We have been home for 5 days now. The Partnership of Hope Mission Trip to Malawi seems like a distant memory, but still at the same time, so very near. We now take safe water, food, shelter, transportation, and our quality of life as the norm. But now the norm has a different feel to it. Do we really need those things which we in our society chase after? Larger houses, cars. TV’s latest designer clothing. Do we need to take long showers, or leave the water run when we brush our teeth? Does it upset us when we see food being wasted? Does it really matter if we get upset over situations, like waiting in a Doctor’s office, sitting in a traffic tie up, or behind someone in the grocery store, who is slow in checking out? It was pointed out to me that these are the 1st world problems, and people in the 3^rd world counties do not have these issues. They don’t wait in Doctors office, as there is no office, if there is no Doctor. Grocery stores are few and far in-between, and foot traffic don’t really get backed up.

By having the experience of being part of the Malawi Partnership of Hope, has changed my way of thinking of what is important. Hopefully, I am a little more open to the needs of our families, friends, neighbors, and all those in need. It is not as important as to what I need to do to better myself, but to assist our fellow neighbors.

Matthew, 25, 34-40, “What you did this to one of the least of these my brothers and Sisters, you were doing it for me” In Malawi, it is easy to see the need. But it has awaken in me the need that is in our own family, neighbors, and community.

After going to Malawi 6 times, I still find it very difficult to put into words how Malawi has changed me. But it has.

2015 team was a team of 5, the smallest team that has been sent by the Partnership of Hope. The question is asked, what is the ideal size of team? My response, is the number that is currently on the team, as there is no ideal number. Each team is different, and has it own personality.  I will always cherish the opportunity to share this with our Grandson Mic, and look forward to being part of the 2016 team.

If there is any flame in you wanting to experience this, Please contact me.

God Bless

Len Pallas

 

Kathy and I were invited to speak to the Mkundi UMW. They wanted to hear what words of wisdom we had for them. How humbling to think that we might be able to speak to their problems when we can't imagine the life they live. Several of the women's husbands had left them with several small children to raise on their own.  They have no means to provide for their families but they have dreams of starting small businesses - one knows how to knit, another would like to sell donuts.  They also dream of going to a UMW meeting in Lilongwe, about 115 kilometers away in August. They were trying to figure out how to come up with the funds needed for the 3 day trip.  The price for each person is about $4.  They will sleep on the church floor and bring their own food,  

It was easy to see that this group of women cared for one another and supported each other.  They also prayed together and laughed together. Like every UMW they were the cooks for the days we were there.

After hearing their stories, I didn't feel like I could leave without doing something. It would be like the passage from James that talks about giving a person in need a warm greeting but ignoring their need.  The next day we gave them the money to send the 10 women to the conference and they were elated.  We also gave a little money to help them start ways to support themselves and the UMW will monitor the use of the funds.  The president, who is a very young woman, pledged that they will work very hard. I know they will. They already do. In just a short amount of time, language barrier and all, I fell in love with these women. I pray that God will bless them, provide for them, make their lives and that of their children easier and give them confidence to know that they are valued and loved.

Wouldn't it be great if our UMW could partner with them?!

 

Pizza in Malawi

After we finished cleaning up the kitchen from feeding those who had faithfully served us while we have been here, it was time for us to go out and get something to eat.  Our wonderful driver, Chifundo, gave us a tour around Mzuzu.  We saw the most beautiful sunset - too bad I couldn't get a good picture. We went to A-1 Restaurant that served Indian and Malawian food - and pizza!   We had such wonderful conversation around the table as we talked about the differences and similarities in our cultures. One thing common to both is that grandparents love to spoil their grandchildren and as a grandma myself, I don't see anything wrong with that!

What we did this evening may seem like just a fun night out, and there's no doubt that it was fun, but in the process we are learning more about the Malawi culture and building important relationships. If we sat down with more people who were unlike us no matter where, I believe we would bridge many gaps and have fewer problems as we each learn to understand and value the other. It's that thing God told us to do:  love your neighbor. 

