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!
Thursday, August 16, 2007
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
Malawi Pictures...
I don't have much time but I did want to post a couple pictures. The first is just me with some of the village children while the boys were playing futbol. The second is me with two Malawian Interns from the African Bible College here in Malawi. The boy on my left is Yamigani and the boy to my right is Ebenezer who I have become really close to and love to have conversations with. We were in the Blacksmith shop over in Chitipi Village and they were teaching me how to be a blacksmith. I do not get to see them often which makes me very sad. They are the most polite, well mannered young men I have ever met in my life. The third picture is one of the beautiful Lake Malawi. I loved it so much. Zikomo for all your prayers (Thank you). They mean the world to me and I am so excited to share all that has happened here in Malawi. I love you all and will hopefully post again this time next week.
Chikondi (Love),
Kara Chimwemwe (Joy)
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
1 Month in Malawi...
Musuala Bunji??? Dasuala Bueno! So I am so happy to be able to use the internet yet again to communicate to you all the exciting time that I am having here. I am already getting teary eyed thinking about leaving this place. It is so wonderful here. I am in Lilongwe today (the capital). I can’t even tell you all the things that God is doing in and through my team. We had a camp with the surrounding villages last week (which went really well) and for the weekend we went to Lake Malawi. We just came back yesterday from Lake Malawi on a Mid- Retreat. It was so wonderful. What a gorgeous place. I was so happy to receive my camera (Yes Mom and Dad I got it! Thank you so much.) the day before I left on the trip. It was breath taking there.
We had three full days of relaxation and fun, Friday through Saturday. It was full of snorkeling, playing volleyball, hanging out at the beach, meeting others that literally live on this lake (it looks like a beach, its huge!), and also horseback riding! I went horseback riding along with four others. I have never done that before and it was AWESOME! Think of that picture of Africa we all have in our heads (just so you know it doesn’t all look like this), the big fields with giant trees scattered through a beautiful land. That is how the horseback riding was. (Mom and Kristi, I wanted you to be there so bad!)
Also along with that we were able to focus our attention on what the Lord has been doing in us individually and as a team. I will tell you God has been stirring in me like never before. I can honestly say like never before because I don’t think I have ever felt a deeper hunger for him in all my life. It was so cool because I kept feeling the Holy Spirit tell me that the sky would be my home and I was outside having some quiet time one late night as the sun was setting and a girl came to me as I was looking at the sky and said “Kumamba” and she was pointing to the sky. I asked her “In English the sky?” and she said “No in English it means Where God Lives”. I later talked to a woman about it and she said that that is what they call the sky sometimes. It is little things like that that God has given me. Little pieces of him to cling onto.
My Mom gave me the chapter Psalms 63 I believe and she doesn’t know this yet but that lately has been the cry of my heart. It talks about longing for God in a barren land. I don’t think I have ever before felt such a burden for others. They call Malawi the warm heart of Africa for a reason, they are so sweet but there is so much pain underneath those smiles and warm hearts. I have really been struggling with not knowing how to give the gift of God to these people and showing them how it means more than money or things or going to America which they see as Paradise. So at Lake Malawi I walked along the beach for about an hour meeting new people here and there and these 2 boys were like “ Sister come here” (They all call you sister, the other day a man said “Sister I need to marry you!”…lol) I was hesitant because they looked older than they were. They ended up walking with me and some other children and I got into an amazing conversation with them. They asked me like many do, to send them to America with me. Mark wanted to be a Lawyer, and Luke a Pilot. They were explaining to me that there families were poor and that they wanted to experience this wonderful place called America. I said but boys you look so happy, you have a family, and this beautiful lake (which serves a great need to these people). Mark said “We might look happy on the outside but on the inside we are hurt because of this poverty”. And I asked “What do you know about America then?” Luke said “We hear on the radio and see on television in some places that America is so rich and is so happy” and I said “Oh, but guess what we might look happy on the outside but that doesn’t mean we are happy on the inside”. Mark laughed saying “Oh sister you used my words!” I then went on to explain that Americans buy so many things to make them happy but it never does and that God is the only one who will bring true joy to your heart. I said I would pray for them that they would work hard and that God would bless them for doing so, this made them so excited! I said to them “Do you believe in God?”, “Yes”, “Do you believe in Jesus?” This was my favorite part, Luke said “Oh yes we are covered in the blood, are you?” And I went on to tell them what God has been to me and I told them the power of prayer (which is the biggest thing God has been teaching me on this trip). It was so wonderful. They were so happy to talk about it and thought it was so cool. Even though they were still jealous that Americans have “snacks”..lol. Well this is just a small part of what God is doing in my life this summer.
