Single Mom Sewing Program

I am so very excited to share with you a brand spankin' new program we just started at Esther's House.

But, before I get started, I should back up. Several months ago we began praying about how we could eliminate bringing kids into Esther's House. That may seem like  strange thing to pray for, right? Why would we  not want kids coming to our care facility? Well, kids not coming in means kids are not orphaned. That means mamas and daddies are alive and able to care for their children. Families are kept together. Wouldn't it be incredible to shut our doors down in the future because there are no orphans in our villages?

So, we began to ask God for ideas of how we could help eliminate orphans in our community. We started thinking about some of the most vulnerable people in our surrounding villages. Out of this prayer was born an idea to help equip single moms to be able to provide for their children in a dignified way.

Death, divorce, multiple wives, illness, abuse and abandonment are all common reasons women end up parenting alone in Malawi. Unlike the States, there is no welfare system or child support law that can help these women. So, they are desperate to do whatever they can to send their kids to school and put food in their bellies. These are good mamas doing whatever it takes to care for their babies.

We feel if we can support the mom, train her, encourage her, equip her; her family can thrive in a healthy way! If we can empower her to be able to create her own business, her ability to provide for her kids, receive medical care and  have choices has been increased exponentially!

So, in February we started our first "pilot" program. We interviewed and enrolled 5 amazing women from all different villages surrounding our campus. Combined, they have 23 children to care for! These women have committed to come 3 days a week for 6 months and learn how to sew. They are there simply to learn a skill that they hope will help them in the future. And maybe have a little fun too......

 

 During the week, the women will also meet together to study the Bible and participate in a parenting class.

After the course has been completed, the women will receive these brand new sewing machines as a gift to start their business. For a year, we will partner with these women; purchasing items as they build their client base in their villages, offering business advice, giving them the tools they need to succeed.

 

Like most new ventures, we are learning as we go.

Our prayer is that these women will learn these skills and apply them to better their lives!

That they will feel empowered.

That they will be able to send their children all the way through secondary school.

That putting food on the table will not be a problem.

That they will know Jesus loves them and their families dearly.

Would you join us in that prayer?

A Day in the Life {a journal entry}

I have been wanting to document more of our day to day life here in Malawi. Funny, embarrassing, mundane stuff that I know I will enjoy looking back on one day. My first "A Day in the Life" is found here.

2.21.16

There have definitely been some learning experiences while living here. Experiences where cultures collide and you are left feeling totally embarrassed. One afternoon, Azlee (intern) and I were going out to do some home visits. We were wearing our medical pants and had our chintenjes in our backpacks ready to tie them around us as soon as we got to the home. Neither one of us were talented enough to ride our bikes in a skirt. Soon after we left, we saw there was a funeral in the village. A very large funeral with the whole village in attendance along the main road. Funerals here are marked with tree branches. A pile of branches alert you to the beginning of a funeral and again at the end of the funeral. I knew the markers and knew that if I was driving a car, the culturally respectful thing to do is to slow your vehicle down to a crawl between the 2 piles of branches. What I didn't know, was that if you were riding a bike, you should dismount and push the bike until you crossed the branches noting the end of the funeral. As we rode our bikes (oblivious to such a cultural rule) through the funeral, someone stopped us and asked us to dismount and push our bikes. We were mortified and apologized profusely. At this point everyone who was mourning had stopped to watch us. We were already embarrassed and did not want to cause anymore of a scene, so we decided to push our bikes around the backside of the funeral as to draw less attention. We did this and came out on the other side and were a good distance from the funeral, so we decided it was safe to get back on our bikes. As we were climbing back on, another person came to inform us that we had  indeed NOT passed the branches and to please get off our bikes. Oh my goodness! We did it again?! Of course at that moment we look over and see the Sr. Chief and the village headmen attending the funeral and watching us make this huge cultural faux pas. We apologize again whole heartedly and climb back off the bikes and push them further down the road where we finally see the branches signaling the end of the funeral. Rest assure, we did not make that mistake on the way back home.....or ever again. Fortunately, Malawians are so gracious and did not harbor any hard feelings towards us!

Naming Babies {Malawi Mondays}

It has been a long time since I did a "Malawi Monday". My sister has been giving me some good ideas of new topics I haven't put on here before, so I hope to be posting more in the future . If you want to see the Malawi Mondays so far, click here.

