As I meander my way through Dzelaka Refugee Camp, I see house after house. Outside a few kids are playing with a homemade ball of plastic bags, some women are washing clothes or cooking, a few teenagers are pumping water from the well, and some men are chatting along the road.

The camp did not strike me as a busy place. Instead it is quite the opposite. Dzelaka is full of able bodied people who are willing to work. No, they long to work. They just don’t have a job. Many of these people are educated and had jobs in their home country, but because of the war, they were forced to leave their home.

Refugees are not able to work in Malawi unless they have training. Educational training is not an option.  There is a several month orientation process for refugees who are medical professionals, if they have money to pay the orientation fee. Wherever I go and whoever I talk to, they always tell me that there are just not enough jobs.

It’s hard to see all of these people who want to work, they just don’t have the opportunity and don’t know how to find an opportunity. There is Hope is an organization that is giving refugees opportunities to get out of this hopeless situation. They provide vocational training, scholarships, and help refugees with previous training get oriented into the Malawian system so that they can work again.

The problem is large, and helping takes time. But we serve a God who is not daunted by these tasks. Instead, He has always been in the business of drawing people out of their present situation and giving them a new life. May God continue this process, strengthen There is Hope staff, and build a flourishing community out of what looks like a hopeless camp of refugees.

The Days at Partners in Hope

We start off the day with a time of worship and mini sermon. [Jesus knew what He was doing when He created the church. We need each other, we learn from each other, and we are challenged by each other. I’m thankful to be a part of the Body of Christ!]

At the beginning of my time at Partner’s in Hope, I spent my shift in the day wards, gave medications, learned the process of how to refill ART medication (HIV treatment), and shadowed the nurses during their various duties. I got to observe an abdominal paracentesis, lumbar punctures, and the casting of a little girl’s arm. After a few days, I began helping the patient attendants (nurse’s aids) take vital signs, perform rapid malaria diagnostic tests, and draw blood for viral loads, CD4’s, creatinine, etc.

The staff at Partner’s in Hope is incredible. They are welcoming, love the patients, value each member of the team, and enjoy their work. They taught me a great deal about malaria, tuberculosis, HIV symptoms, diagnostics, and treatments. I’m thankful for the many memories made with my dear friends at PIH!

Berta, A Dear Friend

I met Berta a few weeks ago. She cooks for the men who are constructing an addition onto a building at There Is Hope Center. “Jambo,” she said with a wide grin. When we met again, we tried to talk. Berta speaks Swahili, but through a translator I discovered that Berta is Congolese and lives in Dzelaka Refugee Camp.

For several days, we spent our time teaching each other our own languages. By pointing at objects and saying the word in our respective languages, we learned to names of many things. We scratched the words into the red dust, wiped the words away, and tried to write the words from memory. Together we came up with a list of about 20 words. Day after day we quizzed each other.

One day Berta invited me to her house. When her work was finished, we meandered our way through the camp to where she stays. Berta has lives with her husband, Asumani, and their four children. She has two daughters and two sons: Salia, Nonbe, Sofia, and Alonda. They range in age from 2 to 10. They have lived in Dzelaka for five years. Before they fled to Malawi, both Berta and her husband were students. Berta was a community leader in Congo, but now she and her husband do not have jobs, because there are very few employment options available.

Although their situation is bleak, Berta is a beacon of light. A smile radiates from her face, and she is always thinking of others. Berta loves to spend time with people and just chat…which becomes challenging when we don’t speak the same language. Thankfully Berta has some neighbors who enjoying chatting and want to practice their English.

An example of Berta’s kindness is her gift generous gift of a live chicken. Though the language barrier, I eventually convinced Berta to keep the chicken for me so that she could teach me how she cooks it! A few days later we deep fried to chicken, made ugali, and an African version of fried spaghetti. We had quite the feast!

Every day with Berta is a pleasure—whether we walked to the market, waited for hours at the clinic, cooked, practiced languages, or played with her kids. She is an eager learner, generous giver, and joyful friend. I can’t wait for the day when we are reunited!

A story of how God inspires His people to bring about community transformation.

This is my friend Joseph. He works for Partner’s in Hope, the clinic where I have been working.

