Plumbing and Dedza

Thursday Joseph took care of some needed things at the house (groceries, money, etc) while Sue and Katie worked with the physical therapy group at the ABC clinic and I worked in the clinic itself. In the afternoon, James the curio guy, came to the house - it was fun to see Katie and Sue shopping for curios on our driveway!

Friday, Joseph, Katie and Sue went to Michelle Clark's while I worked in the clinic (morning). Michelle teaches some of the village ladies how to read and write their language (Chichewa) and English. Sue helped with that as she teaches some reading techniques. Joseph was busy working on Michelle's bathroom plumbing - long story but it entails lots of hammering, chiseling, replacing pipes, gluing, and dirt, lots of dirt. My day at the clinic was pretty much the same - our ward patients Anatashia, Chikumbutso and Taona are all improving. One of the chronic patients, a little guy named Aman, took a dramatic turn for the worse. He has some underlying congenital disorders that we all seem to lack the knowledge and / or tools to adequately diagnosis, and his situation is always poor; Friday it became more so.

In the afternoon, we ladies went to Michelle's village, leaving Joseph behind with the plumbing. Sue and Katie seemed to enjoy walking to and through the village. We had the little guy with the grease burn (much earlier posts) come by - he is almost completely healed! He still has some hypopigmentation on his foot, but the skin is healing back wonderfully. Thank you Michelle for your daily work with this kiddo - whose name, Pilirani means 'persevere' or 'patience'.

Saturday we drove down to Dedza, where one of the pottery factories is located. It is a nice drive and allowed Katie and Sue to see some of the countryside. We had lunch at the pottery place, again always nice! On the way out we stopped at some small roadside shops. We met Enoch, a carver who trained at Mua Mission - that means something to those that know Malawi - and he has trained some of his friends. His carvings reflected that training and were lovely and nicely priced. We next stopped at a paper recycling shop and found Henry N'gambi and his family. Henry does the paper recycling, makes cards and is starting to make paper mache artwork; his wife, Ester, makes dolls in the traditional Malawian dresses and his brother, Patrick, is an awesome painter. Henry graciously showed us his paper recycling set up (all by hand). He said 'paper built my house and my business'. His shop was pretty bare - he said a group had just come by and bought most of his stuff. Sue bought one of his brothers paintings - it is very striking... I am glad she bought it because I was so tempted myself! Meeting folks like Enoch and Henry - working hard, combining their natural talents with learned skills- is always a pleasure!

Once we arrived back in Lilongwe, we found fuel on the outskirts of town! Today, church and a barbecue at Michelle's house.

Thanksgiving / Praise: for our continued travel safety and finding fuel; for the chance to meet and interact with great folks like Henry and Enoch; for our 'wellness'; for the chance to be a small tool in the hands of God; for the continued improvement of some of our ward patients; for Pilirani's recovery from his burn.

Prayer: Aman, our little guy in the ward; for continued safe travels; for Michelle as she struggles with her water, her plumbing, and the financial needs of her ministry; for Sue and Katie that they will see more and more of the wonderful folks of this country; for Fredna (illness); for Joseph (ear ache).

Photos:

Katie, Sue and Joseph looking at James' curios on the driveway.

Village kids in 'Michelle's' village

Sue and Katie enjoying the village kids

Henry and Joseph working on the plumbing project.

Aman when he was 'well'.

Pilirani's almost healed burn.

Enoch outside his wood carving shop.

The N'gambi family - Ester, baby Grace and Henry, in the back of his paper recycling shop.

Joseph leaving Henry's shop - the sign reads 'Environmental Friendly'.