Naming babies in Malawi is a little different than how we might name our young ones in America. Traditionally, the first Malawian baby is named by the father or someone the father chooses. The babies born after the first, can be named by the mother. When babies are born at the hospital, which is strongly encouraged (with a fine if you don't) a name must be picked for the baby before the mom is discharged.

Recently, a Malawian dad came to the gate and informed me that he wanted me to name their first baby! I wasn't sure he was serious until the next day, during a glorious Sunday afternoon nap, when I received several frantic texts. "Come on! The family is all waiting for you to come and name the baby." So I jumped up and grabbed my sister and 2 daughters and went to their house. We were warmly greeted by the father, the mother, a sister, and  a neighbor who were seated on the grass mat inside the home. We got to cuddle with the most gorgeous little babe who was a mere 2 days old.

 I originally had picked the name "Noah", but learned there was another boy in the village with that name. When my 8 year old heard the baby's last name was George, she offered up the name "Curious". The family was really contemplating that name and I had to steer them away much to my giggling daughter's dismay. We offered the name "Jude" but with the accent here, it sounded more like "Judy". The family finally agreed on the name "Jonah" after we explained how Jonah was a picture of Jesus' death and resurrection (3 days in the whale).  I was so worried that the mom might not like the name I had chosen. I wanted to make sure she actually wanted to call her kid by that name for the rest of his life. Names are a big deal! Can you imagine letting a foreign woman whom you never met to come name your baby? Fortunately, after offering several names, she seemed happy with the name "Jonah".

Sometimes babies here are named Lonely or Trouble depending on what circumstances the mother was going through when she became pregnant. I have been trying to pick a good strong Biblical name to really speak to the baby's future and how God views the child as a blessing!

We have also had the delight of naming the foster baby that we cared for last year. We were surprised to learn that the family respected the name and kept it even after he was moved out of our home. I have also had the great honor of having one of our staff' member naming his last born after me. I cried when he came to tell me his daughter's name. That was the first time anyone had named their child after me! It was really special and encouraging to me!

{a sweet baby from the village}

 

Any topics you are curious about that you'd like to see on a Malawi Monday?

 

A Day in the Life {2.11.16}

For Christmas this year, my sweet mama gifted me a kindle! I am loving having a library at my fingertips! I stumbled upon an author named Kim Abernethy who wrote 2 memoirs (In this Place & In Every Place). In her books, she chronicles her life serving in West Africa with her husband and 3 daughters. I loved her candidness and transparency as she shares the good moments, hard moments, and even scary times in her journey. Her books were so fun, encouraging and faith building. I wish I had kept a journal of our time here in Malawi starting at the beginning.  It made me  want to make sure I am recording the mundane, every day things so that I can look on them with fond memories one day. So, I thought it would be fun to start today!

2.11.16

Since we have lived in Malawi, my kids have had quite the collection of unique animals. Once the locals find out that you're on a hunt for a pet, the knocks on the gate will begin. I guess it's a good opportunity to make a little cash on critters that are found wandering around the village. So far, the kids have been the proud owners of 3 hedgehogs, 4 chameleons, 1 dog, 3 laying hens, 4 turtles, 2 inherited turkeys, several crabs, and a plethora of random grasshoppers, butterflies and water bugs. The animals have taught the kids responsibility and what happens when you neglect your animal. It's also taught them that some things just belong free and were not made for captivity. Through all the lessons, the "pets" have provided lots of entertainment.

Our old kitchen table (before we bought one from our missionary friends that transitioned back to the States) was unfinished wood. So, I would cover it with a piece of cloth and then overlay that with a piece of clear plastic so that we could wipe off the table. One day, I noticed Asher (then age 4-5) talking to the plastic as she was shoving her hand between the cloth and the clear plastic. I asked her what she was doing and she informed me that she was talking to her pets. In exploring  little more, I realized that Asher's "pets" were tiny little bugs that she was finding outside. She was storing them on our kitchen table between the cloth and plastic. That day we had a good conversation on what counted as "pets" and what did not. We also talked about what kinds of things only have homes outside.

