Day 17
Saturday, Sept. 27
Kuka Lodge, Lilongwe
We began our day with packing and our final breakfast. Several people came to the guesthouse to say farewell, expressing their gratitude for the work and contribution we have made. All in all we feel we accomplished our mission and we are so satisfied with the malaria net project. And of course everyone wants us to come back!
Our road trip to Lilongwe went via Dedza, up the escarpment on a winding, scenic drive. Although slightly hazy, the views were still spectacular. This is an incredibly beautiful land!
At Dedza we shopped for souvenirs at the famous pottery there, followed by a lovely lunch in their café. From there to Lilongwe, some shopping for famous South African chutney we have all grown to love made by Mrs. H.R. Ball, and then on to the Kuko Lodge, our accommodations for the next two nights.
We’re invited to the Brook’s home for supper, from where we also hope to have Internet access to post our most recent blogs.
Day 16
Friday, Sept. 26
Ngodzi
We wrapped up our mission this evening with the showing of The Jesus Film outdoors at Pastor McDuff’s church. Originally we planned to be indoors but the word in the “street” was that there wouldn’t be enough room inside – they were right and the crowd grew throughout the evening. It was a great ending to our mission.
Kim had a dream she believed was from God in August. In the dream an angel said the word or name “feria.” Myrtis and Mary had done some street evangelism on Thursday and went to a woman’s home whose name was Feria. Kim was able to meet with Feria, who had newly accepted Jesus into her heart. She came to the Jesus film with her three small children. Kim was able to pray with her and an instant friendship was formed. Feria will always hold a place in Kim’s heart.
We held a wrap-up and debriefing meeting with the medical officers to discuss ways that future medical teams could help. We hope to write up a summary of helpful information for any medical professionals who may come in the future, to better familiarize them with the way the clinic operates and how to prepare for being helpful in a clinical role.
In the afternoon we finally got our trip (in Dr. Brook’s pickup truck as the van broke down) to the Mua Mission founded by Catholic missionaries (“White Fathers”) in 1902. They have a hospital and the present long-term missionary since the 1970’s is Fr. Claude from Montreal. He developed an interest in anthropology and researched the history of Chewa people of Malawi. He built a museum at the Mua site, illustrating his research as well as the history of Christian missions, starting with Dr. David Livingstone who sailed up Lake Malawi in 1861 in search of an inland waterway across Africa. The grounds around the hospital and museum are very picturesque.
Mark and Stephen finished their clinical work in the morning, and we all tied up lose ends. Tomorrow morning we will be packing, saying our “goodbyes” and maybe shed a few tears as we say farewell to our lovely “spot on the lake.”
Day 15
Thursday, Sept. 25
Ngodzi
Good Morning Sunshine. Another sunny day in Malawi! The T. today is again 31.
To start our day Mary had devotions on 11 Corinthians 10, challenging us to seek, peace, patience and compassion.
Our jobs today were to tie up lose ends. Hank set up the technical parts for the showing of the Jesus film on Friday night. Please pray that many hearts will be touched and won to Jesus through this film.
Kim , Myrtis and Connie cut bandages and dressings for the nurses to use in the procedure room. It was tedious work but a lot were made and this was appreciated by the staff.
Hank and Stephen met with the HSA’s for a meeting concerning the distribution of more nets following our departure on Saturday to Lilongwe to begin our long trip home.
Mary was busy in the pharmacy counting pills. This is very helpful for Cornelia and Prisca who at times are very overworked.
Mark and Stephen helped to organize some areas in the clinic. Many articles have been donated but little time is available for the staff to get the medical supplies into areas where they are most useful.
After we learned of the need for more bibles in the churches in the surrounding area, we decided to collect some money, amongst ourselves, and purchase bibles. Our final total was 12 bibles in Chichewa and 4 new testaments in English to be distributed to the churches we visited on Sunday and to Pastor McDuffs church. Pastor McDuff said, “ it truly was an answer to prayer.”
This afternoon Kim, Stephen, Mark and Hank went to Salima to get some fuel for the van, post our blogs and do necessary business. Myrtis, Mary and Pastor McDuff went to visit some people in the nearby village. These beautiful people were so appreciative, that white people would visit them in their home. Several asked us to pray with them and invite Jesus into their heart. We were so blessed by the openness and transparency of these people. Mary and Myrtis were truly stretched.
Laugh of the day: Mark picked up some rocks to juggle for the children but they were frightened and ran away leaving Mark to juggle his rocks without an audience. They soon realized this was very entertaining and joined him laughing with excitement.
