More visitor experiences

Pat Jacquin and I helping wash hand before the meal at COTN feeding program

While our visitors were here, we took the time to break our normal routine and do a few things we hadn't done in awhile. Before we went to the States last fall, we were going as a family to the Ministry of Hope's Crisis Nursery about twice a month. This Nursery cares for orphaned infants through about 2 year olds. We would come as a family and hold babies and play for an hour or so. Sydney always loved it, but Sam wasn't so enthused about entertaining the babies. But since we've been back to Malawi, we havent' taken the time to get back there. So Miriam, Pat and I went last week to visit. It was so fun to see the kids--they had all grown and changed so much in the 6 months since I had visited the nursery. The older kids had moved on--some back to extended family members, now that they were older and could eat regular food, some to foster homes. It's a sweet ministry and it's a good way to get my baby fix every once in awhile. There's always one child I want to take home with me.

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Pictures of the "graduates" of the widows training program

The three of us then accompanied Brenda Jansen to Children of the Nations feeding program in Mtsiliza. Mtsiliza is an urban village tucked into the center of Lilongwe--just across from ABC Christian Academy, where the kids go to school. It is a very poor area and the COTN feeding program provides 2 meals a day to orphans and children whose parents cannot provide for them. Before the meal we were treated to a beautiful time of singing by the kids. I have a video of it, but it doesn't seem to want to upload. Then the kids come for their meals, and Pat and I helped by washing hands.

The program also reaches out to widows in the community. Miriam was especially interested in this ministry. They are in the midst of a second round of training for local widows. This training involves teaching trades such as sewing, baking, and knitting in an effort to provide skills for these women to make a living. The first "class" of trainees numbered about 40 and currently there are that same number involved in the training as well. The two women in charge of this current class, were graduates of the first class and you could sense the pride they had in their own accomplishments and in the women they were training currently.

It was so good to break from my routine and see some of the other ministries that are happening around me every day. God is working through many different avenues to bring light and hope and meet needs in Lilongwe.