Along with some interesting and harmless pets, we have also been offered some strange and unusual pets. One day a boy came to the gate asking for Grainger (he is the animal lover). He brought in a cup with some "animals" inside, when he turned the cup over, 3 large scorpions came out and scooted all along our porch with their pinchers clapping. I did put  my foot down on that purchase (thankfully none of my 4 were to interested in having scorpions for pets). The boys left with his scorpions and was disappointed he was not able to make a sale that day.

New {2016}

I am really not much of a  New Year's Resolution kinda gal. 

Living here in Malawi, Christmas and New Year's slip by kinda quiet like and if it wasn't for social media, then I wouldn't even realize  that Jan.1 marks the date you're supposed to have your list of "top 10" things you want to change about yourself.

But God had a different plan for me this year and many things that He is wanting to change in my life. The other night as I lay awake in bed tossing and turning, the whole house asleep and quiet, God spoke a word over me and it was the word....NEW. A really simple, 3 lettered word, but it had a powerful meaning for me. Starting that night, God wanted to make me new. 

He whispered a word of freedom over my life and I instantly felt like a different person.

"Do not conformed to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the reNEWing of your mind' 

Romans 12:2 NLT {emphasis mine}

In 2013, I was a stay-at-home mom with 2 children and had a perfect little university model school  that my boys attended. The school allowed me to have 2 days all alone doing whatever my little heart desired. Almost in an instant, I became a mother of 4 (lovely but LOUD children), living in another country, having 0 days or even minutes of alone time, and became a working mom. All.at.once. It was a harder adjustment than I realized at the time, and looking back, it kicked my tail. It still kicks my tail.

Ever since I can remember, I have wanted a whole gaggle of kids. Big, loud families always looked like so much fun to me! When my own reality wasn't quite measuring up, I felt guilty that my blessings from the Lord were not filling me with joy. Things that I had prayed for, for years for were being answered. Instead of being thankful and content, I felt overwhelmed which opened the door to Satan totally kicking me in the face with feelings of unworthiness, guilt and shame. 

When parenting was super, super hard (transitions, bonding, trauma, homesickness for all 4 kiddos) it became easier to love on other kids than my own. 

A few months ago, around the 2 year mark of living and adjusting to life here, it felt like we were finally coming up for some air. I also realized that we had listed "please pray for balance in ministry and family" as a prayer request for the past 24 months straight on our newsletters. I began to really have conversations with God about if this balance was ever going to happen or if it was even possible. Then, God gave me this word, "new". I felt like He was telling me, "you don't have to keep living this way, Look! I am making you new. I am going to give you a new way to think, a new way to talk, a new way to feel, a new way to love your family, a new way to operate your days." 

I don't have to keep living in the old. I know this sounds simple or maybe even weird, but when you are struggling through your days, it is easier to just keep doing the same, old same old. Immediately God gave me some really simple and easy ideas of things I can change now. Really specific things that are bringing change and joy to my day to day living now. He is "restoring the years the locust have eaten" 

Joel 2:25.

He is giving me joy in my parenting like I used to have. He is showing me how I can create balance and really savor the season of life that He has me in now. He is also showing me that no matter where I live, or what my current ministry is, my kids and family will always be my first ministry. 

That releases a lot of guilt from this people pleaser that I am. 

I am so thankful that at salvation Christ made me a new creation. I am thankful that He promises to continue to re-new me again and again. That in Christ we just keep getting re-newed each day. We don't have to live in the same patterns, as surely as the sun rises each day, his mercies are new.

Are you a New Year's Resolution kinda gal? 

Has God given you a word for 2016?

I'd love to hear it!

Interview With an Esther's House Intern

We love having interns at Esther's House. They become a part of our family and it's hard to let them go! Brittany did a 3 month internship at Esther's House and graciously agreed to share her honest perspective about what life was like living in rural Malawi.........


>> Why did you decide to intern with Esther’s house?

I was able to join an amazing team last year (2013) for 2 weeks and it just was not enough. I told the kids that I would be back. They just kind of smiled and said, “ No, everyone says that... but they don’t come back.” So basically I just had to prove them wrong. KIDDING.

