we “did not go back for seconds, it means she was not a good cook!” We did our best to eat it all, but there was simply no way! Of course, the warm fellowship was truly the highlight of our meal and that is what makes Malawi the “warm heart of Africa!”

– Diana Faison

  

Blind School

[posted after returning to US] 

On Wednesday a few of us went to the Blind school in the mission station of Ekwendeni. We were given a tour of the school by one of the head teachers. “Where are the kids?” we started to wonder; until suddenly, from the next building, we heard their happy voices! They greeted us with songs so full of joy, we were all grinning from ear to ear. A few of the kids recited poems for us-each about the value of education, and how lucky they were. We gave them two soccer balls, and some fun games and crafts. Next, the kids wanted to play soccer for us. They had a “Myers Park” team! It was truly amazing to interact with those precious children.

– Julia Ehringhaus

Weary travelers return, much to be posted

After a long day of travel the Malawi team returned to Washington, DC, around 6am on Wednesday, 26 May. Very poor Internet connections, in spite of our efforts, have prevented our posting to the blog. We have several posts and photos to share -- hopefully later today.
-- Von Clemans

The Heart and Soul Of Malawi

Our first four days in Malawi have been nothing short of remarkable ! Yes, we have had our challenges – lost luggage, 7 hour cramped van ride, cold showers, rice diets, no internet – but we have met them all with a sense of humor and a sense of and faithfulness. Despite the few inconveniences we are all healthy and happy. The joy and gratitude exhibited by our Malawi partners and friends is overwhelming. They have showered us with attention, affection and warm hospitality – the soul of Malawi. We have visited many agencies run by the Synod, met missionaries, nurses, doctors, students, held babies and played with children. Our meetings with Synod officials have been productive. The work of the Synod is far-reaching.

In the evenings when our group gathers for devotions and a time for sharing it is abundantly clear that these good people of Malawi have found a place in our hearts. Each of us has been touched by their inner beauty, strength, perseverance, humility and love of our Lord. We feel it is a great honor and privilege to represent Myers Park Presbyterian Church here in Malawi – it is apparent that they appreciate our presence but overriding is their enormous gratitude to the entire congregation of MPPC – to every member – for your prayers and support. It is clear that the church's support of the Synod of Livingstonia is having an impact on the lives of many, many people in this region.

– Elizabeth Pitts

Ministry of Hope Crisis Nursery

On Tuesday, we visited the Ministry of Hope Crisis Nursery, a nursery for orphan babies from birth to two years. Orphans are babies who have lost their mothers, but may still have their fathers (in Malawi, fathers do not participate in infant care). The babies stay at the nursery until a family member is able to take them, once they do not require so much care. One baby who had recently been placed for adoption was found in a latrine. Twin babies we met were placed at the nursery after their mother went into labor, began walking to the hospital, had the babies on the way, turned around and went home, and then bled to death. The positive side to our visit was to see all the babies well cared for, plump and happy! The center is run by American missionaries Paul and Darlene Heller and was by far one of the cleanest, well-stocked and cheerful places we have been.

– Anne Williams

Community Based Child Care Centers

 We were welcomed by singing and clapping as we approached the Community Based Child Care Center. The center is staffed with volunteers who take care of young children (2-4 years old) while their families are working or away. Some of the children are orphans, but all are taken care of together in this community effort. The children were overwhelmed by our presence, but then offered a fun song for us and then a few brave volunteer children recited the alphabet or counted to 10 for us. They were so quiet and well behaved! We took photos of each child and will print and give them to them tomorrow. We gave them a few toys and a soccer ball. Wish we had more to give them. Their smiles were a great gift to us.

– Susan Linderman

Dinner at the Mvulas

Wednesday evening the Rev. Henry Mvula and his wife Grace invited the Myers Park team to dinner at their home. Henry's office (as Training Chaplain) was nearby and Diana and Von spent the afternoon with Henry discussing the Training Chaplain's position which MPPC funded as part of our partnership in the Synod's Strategic Plan. The rest of the team joined us for dinner. Henry's wife Grace lived up to her name in extending hospitality to the almost two dozen guests. Joining us were Custom (the Synod's Sunday School Superintendent) and his wife Susan, Rev. Wycliff (pastor of the Lusagazi church) and his wife Anastazi, our driver, Owen, and a number of Henry's family. Grace has a weekly meeting for local women which covers cooking, sewing, and a Bible study. After a bountiful dinner (which took most of the day to prepare, we found out) some of the youngest children treated us to singing and dance. It was an evening to remember—great food, warm fellowship, and plentiful laughter—as we quickly moved from friends to family.