Refreshed and Ready: Beginning Week Two in Malawi
After the close of our VBS week in Namitambo, we took Saturday to explore some of the beauty of Malawi. Our driver, Isaac, took us out to Mount Mulanje for a short hike to a waterfall. Although the water was freezing, most of us took a refreshing dip in the river. On the way back to Blantyre, we stopped by a tea plantation. The lush green fields are a stark contrast from the red dirt. It was nice to spend a day out as a team!
Sunday, we went to church with Bep, Janneke, and Floris at Mbulumbuzi. The pastor taught from questions 67-69 from the Shorter Westminster Catechism on the sixth commandment. The sermon that followed focused on a similar theme with the history of Cain and Abel. Throughout both messages, we were reminded to take care of our own lives and the lives of those around us. We enjoyed fellowship and discussion with the field workers after church.
Monday morning came bright and early, as we packed up and headed out for the Lower Shire for our second week of VBS. The three-hour drive provided beautiful views of the mountains and river valley. Isaac dropped off the Nyamithuthu group, then drove the rest of us to Mkomabasa. Our theme this week again is patience and long suffering. Kate shared the story of Simeon and Anna, and Beth K. told the story of Paul and Silas in prison. Although we didn’t lead a full day of activities today, we are excited to return to our centers for the rest of the week.
We would like to thank you all for your prayers and encouragement while we spend this time in Malawi. Daily, we are reminded of the many blessings we have back home. While it can still be easy for us to complain, we don’t have to look far to be reminded how truly blessed we are. We hope and pray the labors in Malawi will be blessed, both during our time here and for the unknown future.
Written by Beth Bleeker