I loved every moment of that short trip. I guess looking back on it now, I thought the relationships that I made were incredible. I couldn’t say 1/2 of their names, but me saying them wrong and them laughing at my attempts was so worth it. Our team did some evangelism in a village that hadn’t been reached by any other team before, and it was so amazing. The willingness these people have to talk about their faith, lack of faith, hurts, trials, blessings, hardships, and just all the in’s and out’s of life... you guys it is crazy. Americans are just do different, but we will get to that later. Malawi is a breathtakingly beautiful country, and the people man. THEY ARE SO 
BEAUTIFUL TOO.

{These are some of the sweet not so little ones that were in my tutoring class}

>> What were your jobs while working at Esther's House?

I was able to teach a girls Bible study for a few weeks to some of the older girls as well as tutor a Standard 4-6 math tutoring class 3 days a week. There were 2 teams that came to Esther’s House during my stay, and I loved having them there so much! With that said, teams are a lot of work to prepare for. Who knew? I was able to help the on-site missionary families with all the duties that go into preparing for the team, and we sure had a lot of fun! I’m not sure if this was a real title or not, but maybe "relationship builder". I loved just getting to hang with the kids. Pulling my hair out while giving me a new hair style, teaching me Chichewa, watching Pollyanna on my iPad, finding songs on their radio for us to dance to, and cooking with me in the kitchen were some of our favorite things.

I almost forgot my favorite job... campus “nurse”. If any of you know we well, you already know how I am with injuries, blood, talk of your injury or blood, and anything to do with infection. Jesus is always around to be the one to pull us out of our comfort zone, right? It all started with the typical needs of ibuprofen, band aids, and cough drops.   At least He started me off easy. Things then upgraded to learning how to test and treat Malaria. One drop of blood on a test. Whew, made it. THEN. Ya’ll, seriously. The sweetest widow fell into her hot coals after cooking her dinner, and because of her age could not get up very fast. He knee was badly burned. Thankfully after she walked to Esther’s House for a medical clinic day we were able to treat her. Visiting her daily and changing that gauze is something I could never forget. She was so tough though, all Malawian women are. It is crazy.  Word spread around pretty fast and almost daily was I treating a wound of a widow, community kid, or residential kid. I’d like to think I’m pretty tough now, maybe I should check into nursing school. JOKES.

{Giving a malaria test}

{This is Faith. She lost her hands many years ago in a fire. She had such a sweet spirit despite all that she's been through. She would always run out to the road to greet me.}

>> What is a major lesson God taught you while serving in Malawi?

Coming into my internship I wasn’t really sure what to expect, and I am grateful for that. Yes, I had been just 10 months prior, but staying 3 months and not having my trusty sidekick Olivia with me... that’s a different ballgame. It’s a little funny that I love to plan everything, and I live by my “to-do” lists and my planner. The Lord just has a funny way about changing you into what He wants you to be. Life at Esther’s House is quite different from my life as an “American”. Shocker, right? In many ways it is very slow. No one is in a hurry, which can be a good and bad thing (just ask the Wilson’s how long it took to get electricity over here... ;). I guess my major lesson, and it really is hard because I did learn so much, was just to stop planning my path and allow Him to do it. Stop living by my head knowledge or by what seems the most financially responsible and just follow Him. Coming to Malawi this time meant I had to leave many things behind, including my house and I had to leave my job. I loved my little house, and let me tell you I LOVED my job working with students so much. It was hard. Those three little words don’t even make it look like much, but just know I really struggled. Thankfully before I even left a sweet family from my church opened up their home to me. That took so much off of me to know at least I will have a temporary “home”.

There were many nights (pretty much every other night) sitting with Catherine and I was just saying , “What am I going to do , I’m applying for jobs consistently and nothing is happening. I’m getting discouraged because I just thought when I followed His plan, that He would just magically show His plan out before me... and HE ISN’T.” She was such an encouragement to me without even knowing it. I kinda always felt silly talking to this lady about my little problems, when HELLO... she has just given everything to Him and has been serving for the last 2 years with her family. She is just so wise, understanding, and loving. (Catherine don’t delete this because I know you are going to want to. :) I also met a previous intern while I was there named Seth. He reminded me of this truth many times. God can do anything He wants with you right now. "Brittany this is an awesome thing! Jesus could call you to go or to do anything! Isn’t that so exciting?!” At first I just looked at him like he was crazy, but you know, he was totally on to something. Although I was nervous, scared, and worried about my bills that were due soon, and what my life plan was. Jesus knew. Jesus had me. If you would have asked me before this journey if Jesus knew my plan, I would have said of course He does. I guess He just had to really show me how much He cares, and I’m so glad He did.

