It's been just a few days since the team has left and Nick and I and the kids have taken some time to get re-organized. Yesterday we met with Timothy Zimba, our country director, and Lawrence Benedicto, our village coordinator. We had a lengthy meeting discussing the progress over the year. As we met, it became clearer and clearer just how remarkable God's timing is. Timothy told us that because INVEST now has completed all of the required registration that Nick and I can apply for Temporary Employment Permits which will give us the ability to live in Malawi for at least three years without renewal. It was so cool to hear all of this just as we had submitted Nick's naturalization papers in the States which in about 4-5 months will grant him citizenship and the ability to live abroad as long as he likes and travel back to the US whenever we want. Just the thought of all of this coming together within the upcoming year is exciting!

Then Nick, Lawrence and I went out to the village to see the land Lawrence owns and where he hopes to build his home someday. Along the way they decided that they needed to stop at the local market stand that not only sells goat right there – cuts it right off the bone, weighs out whatever quantity you want, but also fries it up for you in the hottest grease that kills whatever could have gotten on it from hanging there all day. It was really fun to watch Lawrence and Nick bond over eating fried goat – on a toothpick, dipped in salt. It was definitely team-building at its best.

Once we toured Lawrence’s land, we headed back to the Resource Center to sort out the last of the clothes that needed to be given to the kids that didn’t go to camp. We also arranged for Tamandani to come into town and have a sleepover with Jana Kay on Friday night.

Following the camping trip to the lake, Irene has been staying with Nick and I and the kids. From a distance, Nick and I always noted that she was sharp, but having her with us day in and day out has really opened our eyes to just how clever and determined she really is. We’ve been working on conversational English, some book reports, and then she’s been working on the computer labeling all of the pictures of the kids from when they got their gifts and when we were at the lake. I showed her how to do it one time, and off she went. I just stood there in awe! Of course, she is also having fun watching season 3 of Friends.

The kids continue to bask in having so much freedom. When we were at the Baptist Flats, they pretty much had the run of the place inside the compound. And, now we are at the huts at African Bible College (the Baptist Flats now have a limit on how long you can stay) and they love being able to swim daily, play on the playground, and walk past the gym where “daddy played basketball in college”. It’s really fun to share the place that brought Nick and I together with them.

Nick is loving being in Africa as the African Cup of Nations is being played in Angola. Tonight is the semi-finals, and if I am not mistaken, Ghana, Egypt, Nigeria, and of course right now I can’t remember the other team, but I do know that it is a North African team. Malawi did pretty well early on in the tournament, as did Zambia. Needless to say, Nick and his college friends are having a great time together watching all of the games.

I spent much of this afternoon in town getting groceries – four stores and still I didn’t find everything on my list, but after the traffic and the heat – I had had enough and headed for home.

I must say I have been a little apprehensive – as I watch Nick spend time with all of his friends, I find that most of mine have moved on from Malawi. So I’ve really been praying about this – Lord show me some of the people that will be in my life when we do come here. And, faithfully as ever, I am meeting the dearest, sweetest women – sometimes at the pool, actually a lot at the pool with the kids, sometimes in the store, and often at the park with the kids. Thankful again at how God longs to meet our needs.

Here we are at the airport!!! And, we are excited!!!! The kids are bounding around as we speak!!

Linda Karl, a member of this year's group that is going to Malawi, has started a blog about the trip and is doing a great job! So rather than re-invent the wheel, I want to direct you to her blog for the details of the trip.

http://malawitrip2010.blogspot.com


Then Nick and I and the kids will continue to update each of you after the team leaves as we will be in Malawi until Feb. 15.

Here we are and we are a week from leaving for Malawi again. We spent the morning packing the bins of clothes and shoes for all of the kids from Makalani and Kasiyafumbi villages. It is always so fun to pack all of the clothes - it is so fun to see the great outfits that everyone shopped for and think of the kiddos face when they will be wearing those outfits - I just love it!!!!

Nick will leave on Monday (1/4) and then the kids and I will be leaving on Sunday (1/10) with a group of four others - Linda Karl, Debbie Waggoner, Sherry Moore, and Caleb Moore. Jana Kay and Nathan are more excited this year - Jana Kay is talking more and more about Lake Malawi and her friends.

Our plan is much like that of last year. Our focus is to take all of the kids camping at Lake Malawi. They have such a great time. And, of course, so do we. Our time at the lake gives us time to really check in with each of the kids and see how they are really doing and encourage them.

I just learned yesterday that Irene Makwenda has taken her MSC exam - which is the exam all Malawian secondary students take to determine if they graduate from secondary school. It is a national exam, so she will get results in a few months. Please keep her in your prayers as she waits to get the results.

Stay tuned . . . I will try to post a little snippet each day as we are in Malawi and it is my goal to diligently keep this blog current throughout the year!!!