Reflections

After my children become occupied with their Christmas gifts and before I had to get busy making Christmas dinner, I decided to read our blogs from last December and the months before we came home.  It was an interesting trip back in time for me. 

First, I can't believe how fast time went and that last year we were in Malawi and today we are home.  It feels a little unreal yet I now we really were there.  Secondly, I was amazed at how despondent I sounded in some of the blogs and yet God always saw us through.  While we were going through some of our most trying times it was difficult to be thankful but now looking back I am reminded of God's faithfulness and that we really did survive.  It also reminded me of how many people were praying for us and for that we are forever grateful.  That is why the Bible says that no trial is joyous at the time but grievous.  It made me want to go back to Malawi.  I have to confess that after we arrived home I had no desire to return.  The stress of the last robbery, the deaths of three of the babies, and trying to get the nursery ready for our departure had taken its toll.  Apparently, time does heal all wounds. 

Reading the blogs about the babies really made me miss them and the nannies.  I don't miss Malawi and the troubles within their culture but I do miss the people that I came to love.  It made me worry about what will happen to the babies that are starting to go home.  What will happen to Gift who appeared to have some mental and/or hearing problems?  In Malawi the mentally ill or physically challenged are not treated well and never go to school.  Before leaving, one of my nannies told me how I taught them to love the babies regardless of their physical/mental condition. If their baby seems to be slow they don't work with them they just ignore them and they would never get a chance to go to school.  All these thoughts made me want to rush back and fix things.  Thankfully I have a grounded husband who doesn't let me follow through on my impulses.   I have 7 children who need me here and I have to let God use others to meet the needs of those dear babies.

I am now trying to come up with ways to help the nursery from home.  Beginning next year, the nursery will be funded by a church in Arizona but they still have other needs beside the day to day operations.  They still need things that are difficult to find in Malawi--diapers, plastic pants, diaper rash cream, clothes, blankets…hopefully you get the picture.  I will get in touch with the U.SO. Ministry of Hope board to discuss ways to that we can assist the nursery and will put those needs on the blog for those that might be interested in helping. 

If you are interested in sending a donation to help the nursery, visit the website of Ministry of Hope at ministryofhope.org to see how.  Make sure your donation is marked for the Mzuzu Crisis Nursery.  More importantly, please continue to pray for the nursery as we believe that is the best thing that we all can do for them.      Lisa