Surely, I can't just leave you hanging without some closure on this "Africa deal". In all honesty, I created this blog about our Malawi trip with other intentions; it was my way of transitioning into a blog about our future. And what a perfect introduction. This trip was enlightening on so many levels.
Before we go on, you'll probably want to catch up. Then, let me say this: Before we left for this trip to Malawi, Chandler and I had no idea what the Lord had in store for us. We definitely did not expect to be so blessed and encouraged and challenged.
So, Africa is divided and subdivided, through the IMB (International Mission Board - imb.org). The missionaries in Angola, Zambia, Mozambique, and Malawi are part of the Zambezi River Cluster; there are many other "clusters" in Africa. Follow? Okay. There is a cluster leader, David, and his wife. Below him are team strategy leaders who oversee a specific area in their country. I can't go into any more depth than that because I'm not quite clear on all of the details.
While in Malawi, we talked to many missionary families. We also sat down with two team leaders who presented us with two opportunities: The first opportunity is in Solwezi, Zambia; northwest Zambia about 12 miles from the Zambia/Congo border. Solwezi, itself, is a reached town with evangelical churches already planted. The need is in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The missionary unit that serves here will live in Solwezi with the purpose of discipling and mobilizing the evangelical churches to cross the border and reach the people group in the D.R.Congo. It is the same people group, just 12 miles away, and they are lost as can be. Fascinating, huh?
The second opportunity is in Gwembe, Zambia; southwest Zambia. There was a missionary unit there until just this year. Actually, they announced at the cluster meeting that they are resigning from the IMB. They felt a fresh call on their life to start an orphanage a few hours north of Gwembe. The strategy leader for this area is wanting to replace them. The only catch with this opportunity is that there hasn't been a job written or submitted for this yet. The leader, and the couple leaving Gwembe, pitched the idea to us, wanting to request us (yes, Chandler and I) specifically for this job. It is a big deal to be requested, especially since the IMB has tightened the financial belt and is sending fewer missionaries than in the past.
We also understand that there is a desperate need for missionary units in the northern half of Mozambique. Currently, there is one family up that way and the IMB is wanting to put more units there. This area is mainly Muslim and 18 hours from the capitol city, Maputo. It would be a little more isolated, with fewer opportunities to "run into" other missionaries.
Okay, so every year jobs are posted. There are many needs in each cluster and it is the cluster leader's responsibility to rank the needs with the most important needs at the top of the list. The jobs are then posted for the upcoming career missionaries, or apprentices, to choose from.
Chandler and I have a leg up because of this trip. Talking with David, we have a better idea of what his top priorities will be when the 2011 jobs are posted.
In a nutshell, that's where we are right now. In July, we are headed to Memphis for four days for Expo. This is an opportunity to meet IMB staff, work with other candidates in small groups, research job details (!!!), and, lucky us, be interviewed. This is step two of a four step process. If we "pass", we move on to step three.
Yes, I'm going to leave you hanging for now. You're exhausted, I'm exhausted.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Friday, April 22, 2011
No Name.
A few years ago my mom changed her name from "Mom", and any variation, to "No Name". Now I understand why. Don't misunderstand; I LOVE hearing "Momma" from Waverly's mouth, just not every minute for a half hour straight. Mothers, you know what I'm talking about.
However, I must brag on her and her skills...
In our house lives Momma, Gaga (Dadda), Go-go (Fenway), and Wee wee (Waverly). The "wee wee" is cute for now... we'll keep practicing "WAY-Verly".
She LOVES animals and her favorite book is, "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?" She will pull every book off of the shelf until she finds that one. Then ask, "Piece" (please) until you read it to her. BB bought her an "eppo" (hippo) pillow for Easter that Waverly absolutely adores. Daddy and I also bought her an "eba" (zebra) stuffed animal from Africa that sleeps in her bed.
Along the lines of loving animals, I have worked a lot with her to learn different animal sounds. Over the past few months, she has learned to mimic the sounds of a dog, cat, duck, monkey, bird, horse (just the spitting, not the "neigh"), bear, and sheep. I think we're going to do the zoo thing sometime soon.
I'm just so proud of her. My parents have told me all my life how proud they are of me. I just shrug it off like no big deal, but now I understand. It is incredible to watch your child learn new things and practice new skills, like saying, "Momma" as much as possible in the shortest amount of time.
However, I must brag on her and her skills...
In our house lives Momma, Gaga (Dadda), Go-go (Fenway), and Wee wee (Waverly). The "wee wee" is cute for now... we'll keep practicing "WAY-Verly".
