Presentation

Everyone is invited to a presentation of our recent mission on Sunday, October 3rd, 7:00 pm at Island Wesleyan Church in Hampton.  We will be sharing slides, videos and stories.  We are looking forward to the opportunity to share with family, friends and supporters.

Day 18
Sept. 12, 2010
Home
We all made it home today, but our bags didn’t.  As soon as we arrived in Halifax we heard word from Air Canada that all 12 bags were left behind in London.  We had a very tight connection and the Ethiopian flight from Addis to London was 30 minutes late.  So we had to scurry along to even catch the Air Canada flight ourselves – we had to go through security and one team member had the thorough search, and then we still needed boarding passes.  But we are grateful to be home.  Hopefully our bags will follow tomorrow.

After being together for 18 days, we will miss each other.  We have shared a lot these days.  We look forward to opportunities to share of our experiences with our supporting churches, Englewood School, and any other group who would like us to present. 


Day 17
Sept. 11, 2010
Addis Ababa Airport, Ethiopia
Our day began with breakfast at the Kuka Lodge.  It turned out to be quite an experience to get our eggs just right, especially for Sarah.  It proved our growth in the spiritual fruit called ‘patience.’

While we awaited our ride to the airport, Victoria met one of the Kuka Lodge staff whose dad is a pastor and who was able to listen to one of the songs from Sunday’s service and translate the words into English.  She marvels at these “God incidences” that have so marked this trip. 

Due to the diesel shortage, a mini-van was hired to take us all to the airport.  We decided to arrive early for our afternoon flight to avoid being bumped due to overbooking.  Limbani joined us for the trip to the airport, and we were also seen off by Gift and Haldon.  Checking in was uneventful and we breezed through customs.  Our flight from Lilongwe to Addis Ababa was uneventful.  We now have a several hour layover while we await our Ethiopian Airlines flight to London. 

Final good-byes to Malawi were hard.  Some team members sense it is their last trip; others are already thinking of the next mission.  What is for sure is that for all of us, Africa has left its mark in our hearts and we will be forever changed.

Day 16
Sept. 10, 2010
Kuka Lodge, Lilongwe

Our journey toward home has begun.  Our itinerary called for a trip to Lilongwe via Dedza, but due to a shortage of diesel fuel that part of the journey was scrapped in order to take the shortest route.  That meant we wouldn’t take the interesting drive up the escarpment with the switchbacks and drive up along the Mozambique border.

We said our good-byes this morning and left the Lifeline Malawi compound at 9:00 am.  Although we are ready to return home, saying good-bye is hard – bittersweet.  For those of us who were her for the first time, many new friends have been made.  And for us returning ones, re-acquaintances made and also new friends made.  

Since we arrived in Lilongwe earlier than previously planned, we had lunch at an Italian restaurant, Mama Mia.  From there some last minutes shopping for souvenirs and some interesting foodstuffs we want to take home with us.  Our returning bags might be pretty heavy. 

The rest of the afternoon was spent relaxing at the Kuka Lodge.  Chelsey and Hank have begun the colossal task of selecting the 100 or so best photos from all our pooled pictures (one team member has taken over 1000 pictures).  

This evening, we went out for supper with the Lifeline Malawi staff who work here in Lilongwe.  It was pizza.  The staff very much appreciated our work and commitment as a team, and we in turn are very grateful for our Lifeline Malawi hosts.  We are very thankful that we have been able to accomplish our mission and we all feel fulfilled and grateful for the seeds that have been sown and the lives that have been touched.  It has been a privilege to serve, and again, our gratitude goes out to our family, friends and supporters who have sustained us through prayer and financial support.

Tomorrow we begin the long flight home and tonight will be our last horizontal sleep until we get into our own beds at home.  

Day 15
Sept. 9, 2010
Lifeline Malawi Mission House, Ngodzi

So, here we are.  It’s hard to believe that we are spending our last
night here at the guest house at Lifeline.  We arrived 2 weeks ago –
strangers some of us and old acquaintances for others.  But we leave
friends.

A final reflection was shared for the morning devotions with staff by
Hank.  He encouraged and challenged the host team to fix our eyes on
the prize – the author and finisher of our faith and to run the race
towards Christ throwing off all that hinders.

Marilyn was delighted to be asked to name a beautiful newborn baby
girl. She chose the Biblical name Esther.

