Monday, August 30, 2010

Day 4
August 29, 2010
Lifeline Malawi Mission House, Ngodzi

We started the day by sleeping-in, in spite of our good friend the
rooster. Breakfast was at 8am with everyone thankful for a restful
horizontal sleep. It was an adventure just climbing out of the
mosquito netting.

Hank led devotions with a focus on Revelation 7. “Everyone was there -
all nations and tribes, all races and languages. And John 17 “But also
for those that will believe in me…..Just as you Father are in Me and I
in You.”

We had a lovely breakfast and were all ready to go to church by 9 am.
Next was the walk to the village church that Chelsey, Connie and Hank
had helped to construct. The children came out to watch and walk with
us. Our first glimpse of village life and what was to come later in
the day.

Church was lively as is so typical in African services, with lots of
beautiful singing accompanied by enthusiastic drumming and lots of
body movement.  Some of our team members were caught up with the
rhythm, while some will need work in that area.  We brought greetings
and Hank was asked to preach.

Sister Gertrude and Connie were invited into a home by one of the
women at church and are hoping to have the opportunity to do so soon.

We returned to the guest house for lunch and had a short time to chat
and rest and then went on a tour of the fishing village along the
lake. Our guides and translators Daniel and Limbani were a big help in
translating and filling us in on some local activities.
The photo’s of the fishermen will give you some idea of how being on
this lake with the fishing is a reminder of what things would have
been like on the Sea Of Galilee, the men fishing, the children
playing, the women washing the clothes. It was pretty amazing!
Sarah was touched as she was reminded of the cycle of fishing to
agriculture, the hard life, the hope of catching, the drying…

The high light of the day during this tour of the village was the
children, so many, bright eyes, big smiles all interested in us,
wanting their pictures taken and then big laughs when seeing their
pictures on the LCD screen. Follow us along often up to 50 or 60 at a
time. At any given moment one of our team members would be lost in a
sea of children. Most wanting to pose, holding our hands, gathering
around, following us along. Each of us felt a connection to the
children. What joy.

Victoria experienced a personal God moment while writing in the sand
the dates Nov. 29/09 – Aug. 29/10 with the same stick she used to
write the same dates in the sand in PEI. The dates signify 9 months
from the date of God’s call on her heart to go to Africa.  Today is
the day of the call being fulfilled in humble obedience. It signifies
the birth of something new – new beginnings.  In a way, writing in the
sand was like God drawing a line in the sand connecting the nations
and the bridge is love.   As she wrote in the sand she was quickly
enveloped by a whole flock of children.
Day 3
August 28, 2010
Lifeline Malawi Mission House, Ngodzi

After long hours of airports and flying we safely arrived in Ngodzi
and were greeted by Gift and Lambini. All our luggage arrived safely
except the wheel barrows so an extra two hours was spent trying to
find them – no success yet.

We were welcomed by a beautiful sunset on the drive home. Excitement
mounted as we got a glimpse of the familiar surrounding of Lifeline
Malawi Clinic and community. The extra time spent at the airport
caused us to be traveling in the dark for the last half of the trip
and Connie (who was riding passenger seat) had her eyes closed the
whole time.
Arriving at the compound we were greeted in the dark – there was a
blackout. We were served dinner and the lights came back on half-way
through the meal.

No one dared challenge Sister Gertrude to an arm wrestle for her bed!!
We all made our respective nests and there was much discussion around
what we would all wear the next day.  The mosquito nets were dropped
down over the beds and we were able to be horizontal for the first
time in over 50 hours.

So, here we are.  This has been a unique journey to this place.  For
me (Victoria) it has been highly spiritual and today is almost too
overwhelming as it is exactly 9 months from this morning Nov. 29/10 on
a Sunday morning in church where God called me on this mission.  And,
here I am now in fulfillment of that call.  The tears are streaming
freely.  God is soooooooooo good.  God is sooooooooo faithful. What is
the significance of 9 months?  9 months is the season of being
pregnant and giving birth.  This has been a spiritual pregnancy for
me.  I cannot articulate what God is birthing in me.  I don’t know if
I will have any understanding in it for months or even years.  That’s
okay.  All I say is God – have your way.  I am your willing and
faithful servant.

The word for today from my devotional is: GOD WANTS TO DO MORE FOR YOU
THAN YOU CAN IMAGINE, SO START ASKING BOLDLY.  Lord, I want your heart
for this mission.  Have your way in me I pray.  Unite us as a team to
serve you with Your hands, Your feet, Your lips.  Have us – we’re
yours!
Day 2
August 27, 2010
Heathrow Airport, London

WOW, what an adventure we have had already! We landed in London this
morning around 10:30, stowed our extra carry-on bags, traveled on the
Heathrow Express train downtown (15 minute ride).  And from there took
a Hop-on Hop-off bus tour of the city. That included a cruise up the
River Thames. We saw quite a bit of London and were entertained along
the way. Our group of eight managed to stay together for the most
part, except for one rather tense incident when only five of us
“hopped on,” then after convincing the driver to stop, only one person
“hopped off” .We reunited after running a few city block (in flip
flops and complete terror of never reconnecting!!!!) to catch the bus,
praying all the way that we would meet.

