Anticipation

Just under a month before we leave for Malawi and reality is starting to set in.  I am actually going to Africa.  I am especially excited to be able to make this trip with Julie and Kelby as I am sure it will be an amazing family experience.  Although I don’t know exactly what each day in Malawi will bring, I am open to whatever God has planned for us.  I am thankful for the opportunity to represent Ankeny First on this special trip.  

Cary Halfpop

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!😊