Kantambo Village Clinic

Wednesday we left early to go to Kantambo village to have a clinic there. It is in area 44 of Lilongwe - sort of a suburb of the city ('sort of' being the operative word). The clinic was set up in the Assembly of God church - the same area where Joseph helped build a tabernacle yesterday. We took two cars, Joseph, Katie, Sue, Carson, Esnet ('Essie' an ABC student who was my interpretor), Charles (Joseph's interpretor) and Kristin (the student who has been shadowing Carson this summer.) We arrived and set up 'shop'. The pastor found an additional two interpretors and we were ready to go. I have no idea how many people we saw, but we had to turn away people at the end of the day. We had two pregnant ladies - did sonograms on them; an infected foot that we think had a piece of wood buried in it (we were not able to get it out), wounds and ulcers to clean and treat and a large sebaceous cyst that we opened up. Lots of kids. Lots of coughs, colds, abdominal pain and rashes. A few chest pains with high blood pressure, some assorted other medical illnesses and a case of rickets - no, that was not my diagnosis, but it was already recorded in her health passport. I had never seen a case present like her, but when I came home and did some internet research I found pictures that looked like the ones I took! For those of you who wonder - 'did my donations do any good?' I have included pictures. Without your support, your donation of supplies, medications and money, this would not have happened. Thank you again to all my supporters. I am especially thankful to Susan and Marvin, who each gave medications and ointments and to Sue Kline and Jeanie Carden who each gave a generous cash donation. I pray that the Lord will bless you all as much as He blessed those people today with a clinic. And a special thanks to Dan Hamilton of Dan's Smoke House beef jerky who supplied the beef jerky that was our lunch today! We think of all of you often and keep you all in our prayers, as we know that your sacrifical giving has allowed us to do what we are doing. We are blessed to have ALL of our donors and prayer partners in 'our' corner!

Thanksgiving / Praise: support from wonderful donors and prayer partners, travel safety as we went through the areas of Lilongwe that were hardest hit by the riots, for continued health of our team, for returning home to power and to have water until we all showered!

Prayer requests - that those people we touched today realize we are a small representation of the love of Christ, for fuel, for continued opportunities to serve.

Pictures:

Outside the church where we set up the clinic

Joseph with Charles in the foreground, the 'pharmacy' in the background

Essie, my translator

Child with infected rash on her face

Ankle ulcer since early 2000s due to burn - she has been unable to get antibiotics or ointments - we had them!

Rickets in a young girl

Untreated, long standing ear infection - we had medicine for him!

Joseph and a very cute little patient!

Another infected rash

Katie, Robin (translator) and Kristin as they prepare to set up triage

Sue and Carson setting up the pharmacy

Photo from last night, a very tired Gaylord and Joseph!

I cannot adequately express to all of our supporters how much we appreciate you! You guys have made this possible, thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Crisis nursery and a tabernacle

Katie and her Mom, Sue Cantrell, arrived Monday from the US. Tuesday morning Joseph went out to a village to help Gaylord Brown build a tabernacle for an Assembly of God church (I have said many times Joseph is a man of multiple talents!). While he was hard at the work there, we went to the clinic. We took the LifePack that Scott Powell (paramedic and tech in Cleburne) donated to us. They were excited to get it - I think it will be in the gym where the highest risk for sudden cardiac death exists.

I saw patients in the clinic while Katie and Sue (she is a physical therapist) worked with the Children of Blessing group that comes to the inpatient ward on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Sue also started working with Taona (the young girl with the infected leg) as her knee is very stiff. They seemed to enjoy themselves! In the afternoon we ladies went to the Crisis Nursery to play with babies. Carson White has had one of the little ones at her house off and on for several weeks (feedings, medications, etc) - that is the one Katie happened to pick out (Esimie). Sue took Nika and I took 'Freedom' (what her name means but I have no idea how to spell it!) We sat outside in the afternoon sun with other folks who came to play with the babies. A good time was had by all, especially the adults! The kids are adorable and all have their own little personalities. Interesting to watch them interact.

Our power was off from ~10 AM until after we got home at ~5 PM. As I was contemplating dinner choices, Fredna Brown came over and invited us all to eat pizza at her house. Pizzas came from Pizza Inn / Steers, she had a salad and dessert ready, the Mcgaffees came also. It was great fun. Gaylord and Joseph got back shortly while the discussion about dinner was going on, so everyone was there.