He lives with his two children and niece. No school is in the area, so Joseph sent his children to a boarding school many kilometers away. Joseph and many other parents in the area had to spend a considerable amount of money for transportation. Many more kids do not go to school at all because they do not have the funds to travel, therefore were not receiving an education.

When Joseph considered this situation, God planted in him the dream of building a secondary school (high school) in his own community. It took a lot of planning and talking with the local chiefs. In faith, Joseph place a sign at the entrance of the school property in June saying that school would open in September of 2015.

Building a school takes a lot of money. An organization was helping Joseph with funding, but then it fell through. Apparently the organization only funded government schools, not private schools.  There were only three weeks left until September and the school property was empty. The only option left was to ask the bank for a loan. The bank denied the request. Joseph did not know what to do except to pray. He believed that God gave him this vision, but did not know how it was going to come about.

Two weeks before school was to start, Joseph received a call. The bank granted his loan! Although the buildings did not have roofs for the first day of school, there was a schoolhouse!

Only three students came in the first week. Then one of the kids ran away because it was so small. Eventually more and more students came, and the student who ran away came back. Now there are 42 students! Next year Maya Secondary School will include forms 1-4, which is 9th-12th grade.

Joseph has a vision to see this school grow. He earnestly desires to see the kids in his community educated so that they can have “success through Christ,” as the memo states. Malawi is an extremely poor country, undeveloped, lacking in jobs, and suffering desperately. Through an education founded on scripture, Joseph believes that the next generation can bring about change in Malawi. I have to agree.

I had the opportunity to visit Maya Secondary School on two different occasions. It was such a joy to chat with the students, encourage them to keep studying even when it is tough, and most of all keep seeking God, because He is worthy and will provide. Although I’m not a teacher, the teachers convinced me to teach a quick anatomy lesson. It was great honor to be in a room full of young men and women who are eager to learn and ask questions about the heart!

On my next visit, the kids stayed after school so that they we could play volleyball and net ball, and then teach me some dances. These students are energetic, competitive, and a ton of fun. We had a blast!

I share this story for three reasons:
1) To encourage you to notice gaps in the way you do life and then ask God to show you how to bridge those gaps. Joseph’s faith and boldness have challenged me greatly. I pray that his story will to the same for you.

2) If you have any books, sports equipment, or school supplies, Maya Secondary School could use them! Joseph is starting a library. It’s a very nice room, but is currently empty. If you are finished with any type of book, send them to Malawi. ☺ (Contact Joseph Wowa: josephwowa@gmail.com)

3) Will you join me in praying for Maya Secondary School? I’m praying that God would inspire the students to study diligently, provide financially for their school fees, and raise up these young men and women to shape the culture of Malawi. I’m praying that God would grow the school, guide the teachers, and provide funds for the school to expand. I’m praying that Joseph would have great wisdom as he leads this project and that he would be encouraged to press on even when it is tough. Thanks for your prayers!

A Day of Firsts

When I woke up Monday morning to go to Partners in Hope Clinic, I did not know how many new experiences I would have—both positive and negative. It was a day of many firsts.

Over the weekend, Kirk taught me to drive is manual car on the left side of the road. When you drive in Lilongwe, you have to hug the center line (even though it appears as though you are going to collide with the oncoming traffic) because there is a continuous line of pedestrians and cyclists. Although there are many busy junctions, the traffic lights work less than half of the time. There are many traffic circles, which are confusing to navigate. Driving certainly takes some getting used to! Kirk thought that I was doing pretty well at driving and was confident that I could navigate to Partner’s in Hope with the help of google maps on my phone. Monday morning, I drove to Partners in Hope without any problems.

Within Partners in Hope are three wards: Moyo (which means life), Dalitso (which means blessing), and Thandizeni (which means help). Moyo is a free clinic for very poor HIV positive patients. It is always busy. Dalitso reminds me of a clinic that I might go to in the United States for regular check-ups. Patients can make appointments or walk-in. Many patients are there to refill their antiretroviral treatment (medication used to slow the progression of HIV).  Thandizeni is for very ill patients who need to stay overnight.

