Home

Next week we are heading “home”. And yet, we are already “home”. Admittedly it is more difficult to “feel” at home when we are not fluent in the language or comfortable with the culture. On the other hand, our relationships with our friends, our associates, our house, our job, and our geography are quite comfortable. We are definitely at home.

Nevertheless, we are heading home—home where family and old friends await. There we are fluent in the language and somewhat more comfortable with the culture. But we call it home because of love that will not let name it anything else.

By far, the most difficult part of our 3 year Mission Co-worker assignment is the absence of our life-long loved ones. Often we think of those who preceded us around the world over a century ago. They arrived on a slow boat and so did their mail. It was 7 years or more before they returned “home” if ever. Even 20 years ago there was no e-mail, no cell phone, and no flying home except in emergencies. (Today PCUSA still sends mission personnel on a one way ticket and guarantees a return trip only after the three years.)

So, we are grateful for this opportunity. Thanks to the generosity of our Presbytery we have been flown home once a year. Home is critical for our physical, mental, and emotional health. When we return home to Malawi, we know we will be refreshed in body, mind, and spirit.

Until then we leave you with the words of Jesus from the Matthew ll:28-30 (The Message)

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

Chindikani

It was an ordinary day with ordinary weather and ordinary baby behavior. We had nothing special planned. Mid morning, social welfare and our neighbor walked in and asked for a conference with the director, nurse and matron. Arrangements had just been finalized for Chindikani's adoption!

Chindikani had been dumped into a pit latrine at the tender age of one month (we think) by her phychotic mother. (see  previous blog “Rescued From the Pit”) She had survived unhurt, and came to us from the hospital a few days later. We weren't looking for a place for her yet, as she is only about 10 months old. We once took her to see her mother, who is in jail, but for the hour her mother held her she didn't once glance down at her own daughter. Going back to mom was not a possibility.

But while we din't plan, God did. Months ago our neighbor, who is a judge, and her lawyer husband had started adoption proceedings for this little girl. All was completed without us even knowing about it. This involves at least one year of fostering a child before formal adoption proceedings can begin. Everything was in place when they showed up at the door!! A miracle in Malawi, where complex adoption rules prevent most adoptions from ever taking place. So this was Chindikani's own miracle.

This neighbor lives only 2 doors down from the nursery, in a beautiful home. She is well able to care for this child and very excited. Her own children are grown and she has another adopted daughter who is about 6 years old.

So all we had to decide was – when. We feel the sooner adoption takes place, the better for the child. So on Tuesday, it was decided that Chindikani would leave us for good on Friday to join her new family.

What a blessing! What a surprise! Just when you think nothing special is happening, something that has been happening all along comes to light. And that day it came as a home for one of our abandoned little ones. Chindikani means praise, Chiuta means God. Chindikani Chiuta!