All I know is whoever wants to hear how my summer went is going to have to talk with me for like 48 hours straight just to get a glimpse…lol. It is just so amazing here. One thing I ask that you pray for me about is the fact that God is calling me right now to a deeper place, a deeper hunger, a deeper burden for his people, and deeper understanding of his will. I just spoke with my Intern leader last night for a long time about all of this. (She has been like a sister might I add, the people here are amazing on my team) And she prayed over me and even though it scares me to what God is calling me to I know that is all I want, to be in the will of my savior. So please pray for that. Also please pray for Malawi. At the lake the manager had some dancers come to perform for the guests and it ended up being this certain tribe we had been warned about. It was very scary for all of us, not in an actually frightening way but in a spiritual sense. We didn’t know what tribe it was but you could just sense the presence of evil and there is a lot of that that goes on here. It is actually a type of witchcraft. It was one of the first intense encounters I had with that. These people believe that if they put these costumes on they become the spirit of those animals so no matter what they do they are not accountable for their actions. It was really freaky but the leadership did a good job taking care of us. Don’t worry Mom I am fine. It was actually really good for me to experience something like that, to understand the intensity. But please pray, it was just so real and opened my eyes to a whole new world.
Well I have to go but I love you all and I wish I could email you all but I am out of time. No broadband in Africa. Alright Mom by the way you can call now we just didn’t get connection at Lake Malawi. Alright well I love you all and thank you for the letters and prayers! You are in my heart.
P.S. I will post a picture soon! Keep checking, maybe like one week from now. :)
We had three full days of relaxation and fun, Friday through Saturday. It was full of snorkeling, playing volleyball, hanging out at the beach, meeting others that literally live on this lake (it looks like a beach, its huge!), and also horseback riding! I went horseback riding along with four others. I have never done that before and it was AWESOME! Think of that picture of Africa we all have in our heads (just so you know it doesn’t all look like this), the big fields with giant trees scattered through a beautiful land. That is how the horseback riding was. (Mom and Kristi, I wanted you to be there so bad!)
Also along with that we were able to focus our attention on what the Lord has been doing in us individually and as a team. I will tell you God has been stirring in me like never before. I can honestly say like never before because I don’t think I have ever felt a deeper hunger for him in all my life. It was so cool because I kept feeling the Holy Spirit tell me that the sky would be my home and I was outside having some quiet time one late night as the sun was setting and a girl came to me as I was looking at the sky and said “Kumamba” and she was pointing to the sky. I asked her “In English the sky?” and she said “No in English it means Where God Lives”. I later talked to a woman about it and she said that that is what they call the sky sometimes. It is little things like that that God has given me. Little pieces of him to cling onto.