We are now checked in and have cleared security, waiting for another
overnight flight. We will land in Addis Ababa and then end our trip in
Lilongwe sometime tomorrow afternoon. Thank you, Lord, for keeping us
safe and guiding today. We pray for a good night rest and peace for
tomorrow.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Day 1
August 26, 2010
Halifax Stanfield International Airport



So…… here we sit in the departure lounge.

Wow – ready to embark on the adventure of a lifetime.  There have been tears, belly laughs, cameras flashing, luggage luggin’, hugs, goodbyes and hello’s.  There is an overwhelming sense of tranquility and peace.  God’s hand is soooooooo on this! 

We pulled up to the departure lane at the airport and were greeted by the most wonderful personal valets (Victoria’s Uncle Larry and Aunt Rosie), and one who gives swirling hugs (Don).  Then we were greeted at the ticket counter by an Air Canada angel in disguise who was so gracious, fun and kind.  Our wheelbarrows squished through the security scan without incident, thanks to Master Packaging and Sister Gertrude!!   The luggage is all accounted for.  Nothing lost yet. 

Excitement is in the air – a tangible sense of expectation.   The question is: how is it that a team of 8 checks in and only 1 window seat. Sister is not pleased.

We have 4 repeat travelers and 4 newbies!  A perfect mix.  Unity. Intergenerational. 

Our flight tonight is to London, where we will spend our layover tomorrow on the “Hop-on Hop-Off” London bus tour. 

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Sendoff Tomorrow, August 26th at 5:00 pm


For those who wish to send us off tomorrow, we will be leaving Wholeness Family Clinic, 20461 TCH, Crapaud at 5:00 pm.  We are taking two vehicles to the Halifax Airport where Victoria's relative's have offered to take our vehicles at park them at their residence.  Our flight from Halifax is close to midnight at 11:45 pm.  

Thanks to all those who are covenanting to pray for us.  Pray that check-in with our wheelbarrows will go smoothly.  An of course for safe travel and health for the team.

 

Monday, August 23, 2010

Packing
Tonight we packed our bags and had our last pre-travel team meeting.   Here are Victoria and Sr. Gertrude, assisted by Darren Darbyson (team leader of 2009 construction team), packing up two of the four wheelbarrows that were donated.  We are grateful to all those who donated building supplies that will be used in our clinic renovation project, and then left for Lifeline Malawi use into the future. 

Excitement is high.  In just 3 days we will be on our way!

 

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Commissioning Sunday
Today our team was commis-sioned in our various home churches.  Here Victoria, Sarah, Connie, Chelsey and Hank are commis-sioned by Pastor Joel at Island Wesleyan Church.  Brian and Marilyn were commissioned at First Baptist in Charlottetown and Sister Gertrude at St. Peter's in Seven Mile Bay.  

A highlight for me (Hank) this morning was commis-sioning Paul and Betty MacPhee for their three month mission to another area of Malawi in the south, hosted by Iris Ministries.  Paul and Betty were on our 2007 team and after the Sunday service where we all shared in village churches, I vividly remember her saying, "I have found my calling."  So to see them launching out on their own mission trip was incredibly awesome and I am grateful for the part I have been able to play in their lives by introducing them to Africa and in turn helping them find an ideal host for a more extended mission.  Betty is doing children's ministry and Paul will work on the facilities of the orphanage that Iris Ministries oversees.  So we as EMAS Canada Malawi Team 2010 which them God's riches blessing as they leave just a few days after we do.

Tomorrow night we meet to pack!  Time is short now!

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Less Than Two Weeks to Go!
Here's our entire team and we are down to the wire - less than two weeks til arrival in Malawi.  On the front row from the left we have Marilyn Cameron Hall, Sr. Gertrude Gillan, Sarah MacQuarrie and Chelsey Lake.  In the back row Brian Hall, Victoria Dulisse, Hank Visser and Connie Trowsdale.

We are of course excited to be this close to our time.  We have been active fund-raising and are very thankful to all of you who have supported us financially and helped us reach our goal.  Now we are down to packing, our own personal spiritual preparation, and then the hard part of saying good-byes to family and loved ones. Please do continue to hold us up in your thoughts and prayers.  Please pray for health for all our team members.