So I am posting because I am transitioning from one trip to another. I will be going to Nicaragua this summer. I am so very excited about it! I will be working along with the members from Auburndale Life Church in Auburndale, Florida to be able to minister to the people of Nicaragua and start our first church plant there.
We will be there from July 24th to August 4th. I am so very excited and anticipating the trip. This will begin a new adventure. It has been too long since I have been on a trip and I feel called to doing missions like this for the rest of my life! Thank you so much for all you do and for all your support!
Love you all,
Kara Joy Crosby
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Inbetween Borders...
Zabo! So I can't even believe that it is already my last week here, not even. I only have like 3 days left. It's so sad!
So the safari was AMAZING. We had a great ride there because I took motion sickness pills and was out but I didn't like the way it felt so on the ride back I didn't take them and we ended up breaking down and having to wait to get it fixed and almost missing the time where the Zambia and Malawi border closes. We thought we were going to have a night stuck between borders. It ended up working fine but it was the first time I drove at night in Africa which is totally different experience because there are no street lights. It was well worth the 3 hours of dirt road we had to drive on. The animals were amazing. I got the closest to the male lion. Oh my goodness, I could of spit on him I was so close. I will show some pictures but that isn't the lion I am talking about. Anyway it was just awesome, seeing God's amazing untouched creation. So it was really good but we were ready to go back and not have to get up at 4:30am to go out. Altogether we did 16 hours of safari so we got in what we wanted.
So today was our first day of debriefing and the Chiwengo group got to go to the only coffee shop in town. It was great.We now have a bit of free time before dinner and then we will have some fun and stuff tonight, more debriefing but in different settings tomorrow and then back to the states. So sad, but I am so ready to see my friends and family.
I guess I came hoping that God would say either DO MISSIONS or DON'T! I didn't feel like God was saying this is it for you Kara Missions 24/7 but there is no doubt in my mind that missions will be a huge part of my life either all the time or not but oh my goodness I have learned so much. Today they handed back to us a letter that we wrote in the very beginning to ourselves of what we wanted to achieve and learn and I feel like I have learned so much. One of the main things is LOVE. The extent of that word is endless. The definition I had in my head when I came here to Malawi is totally different than the definition I have gained while being here. I think we all think of Africa and want to come and help these people we feel pity for. We want to give them money, or clothes, or food or whatever we think they need. After being here I have realized that that is not what they need they need love and encouragement. They need to realize their potential here in Malawi. The last thing they need to do is go to America.
It was so hard for me to get used to kids seeing me as a walking dollar bill sign. I just kept thinking I am a college kid and barely have anything you know? But to them I am so rich. As we were talking today one of the girls kind of broke down and talked about how hard it is for her to pass by kids who are asking for money or food. I guess I feel like the Lord has taught me that what we might think the answer is in the perspective of our country isn't the answer here. They need love and not just any but the love we share in Christ. By giving them things we have we are just telling them they don't need to work for anything you know? I don't know it sounds harsh but it's so true. These people depend on one another for money, but then I look at our nation and we are all in it for ourselves. There has to be a balance somewhere in that. Well that is just a tiny bit of what I have learned. I am going to try to post pictures of some of the adventures and loves and lives that I have encountered here. (And no I am not taking anyone home with me, even though some of those kids I would of loved to take home).
I will write once more Saturday and that will be it. I love you all so much and look forward to seeing you or just talking with you. I miss you. Thank you so much for your support and may the Lord bless you for it!
So the safari was AMAZING. We had a great ride there because I took motion sickness pills and was out but I didn't like the way it felt so on the ride back I didn't take them and we ended up breaking down and having to wait to get it fixed and almost missing the time where the Zambia and Malawi border closes. We thought we were going to have a night stuck between borders. It ended up working fine but it was the first time I drove at night in Africa which is totally different experience because there are no street lights. It was well worth the 3 hours of dirt road we had to drive on. The animals were amazing. I got the closest to the male lion. Oh my goodness, I could of spit on him I was so close. I will show some pictures but that isn't the lion I am talking about. Anyway it was just awesome, seeing God's amazing untouched creation. So it was really good but we were ready to go back and not have to get up at 4:30am to go out. Altogether we did 16 hours of safari so we got in what we wanted.