{These two beauties came to the medical tent and we couldn't stop smiling at each other. Their happiness is so contagious.}

>> How has the journey at Esther’s House changed your worldview?

Literally laughed when I read this. America sucks. Can I say that?
Obviously I knew going over things would be different, but really it wasn’t until I came back that it really hit me. We are so unnecessarily busy. For what? Half of the things that we think we are so busy with are just pointless things. I saw women walk for miles to come to church, and to come to Esther’s house. I saw how hard they work for just a day of food. I saw how long they would stand bent over the river washing clothes. It’s just amazing all that we still complain about. LIFE IS SO EASY here. Well, let me say this. As an American life was so easy there. I think there were 2 times I called one of my closest friends here in Arkansas and questioned my length of stay. A few tears were shed and I would just tell her I missed foods, I missed people, I missed church, I missed driving, I missed my everyday life. You know whats funny though is I worked around the food thing. I met some of the best people I could ever meet in this life. Watching them being able to truly worship all day in church, when we are mad if we don’t get out right at 12. Don’t worry, Suzgo (best driver in the world) taught me to drive. Life is really what you make it. After the first month or so, I was settled. I really didn’t like leaving, and honestly it’s been really hard being home. Things are different. I’m different.

{Reading a book during the Summer Reading Program.}

>> What is something you learned from a Malawian/orphan/widow?

This one makes me instantly teary. I really fell in love with the widows. These women are fighters. They are tough. They are determined. They love on the orphans at Esther’s House, and they loved on me. As I visited many of their homes to check on the children in their care or to check up on their wounds, they were always so nice and welcoming.
Even through a huge language barrier we were able to laugh. I figured out that “hug” is the same word in Chichewa so that worked out nice. We would dance around on Saturday’s when they were all gathering waiting for lunch. Man. I love those ladies.

{Chicken and Dumplings at Suzgo's house}

>>What is your favorite memory of Esther’s House?

This one is impossible for me, here's but something that’s cool. I remember pretty much everything. I journaled almost daily, and I think that helped. I could talk for hours about all that this place means to me and all of the funny moments. Like Miles (the night guard) getting a rat out of the Wilson’s house. Ashley and I stuck in the city looking for a guy we didn’t know... long story. Me showing up on Bonnie’s doorstep one day after riding a bus for 2 hours to get there;) it was all amazing. I was able to buy a kitten from the market and make her a pet so much so that now she won’t eat rats. I made dinner in a Malawian kitchen with the help of Suzgo’s wife Janepher. I was able to see the hospital where Esimy’s baby was born and hang out with babies for a few hours. There were high points and higher points. I will forever love these little and not so little faces.

{I love this picture for many reasons. Mostly because it represents everyone. These families all give so much and I'm thankful for the chance to get to really know their hearts. Left is the Wilson crew, Seth, the Fern family, and the Martins clan.}

If anyone reading this is thinking about going to Malawi. I just want to tell you to do it. Get more information. Know your calling and go there and do it. 

Brittany Whatley better known as Blittany.

Sponsorship at Esther's House

I am talking about something near and dear to my heart today......sponsorship!

We just launched our new and improved website....www.puremission.org. It is SO pretty and user friendly. I love the updates that will be going on each month in this section. Go check it out today!

We currently have 82 orphans in our program.

Seventy-three orphans, who live with extended family members, come from the villages surrounding Esther's House each day for different programs.

Nine orphans live here on campus in a "family-like environment". I actually hate calling our kiddos "orphans" because these sweet ones are family in every sense of the word. They are joyful, intelligent, fun, loving and thriving! We love them all like crazy!

SO, back to sponsorship. As we have lived here for 2 years now (in just a couple weeks!), we have been able to see first hand, how sponsorship impacts these kids' lives in a BIG way. It gives them hope and allows them to dream about their futures! After seeing the sheer difference having a sponsor has in these kids lives, we are passionate about it! We are passionate about finding sponsors for our kids, communicating with sponsors, and fostering the relationship between child/sponsor.

