Sunday, March 29

We are doing excellent and have a hard time to get to the internet.

From the last time we wrote the blog, the walls of the house are now 3/4 completed. The window frames are now being built. The workers are doing a good job. We went to Mvuu camp in Liwonde National Park this weekend and saw lots of elephants and crocodiles.

Today, Sunday we worshiped in OUR church as a group. Darren did the intro, Chris and Kees the message. Lots of dancing and praising. Pastor McDuff is doing better and sends his blessing to PEI. He has renamed the church PEI #2.

We are Livingstonia right now and enjoyed a dip in the pool and lunch. We are heading home now and will be ready to work tomorow. We will celebrate Maria's birthday tonight!

March 22nd

We made it! Maria couldn’t believe the difference form the riches of the newly renovated airport in Johannesburg to the poverty of the airport at Lilongwe. Every bag arrived except Darren’s but I think he will be okay if it comes in the next few days. If not things are going to get pretty stinky!? We met Dr.Chris Brooks at the airport along with Pat and his wife Ann. They updated us and prayed for this time which was great! I was able to call home to tell Kim we made it safe and I will need to get some minutes for our cell phone. Sister Gertrude had seen many villages as we flew into Lilongwe and the experience came to life as we weaved through the roads to Life Line Malawi in Ngodzi and passed the same type of villages. Paul was amazed at the number of people traveling along the road on foot and on bicycles. We were so pleased to see the Church and the new buildings popping up at the clinic (maternity building). Tonight has been very relaxing. Dr Brooks is with us and we had a wonderful supper. Chris says to tell everyone he is happy to see old friends and some new blood. We all plan to get a great sleep tonight after such a long trip and the concrete slab should be ready for tomorrow for us to begin work. We love you all and are so excited to be here. Continue to pray for good sleep and health. Also, for the muddy conditions not to slow things down too much.

March 21st

After landing in Frankfurt, half the team decided to go sightseeing and see what the city had to offer. Kees, Gertrude and Paul decided to hold down the fort and check out the airport. Once again we were blessed with a beautiful day and the walk about Frankfurt was very pleasant. Chris was on a mission and took over 200 photos. One has him beside a teddy bear as tall as him. We are all back at the airport at this time and only have 5 more hours to go before boarding the flight to Johannesburg.

March 20th

Today was the day we started the journey to Malawi. We couldn’t have asked for a nicer day, the sun was shining and the winds were light, a much better start than in 2007! Family members and church family met us at the airport to send us on our Great Adventure. Maria is looking forward to getting some rest as she just finished one of here last papers for university this morning. She should get lots of rest as it will take us approx. 2 days to get Ngodzi.

The flight from Charlottetown to Montreal went without a hitch and our short stopover in Montreal was welcomed. The trip to Frankfurt went smoothly with a few of the members getting in some sleep. Chris was pretty keyed up about being on his way to Europe for the first time.

Sunday, March 22

Safe arrival in Malawi!

Chris called Kim this morning with the good news that the team arrived safely in Malawi. Greetings from Dr. Chris Brooks.

We continue to wish the team well and our prayers are with them as they begin their project tomorrow.

Friday, March 20 Charlottetown Airport

The team is on their way!

Malawi Team 2009

Standing from left to right is Chris Lee, Sister Gertrude Gillan, Paul MacPhee, Darren Darbyson, Maria Gaudin and Kees Visser

We will be leaving for Ngodzi, Malawi on the 20th of March and will return on the 6th of April. Our Short Term Missions Trip is to build a duplex to house three staff members (and their families) that will be working for the Lifeline Malawi Medical Clinic's Maternity Ward in Ngodzi. Over the past two years we have raised the funds to purchase the materials to help build the housing. This years team is made up of six volunteers with diverse backgrounds and talents who all have a heart for Africa. Our team has three returning members, Paul, Kees and Darren who went to Ngodzi in 2007 to help build the Chilumbula Church. Chris Lees' wife, Kim was on the 2008 Medical Team with Dr. Hank Visser and now Chris has the chance to go. Sister Gertrude and Maria have always wanted to go to Africa and have answered the call. Maria is a student at Mt Allison University. Please keep us in your prayers and thank you for your support.

Job 14:15 Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee: thou wilt have a desire to the work of thine hands.