So today was our first day of debriefing and the Chiwengo group got to go to the only coffee shop in town. It was great.We now have a bit of free time before dinner and then we will have some fun and stuff tonight, more debriefing but in different settings tomorrow and then back to the states. So sad, but I am so ready to see my friends and family.
I guess I came hoping that God would say either DO MISSIONS or DON'T! I didn't feel like God was saying this is it for you Kara Missions 24/7 but there is no doubt in my mind that missions will be a huge part of my life either all the time or not but oh my goodness I have learned so much. Today they handed back to us a letter that we wrote in the very beginning to ourselves of what we wanted to achieve and learn and I feel like I have learned so much. One of the main things is LOVE. The extent of that word is endless. The definition I had in my head when I came here to Malawi is totally different than the definition I have gained while being here. I think we all think of Africa and want to come and help these people we feel pity for. We want to give them money, or clothes, or food or whatever we think they need. After being here I have realized that that is not what they need they need love and encouragement. They need to realize their potential here in Malawi. The last thing they need to do is go to America.
It was so hard for me to get used to kids seeing me as a walking dollar bill sign. I just kept thinking I am a college kid and barely have anything you know? But to them I am so rich. As we were talking today one of the girls kind of broke down and talked about how hard it is for her to pass by kids who are asking for money or food. I guess I feel like the Lord has taught me that what we might think the answer is in the perspective of our country isn't the answer here. They need love and not just any but the love we share in Christ. By giving them things we have we are just telling them they don't need to work for anything you know? I don't know it sounds harsh but it's so true. These people depend on one another for money, but then I look at our nation and we are all in it for ourselves. There has to be a balance somewhere in that. Well that is just a tiny bit of what I have learned. I am going to try to post pictures of some of the adventures and loves and lives that I have encountered here. (And no I am not taking anyone home with me, even though some of those kids I would of loved to take home).
I will write once more Saturday and that will be it. I love you all so much and look forward to seeing you or just talking with you. I miss you. Thank you so much for your support and may the Lord bless you for it!
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Tinakusowani ana a Chiwengo Kids!
(I miss the Chiwengo Kids) It has been so hard not being with them today. I am finally realizing that having them around me all the time seemed normal after a while but it wasn’t. I feel like I got closest to the kids at the end of the trip.
Speaking of which I want to talk about my last night in Chiwengo. We had a fun field day type of thing on Friday which was so much fun and then I went and hung out with some of the secondary school boys who love playing cards and learning how to play American Football. So I hung out with those kids till about dinner time and then we went to go see the sunset for the last time in Chiwengo. Then we had Potluck (that’s every Friday). It’s not the pot luck you are thinking of. We all bring beans and rice, enough for our group and each home would bring enough for their kids and then we have different kids sing songs and such and there is like a devotion at the end of the night. So they asked if anyone was prepared and it is always spur of the moment, so I said I would do it because no one else wanted to. So I shared a story of when I went to Lake Malawi and I met these two 13 year old boys they were asking me to take them to America. This is very normal for Malawi. I always hate it though because I love Malawi so much. I told him look at this beautiful lake you have here. You have to understand in Malawi they are looked at as so blessed for having that amazing lake to take baths in, to do laundry, to drink…even though it’s not very good for you. And I said you have a beautiful family, you aren’t starving, and you look so happy. He said “Oh Chimwemwe we might look happy on the outside but that does not mean we are happy on the inside”. I said okay so what do you know about America? He said oh I hear it is a beautiful land with lots of big building, many stores with things, many wealthy people, snacks (they consider that very American to have enough money to have snacks), and I have seen pictures they all look so happy. I said oh but Mark we might look happy on the outside but that does not mean we are all happy on the inside. He said “Oh Sister you used my words!” It was really funny. But it brought up such a good discussion about how we are all the same. We are all trying to find happiness in things and I told him I have tried and it doesn’t work. I asked him if he believed in Jesus and he said Oh I am covered in the blood. So I told him to pray because he mentioned to me that he wanted to be a lawyer and he just doesn’t have the money to do it. So we talked about the power of prayer and I really spoke into his life. He understood all I had to say. When I told the kids this they were so interested. They asked many questions about America and by the end I explained to them that we are all the same. Many kids at their schools will ask them how Americans are and I told them to say. They are just like you and me. They are actually my family. Because the only thing that brings true joy to our lives is what binds us all together and that is the love of Christ. Everyone including the parents really enjoyed it as did I. It was completely the Holy Spirit in me. It was a simple concept but tangible for them. So then afterwards they had a goodbye ceremony for us which was extremely emotional for me. The girls were like great Kara is already starting. I couldn’t handle it. I am going to miss hearing those beautiful voices sing to my God. So as we were having our goodnights one of the girls were like Kara you can’t have tea with Dad Alfred right now (this is something I do whenever I can because he is so amazing!) and I said why.
