Hello dear friends! I'm sorry my updates are so few and far between. We only have one day a week that we can get into town and that is often interupted. Alas- I'm in town right now! Horray! Here's what has been going on in warm, sunny Malawi...
We spent a very long very challenging week in the COTN village of Chiwengo last week. It was by far the most stretching time we've had here in Malawi. There is a group of interns that are spending their whole summer in Chiwengo, they are all girls and very sweet and domestic girls. They have spent their summer helping in the long term care homes in Chiwengo. They do chores, lead devotions with the kids, color, bake, cook, clean, carry water... very precious, valueable, domestic things. God is working everywhere and in Chiwengo the work is calm and slow. They spent the summer in their routine when along came 14 Lilongwe interns (me and my team) to mess with their lives for a week. Our team has 5 boys and we are just louder, crazier and have way more energy. We were able to releive the Chiwengo girls of some of their chores giving them free time but in the mean time we just created a lot of choas. Choas that we are used to, thrive off of and need to survive in Lilongwe. Needless to say- there was drama. It was clear God's hand was in dividing which interns would be in Chiwengo and which would be in Lilongwe. After many many meetings to discuss problems, plenty of irritation, and prayers for gentle hearts it was finally time to go to the lake! YES!
After the choas and drama that was our week in Chiwengo all the interns were off to our weekend midsummer retreat at Lake Malawi! The lake is huge and rather ocean like! The water is beautiful, the waves reminded me of San Diego and the sun was great! We spent our time in devotions on the beach. chatting, napping and relaxing. One afternoon we paid some locals to boat us out to a near by island! SO FUN! The boat ride was so pretty and reminded me of mornings on Folsom lake with my dad and andrew... but prettier... with clearer water... and african... At the island my teammates cliff jumped (don't worry mom... I didnt) and we all got to snorkel! it was fun to watch everyone try and many fail horrible freaking out and inhaling water. The fish were cool- mostly brown and blue. Lake Malawi is the 2nd most diverse lake in the world and 85% of the worlds aquarium fish come from it. No mom... I didnt see the cool fish that saves the little fish from danger by letting them swim into it's mouth. Bummer. Alas- we had a blast! We also took a walk down the beach and toured a crocidille farm! COOL! There were thousands of them! It was amazing to see... and a little frightening becuase they're feet from you and separated only by a chain link fence. I won't discuss how they'll end us as purses in London... but it was fun! We also got to see an "aquarium" It wasnt what I expected but it was neat to see how they farm the lake, package and send them all over the world. The lake was relaxing, reenergizing and got me all pumped up to finish this internship strong!
The widows program is going great and it's getting harder and harder to think about leaving them. They are so precious and exemplify such beauty and strength. We are working on creating patterns for them, teaching them basic business stuff, teaching them how to make new products and leading bible studies. We will spend this month preparing them to run their business without any interns to help them and writting proposals for ideals that new interns can take and run with later.
The Flood short term team is here! What a blessing! They are a little taste of home! And as you all well know... people just get me all excited. Tamra, their team leader brought us letters from the Flood staff and some of our friends. They were so encouraging! Just what we needed after such a hard week in Chiwengo! Thanks Adam, Maile and Breanne! You can't even imagine how much they meant! Go figure... I cried. Oh yes... and they brought a ton of american snacks... that made my night!
Right before be left for the lake we ran into Sean, one of the men on staff at Flood Malawi. My church in san Diego, Flood is helping a group here in Malawi who are starting a Flood Malawi! It was SO awesome to see him! It was obvious he was just as excited to see us as we were to see him! Next saturday night the flood interns and the flood short term team will meet up with the Flood malawi team for a brii... a giant malawian bqq with music and dancing! I cant wait!
Well... that's about all... I am loving getting to know the girls Im living with, ministry is great, God is here and He is good! I miss you guys like crazy and I cant wait to see you again!
If you'd like to see some pictures go ahead and check the links on this page (they are on the left) to my friend Dan's Blog and Jeremiahs (they link is called don't join the village) they were able to post pictures. I am also having my friend dan send andrew a mystery picture of me... he says its good... i havent seen it. andrew* will post it with this post. so you guys can see what it looks like over here!