My Mom gave me the chapter Psalms 63 I believe and she doesn’t know this yet but that lately has been the cry of my heart. It talks about longing for God in a barren land. I don’t think I have ever before felt such a burden for others. They call Malawi the warm heart of Africa for a reason, they are so sweet but there is so much pain underneath those smiles and warm hearts. I have really been struggling with not knowing how to give the gift of God to these people and showing them how it means more than money or things or going to America which they see as Paradise. So at Lake Malawi I walked along the beach for about an hour meeting new people here and there and these 2 boys were like “ Sister come here” (They all call you sister, the other day a man said “Sister I need to marry you!”…lol) I was hesitant because they looked older than they were. They ended up walking with me and some other children and I got into an amazing conversation with them. They asked me like many do, to send them to America with me. Mark wanted to be a Lawyer, and Luke a Pilot. They were explaining to me that there families were poor and that they wanted to experience this wonderful place called America. I said but boys you look so happy, you have a family, and this beautiful lake (which serves a great need to these people). Mark said “We might look happy on the outside but on the inside we are hurt because of this poverty”. And I asked “What do you know about America then?” Luke said “We hear on the radio and see on television in some places that America is so rich and is so happy” and I said “Oh, but guess what we might look happy on the outside but that doesn’t mean we are happy on the inside”. Mark laughed saying “Oh sister you used my words!” I then went on to explain that Americans buy so many things to make them happy but it never does and that God is the only one who will bring true joy to your heart. I said I would pray for them that they would work hard and that God would bless them for doing so, this made them so excited! I said to them “Do you believe in God?”, “Yes”, “Do you believe in Jesus?” This was my favorite part, Luke said “Oh yes we are covered in the blood, are you?” And I went on to tell them what God has been to me and I told them the power of prayer (which is the biggest thing God has been teaching me on this trip). It was so wonderful. They were so happy to talk about it and thought it was so cool. Even though they were still jealous that Americans have “snacks”..lol. Well this is just a small part of what God is doing in my life this summer.
All I know is whoever wants to hear how my summer went is going to have to talk with me for like 48 hours straight just to get a glimpse…lol. It is just so amazing here. One thing I ask that you pray for me about is the fact that God is calling me right now to a deeper place, a deeper hunger, a deeper burden for his people, and deeper understanding of his will. I just spoke with my Intern leader last night for a long time about all of this. (She has been like a sister might I add, the people here are amazing on my team) And she prayed over me and even though it scares me to what God is calling me to I know that is all I want, to be in the will of my savior. So please pray for that. Also please pray for Malawi. At the lake the manager had some dancers come to perform for the guests and it ended up being this certain tribe we had been warned about. It was very scary for all of us, not in an actually frightening way but in a spiritual sense. We didn’t know what tribe it was but you could just sense the presence of evil and there is a lot of that that goes on here. It is actually a type of witchcraft. It was one of the first intense encounters I had with that. These people believe that if they put these costumes on they become the spirit of those animals so no matter what they do they are not accountable for their actions. It was really freaky but the leadership did a good job taking care of us. Don’t worry Mom I am fine. It was actually really good for me to experience something like that, to understand the intensity. But please pray, it was just so real and opened my eyes to a whole new world.
Well I have to go but I love you all and I wish I could email you all but I am out of time. No broadband in Africa. Alright Mom by the way you can call now we just didn’t get connection at Lake Malawi. Alright well I love you all and thank you for the letters and prayers! You are in my heart.
P.S. I will post a picture soon! Keep checking, maybe like one week from now. :)
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Muli Bwanji...from Malawi
Muli Bwanji!!!! It's been so LONG. I miss you all SOOO MUCH! I can't believe that I am actually on the internet in Kasungu, Malawi. It has been more impossible to get on a computer than I thought it would be. Just so everyone knows I am doing great! God has been doing so many cool things in and through the team that I have been on.
First off, we started with orientation in Lilongwe and me and my team of 13 girls took off for Chiwengo about two weeks ago. (I feel like I have lost all track of time). At first it was not all that I thought it would be. Everything is alot slower here and us Americans are used to things going, going, and going. The team that I am on is great, we all get along well. We have all been living in one house in Chiwengo Village. We are surrounded by villages with many, many children. Our days our full of just spending good quality time with the orphans here and even the village children. We have done tutoring, outreachs, devotions at the homes, and just building relationships with all those around us. Our group is not one to just sit back and do just what we have been asked. We all have really tried our hardest to reach the village children along with the children with COTN.
Right now I am with a good friend from the group Mackenzie, we went into town to shop around a little and were very fortunate to find an internet cafe that we knew nothing about. We have been hosting short term teams this week and are leaving next week for Lake Malawi. It sounds like it will be amazing. We will then come back to Kasungu and finish our time here, we will climb Mount Kasungu, then leave after 2 weeks to spend more time in Lilongwe and then take off for the Safari. I feel like the days go by slow but the weeks fly by. It's hard to explain.