There was a surprise waiting for us at the house…and not the kind you are thinking of. It was good and bad, depends on how you look at it. Since the water is off all day we will leave the facets on so we know when the water comes on. And it came on for sure just while we were gone. So our entire house was full of 2 inches of water. Everyone’s clothes were soaked, some Bibles ruined, but we didn’t have to mop the next day. It took a good 3 hours to get the water out of the house. And that just made packing even later. So we finally were packed and my friend Shiloh and I said we wanted to sleep outside one night and realized this would be our last night to do it so we did it! We pulled our mattresses out to the courtyard so it was fenced in plus we have a really nice guard who is up all night. It was awesome!!! The stars are just amazing here. I wish I could get a picture of it but you can’t. I woke up with a few bites on my face but it was completely worth it. I got up at 5:30a to see the sunrise. I have this automatic alarm that goes off in my head at that time here, the girls think I am crazy. Then I went for my last run in Chiwengo. Uhhh what a beautiful place to run. You can go from village to village but you are right there. The mountain is there and just fields and fields of grain. It’s so pretty. So then we had to be ready to go. We were to leave at 9 but that is never the case. We didn’t end up leaving till 3 and it was the day Dad Chris and Mom Deb (The Founders of COTN) were to come to Chiwengo. They wanted to come after us so we could have a nice goodbye but they came while we were going. I liked it though because yes some kids were really sad but other were so excited to have Mom and Dad there. I left with so many letters from the kids I got close to and I handed out a lot to with my address so hopefully we will stay in touch. I gave each Auntie an article of clothing and some of the women I have gotten close to in the village as well. They loved it. I was also able to pray over Mom Charity (from House of Joy). She has been suffering from Diabetes and I was so sad to hear they haven’t had like someone lay hands on her and pray for her or the boy Myanko. So I made sure to do that before I left. I was crying through the whole prayer but I know it touched her and I know God is doing great things in her during this hard time. Since she doesn’t have the proper treatments, she will have to retire from COTN but she loves it so much. It’s just sad but I am going to keep in touch with her no matter where she goes.
I also got a letter back from the one boy Steven who went off to secondary school and called me. It was so good to get that. So then we left with kids grabbing my hand while we were about to pull away. This boy Alan just kept saying “Auntie please don’t go, please don’t go” I was a wreck by that point. I cried all the way back to Lilongwe (3 hours). And today has just been tough.
I have loved seeing the Malawian interns but I miss those faces. It is really hard being back at Njewa where we first started out in Lilongwe. We went to the African Bible College Church Service today. It was so Americanized. It was exactly what I didn’t want to go to before I went home. I know that it is good for us though so it will be an easier transition when I am back. We will go on the Safari tomorrow early morning. Apparently the ride is really bumpy and many people usually get sick while they are on it. One thing I have definitely realized on this trip is that really anything can happen in Africa. That is just how things go. So many times we end up waiting 2 hours for our ride because it will have broken down, or one of the girls on the team has an infection inside her so whenever she gets any kind of cut it gets infected…like yesterday she got one on her nose and by the time we got back to Lilongwe it was all big and was like oozing. It has been pretty interesting. So needless to say I need prayers for the extremely long trip we are taking to Zambia. Apparently it is really nice where we are staying so that will be nice. Running water all the time will be so nice. Well please keep me in your prayers even though this trip is coming to an end. Drew our director was saying his favorite part is debriefing time because you really see all that the Lord has done in everyone’s life and some don’t even realize it till that point or even later. So please pray that God opens my eyes to see the things I don’t that he has done in and through me. Alright well next time I write will probably be the last. Thank you for everything. I love you all so very much and miss you!
