red footprints

in 2007, the door swung wide

for us to first step into Uganda

onto Africa's red dirt, warned 

how profoundly we would be 

changed, and we were

it took seven years to return

not to Uganda, but Zambia 

and in Malawi, our hearts 

found home

our future, never certain

is solid as air, God's plans

always a mystery, our feet 

will soon leave the continent

but long the dust will linger

in our hearts

Many plans are in a man’s mind, 

but it is the Lord’s purpose for him that will stand.

Proverbs 19:21 Amplified

His peace

Last Malawi road trip

seeking comfort and calm

found in the beauty of Zomba Plateau

this, may my heart remember

Peace I leave with you; 

My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. 

Not as the world gives do I give to you. 

Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. 

[Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; 

and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated 

and cowardly and unsettled.]

John 14:27 Amplified

Tread lightly

As we walk through our last days here in Malawi

we were blessed to retreat to the Lake

I feel I am treading as lightly

as this curious sandpiper

I am sure I will be able to share more

as time and distance

add perspective

for now --

how can a broken heart speak?

how do you share words you never planned to need?

what shape is that kind of disappointment?

a place prepared

mornings start best with silence

words this morning as I sought His counsel

Allow your affliction to drive you

not to despair but to My side

There is a place prepared for you alone

to find comfort, refreshing and peace

to re-energize and so return to the battle stronger

Come for courage to this place

the place of abiding

the place you need never leave

words from Father

I have been intentional about listening, with a growing urgency

knowing that His voice is what I am desperate for

we can not make a move without Him

If I have chosen you as My vessel

may I not use you as I will?

If you allow Me

you will be used 

in ways you never would have expected

Simply say "here I am Lord"

and you will be surprised at what I do

This will be new land

redeemed and restored

Cleansing may be painful

but the rewards are great

power source

the rains have come again

as an answer to prayer

we are shielded from both

the scorching heat

and bright light of the sun

as skies take on a cloak of gray

solar panels have little to collect

and we are reminded once more

that our power source

is not of this world

I will teach you about the power of God;

the ways of the Almighty I will not conceal.

Job 27:11 NIV

born to bear

waiting in line

to receive a blanket

she not quite able to stand 

straight after countless years

of heavy work that begins

in early girlhood

carrying small loads

upon the head

developing neck strength

and courage

some weeks ago

before the storms

I woke with the words

African women 

are born

to bear burdens

the evidence is clear

in the way they tend to

children, families

in the way they love

in the way they pray

in the way they remain 

standing

still

 Be prepared. 

You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. 

Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, 

so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet.  

Ephesians 6:13 The Message

 

Reaching Out in a Crisis

The rainy season was late in Malawi but when it arrived it came with a vengeance.  Newly planted fields are washed clean.  Few homes have escaped damage with hundreds completely fallen to the ground.  There are at least two more months of rain ahead so disastrous effects are expected to continue.

The needs are vast.  It would be easy to be swept away by alternating waves of compassion and frustration at the inability to attend to every need.

I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do. 
Helen Kelller

The OM Malawi team is working to provide both immediate and long term practical assistance and spiritual support to people they already minister to and others.  Currently assessing the situation, the first steps are the distribution of maize and blankets, offering nourishment and warmth; and work on securing houses that are still standing.  Some of these precarious houses are sheltering up to three and four families as people who have lost their homes are staying with relatives.  

Much more intensive work awaits after the rains as OM Malawi makes plans to help in the building of permanent houses, restoring both homes and lives.

Christmas glory

Christmas eve, Lake Malawi

the sun set glory blazing

in the Southern skies

a cross shining

like Bethlehem's star

as God once again

announced His coming

 

to the lake

Mid-August we left the comfort and routine 

of our secluded and peaceful Manitoba acreage.

We spent ten days of training and orientation 

in The Netherlands with two hundred others

from all corners of the world.

Then we moved on to Kabwe, Zambia 

for nine weeks of intensive discipleship training

living in community with many others on the mission’s base.

The beginning of November 

we finally arrived in Ntaja, Malawi

the spot we believe God has called us to serve.  

Our field leaders have had much time away 

which has made for a more difficult than usual 

period of settling in and adaptation.

From December 20 through January 5 

the Malawi base is shut down

so we have come to Lake Malawi 

to relax, rejoice, pray and prepare 

for the year ahead of us.  

We will have private time 

to connect with each other 

and seek closer communion with our Lord 

as we celebrate this Christmas season.