She LOVES animals and her favorite book is, "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?" She will pull every book off of the shelf until she finds that one. Then ask, "Piece" (please) until you read it to her. BB bought her an "eppo" (hippo) pillow for Easter that Waverly absolutely adores. Daddy and I also bought her an "eba" (zebra) stuffed animal from Africa that sleeps in her bed.
Along the lines of loving animals, I have worked a lot with her to learn different animal sounds. Over the past few months, she has learned to mimic the sounds of a dog, cat, duck, monkey, bird, horse (just the spitting, not the "neigh"), bear, and sheep. I think we're going to do the zoo thing sometime soon.
I'm just so proud of her. My parents have told me all my life how proud they are of me. I just shrug it off like no big deal, but now I understand. It is incredible to watch your child learn new things and practice new skills, like saying, "Momma" as much as possible in the shortest amount of time.
Friday, April 8, 2011
While I'm at it...
...procrastinating, that is. I figure it's about time to put some photos up from Waverly's birthday party. See, by this point, I would typically just say, "forget it" and put the photos in an album at my leisure; however, this blog is somewhat of a journal of Waverly's life that I want her to have access to some day. So, better late than never!
We really did have quite the bash. For a couple months I wrestled with the invites: Who do I invite? Friends? Family? Which then begged the question, Where are we going to have this shindig? If we have it at our house, it would have to be a short guest list, but if we have it elsewhere, we could probably invite more people. But if we invited more people, we'd have to pony up more money for snacks and favors. But if we only invited a few people, who would we have to leave out?
What a dilemma. And Waverly didn't care one bit. Rude.
Finally, I worked it all out: we would invite Waverly's Gymboree pals, her grandparents and aunts and uncles (obviously), and just a couple of mine and Chandler's friends. Still, it was 40 people.
My second major dilemma: What is the theme? Again, Waverly didn't care. I was sailing this ship solo.
Ultimately, I found the invitations I wanted; they were pink and yellow with her photo on them. The selection was called "pink lemonade". And I had my "theme": pink and yellow. We served pink lemonade, banana punch (yellow), decorated with pink, yellow, and white balloons, tissue paper puffs, and tablecloth. My MIL made the cake and cupcakes with lemonade powder sprinkled on top and the favors were small jars with either pink lemonade mix or yellow lemonade mix.
Yay! I made a lot of the decorations and bought the food over a period of time. Ultimately, I paid only about $150 for everything. I'm pretty pleased.
As the hostess, I was busy making sure everyone was taken care of, but I managed to snap a few photos. Fortunately, my SIL was able to help out and took photos as well.
What a dilemma. And Waverly didn't care one bit. Rude.
Finally, I worked it all out: we would invite Waverly's Gymboree pals, her grandparents and aunts and uncles (obviously), and just a couple of mine and Chandler's friends. Still, it was 40 people.
My second major dilemma: What is the theme? Again, Waverly didn't care. I was sailing this ship solo.
Ultimately, I found the invitations I wanted; they were pink and yellow with her photo on them. The selection was called "pink lemonade". And I had my "theme": pink and yellow. We served pink lemonade, banana punch (yellow), decorated with pink, yellow, and white balloons, tissue paper puffs, and tablecloth. My MIL made the cake and cupcakes with lemonade powder sprinkled on top and the favors were small jars with either pink lemonade mix or yellow lemonade mix.
Yay! I made a lot of the decorations and bought the food over a period of time. Ultimately, I paid only about $150 for everything. I'm pretty pleased.
As the hostess, I was busy making sure everyone was taken care of, but I managed to snap a few photos. Fortunately, my SIL was able to help out and took photos as well.
Sam
John Camden with his mouth full. Love those cheeks!
Baby Em! We love her :)
Ella
"Happy birthday, to you..."
After singing, everyone clapped, so Waverly joined in. Of course, we all started laughing which encouraged her to clap more!
Carter had phone calls to make
Ella showing Waverly the how-tos of opening gifts
Richard
Swinging on her new jungle gym
Playing with Papa
Opening gifts with Grandma
It was really a great day. Party: Success!
Thursday, April 7, 2011
"Hi, baby"
I swear, my child grew leaps and bounds when we were gone. Her hair is growing over her ears and flipping a little in the back. It is darker and thicker, too. She is gaining confidence with walking; she doesn't shrug her shoulders and lets her arms hang like a normal person. It is scary.
However, I am most impressed by her newfound ability to string together two-word phrases like, "Hi, baby", "Oh, blankie", and "Thank you". She is like a spongey parrot: soaking up and mimicking everything she hears and since I talk to her all day, she does a lot of mimicking. Guess it is time to clean up my act!