Speaking of which I want to talk about my last night in Chiwengo. We had a fun field day type of thing on Friday which was so much fun and then I went and hung out with some of the secondary school boys who love playing cards and learning how to play American Football. So I hung out with those kids till about dinner time and then we went to go see the sunset for the last time in Chiwengo. Then we had Potluck (that’s every Friday). It’s not the pot luck you are thinking of. We all bring beans and rice, enough for our group and each home would bring enough for their kids and then we have different kids sing songs and such and there is like a devotion at the end of the night. So they asked if anyone was prepared and it is always spur of the moment, so I said I would do it because no one else wanted to. So I shared a story of when I went to Lake Malawi and I met these two 13 year old boys they were asking me to take them to America. This is very normal for Malawi. I always hate it though because I love Malawi so much. I told him look at this beautiful lake you have here. You have to understand in Malawi they are looked at as so blessed for having that amazing lake to take baths in, to do laundry, to drink…even though it’s not very good for you. And I said you have a beautiful family, you aren’t starving, and you look so happy. He said “Oh Chimwemwe we might look happy on the outside but that does not mean we are happy on the inside”. I said okay so what do you know about America? He said oh I hear it is a beautiful land with lots of big building, many stores with things, many wealthy people, snacks (they consider that very American to have enough money to have snacks), and I have seen pictures they all look so happy. I said oh but Mark we might look happy on the outside but that does not mean we are all happy on the inside. He said “Oh Sister you used my words!” It was really funny. But it brought up such a good discussion about how we are all the same. We are all trying to find happiness in things and I told him I have tried and it doesn’t work. I asked him if he believed in Jesus and he said Oh I am covered in the blood. So I told him to pray because he mentioned to me that he wanted to be a lawyer and he just doesn’t have the money to do it. So we talked about the power of prayer and I really spoke into his life. He understood all I had to say. When I told the kids this they were so interested. They asked many questions about America and by the end I explained to them that we are all the same. Many kids at their schools will ask them how Americans are and I told them to say. They are just like you and me. They are actually my family. Because the only thing that brings true joy to our lives is what binds us all together and that is the love of Christ. Everyone including the parents really enjoyed it as did I. It was completely the Holy Spirit in me. It was a simple concept but tangible for them. So then afterwards they had a goodbye ceremony for us which was extremely emotional for me. The girls were like great Kara is already starting. I couldn’t handle it. I am going to miss hearing those beautiful voices sing to my God. So as we were having our goodnights one of the girls were like Kara you can’t have tea with Dad Alfred right now (this is something I do whenever I can because he is so amazing!) and I said why.
There was a surprise waiting for us at the house…and not the kind you are thinking of. It was good and bad, depends on how you look at it. Since the water is off all day we will leave the facets on so we know when the water comes on. And it came on for sure just while we were gone. So our entire house was full of 2 inches of water. Everyone’s clothes were soaked, some Bibles ruined, but we didn’t have to mop the next day. It took a good 3 hours to get the water out of the house. And that just made packing even later. So we finally were packed and my friend Shiloh and I said we wanted to sleep outside one night and realized this would be our last night to do it so we did it! We pulled our mattresses out to the courtyard so it was fenced in plus we have a really nice guard who is up all night. It was awesome!!! The stars are just amazing here. I wish I could get a picture of it but you can’t. I woke up with a few bites on my face but it was completely worth it. I got up at 5:30a to see the sunrise. I have this automatic alarm that goes off in my head at that time here, the girls think I am crazy. Then I went for my last run in Chiwengo. Uhhh what a beautiful place to run. You can go from village to village but you are right there. The mountain is there and just fields and fields of grain. It’s so pretty. So then we had to be ready to go. We were to leave at 9 but that is never the case. We didn’t end up leaving till 3 and it was the day Dad Chris and Mom Deb (The Founders of COTN) were to come to Chiwengo. They wanted to come after us so we could have a nice goodbye but they came while we were going. I liked it though because yes some kids were really sad but other were so excited to have Mom and Dad there. I left with so many letters from the kids I got close to and I handed out a lot to with my address so hopefully we will stay in touch. I gave each Auntie an article of clothing and some of the women I have gotten close to in the village as well. They loved it. I was also able to pray over Mom Charity (from House of Joy). She has been suffering from Diabetes and I was so sad to hear they haven’t had like someone lay hands on her and pray for her or the boy Myanko. So I made sure to do that before I left. I was crying through the whole prayer but I know it touched her and I know God is doing great things in her during this hard time. Since she doesn’t have the proper treatments, she will have to retire from COTN but she loves it so much. It’s just sad but I am going to keep in touch with her no matter where she goes.