Saturday, Sept. 27
Kuka Lodge, Lilongwe
We began our day with packing and our final breakfast. Several people came to the guesthouse to say farewell, expressing their gratitude for the work and contribution we have made. All in all we feel we accomplished our mission and we are so satisfied with the malaria net project. And of course everyone wants us to come back!
Our road trip to Lilongwe went via Dedza, up the escarpment on a winding, scenic drive. Although slightly hazy, the views were still spectacular. This is an incredibly beautiful land!
At Dedza we shopped for souvenirs at the famous pottery there, followed by a lovely lunch in their café. From there to Lilongwe, some shopping for famous South African chutney we have all grown to love made by Mrs. H.R. Ball, and then on to the Kuko Lodge, our accommodations for the next two nights.
We’re invited to the Brook’s home for supper, from where we also hope to have Internet access to post our most recent blogs.
Day 16
Friday, Sept. 26
Ngodzi
We wrapped up our mission this evening with the showing of The Jesus Film outdoors at Pastor McDuff’s church. Originally we planned to be indoors but the word in the “street” was that there wouldn’t be enough room inside – they were right and the crowd grew throughout the evening. It was a great ending to our mission.
Kim had a dream she believed was from God in August. In the dream an angel said the word or name “feria.” Myrtis and Mary had done some street evangelism on Thursday and went to a woman’s home whose name was Feria. Kim was able to meet with Feria, who had newly accepted Jesus into her heart. She came to the Jesus film with her three small children. Kim was able to pray with her and an instant friendship was formed. Feria will always hold a place in Kim’s heart.
We held a wrap-up and debriefing meeting with the medical officers to discuss ways that future medical teams could help. We hope to write up a summary of helpful information for any medical professionals who may come in the future, to better familiarize them with the way the clinic operates and how to prepare for being helpful in a clinical role.
In the afternoon we finally got our trip (in Dr. Brook’s pickup truck as the van broke down) to the Mua Mission founded by Catholic missionaries (“White Fathers”) in 1902. They have a hospital and the present long-term missionary since the 1970’s is Fr. Claude from Montreal. He developed an interest in anthropology and researched the history of Chewa people of Malawi. He built a museum at the Mua site, illustrating his research as well as the history of Christian missions, starting with Dr. David Livingstone who sailed up Lake Malawi in 1861 in search of an inland waterway across Africa. The grounds around the hospital and museum are very picturesque.
Mark and Stephen finished their clinical work in the morning, and we all tied up lose ends. Tomorrow morning we will be packing, saying our “goodbyes” and maybe shed a few tears as we say farewell to our lovely “spot on the lake.”
Day 15
Thursday, Sept. 25
Ngodzi
Good Morning Sunshine. Another sunny day in Malawi! The T. today is again 31.
To start our day Mary had devotions on 11 Corinthians 10, challenging us to seek, peace, patience and compassion.
Our jobs today were to tie up lose ends. Hank set up the technical parts for the showing of the Jesus film on Friday night. Please pray that many hearts will be touched and won to Jesus through this film.
Kim , Myrtis and Connie cut bandages and dressings for the nurses to use in the procedure room. It was tedious work but a lot were made and this was appreciated by the staff.
Hank and Stephen met with the HSA’s for a meeting concerning the distribution of more nets following our departure on Saturday to Lilongwe to begin our long trip home.
Mary was busy in the pharmacy counting pills. This is very helpful for Cornelia and Prisca who at times are very overworked.
Mark and Stephen helped to organize some areas in the clinic. Many articles have been donated but little time is available for the staff to get the medical supplies into areas where they are most useful.
After we learned of the need for more bibles in the churches in the surrounding area, we decided to collect some money, amongst ourselves, and purchase bibles. Our final total was 12 bibles in Chichewa and 4 new testaments in English to be distributed to the churches we visited on Sunday and to Pastor McDuffs church. Pastor McDuff said, “ it truly was an answer to prayer.”
This afternoon Kim, Stephen, Mark and Hank went to Salima to get some fuel for the van, post our blogs and do necessary business. Myrtis, Mary and Pastor McDuff went to visit some people in the nearby village. These beautiful people were so appreciative, that white people would visit them in their home. Several asked us to pray with them and invite Jesus into their heart. We were so blessed by the openness and transparency of these people. Mary and Myrtis were truly stretched.
Laugh of the day: Mark picked up some rocks to juggle for the children but they were frightened and ran away leaving Mark to juggle his rocks without an audience. They soon realized this was very entertaining and joined him laughing with excitement.
posted by Dr. Hendrik Visser at 2:31 PM
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