13th August 2011

We’re back at Kambuku Lodge in Lilongwe after a week at Kindle Orphan Care near Salima. We had a brilliant week and really enjoyed leading the Bible studies with the youth groups and learning more about the work that Kindle does. The youth workers, Petro and Solomon, were so inspiring in the energy and passion they had for the work they do. 

The mornings were spent preparing for the Bible studies in the afternoon, and once everyone had got over their initial nerves about talking to a group of “20 to 80” people, ranging from “little children to adults”, we enjoyed leading the Bible studies and teaching them more about God. The youth groups usually involved amazing singing followed by memory verses and then the Bible study, after which was a chance to train for the football tournament that was going on that Jez was able to play in (if only for half an hour because the team wanted to win). We learnt some of the songs that the children sang, including actions, and they have been in our heads ever since – they will have to be taught to the church when we get back! Geni was able to go to one of the Family Life Ministries led by Kindle, and was asked to do a short Bible study. She panicked and did the one that Rebecca had prepared for the youth groups!

Being back in Lilongwe brings mixed emotions – we’re all quite tired and the girls are pleased not to have to wear jitenges all the time, but at the same time it’s sad to think that we’re almost at the end of our trip. Some of us still miss the village that we stayed in the first week with the Mollers, especially Abi, although it’s nice to be able to walk into a room and turn the light on! We’re all looking forward to going to the Flood church tomorrow and “the best coffee in the world, ok, Malawi, ok, Lilongwe”.

Rebecca

as a team we have a saying for the day, and being a poet I set myself the challenge to put the first week's sayings in to a poem.... we thought those of you back home would want to have a little insight in to what some of us are saying about this place... i’m sorry if you don’t get all of the joke but for some you had to be there. 

 

even though only 8 days have passed

still 8 sayings have been rembered

and being here in africa- or “we’re in africa” as was said

can only be said to be true.

 

but trying to describe this place can only be said to be “wow” or “awesome”

and not “does this count as annoying?”

and resulting in sore cheeks

 

and now we know that “there is actually something going on in their minds”

 

and even though only one said “i am shocked... at how much i love it”

i believe it applies to all

 

We've been away from roads and tarmac

now for almost a week...

and being in the middle of nowhere

has meant that we have to come in, for “that might be hyenas”  

 

but over all two sayings have stood out....

“oh Jeremy,” again again and again

but the one that has been repeated the most....

is “get involved...”

and that is what we plan to do.

 

  

we are all having  a great time and learning a lot about ourselves  and the group and enjoying some R and R for the moment. 

Hannah Routledge