President Joyce Banda

Malawi has a new president and the people seem happy.  Last night as I was closing the curtains I heard cheering and pops from fireworks and rifles in the streets of Lilongwe.  At first I wasn't sure if they were good cheers or rioting like those that we heard just last July (when 19 people were killed).  However a quick call to mom (who has been following the story more closely than even I have been) revealed that Malawi had just sworn in a new president, Joyce Banda.  Joyce Banda was the vice-president of Malawi but had recently been at odds with President Bingu and she was kicked out of the party that they represented.  However she was never relieved from her position as VP.  There was a period of time after the former President Bingu died where there was concern as to whether the transition of power was going to follow the constitution (which would put Banda in charge) or whether some would seek to put someone from the President's own party in charge.  Here is more detailed info at this link.  With the swearing in of President Banda the people of Malawi seem relieved and happy.  There is much to accomplish and fix in Malawi.  The country is hurting and has a long road to travel.  But we continue to pray the Lord's blessing upon Malawi and her beautiful people.

Prayers for Malawi

The president of Malawi has had a heart attack and is reported dead among all international news affiliates. However, the country of Malawi has yet to admit that the President has passed away or make a statement on his health.  The vice-president has been at odds with President Bingu for some time now. So the transition could be tricky or even violent. You can see the BBC's news article here.  Please pray for a peaceful transition of power.  Pray also for the people of Malawi as they have seen many hardships and trials over the past few years (especially the past year).

Zikomo kwambili,
Jill

Dependence

Dependence- Websters defines it this way: 1) the quality or state of being dependent; especially: the quality or state of being influenced or determined by or subject to another 2) reliance; trust

I love that definition.  This is lesson number one that the Lord has taught me over the past year.  Dependence.  I thought I was dependent upon the Lord before moving here.  I thought I trusted HIM for everything and turned to HIM for what I needed.  I did not.  I lived in a society that had more than enough of EVERYTHING.  If I needed fuel, I went and got it (and I complained if I had to wait 10 minutes for the two cars in front of me to fill up first).  If I needed food then I went to one store and was assured that it would be there.  If it wasn't there it was surely at another store and all I had to do was let the store manager know what was missing and it would be there next time.  If my power went out then I knew that I could call Entergy and let them know (although hundreds of other people had already beat me to it I'm sure) and that teams from hundreds of miles away would be hauling tail to get to our area if we needed more help to get that power on quickly.  And if water went out, well....our water never went out.  That was unheard of.

But I didn't consider these luxuries as hampering my dependency upon the Lord.  I mean, when we think of dependency on HIM we think of good health, safety, and well-being.  Right? We think of the big things that the Lord can provide for us like a home, a job, a husband, or a child.  Well, Philippians 4:19 says that, "my God will supply all your needs according to His riches and glory in Christ."  Notice that word: ALL.  He will supply everything that we need.  He has proven this time and time again in our lives but many times we credit our own resourcefulness with HIS provisions.  Honestly, I'd just never HAD to depend on God for a lot.  I lived in one of the richest societies ever known to man.

Then the Lord changed all that.  We were called to Malawi and our world literally got turned upside down.  Summer is now winter.  Winter is now summer.  Left is now right.  And right is now wrong.  We have gone without (yet we still live like kings compared to the vast majority of the country).  We have searched for things in vein. We have rejoiced over sugar being on the shelves.  We have cried when those around us have taken our trash home to their family for supper. We've learned so much. We've changed so much.  But the most important lesson is that we have learned that we truly are dependent on HIM to supply all of our needs.  All things come from Christ.  Our daily bread, our needed water, our comfort and peace...it all comes from HIM.  And the miracle that we see daily is that HE indeed supplies it!!!

Acts 2:22 says, "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs which God performed through him in your midst, as you yourself know...".  When Jesus was on the Earth he performed many miracles, signs, and wonders.  The fact is, He still performs these miracles, signs, and wonders but we are sometimes blind to see them.

Our fuel tank is currently below empty and there is no sign of petrol anywhere in the country.  But I know that the Lord will provide for us when it is time.  How do I know this?  Because He has proven himself time and time again.  Sometimes he provides before the needle hits "E" and sometimes he provides after.  Sometime I'm sure he will let us walk or ride our bikes and this is a provision in itself.  The fact is, HE WILL PROVIDE even if it's not when and how we want.  He is faithful and true.  He is always there and He knows what we need without our asking.

Our fuel tanks are low quite often here (literally and spiritually) yet it is in these times of need that we have become dependent upon HIM.  Praise God for our need!  Praise God for HIS provisions.  Praise God for our dependence!

Jill

"Consider it pure joy..."

During my quiet time this morning the Lord laid it on my heart that I needed to let you know some of the things that He has been teaching us over the past 9 months.  I don't want to paint the picture that it's been a bed of roses but I also don't want to make you feel like it's been so difficult and discourage others from possibly following the Lord to the field.  The truth is, sometimes it's hard to share the hardships.  And yes, it's been hard.  This has been one of the hardest times in our lives yet also the most rewarding.  I hope you will see this and rejoice with us in what the Lord is doing in our lives.

