Day 10
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Ngodzi
Today we all experienced church, African style! We went two by two to five village churches in the area. Some preached a message, while others gave greetings. The worship was very lively with lots of singing and dancing accompanied by drums. The church buildings varied from a school, to churches with thatch roofing, dirt floors, and no seating. Others had concrete floor with wooden benches and a steel roof. What made the experience so memorable for all of us was the joy and gratitude of the people, the unity we all felt with them, and the vibrancy and exuberance of their worship. For the offering, the basket was at the front of the church and people brought their offering of food or money forward, dancing and singing. At some churches people who were sick came to the front to be prayed for by the pastor and team members. New members were welcomed by the church.
The highlight of the afternoon was calling our home church family during their worship service. They arranged a speaker phone so the whole congregation could hear each team member’s brief report. Our church family cheered us on.
We had another delicious meal tonight and practiced our songs for the upcoming weekend celebrations. Although it rained last night, it is still very hot and humid.
We continue to covet your thoughts and prayers as we begin week two.
Day 9
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Ngodzi
Hank, Kees, Betty and Connie were serenaded by a hippo munching on grass right outside their chalets during the night! The hippo left around 5 am, just before we got up.
At 6:00 am some of the team members went on a morning walking tour where we saw many baboons, warthogs, impalas, birds, and elephant tracks… but no elephant yet! After breakfast we finished our safari by boat; it was by far the most exciting part of the safari. We saw elephants! Although everyone was very excited to see the four elephants by the river, Connie was ecstatic! We saw crocodiles, iguanas, and a lot of hippos! At 10:00 am we set off for home by boat on the river. During our drive back home, Betty, Fred, Darren, Paul, and Chelsey finished writing the Chichewa team song! We arrived back at the mission lodge at 2:00 pm.
Pastors Watson and MacDuff briefed us on the upcoming weekend opening festivities which start on Friday night with a showing of the “Jesus Film” in the Chichewa language. We are also preparing some music for the opening celebrations.
Several team members will be sharing in several area churches in the morning, and are busy preparing this evening.
We had our first authentic Malawian meal tonight, nsima (pounded corn) and goat!
“I loved the goat meat” - Hank & Everyone else.
“It’s funny… you have to eat it with your fingers” – Chelsey
“Quite tasty” – Kees
“Turn the lights on so we can see what we are eating!!” – Garnet
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Ngodzi
Today we all experienced church, African style! We went two by two to five village churches in the area. Some preached a message, while others gave greetings. The worship was very lively with lots of singing and dancing accompanied by drums. The church buildings varied from a school, to churches with thatch roofing, dirt floors, and no seating. Others had concrete floor with wooden benches and a steel roof. What made the experience so memorable for all of us was the joy and gratitude of the people, the unity we all felt with them, and the vibrancy and exuberance of their worship. For the offering, the basket was at the front of the church and people brought their offering of food or money forward, dancing and singing. At some churches people who were sick came to the front to be prayed for by the pastor and team members. New members were welcomed by the church.
The highlight of the afternoon was calling our home church family during their worship service. They arranged a speaker phone so the whole congregation could hear each team member’s brief report. Our church family cheered us on.
We had another delicious meal tonight and practiced our songs for the upcoming weekend celebrations. Although it rained last night, it is still very hot and humid.
We continue to covet your thoughts and prayers as we begin week two.
Day 9
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Ngodzi
Hank, Kees, Betty and Connie were serenaded by a hippo munching on grass right outside their chalets during the night! The hippo left around 5 am, just before we got up.
At 6:00 am some of the team members went on a morning walking tour where we saw many baboons, warthogs, impalas, birds, and elephant tracks… but no elephant yet! After breakfast we finished our safari by boat; it was by far the most exciting part of the safari. We saw elephants! Although everyone was very excited to see the four elephants by the river, Connie was ecstatic! We saw crocodiles, iguanas, and a lot of hippos! At 10:00 am we set off for home by boat on the river. During our drive back home, Betty, Fred, Darren, Paul, and Chelsey finished writing the Chichewa team song! We arrived back at the mission lodge at 2:00 pm.
Pastors Watson and MacDuff briefed us on the upcoming weekend opening festivities which start on Friday night with a showing of the “Jesus Film” in the Chichewa language. We are also preparing some music for the opening celebrations.
Several team members will be sharing in several area churches in the morning, and are busy preparing this evening.
We had our first authentic Malawian meal tonight, nsima (pounded corn) and goat!
“I loved the goat meat” - Hank & Everyone else.
“It’s funny… you have to eat it with your fingers” – Chelsey
“Quite tasty” – Kees
“Turn the lights on so we can see what we are eating!!” – Garnet
posted by Dr. Hendrik Visser at 6:38 AM
<< Home