I thought you look familiar....

So I am well aware that this post is longgg over due. Forgive me please! I've been back from Malawi now for just over a month and half; can't even believe it! Work, getting ready for school, making arrangements for my internship, traveling, socializing, family stuff, etc... all this has kept me so busy. And made the summer fly by. I already had my first day of class in Athens yesterday!

There are always so many great memories from these trips to Malawi; it's hard to pick which ones to share, however, there was one that I would love to tell you about because it was so completely unexpected. Mgywai Village is such a special place for me because it is where I first experienced Africa. In 2008, God opened my eyes here and exposed me to realities that I don't have to face when I'm at home in the U.S. Because of this small village and the people of Mgyawi, I was forever changed. Their fingerprints are still all over my heart and always will be. While walking on the dirt path to the soccer field, something started happening that totally caught me off guard. I began recognizing kids from when I was here three years ago. And this is where technology came in and made these moments really special. Every time I recognized a face, I pulled out my iPhone, brought up the Africa '08 folder under my photos, and scrolled through every picture until I found who I was looking for. Showing them the screen was the best part! They would squealed and then ooh'd and ahh'd, hardly believing it was a younger version of themselves they were looking at. And then they would look at me, look at the photo (again), and it clicked. Like a light bulb went on. They realized why my face looked familiar- I'd been there before and now I'm back. I've come back to see them again. It was such a wonderful moment for me and so humbling all at the same time because they got so excited that I was back! Laughing and smiling and grabbing my hand (fingers really, I had like 4 kids on each hand at one point). Over me. It's not like I'm famous or anyone special for that matter. It made me fall in love with Mgywai all over again. 

Here are some before (2008) and after (2011) pictures of some of the kids I recognized during my time there. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did. They've grown up so much!

Ester

Dorika

Prayer

Patuma

Wessie

Edina

(I can't remember her name... this is gonna kill me)

Joseph

(Her either... dang it)

George

Ahh been SO busy!!

Just wanted to say that I'm sorry I've been terrible on my updates! Literally I've been working like a mad woman! But I promise to have something new up by next week... I'm determined!

More to come (for real),

xoxoxo

Heading home :(

Our time in Malawi has come to an end and I can hardly believe it's already been two weeks. We were able to wrap up our time here with a trip to Lake Malawi yesterday, which is a special spot for me. Last year, we closed out our internship with a safari and time at the lake. My favorite moment was watching the sunrise on the shore... saying it was unbelievable doesn't even do it justice. It was one of the coolest and most beautiful thing I've ever seen and in that moment I realized how much God loved me! Little ole me! My understanding of his love for me and all his children has grown immensely over the year and it all started with that morning on the shores of Lake Malawi. So being back there brought up tons of emotion and affirmed His presence in my life. It was so good. My life has radically changed since my time here last year and I'm curious to see what changes are ahead.... still waiting on my internship, finalizing my class schedule, a JOB (which comes with a whole new set of questions!), finding an area of ministry, etc. Jesus will continue to provide like He has for me, just not sure what that will look like. More to come! 

Wellll we're getting ready to head to the airport in just a few hours :( We leave at 1:15 PM and will get back on the 4th around 1 PM. Pray for safe travels and comfort; I'm not feeling too well this morning and traveling sick suckkssssss so I'm praying I'll feel better asap. Look forward to being home but hate leaving here because it feels like home too. 

Much love, xoxox

TIA part 2

So much to say and not enough time to write it all down! The past two days have flown by and been filled with tons of activities. Our mornings start of at 7 AM with breakfast and quiet time until 9:30 AM when we've left for home visits in the village. Breaking into 4 groups, each team works with a family helping with daily chores and activities. My team's family was a single mother raising 3 young children under the age of seven. Her husband kicked her out, divorced her, and took all the belongings... literally everything except the clothing on her back, leaving nothing for herself or the children. She moved into a house next to her mother and sister. Having no job yet she relies financially on her mother to provide food, clothing, and shelter for her family. Ministering to their family, myself, Brittany, and Kendra, shucked corn, mudded her house (which is usually done weekly to make the home less dusty), washed dishes, pumped and carried water (everyone was incredibly impressed that I could carry a regular sized bucket full of water on my head... officially recognized as Malawian by the villagers hahaha), and cooked a typical Malawian meal (Kendra killed the chicken by cutting its head off; I then proceeded to feather, gut, and portion the rest of the bird... with a little help. I appreciate prepackaged chicken so much more now). While doing all these things, we were able to learn more about Malawian culture, practices, and the family's story. Later in the evening at team debriefing, our team leader mentioned that the families were surprised that the "azungus" (meaning white people in Chichewa) were coming into their homes to help with chores. They are so use to being the ones working for others, typically azungus, and were surprised that's not what we were looking to do. When I heard this, I loved that we were different to them. 