I have made so many great friendships especially with the Malawian people here. I am looking forward to getting my camera next week (my first one broke when I got here...uck) so I can post pictures of these wonderful people.
Thank you all for your prayers and LETTERS! I have loved it everyday. It has gotten me through some tough times. Just so you all know God is teaching me more than I ever thought he would. I thought it would be mostly in my time with doing outreaches and things like that but it has been in my quiet time and my individual time with the children. I try and pray for any of them I have my hands on. God is really going to do wonderful things with these children.
Well, I am sorry I don't have time to e-mail, or call you all individually. We don't get much time when we are able to go out to town. (The last time we were here we did a scavengar hunt, I wanted my Mom to be here because all of you that know her know that she would LOVE something like that). So I ask that you continue to pray not only for me but for the people of Malawi. There are times I look at people and think "Lord they must feel so hopeless" and other times I look at them and think "We have all we want and still they are far happier than any of us". But there is definetely a lack of food and money here and it is hard not to give all of your money away especially when you go into town. I feel like I have so much to say just not enough time to say it so I will end here so Mackenzie can update as well. I love you all and miss you so very much! I will be home soon, but I am very excited about the rest of my time here. God is and is going to do even greater things in all of us. I'm stinking in AFRICA! It's so hard to believe sometimes. Anyway, please comment back and I will be able to use the internet again for a full day in about a week. So that is exciting.
Alright, well thanks again for all your support and prayers! May God truly bless you.
Love you,
Kara Joy
First off, we started with orientation in Lilongwe and me and my team of 13 girls took off for Chiwengo about two weeks ago. (I feel like I have lost all track of time). At first it was not all that I thought it would be. Everything is alot slower here and us Americans are used to things going, going, and going. The team that I am on is great, we all get along well. We have all been living in one house in Chiwengo Village. We are surrounded by villages with many, many children. Our days our full of just spending good quality time with the orphans here and even the village children. We have done tutoring, outreachs, devotions at the homes, and just building relationships with all those around us. Our group is not one to just sit back and do just what we have been asked. We all have really tried our hardest to reach the village children along with the children with COTN.
Right now I am with a good friend from the group Mackenzie, we went into town to shop around a little and were very fortunate to find an internet cafe that we knew nothing about. We have been hosting short term teams this week and are leaving next week for Lake Malawi. It sounds like it will be amazing. We will then come back to Kasungu and finish our time here, we will climb Mount Kasungu, then leave after 2 weeks to spend more time in Lilongwe and then take off for the Safari. I feel like the days go by slow but the weeks fly by. It's hard to explain.
I have made so many great friendships especially with the Malawian people here. I am looking forward to getting my camera next week (my first one broke when I got here...uck) so I can post pictures of these wonderful people.
Thank you all for your prayers and LETTERS! I have loved it everyday. It has gotten me through some tough times. Just so you all know God is teaching me more than I ever thought he would. I thought it would be mostly in my time with doing outreaches and things like that but it has been in my quiet time and my individual time with the children. I try and pray for any of them I have my hands on. God is really going to do wonderful things with these children.
Well, I am sorry I don't have time to e-mail, or call you all individually. We don't get much time when we are able to go out to town. (The last time we were here we did a scavengar hunt, I wanted my Mom to be here because all of you that know her know that she would LOVE something like that). So I ask that you continue to pray not only for me but for the people of Malawi. There are times I look at people and think "Lord they must feel so hopeless" and other times I look at them and think "We have all we want and still they are far happier than any of us". But there is definetely a lack of food and money here and it is hard not to give all of your money away especially when you go into town. I feel like I have so much to say just not enough time to say it so I will end here so Mackenzie can update as well. I love you all and miss you so very much! I will be home soon, but I am very excited about the rest of my time here. God is and is going to do even greater things in all of us. I'm stinking in AFRICA! It's so hard to believe sometimes. Anyway, please comment back and I will be able to use the internet again for a full day in about a week. So that is exciting.
Alright, well thanks again for all your support and prayers! May God truly bless you.
Love you,
Kara Joy
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Saying Goodbye...
