Another visit to Matapila

Our friend Megan has a team visiting from Oregon. We helped transport them out to Matapila village yesterday after church. I was excited for the opportunity to see Joseph and Gift (and all of the children of course). My last visit was when I helped transport the Green Lake team out there back in September. (click on the "Ministry of Hope" label to see previous trips taken to Matapila)

Capturing Malawi on our way to the village:

Slow down! Road work ahead!

A hazy view of the mountains

The roads weren't half as bad as we expected. I guess they are worse at the beginning of the rainy season.

All of the orphans at the feeding centers are doing well, both in Katondo and Matapila. Daniel, who works in the Ministry of Hope office was telling me of their financial problems. It's amazing how much the economic state of America directly affects the financial state and economy of many organizations around the world. I have been praying for America, mostly that people will be able to keep jobs and homes and such, but lately, my prayer is that Americans will learn to live with less. It's crazy how much Americans have that they don't need. Of course, having things that you don't need isn't a sin. I'm not saying that. What I am saying is that we often confuse wants with needs. I am most guilty of this, i.e. the gray couch. I want something so badly that it actually feels like an urgent need. How ridiculous!!! I pray now that in this time of economic instability, we can learn how to differentiate between our wants and our needs. Hopefully, this will leave us with extra spending cash to give away. Yes, just to give away to whatever you heart desires, or whatever the Lord's heart desires.

Let's put it this way-I challenge you this week, our faithful readers, to not buy something you REALLY want but don't need and to give that same amount of money you would have spent to let's say, Ministry of Hope. You could give it to your church's deacon fund or to a family you know who is struggling more than your family. The choice is yours.

That said, this is what I managed to capture while wrestling the camera out of Elijah's hands.

Remember Ernest? He's gotten so big! I think he was about 4 years old when I first met him in 2005.

Joseph and Elijah, old friends

All of us with some MOH kids

Eli and the kids
We are waiting in the car while Megan says goodbye to her team.




The beauty that is Malawi