I arrived at Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe, Malawi late in the morning on 21 August 2013.
Before my arrival a pilot friend who donated my airfare to IAD from CAK sent me a text saying that he was to be Baptized that Sunday (25 August)! Praise God & welcome to the family, Brother!!!
When I arrived in Lilongwe, Naomi Chidiwa, her sister Riana, and son Samuel greeted me! After a few errands, I was treated to a wonderful lunch at "Mum's" house, then we headed south for Ntcheu. En route, we made a couple brief stops to research sources for medicinal herbs...a lot has changed in two years, but it was productive and educational. Upon arrival at Naomi's home Jane, Naomi's sister, greeted us with supper and hot water for showers. What a blessing it was to see this dear sister again!!! She is a beautiful servant of The Lord!
I hit the ground running, for I rested well & was wide awake about 9:00 pm. Got lots studying, praying, and preparing done. When everyone else awakened around 5:00 am per the norm in Malawi, I had the privilege of enjoying breakfast, then off to meetings and village excursions. I was shown the base of operations for Save Widows and Orphans Foundation, and met the project manager. While introductions were made there, my meeting with the District Commissioner (Equivalent to Governor) was confirmed and we were off to see the D.C. En route, Naomi talked to the High Chief, TA Mpando, and we were to meet him on the way to Kaloga village.
We had a brief, but very good meeting with the District Commissioner. Since TA Mpando had to rush to Lilongwe, the capital city, for a meeting, our official meeting became a meeting in the middle of the road...a rough African dirt-n-jagged rock road with drifting dust so thick that it's as hazardous as snow drifts on a country road in Ohio! This Dear Chief was very attentive and interested in the potential development and saved lives among his people, especially in the extremely destitute Kaloga Village.
This "middle-of-the-road" meeting I think was very productive, as it was immediately followed by meeting and being given a tour by the Chief of Kaloga. Starting out on this journey there was no doubt in my mind that this project was needed, but the reality of the total need in Kaloga and surrounding area was utterly heartbreaking!!! Yes, a well was needed, and I had the funds with me for it. But the need of A well in Kaloga is almost true...they need AT LEAST TWO immediately just to cover the basic need in the most desperate parts.
"Chief Kaloga" guided us in the RAV 4 until we could drive no further...about 2.5 km. We piled out of the little four-wheel drive and walked the rough trail another 3 km or more. All in all, from the grounds, the tribal meeting place, the people have a 6 km walk over rough terrain to the nearest water source. That "river", I discovered, was anything but clean. About half way from our parking spot to the "river" was a disgusting, swamp-pit of runoff...that is what feeds this river. This little man-made pit at the base of a farmers field had evidently become a dumping ground, run-off catchment, and toilet. A kilometer or two down stream is where these people are collecting their drinking water. Despite a mountain spring at the collection point, the entire basin is contaminated with the disease-culturing run-off!!! "Chief Kaloga" promised that the beginnings of a road would be seen within 24 hours to allow access of the drilling rig.
The following day, Friday, 23 August 2013, after planting seeds in pots, we returned to the village and met with ALL of the area Chiefs and Chief's Council. An amazing 100% attendance was the forum. As I addressed the Chiefs, new insight was revealed to all of us. Early that morning, the villagers had marked out a road to two proposed drilling sites. These Chiefs and Council Members were overwhelmingly supportive and ready to take ownership of both the well and the herbal project for the betterment and wellness of their people!
Early Saturday Morning Naomi took me to get gas and sent me off with James and Iris to meet Alyssa Collins at the airport. Alyssa has spent two months training with IRIS Ministries in Mozambique, then spent a stint in Nepal. Upon her arrival I discovered why my meeting with the Vice President fell through...he returned to the country on Alyssa's flight. As usual, we collected our guest at the airport then ran all the errands we could on the way out (fuel is so expensive that you don't make a trip to the city for only one thing...even if it is to greet a missionary or meet officials!). Alyssa arrived utterly whipped from travel, but looking great physically and greatly encouraged spiritually! She shared some wonderful experiences with us as we traveled back to Ntcheu! We had lunch en route (twice...I shoulda known the culture better than that) and supper at Naomi's home. By then Alyssa shared that she had stomach issues a couple times during her travels and felt it coming on again. Feeling like it was mostly due to exhaustion she quickly slipped off to bed. That's when the work began. We were a bit late in our return so supplies had to be gathered for a well dedication and celebration in Kachimanga Village. Little Dresses for Africa sponsored that one.
Naomi and I, with a couple others ventured up the extremely rough mountain road, in the dark, to deliver "relish" for the celebration. They showed me the new well, the ground, and the church. We then slipped between buildings in the vehicle to find a partying mob! They were singing & dancing and would all night in celebration of God's blessing. In the process, I got to share an impromptu 20 minute, 9:30 pm message from the word! Being utterly surrounded with a Toyota RAV 4 as a platform rendered an alter call nearly impossible, but the response seemed overwhelming. Many of those I believe showed up for church the next morning as there was standing room only outside the church. It was a real education to see how another ministry operates in the Malawian Villages and to have the opportunity to assist them in ministry by doing such things as hand washing...! That Sunday dedication was an all day event and I departed with a guide before the Jesus Film was over in the evening to spend time with Alyssa and begin preparing for my return home the next morning. I introduced Alyssa to my friend, Clifton, the GM at Sana Grocery. He REALLY cared for me and my family when we lived in Ntcheu in 2011 and I knew he could be trusted to cared for Alyssa in any shopping needs she may have while there! A personal introduction is a huge deal in Malawi...your reputation is then welded into the person of the one being introduced.
By this time I was given a confirmed appointment with the Minister of Health. She was to meet me at the airport right before my departure and had instructed me not to worry about time because she'd just walk me past security...she is a high official. Well, upon arriving at the airport with Father Augusta and Riana as my escorts, it seemed as though I had missed her. My guides and Naomi all tried numerous times to reach her on her cell phone. Turns out, I got bumped for an early morning Cabinet meeting in the Capital City! Nonetheless, this was a highly productive, fast trip half way around the globe.
The well funds have been delivered, the driller is scheduled to survey & will drill ASAP, the seeds are started to begin the medicinal herb project, my missionary is settled in for two months, and I enjoyed a wonderfully encouraging reunion with dear friends and co-laborers in Christ!!!
(Zikomo Kwambiri Abusa Kololo & Moffit for your assistance! It was a tremendous blessing to see you two once again!!!)
Pictures of this journey: Malawi 2013, Malawi 2013 - Huge Need
Pictures of this journey: Malawi 2013, Malawi 2013 - Huge Need