Kitchen Kapers

Sunday lunch has been my favorite as a little girl.  It often meant going to grandmas house to share food and my cousins friendship.  Today was Sunday and we made lunch for our Malawi family.

The team invaded the kitchen of our lodge, experimented with unfamiliar labels, used 'guess-timates' with out measuring tools and managed to make a lunch we were proud to serve.  The antics of the team was yet another part of the fun.  You see, in the process of the preparation, we discovered hidden secrets.  Like, Mic and John are afraid of spiders!  yes we found one in the kitchen and their faces turn rather pale.  We also know that goulash is made with beans in one home and cheese in another.  Ask Angie or Kathy their opinion.

But the final product was full stomachs, lazy conversations in yard of the Lwinga Lodge, and in some cases, hugs and goodbyes.  Today we spent time with our family and we shared food and friendship.

Tailoring School Graduation!

As our friends in the U.S. were celebrating the 4th, we were participating in the graduation ceremony for the Hope Tailoring School.  16 women received their diplomas for completing 9 months at the school. It was a different graduation than most of us are used to.  The women danced and sang praises to God.  They presented a drama.  We gave them gifts and they gave us gifts of bags they had made.  Finally, it was time for me to give the graduation speech.  I wanted to give them a word of encouragement as women stepping out to provide hope for their families and communities through their new skills.  I told them the story of Tabitha in Acts 9. Tabitha, even though a woman, was called a disciple.  She committed herself to caring for widows who had no one else to support them.  She was a seamstress who made clothing and coats for those in need. When she got sick and died, it was a blow to the community and they sent for Peter.  Peter prayed calling on the name of Jesus, and brought her back to life. God agreed that her ministry was too important to die.  In this way God affirmed the importance of a woman. In a culture in which women are not always affirmed, I felt it was important to let these women know that they are important and valued.

When the women received their diplomas, family members came right up front to get their pictures taken.  The women were so elated!  Five of the top students plus the two most improved students received sewing machines. The top student had perfect attendance and walked 15 kilometers to school every day.  What commitment!  When she received her sewing machine, she wept with joy.  Those sewing machines are huge for them as it gives them the opportunity to start their business right away and to begin making an income to support their families.

Over and over AFUMC was thanked and asked to please please continue this school. It means so much to them.  Thank you for your generosity and keep these women, their teacher and Hope Tailoring School in your prayers. 

Welcome, Welcome🎶🎶

"Welcome, welcome,welcome, welcome, we are glad to see you". This song welcomed us to yet another nursery school.  Children sitting in straight rows, in a dirt floor brick building.  A thatch roof over head.  They were so quiet and still. (Did I mention that we were late?). I shook each of their hands and said, 'How are you?' And they replied in English, 'I am fine and how are you?'  The teacher, pastors and interpreters all helped in sharing and again they sat so still and well behaved.   As a former kindergarten teacher, I am amazed at this.  When all was done and we left, they were also dismissed.  Then I heard shouts, giggles and laughter as they ran from the building.  The same as in any part of the world!😊

Blessings to family and friends

Since arriving in Malawi last Monday afternoon, we  visited the Mafikeni 

church, where last year, our brothers and sisters from Lenox put in a bore hole. We walked around the new church that is being constructed, 

Devotions and dinner at Bethany circuit.  Tuesday saw us at Kanvati Village, where a new bore hole was dedicated. Land has been donated by the chief for a new church, Thursday a nursery school was visited, where all of  the children received a  knitted cap,and a cross

We are so Blessed to have the Partnership of Hope. Through the projects  that is supported by the Partnership, lives are being saved by having access to clean water, families are strengthen by the graduates of the tailoring school, and the farm is showing that food can be produced by using the proper farming procedures,  and the nursery  schools provide education, and in some cases, food for the children.

The most exciting accomplishment, is that because of these activities, people are learning about God, thereby,becoming part of the Kingdom. This is very visible, as you can see there love for our God. Praise the Lord

 God Bless each of you for your support

Len

LAKE MALAWI

So many more great memories today...