I also got a letter back from the one boy Steven who went off to secondary school and called me. It was so good to get that. So then we left with kids grabbing my hand while we were about to pull away. This boy Alan just kept saying “Auntie please don’t go, please don’t go” I was a wreck by that point. I cried all the way back to Lilongwe (3 hours). And today has just been tough.
I have loved seeing the Malawian interns but I miss those faces. It is really hard being back at Njewa where we first started out in Lilongwe. We went to the African Bible College Church Service today. It was so Americanized. It was exactly what I didn’t want to go to before I went home. I know that it is good for us though so it will be an easier transition when I am back. We will go on the Safari tomorrow early morning. Apparently the ride is really bumpy and many people usually get sick while they are on it. One thing I have definitely realized on this trip is that really anything can happen in Africa. That is just how things go. So many times we end up waiting 2 hours for our ride because it will have broken down, or one of the girls on the team has an infection inside her so whenever she gets any kind of cut it gets infected…like yesterday she got one on her nose and by the time we got back to Lilongwe it was all big and was like oozing. It has been pretty interesting. So needless to say I need prayers for the extremely long trip we are taking to Zambia. Apparently it is really nice where we are staying so that will be nice. Running water all the time will be so nice. Well please keep me in your prayers even though this trip is coming to an end. Drew our director was saying his favorite part is debriefing time because you really see all that the Lord has done in everyone’s life and some don’t even realize it till that point or even later. So please pray that God opens my eyes to see the things I don’t that he has done in and through me. Alright well next time I write will probably be the last. Thank you for everything. I love you all so very much and miss you!
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Zobaba Malawi...
Well I don't have very much time to write but I just said goodbye today to the kids at Chiwengo Village. It has been a hard day but we leave for the Safari in Zambia on Monday. I am sad to go home but excited to see everyone and share my incredible stories. Pray for me as I say goodbye to this amazing country. Thank you for all you have done. I love you all.
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Last Post from Kasungu...
Shappe! How are you all doing? I miss you so much but I will be seeing so many of you soon. Well this will be my last time writing from Kasungu. We are leaving on Saturday morning and will be heading to Lilongwe where we will take off for the Safari, which has been hard because it feels really selfish after a trip like this, but they say we will really enjoy it. We are passing over to Zambia to get there and will be staying some where nice I guess. Well we have had a full schedule with the children lately. We have had two tutoring sessions instead of one and I am teaching Standard 1 which is grade 1 except Standard 3 students here are equivalent to the knowledge of first grade in the states. It’s so hard but it is amazing when you start to see a change because of what you are teaching them. I have really seen a difference. I love it. So I just thought I would pass a little note by while I am here but I miss you all and love you so very much. Please keep me in prayer these next couple days with having to say goodbye to this amazing place. It has flown by, it’s crazy. So as it comes to an end I am really trying to realizing all that God has taught me here and I know that I will see the depth of the change in a different light when I go home. I am not going to know what to do with running water or electricity all the time. I also don’t know what I am going to do without these amazing Malawian people. I will tell you when they say the warm heart of Africa they are not kidding. These people are amazing.