 Sponsorship for our kids means:

- school fees are covered
-uniforms are not a worry
- breakfast is always on the table (we are going to be starting daily lunch soon)
- tutoring for school is always available
- skills, like gardening, sewing, etc. are learned
- meals on the weekends are consistent
- soap for washing clothes is handed out weekly
- clothes, shoes, and sleep mats are provided
- school books, pens, and supplies are passed out every school term
- teaching about God and His great love for them happens 3 times weekly
- counseling is always available
- sports teams are offered
- HOPE for the future is given

Sponsorship is more than just providing needs (which is SO important). But, it is also a relationship. Letter writing and communication goes back and forth between child and sponsor. In talking to these kids, they know that they are loved, prayed for and valued by someone on the other side of the world. This knowledge give them confidence that they have worth through the love of God and their sponsor!

One of my favorite things about being on this side of the world is seeing sponsors come to Malawi and get to meet their sponsor child. It is truly the sweetest! They get to visit their child's school, home, and see what they are doing here at Esther's House. The sponsor gets to put their eyes on their sponsor child and see what their monthly investment is doing first hand! The child gets to hug their sponsor and see the tangible evidence of God's love for them. It's a beautiful thing!

As we are transitioning into our double sponsorship model, that allows us to provide even more for the children in our program, we NEED your help!

Want to get in on these awesome blessings of sponsorship? Go HERE to sponsor a community child today!

Want to aid in the lives of one of our residential children? Go HERE to sponsor a residential child.

Another thing that I am so proud of is our widow program! I love that our ministry takes the full meaning of James 1:27 and aids the widows in our area. 

I wrote more about our widow ministry HERE

To sponsor a widow in our program, please go HERE.

And, if you have any questions, please leave a comment or contact me (info. above) and I will be happy to answer! 

We can all play a part in orphan care. Maybe sponsorship isn't something you are able to do in this season of your life. You can still help! How?

- share this post

- go to our Pure Mission FB page, like it and SHARE the posts!

- Follow Pure Mission on twitter @PureMission

ELEVEN

{Last years birthday post can be found here}

There is something about your first born that is so sentimental and special. 

The child that changed you from a "couple" into a "family". 

The child that rocked your world and taught you to put someone else's needs above your own.

The child that taught you a whole new level of love and made my understanding of God's love for me "click".

That is this guy to me.

Back when Zander was born, we had dial up internet and a flip phone. 

Facebook was created the year he was born, but you know...the whole dial up thing; and instagram wasn't in existence.

Money was tight as we had just transitioned to a one- income family.

So, we really didn't get out a whole lot.

I spent most of my days just staring at this kid and relishing his every moment. 

I remember watching him as he slept, laughing at every cute thing he did, and going for lots of walks.

He was my whole world for 22 months!

It is fun to watch him grow and turn into this man child, but it is also scary how fast it is happening!

He is my deep thinker, big feeler, dreamer, and intellect.

He also likes adventure and will try about anything!

Buddy, we love you so incredibly much. You are so special to us! Praying the years we have left to parent will be joyful {and slow down a little}. Being your parents is the highlight of our lives!

Birthday Interview at 11

Favorite Color: black and neon green

Favorite movie: The Hobbit

Favorite Food: pizza

Favorite drink: cherry plumb soda

Favorite thing to play: American football

Favorite Friend: "I don't want to offend anyone by saying one person" {good answer}

Favorite thing to do with mom: cooking

Favorite thing to do with dad: going on trips with him from Lilongwe

Favorite thing about living in Africa: that one day I can go big game hunting

Favorite Bible Story: David's Mighty Warriors

Favorite subject in school: History

What you want to be when you grow up: NFL football player

Fridays at Esther's House

I am so proud that our kids hear God's Word 3 times a week at Esther's House!

Not only are they hearing the Gospel Message of how Jesus rescued them, but they are studying God's Word, memorizing Scripture, and worshiping. 

This term, we decided to change things up a bit and start stretching our kids to not only be receivers of the Word, but to also be givers. This thought sparked the idea for our Friday outreach program. On Fridays, instead of our normal Spiritual Development, inside the walls of our chapel on campus; we are taking our class out to the surrounding villages. Some of the villages are ones our community kids come from. Some of them are new villages. We work with the headman/woman to get permission to come in for the afternoons and play games, lead worship, act out dramas, and teach from the Bible. 