Thank you for your prayers and thoughts... I really can't explain how vital they are to me... it's one of the things that keeps me going over here. I love you guys!
Amanda
*Note from Andrew: I didn't get the picture, so it will remain a mystery.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
My first post from Africa!
Greetings from chilly Lilongwe, Malawi! Things are going great! God
blessed us with a simple, easy trip over here- there were no problems!
After a week of acclimation and orientation we started our ministries!
I have to make this email quick because we have little time in town
today- not the mention the internet is wicked slow. So here's a run
down of what my weeks look like here in beautiful Malawi...
Four mornings a week I work with a few other interns in a the widows
ministry in a village called Mtsiliza. The ministry was formed a year
ago to help the 30+ widows who care for their own children and orphans
(most of them at least 6 to 8 kids total) create an income for their
families. They pray, study the bible, sing, knit, crochet, and sew
together. The other interns and I lead Bible studies, teach business
techniques, create patterns and run a store at the COTN camp where we
sell their things to the American short term teams! We also spend one
morning a week in the homes with the widows which has turned into a
super rewarding and really fun time! Yesterday morning I learned how
to mud the floors in their houses (its how they clean-weird but true),
how to make the Malawian staple food, Nsima and a relish with cabbage,
onion and tomato. We also washed dishes. And get this mom- they kept
saying "wow, you know how to cook!" haha... little do they know... we
ate it though- the kids said it was good! So fun!
In the afternoons we either go to Mtsaliza or one of the other COTN
villages and accompany the children as they venture to another village
to do evangelism. Its so fun to watch the kids who are effected by
COTN teach other kids about their God. It's always a fun time to see a
new village, meet some new faces and learn crazy Malawian games!
We are the chosen interns to venture into the village behind our camp,
Njewa for the first time! How fun! Most of the kids there had never
seen white people- or as they affectionately call us "AZUNGU"! It was
an awkward experience at first but but now they know us and are stoked
when we come. Most of the children in the village are pretty severly
malnourished with big bloated bellies. They are probably the poorest
people I have ever seen. They also have a drinking problem in th
village. Frackson, a Malawian who works with us said it one of the
saddest villages he's ever seen. Because there are enough parents there
COTN won't start a feeding program or a home there but will teach
parenting techniques. In fact, the widows from Mtsaliza will come to
Mgui (the village behind Njewa) and teach the women their skills to
create extra income! How exciting! We do regular programs with the
kids- games, songs, bible stories ext. and are in the planning stages
of implementing programs like parent ed. and substance abuse ed.! How
exciting! Keep them in your prayers!
Wed morning and Saturdays are our days off where we can do loads of
hand washed (horray) laundry, rest, go into town and do whatever. The
other widows girls and I end up running the store a lot during that
time.
I have been in pretty good health minus a little bacterial infection
that has now hit every American intern. It knocks you eight off your
butt hard. Buuuut God is good... so is cipro- the antibiotic that
saved us! Alas- I am good now and praying for good health!
We leave Saturday for another village about 2 hours away called
Chiwengo- we'll be there for a week. After that we go to Lake Malawi
for our mid summer retreat. So exciting! That means though no email
for two weeks- sorry friends!
I LOVE knowing you guys are all back home thinking about me and
praying for me! I love it here but I miss you guys! Thank you SO much
for your love and support! Keep the Malawians and the work here in
your prayers please! I'll try to email as much as possible it's just
such a process! Love you guys!
Amanda
blessed us with a simple, easy trip over here- there were no problems!
After a week of acclimation and orientation we started our ministries!
I have to make this email quick because we have little time in town
today- not the mention the internet is wicked slow. So here's a run
down of what my weeks look like here in beautiful Malawi...
