Grand Central Station

Finding a moment to jot down my thoughts has been almost impossible lately. We are the grand central station of this area for sure!

The college is in its final week before it breaks for a month. We are looking forward to a month off…though we are already beginning to fill the calendar with other events. Eric has been very encouraged to see the pastors putting into practice and talking to others about what they are learning when they go out witnessing and preaching.

Our front porch has been a favorite spot for a few of the ladies now to play games. Their favorite is UNO. Recently we were all playing when Eric arrived home with jugs of drinking water. Here, carrying water is women’s work. When he started bringing them in the house, the ladies exclaimed in shock, “Amayi!!!” I can’t remember what they were saying but understood that they couldn’t believe that I would let him carry it himself! So instead of fighting with them, I got up and grabbed three jugs. Eric, of course, wasn’t having that, so he went out and grabbed the rest quickly. I heard something about the Abusa (pastor) carrying water.😆

Mercy got to be a little Malawian one day when we were out witnessing. We were walking when Maureen said Mercy was tired, (though she was not showing any signs of that) and told her to come. She then proceeded to wrap Mercy to her back. Mercy protested at first, but you could tell she enjoyed the ride!

Everyone is finally over all the sicknesses. What a blessing that the Lord helped us through that! With all going on, I forgot to mention that Milo had kittens! Of course it had to happen right when sickness was at its worst, AND she chose our closet to give birth in. They are growing and doing well. They just turned 4 weeks and are starting to play a little. The kids are loving it, but I don’t know how we’re going to give them away!

The water is still not working properly, but we’ve been able to manage a load of laundry almost daily and usually “real” showers. That’s what the kids call it when we have running water instead of bucket showers. The man who installed the system is supposed to come tomorrow. It has not worked since he installed it a month ago.

I have been assisting in our little first aid station. I never thought I’d be able to help in this area! I have always greatly struggled with cleaning wounds and blood, but the Lord has given me great grace to assist in this area and even a desire to help. I still don’t enjoy cleaning wounds and making little ones cry. I always bring cookies to try to soften the pain slightly. This has also given me opportunities to witness to those coming.

I have one young man in particular that I would appreciate your prayers for. His name is Jeremiah. His infection was so severe that we were unable to help him. We gave him transport money to get to the hospital about an hour from us. Today when I asked Brother Shadrach if he will get the help he needs down there, he said it depends on if he has money or not. Another lady had gone down with an infection and died a week later. We have someone going down to check on him. Please pray for this young man, especially for his salvation!

The brevity of life is so visible here! One day people are here, the next they have entered into eternity. You can feel the urgent need to share the Gospel with each person you meet – as you do not know what tomorrow holds for them!

Just last week a group of 32 people from Phokera were canoeing over to Mozambique for work when a hippo attacked and flipped the canoe. Thirty people died. A man who attends our Bible study saw it and said it was a very tragic sight! He said none of those people attended the Bible study…but how many had we witnessed to and how many truly were saved? We won’t know until eternity.

It has been a blessing to see the change in the lady who was saved in the village. Every time we see her now, she has a big smile on her face and asks for tracts to pass out. How amazing it is to see the change Jesus makes in a life!

The little ones who practice witchcraft have not been back to church since I mentioned them. One finally returned on Sunday. I was very happy to see him! Please continue to pray for these little ones to be saved! It is still so difficult to fathom little ones, only 8-10, practicing witchcraft!

And pray for us that the Lord would help us to open our mouths, be the witness we need to be, and give us the words to see. For we know not what tomorrow holds!