 

It has been such a neat experience. I am noticing that our kids are learning new skills and growing in confidence.

They are inviting friends (and new acquaintances) to join in and play games with them. 

They are leading worship with boldness and confidence! 

The older kids are taking turns running the program which will help them be leaders in their own churches. They are learning to be proud of their faith in Jesus. 

It is a beautiful sight!

Our goal for all 82 children in our program is to grow up to impact their nation of Malawi for Christ. We feel Friday's is working toward that goal! So proud of our staff and kids who have heart for Jesus and have even been able to see some fruits, as a head woman received Christ in one of the villages we have been in!

Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12

Conquering Fear {Perspective from an Intern}

My whole life I have struggled with fear.  I feel as everyone can relate to this, right?  Fear of failing, fear of the unknown, fear of the future, fear of relationships; whatever it is.  Fear grips us, and it grips me.

My trip to Malawi, Africa was my first “intentional” choice to go forward into something I knew would make me anxious and fearful; mainly just fearful of the unknown and of going alone (without my husband of 5 months).

I loved the idea of going to Africa.  Helping the least of these, challenges, and being able to see extreme poverty.  I was way more excited than anxious to go, but I knew there would be points when my anxiety would take my fears and highlight them instead of remembering God’s faithfulness.

 

The cool thing is, my intentional choice to leave comforts brought me so much joy.  If I had chosen fear initially, I wouldn’t have gone.  And if I had not gone, I wouldn’t have met 70+ orphans at Esther’s House that would soon be considered my family.

Once again, He was faithful.  And because I choose to move into His faithfulness, I got to experience life at Esther’s House.

I was living, learning, teaching, and getting many sunburns at Esther’s House from January 8^th- April 5^th.   These 3 months allowed for A LOT of growing time for Leah.  One thing to remember about African time is that it goes by slow.  Especially when coming from a fast paced American lifestyle, it was a hard to not always have a busy schedule.

Free time also meant a lot of time to connect with the staff and children at Esther’s House. I learned a lot from them.  The staff opened up to me about losses, difficulty with money, and also the ability to rely on God.  These conversations allowed me to understand more what it is like to grow up and live in Malawi.  Although I couldn’t fully understand their struggles and losses, I could still relate on relying on something greater during hard circumstances.  Their lives still live on my brain daily, and I miss my dear friends. 

But to be honest, it was difficult at first to get connected with all the kids, and even staff.  I thought they (the kids) would swarm and greet me when I first arrived, that didn’t happen.  I thought they would all speak really good English as well, but not all of them did and that was hard.  I wasn’t sure how to approach them my first few days, but soon realized whenever I asked to play along with them in their activities, they never said no.  I learned early on to be proactive and assertive with the kids, along with the staff.  At times, it was awkward.  Cultural barriers aren’t always fun.  But it’s so worth it.

Another fear of mine is public speaking.  It’s something that really freaks me out, especially in front of a lot of people.   Ironically, I felt an urge to share my testimony to the staff and all of the kids at Esther’s House.   Again, I had to rely on Him, and remember that everything I do is for Him only.  (And to be honest, it’s actually a lot easier to speak publically in front of an audience whose first language isn’t English, and when I get a translator to allow me to think about what I’m going to say next, that helps a lot).

Sharing with them was a great experience.  I wanted to share my struggles, my passions, and my heart change from Jesus.  The staff prayed for me specifically after I shared.  They thanked me for sharing, and wanted to also pray for me when I returned to the States.  I felt so close to the body of Christ, and I felt so loved.

As a public health intern, I was involved in a lot of health projects such as: working at the health clinic, conducting health surveys, teaching health classes, researching health statistics, and teaching a yoga class.  I had a blast.  But even with all of the health projects I was involved in, nothing beats just hanging out on campus with the kids.  That was by far my highlight.  The 9 kids that lived on campus got a lot of my attention because I saw them all the time and considered them family.  Malawi was a new world to me, so these kids had the job of answering all of Leah’s ‘touristy’ questions.  They laughed most of the time, because I probably asked silly questions to them.   And they also laughed when they saw me working out, something almost foreign to them.