Four mornings a week I work with a few other interns in a the widows
ministry in a village called Mtsiliza. The ministry was formed a year
ago to help the 30+ widows who care for their own children and orphans
(most of them at least 6 to 8 kids total) create an income for their
families. They pray, study the bible, sing, knit, crochet, and sew
together. The other interns and I lead Bible studies, teach business
techniques, create patterns and run a store at the COTN camp where we
sell their things to the American short term teams! We also spend one
morning a week in the homes with the widows which has turned into a
super rewarding and really fun time! Yesterday morning I learned how
to mud the floors in their houses (its how they clean-weird but true),
how to make the Malawian staple food, Nsima and a relish with cabbage,
onion and tomato. We also washed dishes. And get this mom- they kept
saying "wow, you know how to cook!" haha... little do they know... we
ate it though- the kids said it was good! So fun!
In the afternoons we either go to Mtsaliza or one of the other COTN
villages and accompany the children as they venture to another village
to do evangelism. Its so fun to watch the kids who are effected by
COTN teach other kids about their God. It's always a fun time to see a
new village, meet some new faces and learn crazy Malawian games!
We are the chosen interns to venture into the village behind our camp,
Njewa for the first time! How fun! Most of the kids there had never
seen white people- or as they affectionately call us "AZUNGU"! It was
an awkward experience at first but but now they know us and are stoked
when we come. Most of the children in the village are pretty severly
malnourished with big bloated bellies. They are probably the poorest
people I have ever seen. They also have a drinking problem in th
village. Frackson, a Malawian who works with us said it one of the
saddest villages he's ever seen. Because there are enough parents there
COTN won't start a feeding program or a home there but will teach
parenting techniques. In fact, the widows from Mtsaliza will come to
Mgui (the village behind Njewa) and teach the women their skills to
create extra income! How exciting! We do regular programs with the
kids- games, songs, bible stories ext. and are in the planning stages
of implementing programs like parent ed. and substance abuse ed.! How
exciting! Keep them in your prayers!
Wed morning and Saturdays are our days off where we can do loads of
hand washed (horray) laundry, rest, go into town and do whatever. The
other widows girls and I end up running the store a lot during that
time.
I have been in pretty good health minus a little bacterial infection
that has now hit every American intern. It knocks you eight off your
butt hard. Buuuut God is good... so is cipro- the antibiotic that
saved us! Alas- I am good now and praying for good health!
We leave Saturday for another village about 2 hours away called
Chiwengo- we'll be there for a week. After that we go to Lake Malawi
for our mid summer retreat. So exciting! That means though no email
for two weeks- sorry friends!
I LOVE knowing you guys are all back home thinking about me and
praying for me! I love it here but I miss you guys! Thank you SO much
for your love and support! Keep the Malawians and the work here in
your prayers please! I'll try to email as much as possible it's just
such a process! Love you guys!
Amanda
Monday, June 25, 2007
I made it!
I've made it! I'm safe! The place I'll be staying in even has flush toilets! One of my roomies is from Folsom, CA! Only like 20 minutes from my hometown. How crazy is that?
This has been posted by Andrew. Amanda should be able to start making her own posts in a couple of weeks.
This has been posted by Andrew. Amanda should be able to start making her own posts in a couple of weeks.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Tomorrow is the day!
It's my last night in the states for two months! Tomorrow morning I'm meeting most of my closest friends for breakfast in PB at the Broken Yoke. I have a stop to make at the closet in PB and then to my house for last minute details. We're meeting half the team at my place at 2:30 and hopefully on the road by 3. Thanks to our friends Ryan and Tyrone for driving us up to LA. We'll check in our baggage and grab some dinner before our first of three flights. We head to London, then South Africa and into Lilongwe, Malawi.
Tonight has been hard. I'm not feeling fully one emotion or another I think I'm just fully overwhelmed and feeling a total release at the same time... if that's possible. There has been so much planning and preparation that is finally over. Some loose ends may not have tied up but at 2:30 tomorrow things will have to work out without me. I wish I could just fast forward to when we will be in country. Too bad it doesn't work that way! I know though that God is using each step of this process to mold me into a woman of strong character and that it is all a part of the journey He intends for me. God is good.
This will be my last post for 2-4 like I said before. Again, thanks so much for all your prayers and support. You are precious to me and I value your support tremendously!