Along the way, Waverly has also developed a nasty habit. Tonight, though, she took it to a whole new level. For whatever reason, she likes to poop in the bathtub. When it first happened, I hoped it was a one time thing, but it must be a toddler fad. I have become quite adept at noticing the early signs, but cannot seem to get her out of the tub and onto the potty fast enough. So, what is that new level, you ask? She peed on the bathroom floor right before I put her in the tub. Soon thereafter, she pooped in the tub. Fail.
What does all of this tell me? Sit her on the potty while I fill up the tub. Throw her in and wash her up. When her nostrils flair, grab her up, fling her back on the potty, and cross my fingers that all of the hooplah does not interfere with her "business".
Boom. Potty Training 101.
However, I am most impressed by her newfound ability to string together two-word phrases like, "Hi, baby", "Oh, blankie", and "Thank you". She is like a spongey parrot: soaking up and mimicking everything she hears and since I talk to her all day, she does a lot of mimicking. Guess it is time to clean up my act!
Along the way, Waverly has also developed a nasty habit. Tonight, though, she took it to a whole new level. For whatever reason, she likes to poop in the bathtub. When it first happened, I hoped it was a one time thing, but it must be a toddler fad. I have become quite adept at noticing the early signs, but cannot seem to get her out of the tub and onto the potty fast enough. So, what is that new level, you ask? She peed on the bathroom floor right before I put her in the tub. Soon thereafter, she pooped in the tub. Fail.
What does all of this tell me? Sit her on the potty while I fill up the tub. Throw her in and wash her up. When her nostrils flair, grab her up, fling her back on the potty, and cross my fingers that all of the hooplah does not interfere with her "business".
Boom. Potty Training 101.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Strange.
I feel strange today. I have this feeling of anticipation, like I am missing something or had something I needed to accomplish and cannot remember what it was. I am a little bummed as well. Not because I am home. Trust me, I am elated to be home. Ecstatic. My game has just been thrown off. Being home is completely different from being in Africa.
It was easily 80 degrees or warmer every single day. We had air conditioning in our hotel room and the main meeting hall, but any other minute of the day, we were experiencing African heat to the fullest. Here, it is cold and our house is comfortable. I am not sure if I miss the heat, exactly; however, after eleven days of it, I will be careful to not complain when I have to deal with it here at home. And you can bet, I will be thinking about the missionaries every day this summer when Lexington heat hits... if it is anything like last summer. When we travelled by bus (our four hour drive from Mangochi to Lilongwe), our air conditioning came from the open windows. I actually loved it. I was getting used to being hot.
I also had no "housewife responsibilities" while we were gone. Maybe that is contributing to my feelings of anticipation: I have to get this house back in order. There is so much to do. Obviously, that is why I am bummed. B
I think I am bummed, also, because our life will go back to the way it was and I am not quite looking forward to that. Maybe I just miss Africa. It is not "maybe".. it is "I definitely miss Africa". Chandler will appreciate knowing that.
Except I do not miss eating the same thing every day and I am way happy to have access to sweet tea and my favorite foods. And I was more than happy to take a hot shower with great water pressure and straighten my hair; although, I learned to love my curls and the ease with which I could just get out of the shower, throw in some curling mousse, and go. Then have fabulous looking hair once it dried.. which it did fairly quickly. That is probably it, though.
I miss the fellowship with the missionaries. I am surprised at the relationships we built in such a short amount of time. I am surprised that I miss some of them as much as I do. Their hearts were so genuine; more so than what I have experienced here at home. I think it is mainly due to the fact that they have to totally, completely, every minute of every day rely on the Lord. They have nothing if they do not lean totally on Him. Absolutely nothing; and they know it. It is incredible. I do not want to forget that. I do not want to forget their desperate need for His hand. But I can... it will be all too easy to forget. My life is easy. But I will think about them often. They have left an indelible impression.
So, I think life will feel weird for a couple of days. I do not like it, but maybe it is a good thing. Maybe it is the Lord's way of reminding me of last week, reminding me to pray for the missionaries and for ourselves and our future. If so, then I am okay with it.
It was easily 80 degrees or warmer every single day. We had air conditioning in our hotel room and the main meeting hall, but any other minute of the day, we were experiencing African heat to the fullest. Here, it is cold and our house is comfortable. I am not sure if I miss the heat, exactly; however, after eleven days of it, I will be careful to not complain when I have to deal with it here at home. And you can bet, I will be thinking about the missionaries every day this summer when Lexington heat hits... if it is anything like last summer. When we travelled by bus (our four hour drive from Mangochi to Lilongwe), our air conditioning came from the open windows. I actually loved it. I was getting used to being hot.