Joseph seemed to have had a great time helping with the tabernacle. He met the pastor and the chef, ate the meal they cooked for them yesterday, and (according to Gaylord) was a great help.

Today we go back to that village to do a village clinic. That should be fun for Katie and Sue.

Thanksgiving /Praise - Katie and Sue's safe arrival here, Michael's safe return, Sue's help with the Children of Blessing, our continued travel safety, great friends here in Malawi, opportunity to do a village clinic, Scott Powell for getting us the Lifepack 300.

Prayer - continued travel safety, finding fuel (always an issue). That we would reflect Jesus in all we do.

Pictures:

Joseph and some of the crew at the tabernacle site.

Mateyo

Esimie

Freedom

Katie and Esimie

Sue with Nika and Freedom

Myself, Becky, Carson and the donated lifepack

Michael and Lake Malawi

We found fuel on Friday afternoon and decided Michael should see the lake. Everyone who comes should see Lake Malawi, listed as one of the twelve most beautiful lakes in the world. We left early Sat morning and drove to Senga Bay without incident. We were able to visit the Masekos - Emma, Mebble (in from the US),Emmanuel, Wezzie, Alpha and, in the afternoon, Peter. We had tea at the Livingstonia hotel and then lunch with the Masekos - cassava, nsima, beans, rice, greens, and chicken. Thank you Wezzie and Mebble for cooking. The power was off in the morning, so not only was it a traditional meal, it was cooked in the traditional manner. Michael was happy to finally get real Malawian food. After lunch we again went to the lake, taking Mebble, Wezzie and Emmanuel. We parked at the market and walked through the Senga Bay market to the lake. At the lake the usual chores were going on - bathing, washing clothes, washing dishes. No fishing because the wind was up and the waves were high. We went back through the village area and Michael finally got to try Shake-Shake. This is a traditional beer made from maize flour and sugar, then fermented. I have heard that it is nasty! Michael bought some - it comes in a carton (like the old milk cartons). I have seen it in water bottles, etc. although I don't know if that was home-made or just poured from the cartons. He says he knew it was going to be bad when he realized the carton was not even cold. He had a few drinks from it but then gave up - yes, he said it is very nasty. On the way back to the Masekos, we found Emmanuel's family - wife Loveness, daughter Lindiwe and new baby, Peter. I was glad to see baby Peter and surprised at how much Lindiwe has grown! We found them all looking well. Back at the Masekos, Peter came in from the project and we got a short visit in with him as well. The drive back was again uneventful and we actually found fuel on the outskirts of town! Today (Sunday) Michael flies back home - his visit was much too short, but I hope he saw enough to make him want to return.

At dinner last night I received a call from Charles, the tailor - his daughter, Leal ("6 or 7 years old") has been ill since July 6th, and has been seen at multiple places with no relief. He brought her by today and I am not sure, either, but I suspect she has a partially treated pneumonia. I started her on medication and will see how she does in a couple of days. David, our guard, is still improving. Last week I saw the small son of one of the compound cooks - looks like our living room is doubling as a first aid station! I love it!

Thanksgiving / praise - riots /demonstrations have ended; we found fuel right when we needed it most (God is good like that!), the Maseko family and their friendship, travel safety and protection, our continued 'wellness', the chance to help others in their time of need.

Prayer - protection for Michael as he flies home and Katie and her Mom, Sue, as they arrive Monday, healing for David and Leal, repair for our geyser (as we have no hot water at the moment), repair for our car as it goes back in the shop Monday, continued improvement in Anatashia and Chikumbutso (in the ward) and continued travel safety for us.

Pictures:

Charles, the tailor, and his daughter, Leal

Joseph doing a malaria test on our guard, David.

Watson and wife, Ruth, and their little boy.