Tonight has been hard. I'm not feeling fully one emotion or another I think I'm just fully overwhelmed and feeling a total release at the same time... if that's possible. There has been so much planning and preparation that is finally over. Some loose ends may not have tied up but at 2:30 tomorrow things will have to work out without me. I wish I could just fast forward to when we will be in country. Too bad it doesn't work that way! I know though that God is using each step of this process to mold me into a woman of strong character and that it is all a part of the journey He intends for me. God is good.
This will be my last post for 2-4 like I said before. Again, thanks so much for all your prayers and support. You are precious to me and I value your support tremendously!
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
the countdown begins!
Yesterday was spent entirely on preparing 6 50lb boxes full of supplies for our team to take over to Malawi! It was crazy but a good day spent with my teammate Dan and really helped me feel the reality of the trip!
We leave San Diego about 3pm on friday and our plane leaves from LA to London at 9pm! My roommate and good friend's mom is here right now and she helped me roll my clothes last night for packing. Im so stoked to see what God is going to do in Malawi but at the same time totally overwhelmed by it! He IS good and that's the bottom line so we'll see what comes!
Amy (my sister in law) got back from Sierra Leone, Africa on saturday. She posted all her pictures online! I looked at every one and they got me all excited to go! My way is fully paid (thank you a million times to you guys who sacrificed to make this happen!) our house is secure for when I return and I have all of you guys, a great team and our HUGE God on my side! What else could a girl traveling across the world ask for?!
When I arrive safely in Malawi (possibly before) I will be able to make one phone call. I will call my mom who will call my brother who will post on this blog for me. He will be my contact for the rest of my trip. I will email him and he will post the email on here for all of you to read! This is the way COTN wants us to communicate with home. Please continue checking and lifting us up in prayer!
Here are some things on my prayer list...
Safe travel and ease with customs and what not (we'd like to keep all of our bags and supplies)
That our hearts would be prepared for what is to come
For the hearts of the people we will encounter in Malawi- that they will be soft and drawn to God's heart
Physical safety and healthy bodies
For you guys and my family (general safety, health and well being but that my family especially doesn't feel anxious but can trust fully in the Lord's provisions... easier said than done, yea?)
Thanks again for all your love, support, and prayers! They are very precious to me! It makes it a million times easier to go knowing I have so many people praying for me here!
We leave San Diego about 3pm on friday and our plane leaves from LA to London at 9pm! My roommate and good friend's mom is here right now and she helped me roll my clothes last night for packing. Im so stoked to see what God is going to do in Malawi but at the same time totally overwhelmed by it! He IS good and that's the bottom line so we'll see what comes!
Amy (my sister in law) got back from Sierra Leone, Africa on saturday. She posted all her pictures online! I looked at every one and they got me all excited to go! My way is fully paid (thank you a million times to you guys who sacrificed to make this happen!) our house is secure for when I return and I have all of you guys, a great team and our HUGE God on my side! What else could a girl traveling across the world ask for?!
When I arrive safely in Malawi (possibly before) I will be able to make one phone call. I will call my mom who will call my brother who will post on this blog for me. He will be my contact for the rest of my trip. I will email him and he will post the email on here for all of you to read! This is the way COTN wants us to communicate with home. Please continue checking and lifting us up in prayer!
Here are some things on my prayer list...
Safe travel and ease with customs and what not (we'd like to keep all of our bags and supplies)
That our hearts would be prepared for what is to come
For the hearts of the people we will encounter in Malawi- that they will be soft and drawn to God's heart
Physical safety and healthy bodies
For you guys and my family (general safety, health and well being but that my family especially doesn't feel anxious but can trust fully in the Lord's provisions... easier said than done, yea?)
Thanks again for all your love, support, and prayers! They are very precious to me! It makes it a million times easier to go knowing I have so many people praying for me here!
Friday, June 15, 2007
a great end and a better beginning
As is the story of my life- I moved... again. Sarah and I are staying at our good friend Mailes for the end of June and the beginning of July. Sarah, Kara, Brittni and I start renting at our new house July 15th! Horray! Two GREAT friends Mark and Tyrone will move my stuff while I'm in Africa so I can come home to my own house! Thanks boys! ... er big strong men.