When I got to the clinic, I met and shadowed Dr. Jones while he did rounds in the Thandizeni ward. He then introduced me to the nurses and I shadowed/helped Violet. She gave me a tour of the facilities and introduced me to just about every person who works there. I got to practice my greeting in Chichewa a lot!

Violet and I spent our day in Dalitso calling patients into the triage room and taking their vital signs. Near the end of the shift, I watched Violet attempt to start an IV on a very ill two-year-old who was dehydrated and likely had malaria. The nurses told me that by the end of my time at Partners in Hope I will be a professional at starting IVs. I hope they are right!

During our down time, Violet taught me more Chichewa, explained the traditional engagement/wedding process, and told me about nursing programs in Malawi. We had a lot of fun together! Everyone at the clinic is so kind—they always say, “you are most welcome here.” I feel valued and loved. I look forward to my next shift at Partners!

When it was time to drive home, I had a feeling something was going to go wrong—I had 8% battery left on my phone, which was my GPS. I had about a 30 min drive ahead of me. Everything was fine until a police officer ahead waved me to the side of the road. Apparently I was driving the wrong direction on a one-way road. Let’s just say that one-way roads are not well marked (the other Americans here have done the same thing, so that makes me feel better)! I got a K10,000 fine (which is $14), and my phone promptly died.

If only I knew the city better, was a skilled navigator, or had a phone charger. Nope. I spent the next 2 hours driving in bumper to bumper traffic in the dark the wrong way. People weaved through the lanes of traffic. Motorcyclists speed between lanes. I was lost by myself in a foreign country, in a large city, with a dead phone. I began to panic a few times. Mom, thanks for encouraging me to memorize scripture. Jesus, thank You for being Emmanuel, the great comforter, and the way, truth and the life.

I stopped twice to ask for directions, but road names are not marked and directions don’t come easily to me. I kept praying, driving, and reciting scriptures. When I finally made it home, I told Kirk, “I don’t know how I made it back. I was so lost. All the streets look the same, but nothing looks the same as in the day.”

So, it was a day of many firsts for me, but nothing is new to Jesus. Although getting lost seemed like just about the worst thing that could happen to me, I passed by two cars that had broken down in the middle of the road, several people came to beg at my window, and countless people didn’t have a car to drive that night. Conversely, I had fuel in my tank and my Savior with me. His presence seemed especially near to me during that time. I prayed several times, “show me the way, Jesus. I have no idea which way to turn.” And that is what He did.

This is how I want to depend on Jesus for life...not just driving. Show me the way, Jesus. I do not know where to turn.
I have been reading John. Throughout the book, Jesus makes many “I am” statements: “I am the bread of life…gate for the sheep…the good shepherd…the resurrection and the life.” Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). This is the One we follow. He will show us the way. Let us not wait for times of desperation to call upon His name. He is with us always. Amen.

I'm here!

I arrived in Lilongwe, Malawi on Monday after roughly 22 hours of smooth travel! After unpacking a suitcase of gifts for Kirk, we went to Innocent (the founder of There Is Hope, the organization that Kirk works for) and Flo's house for a team gathering. I met almost all of the There Is Hope staff, played volleyball, and tried some Malawian snacks.

On Tuesday, we (There Is Hope staff and I) went to the "Center" which is There is Hope Ministry Center on the edge of the Dzelaka Refugee Camp. At the Center, there is vocational training for refugees. Training includes a brick laying class, a carpentry class, a sewing class, and Bible training.

Also at the Center is a shipping container that Kirk transformed into his laboratory. Kirk is developing two different handmade soap products: one inexpensive soap to sell in the refugee camp and one fancier soap to sell in tourist shops and hotels. He is quite the chemist. Through research, experimentation, and innovation, he has figured out how to cut the cost of soap in half while preserving its quality. Currently he is experimenting with fragrances, coloring, and packaging.

Kirk taught me how to cut soap, prepare molds, stain oils, mix lye, and create the chemical reaction that yeilds soap. We cut 120 bars of soap and poured 120 more bars into their molds.

We ate lunch at Kirk's friend, Chobani's restaurant in the camp. I ordered chipoti mayeye which is like two thin fried tortillas with a thin layer of egg inside. I also tried a mandazi which is like a doughnut. Everything is very tasty!