Maseko family - Loveness, Wezzie, little Lindiwe, baby Peter, Mebble and Emmanuel

Wezzie and baby Peter

Close up of Lindiwe

Loveness, Lindiwe, baby Peter and Emmanuel

Senga Bay market - clothes, potatoes, little girl staring at the azungus (white people)

Michael drinking shake-shake

Wezzie and Joseph in a dugout canoe on the lake shore

Michael in front of a boat on the lake shore

Wezzie, Emmanuel, Joseph, Michael and Mebble on the lake shore

3 village scenes

Michael walking up to the 'biggest baobob tree' in Malawi (near Salima)

Demonstrations and riots

Tuesday we had a very busy day, ending with dinner with Fredna and Gaylord Brown, Assembly of God missionaries who live in this compound and are from TEXAS!! Yeah!! we became friends with them a couple years ago and always look forward to a dinner invitation. We had a wonderful dinner of meatloaf, fried okra and mashed potatoes (I said they were from Texas, right?). We discussed the upcoming scheduled 'peaceful' demonstrations for Wed, July 20. We had been told to 'stay in' (meaning on the compound) Wednesday. Yes, the demonstrations occurred, and true to demonstrations seemingly everywhere, they quickly got out of hand with the bad element turning to looting, burning, stoning, etc. Pretty ugly for awhile. We are in a residential area and never felt threatened. However, we had gone to the store and stocked up on food and other supplies, we had cash and we packed 'go bags' in case we needed to get out quickly. Wednesday we were busy around the house - Michael and I organized 4 trunks of medications for the next village clinic (scheduled for Thursday but canceled) and Joseph worked on the car. It actually is driving WORSE than when we put it in the shop. Today (Thursday) we awoke to what looked like a quiet day, however, the flames of unrest flared again in the city center and we were told to stay put again. Our workers here than don't live on the compound were sent home, to be with and possibly protect their families. I did get Sampson, the gardener, to bike up to get us units for the phones before we left. The cell phones here use units, and you have to keep replenishing them. Apparently Malawians on bikes are safer than azungus (white people) in cars - mainly because they attack the cars, not the people??!! Anyway, the guards left, and we were told to not open the gates to anyone we did not know, that the bad guys had stolen uniforms from police and military and were using them to gain entry. Sounds exciting, I know, but really, it was quite boring. No one even knocked! We spent time on the Internet, catching the news as best as we could (apparently some of the riots were covered by BBC but we don't have TV here). We went to the Magaffeys (another missionary family on the compound) and got some lettuce from their garden. Michael played with their dogs - two big Rhodesian Ridgeback puppies, Joseph made some awesome chocolate chip / pecan cookies, and I cooked dinner. Our night guard biked in from one of the villages that had some trouble today, but he said all is well and everything is quite. Reportedly the military has moved into the city and everything has settled down there. We hope so!

Thanksgiving / Praise - that we have remained safe, that we have adequate supplies and gas at this time, that we have so many people praying for us at this time (I can feel the prayers of God's people, surrounding us)

Prayer requests - continued safety, that the riots would not re-occur, that God would become evident in these circumstances, that the people who have lost loved ones, or suffered injury or other loss would be comforted, that the Malawian government would see the complaints of the people and not just the actions of a few insurgents.

Pictures (they are backwards in order, sorry)

Michael and Joseph, along with Noreen Magaffey looking at the two 'puppies'. Note - this makes a total of 5 very big dogs on this compound.

Noreen picking lettuce for us (very yummy)

Michael 'playing' with one of the puppies

A guard house and gate with no guard - but see previous picture to know why we aren't too worried.

Sampson, the gardener, as he leaves to get units for the phone - yes, his T shirt says NICKELBACK, LOCAL CREW, (Mandy this is for you)

Michael and Fredna Brown, as she explains one of Gaylord's many walking sticks

Michael and Joseph in the Brown's living room

Watson, the Brown's cook, in the kitchen.

For all of you blog followers, the little guy, Chickbutt, - his real name is Chikumbutso.

And he is doing fine in the ward!