Connie and Sarah were escorted by James into Salima to purchase some
soccer balls to leave at the compound and school.  They also purchased
some buckets to leave at the latrines at the local Chilambula School.
It didn’t seem right to do a health talk on the importance of proper
hand washing when there was one bucket to share between 700 plus
school children.

Our final day at the clinic was bitter sweet as we worked alongside
our new friends for the last time.  It’s hard to believe our time here
has come to an end. It was interesting (to say the least) to work in
the clinic during the power outage. The flashlight (torch) sure came
in handy!

John (who attends the church in the village where Sarah and Victoria
attended on Sunday) went above and beyond the call of duty today.  He
located the newly converted Muslim man, who gave his heart to the Lord
on Sunday when Sarah and Victoria were present.  He also brought along
the church elder who gave testimony of his conversion from Muslim to
Christian faith.  Sarah and Victoria had both been wondering how the
man was getting along and concerned that he was being discipled.
Unknowns to them, he too was requesting prayer from them.  It was a
wonderful experience to be reunited at the Lifeline mission house and
to be able to share and encourage and have a time of ministry through
prayer.

The clinic renovation project was “handed over” to the village leaders
with a short ceremony.  It involved speeches by our team, as well as
words of thanksgiving from the village chief.  Some work remains to
complete, but we have been assured by Lifeline that it will be
finished in a timely fashion.

We were graced by Pastor Matemba at the supper hour who came to
deliver a final farewell and deliver a note of thanks to the team. We
were delighted to share the supper meal with him – traditional nsema.

Day 14
Sept. 8, 2010
Lifeline Malawi Mission House, Ngodzi

Today was Chelsey’s day to meet up with a long lost friend, Den-deni!
He just showed up at the “Jesus” film which we showed in the
Chilambula Church this evening.  She had given up hope, evening
checking at the school when we did our health promotion talk and
vitamin distribution this morning.  So she is thrilled.  Although he
was taller, he looked exactly as we remembered him in 2007.

The church filled for the film and several indicated their desire to
become followers of Jesus.  We were thankful that the technology
worked well (generator, projector, sound and indoor lighting).  Thanks
for the Lifeline staff who assisted hooking everything up.

Marilyn again gave the health talk this morning to a general assembly
under a tree.  From there the screening for scalp ringworm and vitamin
distribution became somewhat chaotic as there was more pushing and
shoving by the kids then in the Matowe School.  However, we
accomplished our goal.  Connie had a ‘moment’ when Mr. Vincent told
her that it is fine to give a health promotion talk on hand washing
but that they only have one bucket of water for over 700 kids.  So,
off to Salima tomorrow to get a few more buckets.

Sr. Gertrude was thrilled to attend the Matowe Roman Catholic Church
for a visit from the bishop.  She rushed to be there on time (9 am)
but he didn’t arrive until about 11 am so she said, “I had lots of
time to pray for you all.”

It’s hard to believe that tomorrow will be our last day here in Ngodzi
and that it will be time to say good-byes.  The clinic renovation
project as been proceeding smoothly, but it won’t be completely
finished before we leave.

Day 13
Sept. 7, 2010
Lifeline Malawi Mission House, Ngodzi

6:30 am  Brian’s devotions had a focus on the prayer of Ignatius
Layola – “Work as if everything depended on God and pray as if
everything depended on you.”

7:00 am  Breakfast

7:45 am  Sr. Gertrude took charge of putting together one of the long
lost wheelbarrows that had showed up yesterday.

8:15 am  The whole team departed for Matowe, the outreach clinic site,
half the team to do a medical clinic and health promotion at the
school and the other half to work on the building project. Today at
the worksite the mudding of the walls was being done with great skill
by the local tradesmen. The breeze block windows and the moving of the
never ending pile of bricks were completed by the PEI team. For the
medical portion, Marilyn was the key note speaker for an assembly on
health issues. The assembly was held under a tree in the school yard!
She did an amazing job. The children (numbering around 700) sang after
the talk while Hank and Marilyn danced for them. Vitamins were
distributed to each child at the school by visiting each classroom
(grade 1 class had 153 students with one teacher – wow).  The children
were all screened for scalp ringworm and anemia.

1:00 pm  The team headed back to the compound for lunch.  After lunch
Connie starting counting pills for distribution tomorrow in the
Chilambula School.  Sr. Gertrude and Brian stayed on at the building
site.