So yesterday was probably the hardest day of this whole trip, I had to say goodbye to my family. I'll cry just writing this out but I just realize how incredibly blessed I am to have such a loving family who supports me in all that God is doing in my life. My flight was suppose to take off at 5 pm but then was delayed till 8 pm so that meant more time with my parents and Kandace. And around 6:30 pm I went through to my gate looking behind to see my family waving me off. At first it was really tough just feeling nervous about the connecting flight issues and things like that. The plane ended up not leaving until around 8:30 pm which meant we weren't landing till 4:30am your time (9:30 London time) . It was a great flight, I slept the entire way which was good! My parents and I realized I had to change airports once I got into London which was crazy and took forever. So by the time I went through customs, checked out my luggage, took a 90 minutes bus ride to Heathrow, and went to check in here it was already 12 (London time). So now I am waiting till 4 (LT) to check in my luggage. I saw this little internet cafe and thought I would stop on in. London is really quaint. It's like huge patches of beautiful land with gorgeous homes, just so spread out. I was hoping to travel around London but I would have to carry all my luggage which would definetely not work. So I take off at 7:30 pm(LT) for Johanessburg, South Africa. Crazy! I will not get in until 8 am thier time (6 hours ahead of you). And that is where I will definetely meet the crew and we will all be in Malawi at noon tomorrow (South Africa Time)...lol so confusing! I wanted to say thank you to all of those who sent my Mom a letter for me to read while on my trip. My mom gave me one for everyday which was amazing. I already am enjoying them. I will say one thing talking about this trip is one thing and doing it is another, it's been harder emotionally but easier physically than I thought. Well I am going to go to the cafe upstairs and have some lunch while I wait to check in. Thank you all for your prayers but please keep them coming! I will probably not be able to get on here for another two weeks...ahhh...thats so exciting. I can't wait to see what stories I have to share. Well, I love and miss you all.
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Getting Ready (15 days to go)...
Well, I have 15 days until I head out for Malawi, Africa. It is do hard to believe that I am actually going to be able to go on this trip. I am just going to explain a little bit of what I will be doing. I am going with an organization called "Children of the Nations". I will be leaving June 20th around 5. I have 2 days of traveling but thank God we will have orientation for 3 days as soon as I get there. I will then be staying in Kusunga in Chiwengo Village at the orphanage they have there. They have several homes called The Homes of Hope. These each have several children living in them with two parents and one auntie to help with the house work. Alot of the work we will be doing is teaching the children different subjects such as English, Health, Sports, etc. Every Wednesday and Thursday we will be taking the orphans to surrounding villages to minister to the people there. We will also be doing Widow ministry, teaching them english and also cleaning for them. We will also be having Prayer meetings on Wednesday Nights. I found out that I am going to be doing alot more than just staying at this one orphanage. We will be doing a big camp, from the sounds of it it is going to be very much like a VBS. Also there will be times to enjoy where we are and the people that we are going with. We will have one three day Mid retreat at Lake Malawi and also a 3 days Safari in Zambia in August right before our debriefing session. I will then return August 20th. So that is a summary of what I will be doing while in Malawi. Please pray for me as I go on this life changing journey. Please be praying not only that God blesses this trip, gives me oppurtunities to further his kingdom, gives me strength and energy to keep going, but also that he gives me wisdom while I am there. I know that this trip is hard for my parents, they are truly trusting God's hands as he takes me to there. I know they would ask you to pray for my health and safety on top of all of these other things. I am so blessed to have parents who have been so supportive in this huge step I am taking towards the work of God. Please pray for a peace in their heart's while I am away. I also am blessed to have family and friends who care enough about me that they would support me in prayers and money on this adventure that I am about to take. Today I counted up all the support I have gotten and have offically made all the money that was needed! Thank you all so much. Please check this Blog every once in a while to see updates on my trips, also if you would like more updated e-mails on what to pray for or what is going on e-mail my mother at actsofworship@aol.com and she will add you to the list. Thank you for not only believing in my dreams but supporting them. I love you all and can't wait to write my first blog from Malawi, Africa. I will not be able to until two weeks of being there. So keep checking!
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