Funny how such a small place on the map can alter your heart.

There are honestly so much stories and memories I could talk about.  But ultimately, the story of His Faithfulness is what stands out to me.  I made so much friendships (with Malawians and with the Southern missionary families ;) ).  He taught me how to trust, to rest, to explore, to share, to love, and to give.

My heart is on fire for travel and for the spreading of the gospel in foreign lands since my trip to Esther’s House.  Again, I have fear for the future and what it will bring.  But looking back on my internship, I can see how challenges bring courage and the defeating of fear.

I choose faith over fear.  And in return, He was faithful, like always.  And now, I can call Malawi my home from afar.

 

Ephesians 3:20 “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.”

 

Leah

SEVEN

This pretty girl is SEVEN! Her birthday falls 3 short days after her brothers'.

To see her six year old pics/interview, click here.

I can hardly get over how much she has grown this year. In the last 18 months she has shot up 8 inches! 

Esther is a joy!

She is truly one of the bravest people I have ever met.

She can laugh at herself which is a hard thing to learn when you're a kid!

She is kind and is good at sharing.

She is smart and catches on to things quickly.

She likes to play games with her friends and LOVES to win.

She definitely has strong leadership skills and likes to be in charge.

She is a very forgiving, loyal girl and we are so proud to be her parents!

At 7:

Favorite Color: pink

Favorite movie:Tangled

Favorite Food: Grilled Cheese

Favorite drink: Sprite

Favorite thing to play: jumprope

Favorite Friend: Asher and Eneles

Favorite thing to do with mom: "spend time together and watch movies"

Favorite thing to do with dad: "make paper airplanes"

Favorite Bible Story: "Noah's Ark"

Favorite subject in school: journal

What you want to be when you grown up: "a hockey player" (this was breaking news to all of us:)

{all pics were taken by Kristin Copher}

NINE

I tell ya folks, these birthdays are killin' me! 

I mean, people tell you that time goes by fast, but until you are experiencing it with  your kids first hand, it is hard to comprehend how fast it truly goes by.

So here we go, in April, Grainger turned 9. His last year in single digits (sniff)

last years pics/interview can be found here.

Grainger is a kid who likes to joke around and make people laugh.

He loves making friends and words of encouragement is his love language.

He loves playing football (soccer) outside everyday with his friends and comes in each night at dusk filthy dirty and a big smile plastered on his face.

He is a momma's boy through and through and still likes to cuddle and hold hands.

(i am fully aware these days are numbered!)

He enjoys playing with his siblings, most of the time...

We have days of best friends and days of endless fighting, I guess that's how most siblings are.....

9 year old interview:

Favorite Color: red

Favorite movie: Ice Age 2

Favorite Food: cake

Favorite drink: Coke

Favorite thing to play: Soccer

Favorite Friend: Zander (my heart just exploded)

Favorite thing to do with mom: cook

Favorite thing to do with dad: draw

Favorite thing about living in Africa: "that I have like 79 friends to play with"

Favorite Bible Story: Samson 

Favorite subject in school: Reading

What you want to be when you grown up: an artist

{ photo cred: Kristin Copher}

FIVE

It is hard to believe that this little lady is five!

We saw her sweet face for the first time (via photo) at 2, brought her home at 3, and somehow here she is, 

5 full years old!

To see her birthday pics/interview from last year, click here.

She is a girl that feels BIG. 

She is happy BIG and shows disappointment BIG!

 She is pure JOY. 

Her joy bubbles over in every area of her life. 

 She embraces life fully and finds wonder in the smallest details.

She loves her sister and her siblings and is the most affectionate child on the planet.

She is a prayer warrior.

She teaches me so much about dropping everything to pray whenever the Spirit leads.

 Favorites at Five

Favorite Colors: blue

Favorite Movie: Tinkerbell

Favorite Food: Rice

Favorite Drink: Fanta 

Favorite thing to play: "with my dolls"

Favorite Friend: Mphatso and Busisiwe

Favorite thing to do with mommy: "color with her and play with her"

Favorite thing to do with daddy: "play airplane with him"

What do you want to be when you grown up? "to be a good mom"

{So thankful to my friend Kristin Copher who spent so much time capturing these pictures of Asher during her time here in Africa!}