We are finishing up a library that we have made for the children of COTN in Chiwengo Village. Myself and a couple other girls have been painting the room and shelves. We have set up a whole thing where they check out the books and everything. Someone is going to be the librarian there too which will be so nice. I am so looking forward to seeing how God uses that. We are also painting a map of the world, we are almost done. It’s just nice to leave them with something tangible.
Last night I slept in the House of Joy and had a little slumber party. It was so much fun. Tonight I hope to stay at House of Hope and then the next night House of Love, and finally the last night in our little courtyard which is out side (but protected, no worries Mom and Dad). I can’t go to Africa and not have one night where I sleep under those amazing stars. Well I love you all so much and I appreciate all that you have done for me to get this far, the words of encouragement, the prayers, the money, the letters. It just all means the world to me. I love you all and will write again soon!
Chikondi,
Kara Chimwemwe
We are finishing up a library that we have made for the children of COTN in Chiwengo Village. Myself and a couple other girls have been painting the room and shelves. We have set up a whole thing where they check out the books and everything. Someone is going to be the librarian there too which will be so nice. I am so looking forward to seeing how God uses that. We are also painting a map of the world, we are almost done. It’s just nice to leave them with something tangible.
Last night I slept in the House of Joy and had a little slumber party. It was so much fun. Tonight I hope to stay at House of Hope and then the next night House of Love, and finally the last night in our little courtyard which is out side (but protected, no worries Mom and Dad). I can’t go to Africa and not have one night where I sleep under those amazing stars. Well I love you all so much and I appreciate all that you have done for me to get this far, the words of encouragement, the prayers, the money, the letters. It just all means the world to me. I love you all and will write again soon!
Chikondi,
Kara Chimwemwe
Saturday, August 4, 2007
I Climbed Mount Kusungu!
Zaboo! I do not have time to write much but I got to go into town today after having a extremely fun adventure. The Interns and I put money together to get a ride to Mount Kusungu so that we could take a hike with the kids. It was so much fun but so exhausting. We hiked for two hours up and two hours down. We thought it was going to be this nice and easy hike it was literally like mountain climbing, but what an experience! There were smiles, laughter, sighs of relief, and yes some were crying (not me though!). It was just amazing to be at the top of a mountain in Africa! I can’t tell you how much fun I have been having. Please pray for me and the interns here. We have to say goodbye to the children on Saturday and there are going to many tears (mostly from me because I am the most emotional one…lol….big surprise I know!) But seriously it is going to be so hard but God has done more than enough in all of us. I just pray that someday I will be able to come back and be with these children. I will share one story. There was a student Stephen who was leaving for secondary school the last time I wrote and I was going into town already so we went to escort him to his bus to travel to secondary school, which is like boarding school. He was so touched that I would take the time to do that and give him snacks for the road. I ended up having the father of house of Hope say please keep this phone with you Stephen really wants to talk to you. At about 9 that night I got a call from him saying “Auntie, I miss you so much!” I almost started to cry it was so sweet. We talked for a while and he said “Auntie Chimwemwe, I am praying that someday we will meet again”. He promised to write me! God is just so amazing faithful. He has blessed me so much.
So I ask that you just pray for an easy transition out of Chiwengo. We will then go on the Safari, have debriefing and then go home. I am so excited to see my family and friends but just so sad to leave Malawi. It’s going to be emotional. Well I love you all thank you for your support. Also thanks again for the letters, they are the first thing I do everyday. I also got some snail mail, from Janae D. That made my week! (Thanks Janae). Alright I love you all and I can’t wait to see you….you especially Mom, Dad, Kristi, Rob, and Kandace! I will write back soon.
So I ask that you just pray for an easy transition out of Chiwengo. We will then go on the Safari, have debriefing and then go home. I am so excited to see my family and friends but just so sad to leave Malawi. It’s going to be emotional. Well I love you all thank you for your support. Also thanks again for the letters, they are the first thing I do everyday. I also got some snail mail, from Janae D. That made my week! (Thanks Janae). Alright I love you all and I can’t wait to see you….you especially Mom, Dad, Kristi, Rob, and Kandace! I will write back soon.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
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