2:00 pm  The medical team worked the afternoon clinic

4:00 pm  More pill counting while Marilyn, Chelsea and Victoria headed
out to do a home visit on a palliative care patient with some type of
cancer of his leg and dropped off a wheel chair.  They ministered to
him with prayer and encouragement.

6:00 pm  Dinner of Chambo fish, head and skin on!

7:15 pm  Back to pill counting and blogging, finishing around 9 pm.

9:00 pm  Some heading off to bed.  The roosters start crowing outside
our windows around 5:00 am.

Day 12
Sept. 6, 2010
Lifeline Malawi Mission House, Ngodzi

Well, it appears that those of us who ate a snack at Livingstonia
yesterday are paying the price today, as most of our team is feeling
under the weather.  However, we still had a full day at the clinic
renovation project and here at the main Lifeline Malawi Clinic.  Both
Chelsey for our team devotions and Marilyn for staff devotions did an
awesome job.

The highlight of our day was our participation this afternoon in a BCI
(behaviour changing intervention) which is a presentation of several
dramas and teaching on HIV/AIDS prevention.  This program has been
temporarily suspended due to lack of funds but we were able to provide
some money for today’s drama.  We left at 2 pm and drove to a remote,
mostly Muslim, village where people of all ages had gathered.  The
dramas all teach the message of abstinence before marriage and being
faithful to one partner (polygamy is still practiced here, especially
among Muslims).  They were funny and captured the attention of
everyone.  Hank gave a talk and led in opening and closing prayer.
Several of the first timers of the team took the opportunity to visit
a few village homes.  They were struck by the simplicity and lack of
furniture in the houses.  One elderly lady appeared to have had
leprosy and lived in a reed home, as opposed to most of the brick or
mud homes in this area.

Tomorrow the whole team will be going to Matowe (where our building
project is happening) for an outreach clinic.  This evening the team
is counting out vitamin pills to hand to the village children
tomorrow.

Day 11
Sept. 5, 2010
Lifeline Malawi Mission House, Ngodzi

Sunday, church day!  This morning we all went out two by two to
village churches and all had incredibly rich experiences.
Sr. Gertrude and Connie left early (6:45 am) to go to early mass at
Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church.  The people were so friendly,
coming out to meet them as they arrived and making them feel very much
at home. Apparently Connie really can sing and she started “Mulungo
Ali Pano” as a solo, but soon others joined. They were invited into
the priest’s home after the service.  They discovered that the church
had been built by Canadians.

Sarah and Victoria were welcomed by a jubilant choir who escorted them
inside the church and seated them.  The most significant moment
happened at the end of the service when a man who had come into the
service late confessed that he was Muslim and after hearing the
service and testimony decided to give his heart to the Lord!  This was
an immediate and direct answer to prayer in the service just moments
before.  After this, the whole congregation broke out in celebration
much like we would imagine the angels do in heaven when one lost
sinner comes home.  At the end of the service the choir again escorted
Sarah and Victoria back to the waiting van.

Brian and Marilyn went to the Matowe church, the same village where we
are doing the clinic reconstruction.  Brian brought the message and
they too experienced the incredible worship and music that we are
becoming accustomed to in African churches.

Hank and Chelsey also had a wonderful time.  Their highlight was a
young boy (approx. 11 or 12) who played the drum incredible well and
sang a lead part in a song presented by the youth that truly impressed
us.  We just wanted to pack him up and take him home; what a gifted
boy.  Chelsey brought greetings and Hank preached.

This afternoon we went to Livingstonia which is a resort on Lake
Malawi north of here.  On the way we stopped at the “carvers” where we
bartered for (many) souvenirs.

This evening the team invited the Lifeline Malawi staff to a movie
night featuring “Faith Like Potatoes.” Popcorn and pop was served and
the staff and families were challenged in their faith by the movie,
which is based on a true story of a white farmer set in Zambia and
South Africa.  We couldn’t but notice the contrasting cultures as we
watched it with our Malawian friends.

Day 10
Sept. 4, 2010
Lifeline Malawi Mission House, Ngodzi

Dearest Readers,

Today we woke up to monkey’s scampering across our roofs, hippopotamuses grunting just yards away in the river and tracks from an elephant that came to check out the camp last night.