Tomorrow is my last day of work at Polinsky as a student worker (an important distinction because I applied to work the same job in a different position when I get back from Africa). I turned in my uniform and my key. The women in my cottage (and Mr. Steve) threw me a pot luck during our monthly staff meeting today. There are some of the most inclusive and loving women I've ever met. I have absolutely loved working with them and I will miss them greatly! Because the women are all from different countries we had quite the collection of food! It just geared me up for new African foods! From the pot luck I brought home a sticky rice/seafood (i think...)/chicken/sweet raisin dish thing miss melen made (she's from the Phillipines), a Philippino fruit dessert/coconut milk thing miss loida made, a tamale from miss consuelo and a homemade dessert tamale (pineapple) from miss myrna, an overnight staff. So fun! Polinsky has given awesome experience in the system, gave me a more realistic view of the world, given me endless people skills and allowed me to give my heart to countless children. I totally appreciate my time there!
The countdown for africa is t minus one week... or something like that. I leave a week from today on June 22nd at 11pm out of LA. After I finish at Polinsky I have 5 days to get ready (packing, planning, errands, prayer and thought). I'm stoked to have a little down time!
Amy, my sister in law gets back in the states tomorrow! I'm excited to hear about her trip!
I'm headed to bed (a common activity after blogging) because we have a support breakfast for the team in the morning and then I work from 2-10. I'm enjoying living with Maile, trying to see as many people as I can and attempting to prepare for who knows what!
OH! And... great news! I have reached my support goal! My friend Curt called to see if he could help me out with my trip and his contribution will complete my payments! Thanks for all your support! I love you guys!
Tomorrow is my last day of work at Polinsky as a student worker (an important distinction because I applied to work the same job in a different position when I get back from Africa). I turned in my uniform and my key. The women in my cottage (and Mr. Steve) threw me a pot luck during our monthly staff meeting today. There are some of the most inclusive and loving women I've ever met. I have absolutely loved working with them and I will miss them greatly! Because the women are all from different countries we had quite the collection of food! It just geared me up for new African foods! From the pot luck I brought home a sticky rice/seafood (i think...)/chicken/sweet raisin dish thing miss melen made (she's from the Phillipines), a Philippino fruit dessert/coconut milk thing miss loida made, a tamale from miss consuelo and a homemade dessert tamale (pineapple) from miss myrna, an overnight staff. So fun! Polinsky has given awesome experience in the system, gave me a more realistic view of the world, given me endless people skills and allowed me to give my heart to countless children. I totally appreciate my time there!
The countdown for africa is t minus one week... or something like that. I leave a week from today on June 22nd at 11pm out of LA. After I finish at Polinsky I have 5 days to get ready (packing, planning, errands, prayer and thought). I'm stoked to have a little down time!
Amy, my sister in law gets back in the states tomorrow! I'm excited to hear about her trip!
I'm headed to bed (a common activity after blogging) because we have a support breakfast for the team in the morning and then I work from 2-10. I'm enjoying living with Maile, trying to see as many people as I can and attempting to prepare for who knows what!
OH! And... great news! I have reached my support goal! My friend Curt called to see if he could help me out with my trip and his contribution will complete my payments! Thanks for all your support! I love you guys!
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
The Calm Before the Storm
Last weekend was my party! So fun! What a blessing to have so many people that love me and support me! It was a blast seeing everyone- I wish I could have spent more time talking with each of you! Thanks for coming and for helping with the last bit I need to raise! I'm only a few hundred dollars short now! Score! Here are some pictures from the party...
Paul, Chrissy, April and Laura chatting in the sun room.
These are my beloved Battenfields +1 -2. Josh and Julie we missed you! I have LOVED watching the Batts grow... ew... I sound old... but it's true! Josh and Ben are taller than me and quite the gentlemen (but mostly cool). Abby (blue suit) got old instantly with her deceiving bangs and I think might be more mature than me. I didn't think it was possible but Anna (pink suit) is getting sweeter and more gentle as she grows up. Ellie (purple) is as pure, transparently beautiful and just as fun as ever! Scott and Julie thanks for being great models of a Christ-like family and for treating me as one of your own. I love you guys!
