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Naomi Feeding the Children
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Since before we lived in Malawi Naomi has been working tirelessly, mostly out of her own pocket and God's overwhelming blessing in her life, to make her dream reality...and SWOF was born. SWOF, Save Widows and Orphans Foundation, exists to empower the widows, orphans, and vulnerable children, youth, and elderly while in their communities so they can meet their physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual needs in order to make them live productive lives. In a culture where there is seldom any good spoken of others, through all the gossip, I NEVER heard a negative word about Naomi. Since we were working at an orphanage in that district many in town ("the Boma") wanted to know if we knew of "One Naomi Chidiwa", her impact, and our opinion of her. They also wanted to make sure that we knew they knew something important...and the details would begin!
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| Widow Ministry - Food Distribution |
As we spoke and e-mailed with Naomi, her desire to visit The United States of America surfaced. This isn't anything unusual - I never met a Malawian that did not express their desire to "one day travel to America"! But, Naomi's passion was very different. Her conversation never stayed on America, or the many blessings here; her heart was transported immediately back to the villages that she serves. She would relate stories of the Child Based Care Centers (CBCC's) and the feeding, she spoke of the widows and the orphans, she wrote about the Blessings of The Almighty and lives saved. One day she told me about orchestrating the digging of a well in a village that had NO source for clean water...and the recent death of a boy that drowned in that open well...the desperate need for a drilled bore hole and pump to prevent further deaths in that village. She then asked me to help! Not as you would expect...: she asked not for money, nor for labor or a team. She asked simply for a letter.
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| Impact: Saved Lives! |
A letter? That's it?!?! With all this awesome work and the overwhelming need to match and she wants me to write a letter. WOW!!! Once again confirmed, this is not your typical "African Native". She had tried to make plans, and tried to obtain a travel visa. There was only ONE, that's "1", hang-up. The United States Embassy in Lilongwe required a "Letter of Invitation" to visit or work in the U.S. before they would grant a visa. Even with that, many were turned away. I figured, "We're still settling in after our return to The States. Finances are a little tight, but we've been blessed. Thomas has already offered his bedroom. She's not asking for money, just...a letter (and advice)." Her purpose: simply to build relationships and seek financial help from America for SWOF! You know? That settled it for me! ...And here we are, a month into her three-month-stay with us wondering where the time has gone!
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| Five young men sponsored by SWOF - School Fees are Paid in FULL! |
As I type this, Naomi is enjoying the blessing of friends and Brothers & Sisters in Christ in "That State to the North" (for you non-Buckeyes, that's Michigan...just typing out that full name could get me lynched around here...don't tell anyone!)! This coming weekend she will speak briefly at all four Saturday and Sunday services at Metro South Church in Taylor, MI in a Q&A with Pastor Jeremy Schossau about her work & to thank some of her ministry partners in that area for their support, impact, and the success of various projects in Ntcheu, Malawi. I would encourage you to stop in if you're in the Detroit area!
We have a busy schedule with Naomi here. Not the least of events is her "Reach Out & Touch" fundraising banquet on March 16, 2013. Hey, I'll tell you what. Shoot me a line if you want to be instrumental in doubling the impact of this life-saving ministry to over 1,200 Widows & Orphans in Ntcheu, Malawi. There are many ways that you can be involved! Check out a world beyond your home-town...you'll never be the same!!!