We had a wonderful breakfast and went out on a river boat cruise. The team was so blessed to witness all forms of wildlife! Two elephant swam out to us and began a playful tousle with us watching very few meters away. These two elephants put on a show and entertained while letting us get some wonderful pictures. The hippo’s also kept an eye on the team and there was a scary moment when we accidentally bumped into one with the boat! There were also many baboons, impalas, ‘toilet seat deer’ (water  bucks), warthogs and many interesting varieties of birds.

On the way home from our safari we stopped in a small town called Balaka for some shopping. Some of the team got their first taste of bartering and some (Victoria) picked it up rather quickly! When we arrived home we ate a great supper and then started getting ready for our day of ministry tomorrow morning.  We are going two by two to villages churches.

Day 9
Sept. 3, 2010
Mvuu Lodge, Liwonde National Park

Our day began with a relaxed start by sleeping in until 0600hrs,
followed by breakfast and we were off in the jeep on our excursion to
Liwonde National Park.  The almost four hour drive south was
adventuresome.  Our most gracious driver James managed to avoid all
goats, bicycles and passersby.

Upon arriving to the park, we relaxed while waiting for lunch to be
served.  The dining room overlooks the dock where the boats launch for
the river safari which we will be taking tomorrow morning.  We very
much enjoyed a delicious lunch followed by a relaxing swim in the
outdoor pool.  We then gathered for an afternoon tea before embarking
on our afternoon/evening safari.  There were many impalas, mongoose,
wart hogs, water buck, and other 4 legged creatures of which none of
us seem to remember the names.  Oh yes, monkeys, baboons, and various
birds.  There was a brief sighting of elephants.  Unfortunately, our
screaming in excitement and the very squeaky brakes on our Land Rover
scared them away, after the bull threatened to charge us.

Then we watched the sun go down over the lake with a huge hollowed out
baobab tree in the foreground.

Upon arriving back at the lodge, we were escorted to our outdoor
dining room on sand floors with a blazing fire in the centre of the
room and live entertainment.  Many of us ate too much.

As we write this, we can hear the hippos snorting nearby.  It will be
an interesting night.

Day 8
Sept. 2, 2010
Lifeline Malawi Mission House, Ngodzi

Our day began again with a beautiful sunrise over Lake Malawi.  Our
team devotions were led by Sarah on Psalm 139 and was very moving.
Breakfast was scrambled eggs, toast and cereal.  We again split into
two groups for the day.

On the way to the construction site, the team stopped to pick up some
freshly prepared goat; they will be true Malawians by the end of the
week!  Then Connie got her sugar fix, thanks to James the driver – a
Coke.

It was a really hot day on the work site today but a lot of work was
completed. The second window was finished and the third window is
half-way done (Brian didn’t want to leave until it was done –
dedication). The inside of the clinic has been cleared of all the
rubble and the walls are ready for plaster. The cement slab for the
latrines was poured and is drying. The children helped moving the
bricks and Connie opened the clinic early, nursing many of them with
cuts and scratches.

The traditional meal was shared again today! Gertrude and Connie
played ball with the children and sang for them. In return the
children, workers and surrounding people sang to them. After lunch the
girls spent some time worshiping together with the village women in
the school house. Even though they didn’t understand the language,
God’s presence was very near.

Lifeline Malawi asked our team to assist in distributing specially
designed wheelchairs donated by Rotary which were then presented on
their behalf by the medical half of our team. The truck was loaded
with twenty-one wheelchairs and we set out to two villages where
recipients were previously identified.  People with disabilities from
paraplegia to various neurological disorders had gathered with their
caregivers under a tree.

What happened next were the most exciting unplanned moments where God
moved amongst us in ways we could never have imagined.  We felt as
though we had been teleported into the biblical times and Jesus
himself was walking about teaching, ministering hope and healing to
all those afflicted.  We were open vessels broken and spilled out for
Him extending His hands and feet and heart to all those who were
brought to us.  We were stretched, challenged and were humbled by
God’s magnificent grace and presence among us.  There was a freedom
and liberty to carry out the Great Commission in a very real way.
Hank and Victoria shared messages of hope and God’s heart for the
moment.  The team prayed with several people and one man got up out of
his chair and walked a circle around the tree!  What a moment!

This afternoon we were back at the clinic seeing patients and
assisting wherever we could.

Our two by two teams for Sunday have been determined and messages are
starting to be prepared.  Tomorrow we are off early for Liwonde
National Park for our overnight safari.