In the afternoons, our team breaks into two groups... one leads women's devotionals and the other leads VBS for the kids. I wasn't assigned a specific team so I am able to float between the two groups :) I've chosen VBS so far because I love spending time with the kids and I'm able to spend tons of time with Edina. A cool thing for me has been recognizing TONS of kids in Mgwayi, not only from last year but from three years ago! There faces have been burned into my mind from looking at my pictures over and over and over again lol. I LOVE the fact that I have my iPhone because when I recognize a kid, I'll pull it out, search for their picture, and show them. They literally freak out and it is hilarious! It is also really special for me because I've been able to see them grow up.... it's pretty awesome.

Dancing here is huge btw and I love.it. I have found my people!! We've danced a lot since we've gotten here.... at home visits, with the widows program, in the village with the kids... I love it so much because it bridges the gap. You don't have to speak at all to enjoy dancing together so the fact that we speak different languages doesn't matter at all.... you understand each other.  And boy can they break. it. down! They don't hold back and it's so much fun! Shocked is the best way to describe them when they see that the white girls can break it down... well some of them at least!!

*Update*- the lost luggage was recovered the day after the last post! Yea!! Total blessing and answer to prayer. Besides a cold that Keltner has, everyone else has been in good health. Another blessing because being sick here is pretty miserable.

Only a few more days left..... crazyyyyy

Much love! xoxoxo

TIA....This is Africa

So.... the internet has been terrible here the past few days and I am FINALLY able to get a connection. I'm telling you, I appreciate the wonderful reliability of the United States more and more everyday! Yesterday afternoon the rest of our team arrived safely and me, Keltner, and Denise (her cousin, I'm not sure if I've already said this....) went to pick them up. The bummer (**prayer request**) is that 6 bags are missing and are apparently in transit to Malawi. Two girls are without bags completely (SUCH a bummer) and two are without one bag each. We are hoping that they would arrive today but no such luck so be praying for tomorrow. I know that they are totally frustrated, which I would be too! We are praying that Satan doesn't allow their frustrations to be a distraction. Side note.... I'm sitting here in the COTN school writing this and a mouse just scurried across the floor and up the wall. Awesome. I'm telling myself it's only Ratatoullie lol.

Today was Sunday and our most relaxing day before the chaotic week. Church was amazing and probably one of the best sermons I've heard. So thought provoking. Although it was a Malawian church, it was very Americanized and similar to services at Northpoint minus the fancy stuff. Think contemporary. The pastor talked about murder and focused on Det. 5:17 and Matt. 5 (can't remember the exact verse but it was under the heading "Murder"). The take away message... "Murder is resolving conflict without God as our partner. Resolving any conflict without God is murder." I'm telling you it blew my mind because I had never thought about murder in that context. I wish his sermon was online so others who weren't there could hear... it was unbelievable. And so ironic because he also incorporated his interpretation about our abilities to handle anger and injustices committed against us... God was speaking to my heart. I'm looking forward to reflecting on this and exploring these ideas further. Rain check on this.

After church and lunch, we all piled into the minibus and headed to the crisis nursery, an organization that nurses malnourished babies back to health; these babies range from newborns to three years old. Playing, interacting, and just loving on these kids was uplifting as well as heartbreaking. It was such an honor to be able to share the love of Christ directly to them through physical touch, however, it was disconcerning as well to know that a majority of these babies were very sick and without family. The baby I held while I was there just wanted to be cuddled. I could tell because anytime that he was not stuck to my chest, he would start fussing and crying; the second I put him close to me, he stopped. It's crazy to know that there are millions of children around the world just like him. Sadly, he is not the exception.

A touching moment for me today happened with a girl named Yolanda. She is a COTN child from Chiwengo that is now up at Njewa attending secondary school aka high school. Walking up the path, she greeted me with a big hug and a smile. We chatted briefly about how her day was and then she said to me, "Auntie, we miss you! Will you be here more?" The past few days have been a whirlwind for me... up to Chiwengo and back, running around doing errands before the rest of our team arrived, spending time with the widows in a nearby village, etc. I've hardly had much time at Njewa. When she said that to me, my heart melted! I reassured here I would be around more this week and we would spend some quality time together. I am so fortunate to be able to spend more of my time with the older girls and boys of Chiwengo that are now at Njewa for school and look forward to see how our relationships develop even further. It felt good to know that they noticed my absence and missed me! My heart deepens for these kids daily.

Alright time for bed... my eye lids feel like they weigh 20 lbs and it's only 10 PM. Such is Africa :)

Much love!!