After breakfast at Luwinga Lodge, we made our way to a nursery school.  These little kids (3-5 years old) were so proud to sing us songs in English and their teacher was amazing.  I am told that this nursery school outside of MZUZU was visited for the first time by our team last year.  We had a chance to give these little kids a cross necklace and a hat to keep their heads warm.

After this, we made our way toward Lake Malawi. I've been to this lake before, but never to this particular park.  I was told it was THE FAMOUS park where NATE AND BRITTANY got engaged. :) What an amazing place.  It was such a beautiful park.  FINE white sand, and warm fresh water.  Lake Malawi is the 3rd largest lake on the continent of Africa. It moves much like an ocean. I felt blessed to sit by this lake for a few minutes in the warm sun while we waited for a lunch.  We feasted on chombo (local fish variety) and drank pineapple fanta.

That's when it hit me. (now, before I get deep / emotional, the rest of the day we traveled to a gift shop and then headed home after the lake) ...  back to the story - THAT's when it hit me.  What a beautiful park. I played in the lake and ate fresh fish inside this resort.  100 meters outside of this resort, people are starving.  No clean water.  No food. Small mud-brick shelters. Children without parents, women without help, people without hope.  And there I was... eating a big plate of fish inside a gated resort and staring at a beautiful lake.

Our team took a break... and that's ok.  We were tired... we needed a minute to relax.  But I'm still trying to process the contrast between excess and emptiness.  It sucks.  I probably sound selfish and ungrateful saying that... but its hard to process.

I'll sleep on that tonight.  Give God praise for the things you have, and even the things you don't.  In all things...give thanks.

From angie

Yesterday we went to a remote village to dedicate a bore hole. I assumed that certainly they were already using it and our dedication would be a formality. But when we arrived, it was covered in plastic with 2 balloons tied to it. They waited until we arrived to use the precious water. They practice patience far better than I do! The women and children led us to the bore hole with singing and dancing. I wish you all could have experienced seeing the look of joy on their faces when the water - cool, clean water - came gushing out. This single bore hole will provide water for 700 families or 6000 people. What an impact the generosity of AFUMC has had on these people. The dedication ceremony was a wonderful evangelism tool as the pastor said that there are currently only 10 members of the church. But many were at the dedication ceremony who heard God's praises over and over. I pray through this gift of water and the church that will soon be built there many come to know the love of Jesus. I can see and am convinced of the wonderful work that is being done, but the question that nags at me is : what is the next step for this village? How do we walk alongside them in the future to help them further better their lives in Jesus' name? I will be looking for and praying about the answers to these questions. May we truly continue to offer hope. Pastor Angie

The wheels on the bus.....

Today was the best day yet!  We slept in til 7:00, had devotions and sit down to a relaxing breakfast and then started to Mzuzu. 

 Bus riding is an adventure in Malawi, especially this distance.  There is the seating arrangement (where do all the bags go?), the passing of food around the bus and who gets the last one, the teasing and picture taking when you fall asleep, the check points ( no one smile or show a camera) and then the calculations of the next bathroom.

BUT also you get to enjoy the scenery as it changes to mountains,the joking, the varied modes of transportation you see, the amount of cargo piled on bicycles, and maybe a quick nap.  For me, seeing familiar sites as we approached Mzuzu, recognizing familiar faces, relishing in the improvements made this the best day yet.  Oh, yes, Robert welcomed us at Luwinga Lodge.  He is just the same with his big smile!

2 days full of God's grace

It has been a few days since we have had internet access sufficient or stable enough to blog.  I am sure that many of us will be blogging tonight about the experiences from the last 2 days.  

