Cars and stuff

Well we finally bought a car.  After the phone call about the van, we received another call about a Land Cruiser that was for sale.   We drove both cars and realized that the van wouldn't survive very long on Malawi roads; too many potholes and shoulders that just end abruptly.  The Land Cruiser was more money but was a great buy considering that new Land Cruisers can sell for $90,000 because the duty they charge is so high.   We no longer have to depend on the Dimmocks and others for transportation and we are thrilled.   Andy isn't so thrilled about driving on the wrong side of the road but he's actually doing really well.   I (Lisa) am not about to try it yet.  

 

On our first outing we got horribly lost and we were just trying to find the Dimmock's house which we had been to many times.   The roads here all look the same.   In addition, when we tried to call Nancy for help our cell phone wouldn't work.  We finally just drove back to the house and called from there.   Thankfully, Jim McGill (missionary from Mzuzu) drove us around the rest of the day.  

 

We will be leaving for Mzuzu at the end of the week.  Ministry of Hope has a truck that can transport all our stuff which now includes 16 pieces of luggage, a refrigerator, stove, washer and dryer and some furniture.   Having someone you can trust for transportation is a huge blessing.

 

So far we've only had 1 person get sick and it was Sarah.  She complained one night that her stomach hurt and the next day she was worse.   She finally did get sick which made her feel better but only for a short while.  She was "writhing in pain" according to Matthew.   It gave us a few anxious moments until I prayed and asked for wisdom on how to treat her and "grapefruit seed extract" came into my mind and even more specific "3 drops."   We use it for a disinfectant and for washing our vegetables with it as it is supposedly 2 ^nd only to garlic as the best natural antibiotic.  I have never used it for stomach problems but know that some do.   Anyway, within minutes of drinking it she felt fine.   The next time her stomach felt funny we gave her another dose.  She has been fine ever since.  God is truly the great physician.

 

We took the kids on their first outing to the grocery store.  Shoprite is like a normal grocery store except for all the vendors that hang outside trying to sell produce to you when you get in and out of your car.   We then went to look at the Land Cruiser and we were not only surrounded by vendors but also crippled beggars asking for money.  Thankfully, Andy and I had already experienced this last fall but it was something new for the kids.   It was very unnerving for a few of the kids but the others took it in stride.

 

Tomorrow (Tuesday) we will head back to the nursery.  We haven't been there since Thursday and the girls are anxious to get back and hold the babies.   The sanitation practices at the nursery are probably great in comparison to living in the village but it definitely takes faith to hold the babies and change their diapers.   Please pray for continued health and protection for us and the kids.  

 

I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.  

Psalm 91:2