First days

We arrived here two days ago and boy does it feel good to be back! After 19 hours of plane time plus 17 hours of lay overs, we had been up for almost 2 days. I don't count sleeping while sitting up right as sleep lol. Not to mention we arrived in Malawi at 9:30 AM and had to muster up the energy to stay up the rest of the day so that our sleeping schedule would adjust to the time change. This was one of the hardest things I've done in a long time! Well not really lol but it reminded me of undergrad when I used to pull all nighters and then had to work the next day... aka torture! I made sure to stay moving as much as possible which kept me distracted part of the time.

There are four girls here right now, Rebecca, Gabe, Abby, and Jenn, that were all here with me last year. It was so great to see everyone again and it will be even better catching up with what everyone has been up to. We share such a special bond and it is awesome! In the midst of fighting off narcolepsy, Gabe and Rebecca surprised me by bringing Edina (my sponsor girl) up to Njewa (the place where we are staying) to see me. It was so great because she came running up to me and was so happy! A contradiction to last year when she was shy and timid at first, almost embarrassed-like. We got to hang out for about 30 minutes then Rebecca and I walked her home. She held my hand the whole time :)

After sleeping 12 amazing hours, Jenn and I headed up to Chiwengo to see the kids; about an hour and a half north. Unfortunately I was only able to stay there a night but something is better than nothing. Seeing the kids faces light up once the recognized me was great and something I had been looking forward to for so long; I want them to know how much of an impact they have had on my life and I hope that they recognize that through me coming to see them again. In addition to seeing everyone again, I also got to meet the new additions....7 new kids, two of which are under the age of one. They're stories are like the others... full of despair and abandonment.... just another reminder of how God can rescue and provide through COTN.

It was crazy seeing everyone so much more grown up! All taller, English clearer and improving, the baby babble now clear Chichewa words... all amazing to see... what a difference a year makes! Some things still remain the same like William falling asleep during devotions; always brings a smile to my face lol. I was really sad to leave this morning and I had really mixed emotions. On one hand it was unbelievable to see my babies yet leaving so soon was really horrible because I didn't get to say good bye to most of them (they were off to school by the time we got up)... and my time with many of them was soooo short, like extremely brief conversation short. I also didn't get very many pictures because I wanted to be able to interact with them... I only got like 10 :( A very bittersweet time for me.

The rest of our team comes in tomorrow so that should be really exciting! Pray for their safe arrival! Excited to see what the coming days hold... more soon!

xoxoxo

It's here!

Today is the day (eek).... In 4 and 1/2 hours I will be leaving the Atlanta airport to head to Malawi, Africa! We are flying into Amsterdam and have a five hour lay over (aka quick tour of the city) then to Nairobi, Kenya and then to MALAWI. It's amazing how being on a plane for over 20 hours doesn't phase me anymore. Last year the flight went really quickly for and hopefully this year it will go even faster :) We're flying on KLM; I've never flown with them before but it's suppose to be nicer than Ethiopian airlines so that should make it even better! 

I stayed up late last night packing because I had to get some laundry done (thanks Kimbo, Allison, Erin, and janky drier lol) and then woke up this AM at 8 to pick up some last minute items. I've pretty much got packing to Africa down to a science now :)

Alright off to pick up Keltner and then head to the airport.... Talk to ya'll in Malawi!!!!!! Peace

Instant humbling

This song brings me to my knees every time.

How He Loves by David Crowder Band

He is jealous for me, Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree, 
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy. 
When all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory, 
And I realize just how beautiful You are, 
And how great Your affections are for me. 

And oh, how He loves us oh 
Oh how He loves us, 
How He loves us all 

He is jealous for me, Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree, 
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy. 
When all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory, 
And I realize just how beautiful You are, 
And how great Your affections are for me. 
He loves us, 
Oh how He loves us, 
Oh how He loves us, 
Oh how He loves. 

We are His portion and He is our prize 
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes 
If grace is an ocean, we're all sinking 

So Heaven meets earth like an unforeseen kiss 
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest 
I don't have time to maintain these regrets 
When I think about the way 

Oh, how He loves us oh 
Oh how He loves us, 
How He loves us all 

Yeah, He loves us, 
Oh how He loves us, 
Oh how He loves us, 
Oh how He loves.


Listen. It's awesome!

One more week

It's hard to believe that almost a year ago (6-14-10) I was on my way to Africa... and in 7 days I will heading back. What a journey this past year has been! Pretty much starting with my last trip to Africa, God's presence in my life has been incredible... Lifetime movie material really lol. I am intrigued to see how the Lord uses this time in Africa to further develop me in Him; how my story will grow and bring more and more glory to Him!