Rather than just give you the play-by-play, I'd like to describe 3 experiences I had which touched my heart.  (for those who like play-by-play...bus, borehole, bus, hotel, bus, borehole, bus, bus, bus, mzuzu) :)

When we arrived at our first village, we were greeted in song and dance.  The holy spirit was certainly moving and we could see real joy in peoples faces.  We met with chiefs and saw so many changes since last year when the team visited.  The borehole was still working well, and there was now a new partially completed brick church structure in front of it. LENNOX UMC donated the borehole, and AFUMC donated resources for the church. It will be amazing, and will serve the community well.

We also had a chance to go back to the "Bethel circuit" and worship at St. Johns. We were encouraged to hear that they are planning to restart all of the childrens/orphan programs which had been closed during turmoil, as well as add programs for women and youth.  The elder Pastor Nkata delivered a powerful sermon on the need for salvation and his own conversion experience.  

Finally, yesterday, we were able to visit a village (VERY REMOTE) where a brand-new borehole was waiting to be used.  We arrived again to singing and a short presentation.  With literally hundreds of people around, Len was able to "unwrap" the borehole (it had been decorated) and pump it with the project manager for the very first time.  Then, along with the 16 village chiefs, we were able to drink from the well.  700 families (an estimated 6,000 people) will now have access to clean water for the first time.  After the dedication, we were invited into a leader's home.  We sat together with the chiefs on the floor and ate a meal of chicken/beef (mystery meat) and rice.  It was delicious, and it was clear this was a HUGE offering to us as the village was very remote and poor.  We then shared a word with the entire village on bore-hole maintenance and God's gift of clean water and grace.  We may or may not have also been given a live chicken as I gift (which I named buster) which was then swapped out for another chicken that I was not as attached to and which will be dinner tomorrow... but I digress... lol. 

Now we're in Mzuzu connecting with old friends and preparing for another day of mission and relationships.  PLEASE KNOW THIS!! TELL EVERYONE YOU KNOW!!! JESUS IS REAL!  GOD IS FAITHFUL!!

We need you to believe that even though we don't dig/build/hammer anything while we are here, we are building REAL relationships that change lives.  We have already been changed as a team as well. When we meet people we haven't seen in 2 years, and continue conversations as if it were yesterday it gives me confidence that God has us here for a reason.  We share the love of God and hope of God with each other.  I heard the DS for Malawi (BIG PASTOR BOSS) say that he is so glad we come because it gives people hope that there is a God... if there wasn't a God, why would these people travel so far to tell us God loves us?  We respond by saying we travel here to be reminded that God loves Ankeny.  God calls us to be ENGAGED in our community in service and love.  

BE ENCOURAGED AFUMC!  YOUR PRAYERS AND GIFTS ARE MAKING A REAL DIFFERENCE FOR JESUS CHRIST IN MALAWI!!  See you soon. 

Mommy!! I CAN'T SLEEP!

7:24pm - that is what time my computer says on the "clock display".  I'm sitting in my hotel in Johannesburg reflecting on our trip so far... and I'm reminded of a book I read my children when they were young. It was about a mother bunny who got NO sleep as her little bunnies would shout out "MOMMY, I CAN'T SLEEP!"

7:24pm - Central Standard Time.  That means it is 2:24am here in Africa, and "mommy, I can't sleep."  Went to bed at 9pm local, and I've been up since midnight.  I'm anxious, nervous and excited. This Malawi trip is always transformational, and I can't wait to see what God has in store for our team.

So, I've been using this time (that my body doesn't think is night-time...grrr) to pray for my family and friends, and to do homework for seminary!!

Why not update the blog as well??!!  Here's a short reflection on our travels so far.

What a great sendoff at the DSM airport.  Thank you so much to all of the people who came out to support and pray for us.  Our first flight to Atlanta was altogether uneventful.  Our team had a few moments to chat in the airport, and it was great to let loose a little bit and enjoy each other's company.  Once we got to Atlanta, we made our way from one side of the airport to the other and prepared for our flight.  I think the team got tired of me saying things like "can you believe this flight will last almost an ENTIRE DAY with the time change?"  I can't lie, the travel portion of this trip can be brutal, but our flight was great.  I was nervous about the 16+ hr flight, but it went even better than on my last trip to Malawi.  We had a few laughs on the plane, ate about an entire loaf of bread with our inflight meals, and a few of us got some sleep.  More to come about our Johannesburg Airport experience in a later post...