In the afternoon I got to meet some kids from the camp. Ishmali is 10 years old, from Tanzania, and the only boy who could speak any English. We figured out that the other boys are from Burundi and Congo. We swang on the swings, played tag, and climbed the money bars. I hope to see them again on Thursday.

I so desire to be able to communicate, but am not a very fast language learner, especially because there are several languages spoken by the refugees. One of the most valuable phrases that I have learned is: "Ichi mumati chani?" Translation: "how do you say this?" Now I can point to anything and learn how to say it.

First impressions:

• Driving on the left side of the road with the driver's seat on the right side of the car is bazaar. A few times I was going to correct Kirk when he was driving on the "wrong side," but he was totally right!
• Malawi is beautiful. A rugged country side landscape is dotted with shrubs and the magnificent blue canopy creates the sky above. Red-orange dust covers the ground. The sun rises around 5am and sets around 6pm. Cool breezes in the morning give way to warm sunshine during the day.
• To everyone's amazement, I have had no problems with the 6-hour time difference. The two other girls who flew in this week from the States are very jealous of my lack of jet-lag.

I am so grateful to be here! It is great to be with Kirk, make new friends, and enter in to life here in Malawi. I look forward to helping at the Partners in Hope clinic and getting to know more people at Dzelaka. 

Thank you for your prayers!

The Count Down Begins

Only 7 days till I board to plane headed to Malawi! As I prepare for this trip I’ve been thinking a lot about how to keep my family and friends in the loop of what I am doing this summer. I hope to use this blog to share about my experiences, to share what God is doing through the ministries in which I will be involved, and to share how God is revealing Himself to me and to those I meet.

To start it all off, here is the travel plan:

 Malawi (May 15-June 15):  I will be staying with my brother Kirk in Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi. While he is working at the office, I will be helping at the Partners in Hope clinic. At least two days a week, Kirk and I plan to visit the people of the Dzaleka Refugee Camp. On the weekends, Kirk plans to take me on some African adventures with some of his friends. 

Togo (June 16-July 14): I will be staying with the Thompson family in Mango, Togo. Forty hours a week, I will work as a nurse’s aide at the Hospital of Hope. In the evenings, we hope to visit the children at the cuisine, which is a place for families to stay while their family members are at the hospital.

Ghana (July 15-August 13): The first two weeks I will be staying in Accra with Philip and Hannah Darko and their family. I will help Hannah sew school uniforms, visit the children in the Sodom and Gomorrah slum, and spend time at Echoing Hills center for people with disabilities.  During the second two weeks, I will be a part of the kid’s camp experience put on by Arm of Hope and the team from Hope Community Church, Mt Joy, Pennsylvania.

Thoughts as I prepare:

·         Wow. Is this actually happening? Ever since I was young, I have wanted to be a missionary nurse. Ever since I went to Peru, I have wanted to go back overseas and serve. I have learned a lot of lessons about serving well wherever God places me instead of always longing to be somewhere else. But now I get to go, and that is exciting!

·         THANK YOU. So many people have given so generously to invest in me and the ministries in which I will be involved this summer. I am humbled and honored to be sent by you to represent Jesus and share the good news. I truly recognize this as an investment that you are making in me, as I will be learning, growing, and shadowing many missionaries and health care professionals. Thank you.

·         Am I nervous? Not yet, but I probably will be when I’m dropped off in the airport. I have never before traveled internationally by myself! Before I can leave, I still have a lot of packing to do, and I am still praying that my passport and visa make it back from the embassy in time for me to leave.

  

The reason for the title of this blog:

This past year at Cedarville University, I had the privilege of leading a group of student to inner city Dayton, Ohio to visit several refugee families. There we led a Bible club (called King’s Kids Refugee Ministries), built relationships with the families, learned to cook Sudanese foods, played games, had sleep overs, etc. I adopted Paul’s prayer for King’s Kids:

“…I pray that you being rooted and established in love may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

From this past year alone, God has done immeasurably more than I can ask or imagine in several facets of my life, especially through King’s Kids. The better I get to know Jesus, the more I realize how true that He is to His Word. He is faithful, worthy, and good. We serve a great God who is more than able to transforms lives—and He does (I’m living proof). That is my prayer for my summer, and beyond!