In terms of prayer, the biggest thing I ask is for boldness. The boldness to speak of my experiences that are undeniably Jesus' doing. To be vulnerable not for my own gain but so that God's actions in my life can be seen and given the much deserved credit. Lord knows that my prayer for years has been to be used by Him and the realness of this request was revealed to me last year. "...enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus" Acts 4:29-30. Jesus has been working hard through me performing these miraculous signs and wonders, therefore, I ask for prayers for boldness in speaking of His amazingness! May my story be used on this trip to Malawi in His perfect way that only adds to God's glorification. Pray that He will humble me when needed and that my pride won't get in the way of boasting in the Lord. I want Paul's attitude at all times: "Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong" 2 Corinthians 12:9-10.

Father, give me the strength to speak of my weakness, my sin, and my imperfections. "But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things- and the things that are not- to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before Him... Therefore, as it is written: 'Let him who boasts boast in the Lord'" 1 Corinthians 2:27-31.

Fundraising update

Just an FYI about fundraising…. I have raised $1200 so far and have about $1600 left to cover the rest of the trip. Even though there is less than a month left before Malawi, I have no doubt that He'll get me there :)

T-minus 28 days

I can't believe I leave for Africa in less than a month!! What craziness! I've been dreaming of this day for SO long and now the final count down begins. This year has been such a whirlwind, full of change and difficulties but growth!! I am excited to see what plans God has for me this trip and how my experiences over this past year will be used to bring glory to Him.

The other day I was looking back on past journal entries and came across an entry about my realization of God's love for me and my hopes for another trip to Malawi. Thought I would share a section:

"Is this what it's like? Your love for me? You 'like' me? Lord, I am reading 'The Wisdom of Tenderness' (thanks Keltner) and hearing about how you don't love me because you have to but because you actually like me for me, faults and all. How the thought of me brings a smile to your face. Somehow my mind began drifting to Africa. Imagining seeing all my babies again! Loving on them...being so excited to see their smiling faces again, hear their chatter, laugh with them. I began thinking of how I would express my joy in seeing them again; how they would look at me funny because I probably won't be able to stop crying! And then it hit me.... that's how much you love me- but EVEN MORE! Honestly, the fact that I can only understand this small fraction of your love is amazing yet unbelievable. I mean I think I love these kids more than I love myself- YOU love me and us even more!! And despite all flaws! I now finally get it. I know these kids are far from perfect... I've seen their "imperfections" first hand... and I. don't. care. That doesn't change my love for them. Not only my love but my like; my urgent desire to go and love on these kids. Then that's when I started thinking about actually going back- what would I do? Teaching, village evangelism, typical mission trip stuff? Not quite..... Love them. Hug them. Play with them. Relate with them. Listen to them. Focus on getting to know them, what makes them tick, learn from each other...."

The simple act of love can carry God's message father and more completely than anything else. I pray that in everything I do, I do all things with a love that only comes from Jesus.... that He allows me to be so incredibly transparent and so real, His message is relayed perfectly. "Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed." Proverbs 16:3

10 buck challenge

my fundraising goal for my trip to malawi this summer is $3,ooo. the reason why the price is so high this year is because of the plane ticket. with fuel prices on the rise, airfare prices have drastically increased, jumping from about $1,800 to $2,600!! this is pretty much terrible for me but i will not be discouraged, hence, the 10 buck challenge!! i am asking for you to donate just $10 to help me get to africa. giving up only 2 cups of coffee at starbucks (the fancy stuff) or a meal at chilis, you can make a difference by helping me help those in malawi! “For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have” 2 Corinthians 8:12.

Three ways to donate:

1. My blog! look to the right for the PayPal button and click 

2. COTN; go to http://www.cotni.org/opportunities/7 (venture team code is MA_tlb_611) 

3. Mail a check to 4536 Reva Dr. Marietta, GA 30066

think about it :)

I'm coming home

so..... i'm excited to report that i have been given another opportunity to serve in Malawi this summer! i will be working on a team at johnson ferry baptist church through Children of the Nations and As a team, we will minister to village families as well as serve at COTN’s surrounding orphan homes. The trip will be june 20th-july 3rd; 13 days total. As many of you know, Africa has found a special place in my heart and the Lord has only furthered and continued my love for this continent over the year. 

just a reminder of what serving at children of the nations means....

village outreach

help with daily chores 

(shucking corn here)

give hugs

work at the village feeding program

sponsorship

fellowship

VBs

education

have fun!!

"if you have any encouragement from being united with christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interest of others." philippians 2:1-4

i'm so looking forward to this summer and am excited for ya'll to follow me in this adventure! i'll be updating my blog up until my trip and hopefully throughout (cross your fingers for internet access!) so please follow :)

For more information on Children of the nations, check out this--> COTN video