Day 7
Sept. 1, 2010
Lifeline Malawi Mission House, Ngodzi

We had another awesome day today!  We actually had a rain shower early
this morning.   Here are some team highlights of our day:

At the clinic renovation site, an elderly lady approached Connie for
prayer, and she was elated to pray for the lady’s painful legs.  The
lady was deeply moved and they finished in a long embrace.

Sr. Gertrude’s highlight was the children’s help in moving bricks.
She thanked them profusely in English, and they responded in Chichewa,
and then Gertrude switched to Chichewa, they to English.

Sarah’s highlight was spending the day with Nelson (and Chelsey), who
spent significant time teaching them about HIV/AIDS and the history of
Lifeline Malawi’s AIDS work.  Then they followed two patients who came
for HIV testing.  One was positive, one negative.  They followed the
positively tested patient through to the end and were impressed by the
thoroughness of the assessment and counseling.

Chelsey spent the day (in black) at the clinic and was excited that
Hope (one of the clinical officers) allowed her to shadow him (Chelsey
is in pre-med).  They saw a pregnant lady with malaria and Chelsey
helped prepare the malaria smear which tested positive.  She is a keen
learner.

Marilyn spent the day again with pregnant women and their babies (her
passion at home working with CHANCES).  No deliveries today but she
participated in immunizing expectant mothers against tetanus to
prevent neonatal tetanus, which is common here.

Supper was Brian’s most cherished moment of the day, four or five
pieces of perch out of Lake Malawi.  He deserved it, working hard at
the construction project.

Hank worked with Pastor Yunusu (pronounced Eunice) who translated for
his patients (many children with very high fevers from malaria and/or
pneumonia).  He was extremely encouraged to hear that the staff
devotion that he led two years ago on “Living Worthy of Your Calling,”
was still remembered and being shared around.

Victoria’s day was punctuated by “God moments.” She really saw Him at
work connecting all the dots in the various circumstances she found
herself in (sharing at the women’s ministry at the church, praying for
a brained damaged boy who often comes to the Chilambula church
meetings, staff devotions on Joshua and it being her son Joshua’s 9th
birthday at home.)

We left home one week ago tomorrow.  Seems like ages ago, we have
experienced so much.  Thanks to all of you following our blogs and
keeping us in your thoughts and prayers.  Our communal journaling
every evening acts as debriefing as well an outlet for much needed
laughter.

Day 6
August 31, 2010
Lifeline Malawi Mission House, Ngodzi

Our day started with team devotions led by Sr. Gertrude.  After
breakfast the medical team members stayed to work in clinic, while the
others left to work on the clinic remodeling project.

Arriving at the work site the Malawian construction workers welcomed
us (Brian, Connie, Gertrude and Chelsey) with handshakes and Chichewa
greetings. The work started in the interior, the team had to break
down a small room made of bricks and mortar. Sister Gertrude got tired
of using a hammer and chisel, and decided to kick down the wall! Saved
time and impressed the workers. Brian (a.k.a. Pharaoh) worked
alongside Daniel, the Malawian foremen, to complete an entire window
made of breezeblocks. Brian worked hard and worked the rest of team
just as hard too! The hole was dug for the latrines and bricks started
to be laid along the bottom.

The village chief, Kazati, arrived and worked along side of the team.
He had a meeting with the village men and women at the work site and
decided to honor our work with a festive meal.  A goat was chosen and
prepared on site, cut into bite-size pieces, along with all the
intestines, and put it into a pot. None of the members of the team had
ever seen goat and nsema made from scratch. It was an adventure! Brian
was given a large portion of the intestines, and quite enjoyed it.

Chelsey met an older Malawian worker named Kenneth. Informing him that
this was the name of her father, he proclaimed her his daughter.
Affectionately known as ‘Kenny,’ he announced to the chief that he had
adopted her as his fourth daughter and to call her by her new Chichewa
name, “Gysomo”. Kenny also gave the rest of the team Chichewa names,
Connie was given the name “Chisisi” (‘memory’ in English), Brian was
given the name “Chikondi” (‘love’ in English), and Gertrude was given
the name “Nyachisale” (‘Grandma in English.’)

Chisisi, Nyachisale and Gysomo followed the women to the community
pump to fill the buckets of water for mixing the mortar. Gertrude
decided it would an experience to help the woman carry the water back
to the work site – the traditional way. The women laughed as Gertrude
and Chelsey carried buckets of water on top of their heads (getting
thoroughly soaked in the process.)