My cousin Julia stayed for most of the party and for a while after! So good! I miss her like crazy when I'm in SD and can't wait to spend time with her! She's such an encouragement and just so much fun! Love you J!
As my sister in law Amy is in Sierra Leone, Africa with COTN I get to be in Sac with my brother and nephew! We're missing Amy a lot but I'm loving the time with Noah and Andrew! It's been a slow week- what a change! It's nice to just relax, nap with Noah and visit with nor cal friends and family.
Here's a praise! Brittni, Kara, Sarah and I have a house for next year in San Diego! It's perfect for us! It's in our price range, a bike ride from Mission Bay, 4 bedrooms and 3 baths, practically brand new, has a spa and is just beautiful! Some friends in San Diego will move us into the house in mid July while I'm in Malawi. I'm stoked that I'll a place to come home to when I return from Africa! Here's the house!
Speaking of Africa... our departure date- June 22nd (I checked) is fast approaching! We're getting final emails and wrapping up lose ends! Crazy! I'm starting to freak out a little considering what it would be like if I died there or decided I never wanted to come back to the states but I every day I'm feeling more ready to go. I think by the time we leave I'll be more than ready and antsy. I have no idea what to expect but I can't wait to embrace what God has in store for me, my teammates, and the nationals.
After Noah wakes up we're going on a La Bou run. I miss La Bou. Thanks everyone for reading this! I really doubted that people did but you all told me you did at the party! Woo!
Remember this is where I will post in Africa so check here for updates! I can start posting two weeks after I arrive.
Paul, Chrissy, April and Laura chatting in the sun room.
These are my beloved Battenfields +1 -2. Josh and Julie we missed you! I have LOVED watching the Batts grow... ew... I sound old... but it's true! Josh and Ben are taller than me and quite the gentlemen (but mostly cool). Abby (blue suit) got old instantly with her deceiving bangs and I think might be more mature than me. I didn't think it was possible but Anna (pink suit) is getting sweeter and more gentle as she grows up. Ellie (purple) is as pure, transparently beautiful and just as fun as ever! Scott and Julie thanks for being great models of a Christ-like family and for treating me as one of your own. I love you guys!
My cousin Julia stayed for most of the party and for a while after! So good! I miss her like crazy when I'm in SD and can't wait to spend time with her! She's such an encouragement and just so much fun! Love you J!
As my sister in law Amy is in Sierra Leone, Africa with COTN I get to be in Sac with my brother and nephew! We're missing Amy a lot but I'm loving the time with Noah and Andrew! It's been a slow week- what a change! It's nice to just relax, nap with Noah and visit with nor cal friends and family.
This is Noahs response when you ask him, "How big is Noah?" After he puts his arms up every adult in the room squeels, "SO BIG!" and claps. It's more like Noahs trick to get the adults to look silly...
He's just cute. It's hard to get a picture of him without a finger in the way. He likes to poke the camera.
Here's a praise! Brittni, Kara, Sarah and I have a house for next year in San Diego! It's perfect for us! It's in our price range, a bike ride from Mission Bay, 4 bedrooms and 3 baths, practically brand new, has a spa and is just beautiful! Some friends in San Diego will move us into the house in mid July while I'm in Malawi. I'm stoked that I'll a place to come home to when I return from Africa! Here's the house!
Speaking of Africa... our departure date- June 22nd (I checked) is fast approaching! We're getting final emails and wrapping up lose ends! Crazy! I'm starting to freak out a little considering what it would be like if I died there or decided I never wanted to come back to the states but I every day I'm feeling more ready to go. I think by the time we leave I'll be more than ready and antsy. I have no idea what to expect but I can't wait to embrace what God has in store for me, my teammates, and the nationals.
After Noah wakes up we're going on a La Bou run. I miss La Bou. Thanks everyone for reading this! I really doubted that people did but you all told me you did at the party! Woo!
Remember this is where I will post in Africa so check here for updates! I can start posting two weeks after I arrive.
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