Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Day 4
Monday, March 19, 2007
Ngodzi

Hank started the day with Devotions reading from Nehemiah. Prayer time followed with each member expressing their concerns about their roles here in Africa. We all prayed for unity, strength and a real realization of our purpose. After breakfast we headed out to the worksite where the Malawian men had begun the foundation. Introductions were made and Pastor MacDuff welcomed us warmly. Work started off slowly but picked up the paced once Dr Brooks was able to obtain more trowels. It didnĂ­t take long before the two nations were comfortably working side by side. Even the children of the village pitched in feverishly to haul the bricks to the walls that were being erected. They were full of cheer as they laboured endlessly in the heat. All told, the front wall, part of the back wall, a portion of the west wall and some of the trusses were built. Needless to say the heat increased but the enthusiasm never faltered.


Day 3
Sunday, March 16, 2007
Lilongwe

For seven of us, placing their feet on African soil was an exhilarating moment. For others of us, the nostalgia of acacia trees and that certain African aroma in the air, is always moving. And then there is the wonderful service on Kenya Airways that is so friendly, prompt and attentive.

We arrived in Nairobi at 7:30 am after an nine and a half hour flight. We viewed a beautiful sunrise over Africa from the plane. At Nairobi, just a brief layover, change of gates, and on to Lilongwe via Lusaka.

After an hour and a half drive from the airport, we finally reached the Lifeline Malawi compound. The drive was an eye opening experience; we saw many, many Malawians walking along the side of the road. We saw children tending to cows and goats. At the compound Dr. Chris Brooks assigned us to our rooms and we were able to shower and change. We arrived sans baggage so we will have to make do with the kit on our backs. Dr Brooks wife, Heather prepared a delicious supper and then Hank ran through our daily schedule: 06:15 Devotions, 06:45 Breakfast, 07:30 leave for the worksite. Everyone went to bed fairly early to prepare for our first full day of work.