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

New Directors

We received word that Paul and Darlene Heller will be going to the Mzuzu nursery in July to be the new directors for the next 3 years.  They have been feeling led to minister in some way in Malawi but the opportunities never seemed to work out.  Upon hearing about the nursery, they began pursuing this option and have seen God work miracles to allow them to come.  The Ministry of Hope board of directors has invited them to take the position and they have agreed. 

Paul is a pastor with the Presbyterian Church and Darlene is a nurse.  Paul just resigned from the church that he has pastored for 17 years to come to Malawi which shows that they are serious about this commitment.  Their children are grown so they can focus all their attention on the nursery and its needs; they seem to be a perfect fit.  We (Andy and I) had hoped for a director sooner but we know that God's timetable is always different from ours.  The Hellers have many details to be taken care of before their departure so please pray that God will provide the financial support they need and the wisdom to see to all the details that can be so overwhelming. 

Augustine and the remaining staff in Malawi are really doing a great job.  We continue to keep in contact with them and have been very pleased with their level of integrity and professionalism during this time.  Please continue to pray for them too.

 

 

Nursery Update

The nursery continues to take in more babies.  In November they received 5 babies in one week and four were girls.  They have been going to the surrounding communities to let them know about their services which is the reason for the increase in babies.  They have 5 babies that need to be placed in the nursery but currently they have 16 babies and cannot take more without an increase in caregivers.

Most of the babies that our family took in are slowly being reunited with their families.  In November, Loti went home with his father.  In January, Samsom (our 3rd baby that weighed 4 lbs.), and twins Adam and Eve will all be returning to their families. Next month they will be able to take some of the babies on the waiting list.  It is heartbreaking to turn away babies that need our help but we can't allow the staff to be overwhelmed and not be able to give the babies that we have good care. 

Again, please continue to keep the babies and staff in your prayers.  They have a huge responsibility and so far are doing a wonderful job.

Lisa 

Mphatso Update

We received news a few weeks ago that Mphatso has left the nursery to live with a family from Lilongwe.  The Dhose's are a German couple who have been trying to adopt a child from our nursery for some time.  They have been in Malawi for 7 years and will probably be there much longer.  They have always been interested in fostering/adopting Mphatso but since the father hadn't given his approval they were just waiting.  The father has finally given permission for them to foster Mphatso and they will meet again next year to discuss adoption.  We are so happy for him. 

I received an email from Monica Dhose after he had been with them for a week and she said that he is happy 99% of the time and always smiling.  Finally, he has a home!  We will continue to pray that they will be able to adopt him next year. 

Praise God for His goodness!