BUT THESE AREN'T THE THINGS YOU WANT TO HEAR ABOUT?!?!  GIVE US MALAWI STUFF PASTOR JOHN!!!  

True, this isn't a blog post about the amazing work being done with God's help in Malawi. But every trip, every blessing, every mission trip has preparation.  Pastor Angie prepared our hearts to LISTEN for God's voice in our opening devotions together.  Kathy led us in our second devotion about how small trials can prepare us for righteousness.  Preparing is essential - and including God is necessary.

My encouragement for you today is to FIND some time to prepare.  Read a devotion, say a prayer for your neighbor, invite the holy spirit to guide you during your day.  Oh yeah, and if you can, get some sleep.

I promise my next blog post will be more exciting and less sleep deprived!!  MAY GOD BLESS YOU!!

Feels like Home

The Rocky Mountains and ISU are places that feel like 'home' to me.  The Rockies because of all the memories as a child; camping, hiking, visiting cousins.  Wow, we had fun, and our first adventures outside our western Iowa farm.   Of course, ISU is where I grew up, fell in love and found a direction for my life.

Malawi is also feeling like home.  As a new retiree, I took the chance to go to Malawi.  I had downsized my family home to a Town home and ventured Ito central Iowa from the east.  I was trying to find new friend, home church, etc.  Some days I felt like a nobody.

In Malawi I 'grew up'!  (That is crazy for old lady to say) and found a direction for my new phase. I saw the hope and empowerment of people living in what we would call poverty.  They were eager to listen, learn and better their lives.  They would look beyond my outer exterior and learn about who I am.  And of course, they had that dynamic faith in God that I do so envy.  I saw the impact of the recent project and felt their energy in developing new skills and resources.

 I am returning for the third time and some wonder why.  I can only say, I need to.  It's beginning to feel like home.

Blessings to All

The 2015 Partnership of Hope Mission trip to Malawi is near.

In 6 days the 2015 Partnership of Hope mission team will be leaving for Malawi. The 2015 team is vastly different than the past, as the team is made up of 5 team members, ranging in age from 16 to 75.  The smaller size, may create more opportunities to create closer relationships with our brothers and sisters in Malawi.

 Ankeny First United Methodist Church has provided funding for 3 bore holes in 2015. Also funds were provided to help with material cost on a new Mafikeni church. The Church will also be used as a nursery school and Women’s Empowerment Center. Mafikni is the location of the bore hole that our Brothers and Sisters from Lenox funded in 2014.

The team in schedule to visit the Bethany Circuit again. (2011 the last time we were there)

As usual, the Tailoring School will have their graduation ceremony on July 4^th.  Two days will be spent on the farm.

It will be exciting to see what surprises God has in store for the 2015 team.

To see the miracles that have taken place with.

Providing Clean Water:

2015 will be the Ministry’s 13^th borehole. (11 by AFUMC and 2 by Lenox UMC) That provides safe water to anywhere from 36,000 to 65,000 people who did not have access to safe water. It is hard to comprehend how many lives are being saved by just having safe water.

Tailoring School:   

The 2015 graduation class from the tailoring school will be 16 students. Since AFUMC involvement with the tailoring school, this will make about 69 students that have graduated. That is 69 women who now have a skill to provide for their families.

The Farm:

2010 the farm was a vision

2011   A borehole was put down.

2012   Farm house was built, and 1st crop was harvested

The Church structure was some poles with some thatch on the top for a roof was to praise the Lord

2013   A new church was in existence, (constructed from bricks made on site). The original borehole was converted to a solar pump, which allowed more acres of crops to be irrigated.

2014   2nd bore hole installed.  The farms assistance manager’s house was completed.

2015 will be very exciting to see how all of the above material actions have many people into the Kingdom of God.

God Bless

Len Pallas