I also had no "housewife responsibilities" while we were gone. Maybe that is contributing to my feelings of anticipation: I have to get this house back in order. There is so much to do. Obviously, that is why I am bummed. B
I think I am bummed, also, because our life will go back to the way it was and I am not quite looking forward to that. Maybe I just miss Africa. It is not "maybe".. it is "I definitely miss Africa". Chandler will appreciate knowing that.
Except I do not miss eating the same thing every day and I am way happy to have access to sweet tea and my favorite foods. And I was more than happy to take a hot shower with great water pressure and straighten my hair; although, I learned to love my curls and the ease with which I could just get out of the shower, throw in some curling mousse, and go. Then have fabulous looking hair once it dried.. which it did fairly quickly. That is probably it, though.
I miss the fellowship with the missionaries. I am surprised at the relationships we built in such a short amount of time. I am surprised that I miss some of them as much as I do. Their hearts were so genuine; more so than what I have experienced here at home. I think it is mainly due to the fact that they have to totally, completely, every minute of every day rely on the Lord. They have nothing if they do not lean totally on Him. Absolutely nothing; and they know it. It is incredible. I do not want to forget that. I do not want to forget their desperate need for His hand. But I can... it will be all too easy to forget. My life is easy. But I will think about them often. They have left an indelible impression.
So, I think life will feel weird for a couple of days. I do not like it, but maybe it is a good thing. Maybe it is the Lord's way of reminding me of last week, reminding me to pray for the missionaries and for ourselves and our future. If so, then I am okay with it.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Playing Catch Up.
Wow, what a week. I don't know how I can summarize it all in a space short enough that I won't lose your attention...
We flew from Lexington to Atlanta last Friday, then Atlanta to Johannesburg, South Africa... 16 hour flight. We spent Saturday night in Jo'burg (as the missionaries call it) and flew from there to Lilongwe, Malawi the next day. After landing in Malawi, we drove four hours to our final destination near Mangochi, Malawi along Lake Malawi. This is was my first true cultural experience. I blogged about it a bit in the previous post.
I was fascinated by these people and their way of life; baffled that people still live so primitively.
On Monday, we hit the ground running, setting up the meeting hall, kids' meeting rooms, and registration. At noon, the missionaries and their families started arriving and our team was there to greet them. It was all a whirlwind from there.
Tuesday through Friday, from 9am -12pm and 2pm - 4pm, Chandler and I spent time with the high schoolers. We played games, hung out, and, of course, had a daily devotional. Man, those kids are amazing. Not just the high schoolers, but all of the MKs were so incredibly sweet and well-behaved. They were intelligent and mature and just fun to be around.
When we weren't hanging out with the kids, like at breakfast, lunch and dinner, we were spending time with the missionaries themselves. Incredible. What a blessing. We went on the trip hoping to encourage the missionaries and, boy, were the tables turned.
This is exactly where Chandler and I needed to be this week. We spent every meal grilling different families about how they live and what they do on the field, getting an idea of what we can expect in our future. Conversation was easy and we immediately felt a part of the Zambezi Cluster family. We miss them terribly.
Wednesday night: "bri", or bar-b-que; Thursday night: the talent show and we experienced some really great family talents; and Friday night: the MK program. The kids did a fabulous job, especially the high schoolers who performed "Always Enough" by Casting Crowns via interpretive sign language. They were particularly amazing. :)
Saturday morning we had to say good-bye as the missionaries headed back to their homes and we left for our safari.
Our safari began at Hippo View Lodge where we hopped in a boat for a boat safari which took us to Mvuu camp across the river. That evening we went on a game drive, slept in little stone cottages with screens surrounding the top half of the outside walls, so it was like camping... in style. In the wee hours of the morning, we heard monkeys on our roof and hippos outside our cottage. Amazing. We were treated to a second game drive that morning and boat safari on our way back to Hippe View. It was wonderful... minus the intense sunburn. Malawi sun is intense. Ultimately, we saw hippos, all kinds of birds, bush buck, water buck, cudu, and impala all looking like versions of our deer, an elephant, baboons, vervit monkeys, and a baby python. No zebras... no lions... no giraffes... no hyenas... BUT it was all still wonderful!
Sunday afternoon we drove back to Lilongwe, Malawi and spent the night there; then, Monday began our journey home.
There. I think I covered it all.
Continue praying. Pray for the missionaries in the Zambezi Cluster from Mozambique, Malawi, Angola, and Zambia. Pray for their ministries; they are truly saints and we are so blessed to have met them and spent time with them. Continue praying for us and our future. We learned of the top priority "jobs" in this cluster and are praying for the Lord to open and close doors in His perfect will and timing. We would absolutely love to be a part of this cluster. We felt like family from day one and have made some lasting friendships.