Day one has left us sun kissed, tired and thankful.

His glory surrounds us 

as He stirs the waters and paints the skies.

an embarrassment of fruit

We're living in a land 

of mangos green

yellow, rosy blush

fruit hangs heavy on boughs

pits scatter

littering the dusty roads

baskets mounded high

blazing bright in the sun

line the streets

next to tomatoes, onions

almost an embarrassment

of fruit, beside buckets filled 

with fresh fried fritters

sticky fingers rich 

with juice beckon flies

but oh, the sweetness

of ripe perfection

And God said, “Let the earth put forth vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, upon the earth.” And it was so.  The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their own kinds, and trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.

Genesis 1:11-12

life upside down

work in the fields

continues here

in plus 30C 

sizzling sunshine

praying to plant

before the rains

news from home

speaks snow

cold knocking bitter

as winter proclaims itself

life for us

is upside down

much the same

as Jesus preached

His Kingdom was

is, will be

then we are right in His midst

 

Saturday road trip

road trip Saturday

to a village we're reaching out in

about one hour away

on red rutted roads

that may soon be impassable

when the rains come

in earnest

the area is Yao

and to be born Yao

is to be born Muslim

even if they don't understand

what that means

but children

are children

everywhere

hamming it up for the camera

wanting a bit of attention

affection, love

love is what He has given us

love is what we can share

Freely you have received; freely give

Matthew 10:8b NIV

 

lazy in the heat

Malawi heat

sun baked

the day feels slow

lazy, but work continues

the boys, Jonty and Bruce

have it figured out

naptime all the time

 

east to west

Malawi in the morning

and at day's end

there is glory

here

 Blessed be the name of the Lord 

from this time forth and forever

 From the rising of the sun 

to the going down of it 

and from east to west, 

the name of the Lord is to be praised!

The Lord is high above all nations,

and His glory above the heavens!

Psalm 113:2-4 Amplified

 

relaxation

breathing room

and beauty

this afternoon

before leaving in the morning

for Malawi

 

glory

and who can say

there is no God?

last sunset at the Zambia training base

off to Lusaka today

spending tonight at missionary guest house

tomorrow ---MALAWI

 

a quick hello

A quick hello while ailing laptop is briefly functioning

Less than four weeks of classes left here in Zambia

then we are finally off to Malawi

We appreciate your prayers and encouragement

we are far from home but in His hands

sea waves

The friendly and challenging people at tweetspeak poetry 

decided that National Poetry Month would be a great time for dare.  

In response, since I find it almost impossible to refuse a challenge, 

I am reading a poem a day by Jack Mapanje, a poet from Malawi.  

Not only will this expose me to new work, 

but will help keep my mind focused on Malawi 

as Rick and I continue to plan, pray and prepare.

today's poem is:

After Celebrating our Asylum Stories at 

West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds

by Jack Mapanje

So, define her separately,

She is not just another 

Castaway washed up your

Rough seas like driftwood,

It’s the nameless battles

Your sages burdened on her

People that broke her back;

Define him differently,

He is not another squirrel

Ousted from your poplars,

It’s the endless cyclones,

Earthquakes, volcanoes,

Floods, mud and dust that

Drafted him here; define

Them warmly, how could

Your economic émigré queue

At your job centres day after

Day? If you must define us

Gently, how do you hope

To see the tales we bear

When you refuse to hear

The whispers we share?

I read this soft, silently

then loud to the empty room

I copied it out on paper, crisp

white, blue lined

and then I allowed my own words to come

separately, differently

warmly, gently

if you hope to

know me

strip away labels

open your eyes

ears, heart

I am not like any other

trials like sea waves

have worn me

rough here, smooth

there, still drifting

if you ask

I may share

whispers left of me

when the storm calms

also walking in community with Emily and the broken redeemed

 

celebrate love

http://globaltableadventure.com/2012/02/09/recipe-sunrise-biscuits-mbatata/

celebrate love

the theme of my day

as I baked heart shaped sweet potato biscuits

representing Malawi known as

the warm heart of Africa

celebrate love

as I prepared a special dinner

as I took care dressing

as I smeared sweet fragrance behind my ears

celebrate love

as I chilled the wine

as I lit candles for the dinner table

celebrate love

as I met my man at the door

greeting him as always

after a hard days' work

I am full

to overflowing

stuffed and warm and blessed

I am most like my Lord

when I love

and I love 

yes, I love indeed