Three weeks in Africa and still no sign of Madonna...

Ha Ha! Anytime I said I was going to Malawi it seems like most people had heard of it because of Madonna. We found out tonight that we are just a short drive away from the orphanage where she is adopting her baby girl. Huh...small world.....

So anyway......

This week has been full of excitement:

Saturday: We took Lana to the airport and sent her on her way with hugs. Then we spent the afternoon taking care of business. We shopped for some teaching things, went to the Internet cafe, grocery shopped, and treated our driver, Rackson, and the head of the school, Ms. Goodman to lunch. It was a really fun afternoon and we think Ms. Goodman enjoyed getting away for the day. She NEVER gets a day off.

Sunday: Church in a the Bwaila Village. We taught Sunday school with the help of an interpreter. Wow is it hard to teach through a different language. Mel wrote a song and taught it to them. It was a lot of fun. We later attended evening church at the orphanage. Jill and I sat in on the youngest junior church class. They are so stinkin' cute!

Monday: Medicine in the village again. I'm proud to say that we were able to treat even more people this time in about an hour and a half less time. I think having some experience under our belt really helped us move along. There are again a great number of sad stories I could tell from this day. It's amazing the illnesses that can be treated so easily in America that go untreated here and result in death. It feels right to be helping out. I learned how to say "cough" in Chichewa. It's cold and flu season here so it seems like everyone had "the cough." There are many situations that are just to sad to describe here. Just know that your prayers should be with these people.

On the way out of the area we got stopped by the Malawian police. They made Rackson get out of the car and they spoke to Jill in Chichewa. They were mad because she didn't speak in Chichewa back to them. Then one of them kept asking me questions...What are you doing here? Is this a hired car? Where are you residing? I have to admit I was a little nervous. They can arrest you here for any reason at all and then you have the burden of proving your innocence. Rackson got back in the car and said they were just fishing for a reason to write a ticket. Praise God for protecting us in that situation.

Tuesday-Friday: We taught at the school and got more time with the kids. It was hard at times this week because they have been going through the rooms and desks looking for stolen items. The kids are pretty defensive and not in good moods about the staff. Luckily they have responded well to our teaching activities and the new books we are introducing. We have been having some self-selected reading time with books and you would not believe the way even the 12-14 year olds are reacting over reading first grade English books. They are just so happy to have a book to hold in their own hands. They are loving it!!

Friday evening: Right now we are at the Fullford's house having a slumber party. It's Jill's birthday so we are staying at their house where they have water AND electricity. What a treat!!! We are actually going to take hot showers tonight and that is most exciting. I will never ever take for granted the access to clean, hot water at my home again. :) They are the best hosts and they work so hard for the kids and people here in Malawi.

Thanks to those sending text messages and emails. I can't always reply but they really help with the homesickness.

Karen