Jeremiah 29:11 "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you; plans to give you hope and a future.'"
We flew from Lexington to Atlanta last Friday, then Atlanta to Johannesburg, South Africa... 16 hour flight. We spent Saturday night in Jo'burg (as the missionaries call it) and flew from there to Lilongwe, Malawi the next day. After landing in Malawi, we drove four hours to our final destination near Mangochi, Malawi along Lake Malawi. This is was my first true cultural experience. I blogged about it a bit in the previous post.
I was fascinated by these people and their way of life; baffled that people still live so primitively.
On Monday, we hit the ground running, setting up the meeting hall, kids' meeting rooms, and registration. At noon, the missionaries and their families started arriving and our team was there to greet them. It was all a whirlwind from there.
Tuesday through Friday, from 9am -12pm and 2pm - 4pm, Chandler and I spent time with the high schoolers. We played games, hung out, and, of course, had a daily devotional. Man, those kids are amazing. Not just the high schoolers, but all of the MKs were so incredibly sweet and well-behaved. They were intelligent and mature and just fun to be around.
When we weren't hanging out with the kids, like at breakfast, lunch and dinner, we were spending time with the missionaries themselves. Incredible. What a blessing. We went on the trip hoping to encourage the missionaries and, boy, were the tables turned.
This is exactly where Chandler and I needed to be this week. We spent every meal grilling different families about how they live and what they do on the field, getting an idea of what we can expect in our future. Conversation was easy and we immediately felt a part of the Zambezi Cluster family. We miss them terribly.
Wednesday night: "bri", or bar-b-que; Thursday night: the talent show and we experienced some really great family talents; and Friday night: the MK program. The kids did a fabulous job, especially the high schoolers who performed "Always Enough" by Casting Crowns via interpretive sign language. They were particularly amazing. :)
Saturday morning we had to say good-bye as the missionaries headed back to their homes and we left for our safari.
Our safari began at Hippo View Lodge where we hopped in a boat for a boat safari which took us to Mvuu camp across the river. That evening we went on a game drive, slept in little stone cottages with screens surrounding the top half of the outside walls, so it was like camping... in style. In the wee hours of the morning, we heard monkeys on our roof and hippos outside our cottage. Amazing. We were treated to a second game drive that morning and boat safari on our way back to Hippe View. It was wonderful... minus the intense sunburn. Malawi sun is intense. Ultimately, we saw hippos, all kinds of birds, bush buck, water buck, cudu, and impala all looking like versions of our deer, an elephant, baboons, vervit monkeys, and a baby python. No zebras... no lions... no giraffes... no hyenas... BUT it was all still wonderful!
Sunday afternoon we drove back to Lilongwe, Malawi and spent the night there; then, Monday began our journey home.
There. I think I covered it all.
Continue praying. Pray for the missionaries in the Zambezi Cluster from Mozambique, Malawi, Angola, and Zambia. Pray for their ministries; they are truly saints and we are so blessed to have met them and spent time with them. Continue praying for us and our future. We learned of the top priority "jobs" in this cluster and are praying for the Lord to open and close doors in His perfect will and timing. We would absolutely love to be a part of this cluster. We felt like family from day one and have made some lasting friendships.
Jeremiah 29:11 "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you; plans to give you hope and a future.'"
11 Days.
The longest time I have ever been away from my baby girl and it. was. tough. We were fortunate enough to have some kind of internet; however, it wasn't sufficient enough for Skype-ing. I only saw her face twice. Three nights I pumped myself up thinking I would see her precious face, but was left in tears when our internet connection failed repeatedly.
Today was a sweet day. I wanted to run through the airport to get to her, but we settled for a swift walk. I was absolutely elated to see my baby toddle around the corner, but I don't think she recognized me in my glasses with my curly hair pulled back... not my usual style. She just wanted her ga ga. It didn't hurt my feelings; I was happy that she was excited to see her daddy and she did warm back up to me.
She is more beautiful than the day we left and is looking more like a little girl than a baby.
I love her.
I could snuggle her forever.
Today was a sweet day. I wanted to run through the airport to get to her, but we settled for a swift walk. I was absolutely elated to see my baby toddle around the corner, but I don't think she recognized me in my glasses with my curly hair pulled back... not my usual style. She just wanted her ga ga. It didn't hurt my feelings; I was happy that she was excited to see her daddy and she did warm back up to me.
She is more beautiful than the day we left and is looking more like a little girl than a baby.
I love her.
I could snuggle her forever.
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