The medical team also had a very diverse and busy day. The morning
began at the medical centre with staff devotions. It was a very
touching experience to be included in this and Victoria shared some
scripture and spiritual thoughts. The word she shared really helped us
to get off to a wonderful start. We split up and went to our
“assigned” areas, meeting back at the guest house for lunch and some
debriefing.

Marilyn spent the morning in the maternity. The woman (Florence) who
delivered yesterday was on her way home with her new baby by nine am.
She packed up her bag, wrapped up baby and basically began the walk
home. No need to think about car seat safety.

Sarah worked in the dressing room with Smart and Victoria spent the
morning with Nelson learning about HIV/AIDS testing and treatment.
She was able to connect at an emotional and spiritual level with a
woman who tested positive through a hug and prayer.  The afternoon was
spent in the clinic seeing dozens of patients, lots of malaria,
pneumonia, gastroenteritis, and quite a variety of other ailments.

Supper was rice and beef stew, and just as we sat down the lights went
out again (thanks for the team that installed solar powered LED
lighting system).

Day 5
August 30, 2010
Lifeline Malawi Mission House, Ngodzi

No sleeping in this morning.  Most of us were up flashing pictures of
the sun rising over the mountains on the horizon and Lake Malawi in
the foreground.  Breathtaking – the freshness of a new day!

Connie led the morning devotions which she shared from her heart.

We spent some time planning as a team what the next 2 weeks would look
like.  We discussed the presenting needs of Lifeline, the skills
available on our team and some ministry opportunities.  We have a
rough plan that is more than likely to change as the days unfold.  We
are quickly learning that circumstances are always subject to change.

The team toured the clinic this morning seeing all the aspects of
service here from the entry point of registration to assessing,
teaching and education, diagnosis and treatment.  It was an eye
opening experience for sure for the health care providers in our group
to see how health care is delivered here.  It was disheartening to see
empty pharmacy shelves and patients coming back requiring a new
prescription because what was ordered was not available. The downturn
in the economy and the disaster in Haiti are being felt here.

Marilyn was able to observe the miracle of new life in the new
maternity ward and was left speechless by the event!  It was
encouraging the see the maternity ward operational, although more
supplies are needed for more complicated deliveries.

Lunch was shared with the Lifeline Malawi staff and ourselves.  Goat
stew!!  Bon appetite!  Mingling with the staff, talking about their
work, their culture and life here in Malawi was a special experience
for all of us.

After lunch the team traveled out to the project site and perused the
surroundings. The job will be to refurbish an outpost treatment
clinic.  Walls are coming down and being rebuilt, the roof is being
repaired from leaks and latrines are being built.  There are no real
bathrooms there except a crack in the floor.  There was significant
discussion about how the work crew was going to address this situation
while working.  Connie or Chelsey – it “Depends.”  Sister shall
decide!!!  No one argues with Gramma.

A very interesting sundown experience as we’re sure there must have
been a full moon with missing persons, search parties and
uncontrollable giddiness.  We do believe the reality of being here is
settling in as we all see the work to be done and the organizing it
takes to make things happen.  We are all optimistic and keen to be of
service.

The supper hour was very entertaining as the stress and planning of
the day was relieved with deep belly laughter.  Some people (not
mentioning any names here) haven’t had enough sleep – Connie.  She’s
the one that threatened to strangle the turkey with Chelsey’s head
wrap.  This sent Chelsey racing in fear to advocate for the poor
turkey’s life.  She didn’t want to see it on the breakfast table.  It
was amusing to say the least.   Who were they searching for anyway??

Brian and Marilyn pulled out their tennis racquets and balls and
rallied some village children.  They had a good rally going and loved
the experience of teaching the kids and watching them interact.

Marilyn is working on her Sarah voice – a special one just for her. It
is a fearful thing having Sarah look like a spy at dinner!!  $29.99
Wal-Mart hearing aids are doing the trick while Marilyn is in voice
training.

There is a new “Victoria’s secret” in Malawi and it’s not lingerie.
“The Hankster” was challenged to a bologna/ cream cheese/ hot chili
garlic sauce bunwich by Victoria.  The outcome? Delicious.

One final thought – today, we were amused by several varied critters
including a large praying mantis, flying ants, spiders in the loo and
lizards in the bedroom – but there’s an upside to that too ‘cause they
eat the “skeeters!”