A precious friend of mine is going through a very difficult period in her life.  She has been amazingly transparent throughout the entire ordeal and has shared all aspects of this difficulty with those who read her blog.  I have learned so much about the Lord and His strength and forgiving power through what she has shared.  I'm amazed to see what the Lord is doing with her family through these trials.  So in light of what she has taught me I feel the Lord showing me that I need to share our struggles and trials with you more, so that you will know how to pray and also see what the Lord is truly doing in our lives.  It's sometimes so amazing that I'm speechless.

First- I want to make these posts short so I'll share a little at a time. I hope you will see the Lord's hand in all circumstances.  This year has been a series of one trial after another.  We met with difficulty from the very beginning and have had periods where it's been so bad that I felt as if I couldn't breathe. I've been on my knees crying on the kitchen floor or curled up in a corner of my bedroom with tears running down my face asking God why it has to be so hard.  I don't pretend to try to understand the reasons why.  It could be that the Lord is stripping us down so that He can build us back up into who HE wants us to be.  Or it could be spiritual warfare.  In my heart I know that it is a little of both.  James 1:2-4 says, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking in anything."

I remember one specific period where we had about 6 weeks straight of trial after trial.  Some of the trials were small such as no fuel, no water, a broken washing machine, a flat tire, no electricity,  or a stomach bug.  But then some were huge such as a newborn who wouldn't eat and was loosing weight, finding out that our precious baby had a cleft palate that would require surgery in a year, etc.  We were facing trial after trial.  This was a very very difficult time in our lives.  Daily I would wake up and say, "Today is going to be better".  And then almost immediately something else would break or something else would go wrong.  This went on for weeks.  I would just repeat to myself, "consider it pure joy...consider it pure joy".

At the height of this difficult time I remember standing in my shower crying and singing praise songs to our Heavenly Father.  I realized then that HE was teaching me so much.  I realized that I'd learned to let go of so many earthly things and cling to HIM as my source of strength.  I realized that I was at a place in my life where I was completely broken and dependent on HIM for EVERYTHING.  I needed HIM to get me through the day, to provide our food, to give me the strength to breathe.  Literally I was more dependent on HIM than I ever had been in my life.  And I praised HIM for this.  This is exactly where HE wanted me.  This is where HE wants all of us.

I won't go into detail about all of the trials but I will say that our perspective on what we NEED has changed SIGNIFICANTLY since we arrived in Malawi.  We have been many times without water, petrol (gas), power, a vehicle, certain food staples, etc.  And it's ok.  God is our strength and there is nothing that we are going to face that HE isn't going to give us the strength to get through.  "Consider it pure joy..."

more to come...

Jill

What is it?

Ok, give up or have you figured it out??  These are brooms.  Maxwell told me the other day that we needed more brooms.  So I gave him money and a man happened by the gate that very day selling brooms.  Maxwell bought 10 of them and laid them out to dry in the sun.  Above are the brooms.  Below is Gidgi with Maxwell trying to teach her to sweep! Please notice how short the brooms are!  And they sweep everything here!  Maxwell sweeps the leaves and dirt from our driveway and sidewalk each day.  Driving down the road it's not unusual to see people sweeping the dirt on the side of the road.  I imagine there are many sore backs in Malawi! ;)

Dedza Pottery

Our family loves pottery.  A special outing for us when we were still in the States was going to one of those places where they let you paint your own pottery and then they fire it for you.  I have handprints on plates of each of the kids when they were young.  Thankfully, we have a place here in Malawi where we can do this as well.  It's about 2 1/2 hours away- but it's on Lake Malawi so it's worth every mile (and the VERY HARD TO FIND fuel)!  Nkhotakota Pottery Lodge is a perfect weekend getaway for the family.  Sometimes you just need a break!

Here is baby J at 6 weeks old chillin' out at the lake.

The family getting ready to paint our pottery.

And this is how the pottery is made.  There are two places in Malawi where this amazing pottery is made and purchased.  Here at Nkhotakota and in Dedza as well.  I've now been to both and they are both fabulous!  I want to buy everything in the store! ;)  We all loved getting to watch them make the pottery. We were able to see step by step how our precious items end up on our table.

Yusef (our pottery guide) is helping CJ put his hand print on his plate.

These are our finished products.  Now they will be placed into the kiln and fired.  We'll pick them up in a couple of weeks.

Here is Julius.  He's one of the professional painters at the Pottery Lodge.  He was so happy to let me take his picture.  He's very proud of his work.  It's amazing to watch them!

Some of the many items for sale at the Pottery Lodge.  Be still my heart!  This is one of my biggest weaknesses here! ;)

ABCCA Swim Gala

This past Friday it was the younger kids' time to shine!  Remember in December AJ had her swim gala and participated in many races showing off her swim talent.  The smaller kids didn't swim races but they had a demonstration where they were able to show off all they had learned in swimming this year.  Yes, we've been swimming for the past few months.  Remember it's summer here!  

Here is SM with some of her classmates waiting for the Gala to begin.

Kicking in the kiddie pool!

Swim! We are so proud of her!  At the beginning of the year she was afraid to even get in the water.  Now she's swimming!

All of the Reception (preschool) kids!

Now it's CJ's time to shine!  Here he is showing his talents with a kickboard.

CJ has really progressed in his swimming!  His freestyle is getting pretty good.

Here he is about to swim the entire length of the pool!  Yay!!!!

Getting his certificate!  Way to go Prince-Man!