tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89568029495230601962024-03-19T02:44:17.379-07:00Palmbos Family in MalawiAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10055043233994526704noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8956802949523060196.post-46345069194605218142015-01-03T11:37:00.001-08:002015-01-03T11:37:21.836-08:00Simply ChristmasNo snow. No parties. No shopping lists. No long lines at the super market. Simply Christmas. I didn't miss the hustle and bustle. This was the simplest Christmas I have ever experienced. I (we) really missed our family, and I (we) was a little sad to think about all the Christmas we were missing. But God revealed himself to me in such a personal way this Christmas. <br />
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I have always known that Christmas is about Christ's birth. But the weight of that was lost on me. I was too worried about gifts, baking, etc....to think about what Jesus's birth meant to him, to the Father and to me. <br />
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At a small gathering Christmas eve night a poem was read. (I wish I had a copy of it for you.) The poem was a conversation between God the Father and Jesus on the eve of his birth. How Jesus would miss the intimacy he had with his father. How Jesus wondered if the world he created would know him? How Jesus understood and appreciated the Father's love for his people. I have never stopped to think about what that last heavenly conversation might have been like.<br />
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During a sermon in the weeks approaching Christmas Pastor Sandress (Capital City Baptist Church - Lilongwe) was teaching on the names given to the Messiah, Jesus and Immanuel. Jesus meaning the Lord saves, and Immanuel meaning God with us. The messiah had to be Immanuel to be Jesus. Jesus came to this earth. He walked on our dirty roads. He drank our unfiltered water. Jesus slept on the ground. I was particularly struck by these very simple facts. As a "missionary" working with the poor and oppressed, I am happy to go to their village, to walk their roads (as long as I have shoes), to share a meal with them. BUT, I bring my own filtered water, I wash my hands with hand sanitizer, I do my best not to use their bathrooms, and I go home every night to sleep in my bed which in not sitting in the dirty. <br />
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Jesus love is unconditional. Jesus love is complete. Jesus love isn't put off by dirt. Jesus love in sacrificial. <br />
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I have so much to learn. <br />
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I am so thankful that Jesus came to be Immanuel. I am so thankful that Immanuel came to be Jesus.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10055043233994526704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8956802949523060196.post-10168672950932525492014-12-12T09:22:00.001-08:002014-12-12T09:22:52.302-08:00Praying for RainSo, I wish I had some grand stories to share, but alas I do not. Some of you have asked what our days look like. We still don't have a normal schedule, and I am guessing it will be at least another 2 months before we fall into a regular routine. The kids have just finished up school for the year, and now we are on Christmas break until January 12th. <br />
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Generally...<br />
5 am April wakes and Steve usually isn't too far behind<br />
6 am the kids are up and getting ready for school<br />
7 am depart for school (school begins at 7:15 am)<br />
8 am Work day begins at There is Hope<br />
Noon - 1:30 it's time for lunch and picking up the kids from school<br />
Jessie is dismissed at Noon<br />
Charlie is dismissed at 12:30<br />
Casey is dismissed at 1:00<br />
Jack is dismissed at 1:30.....so we are still working out how to pick them all up. Lately we've picked up Jessie and Charlie and taken them home, then one of us goes back for Casey and Jack. Any suggestions????<br />
4:30 Work day ends<br />
8 pm bedtime<br />
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Our evenings are usually pretty "quiet" meaning we don't have much going on. Our kids seem to come to life around 5:30 pm when the temperatures begin to drop. Most nights they are outside playing very loud games of tag with our neighbor Diya. Monday and Wednesday night Jenn and I head to aerobics. We're the only mzungus (white people) there and this white girl has white girl rhythm...so I do a fair about of laughing at myself. I haven't been able to get too many runs in, so aerobics is a great alternative.<br />
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The sun rises every morning around 4:30/5:00 and sets every evening around 6:00. Our average temperature is near 90. This is suppose to be the rainy season; however the rains have not begun yet. The rains are about a month late and many Malawians are beginning to worry about a drought. The President has called for all churches and Christians to pray and fast this weekend, asking God to send the rains. I wonder if President Obama would ever call the nation to prayer and fasting???<br />
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This week there was some sort of explosion at a power plant. The result: more frequent power cuts and water cuts. We went without water for a couple of days. I didn't know about the water cuts on Tuesday and accidently drained our reserve tank doing laundry. Luckily we had plenty of drinking water in the fridge. Wednesday night the water came back on and we filled every bucket and pitcher we had. Our reserve tank if full again as well. Not sure if the water we are getting is from our tank or from the city, so we continue to use it sparingly.<br />
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Water is life. I've never really thought about how much water I use/waste until now. It's even more glaring when I think about the lack of rain. Many if not most Malawians depend on farming for food and income. No rain means so much suffering. No rain means no power because most of Malawi's power is generated from a damn on the Shire River. Please join us, and the nation of Malawi as we pray for rain. <br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10055043233994526704noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8956802949523060196.post-82300288653182981382014-11-25T10:57:00.001-08:002014-11-25T10:57:43.065-08:00First day at a new schoolThe kids started school at African Bible College Christian Academy (ABCCA) on Monday. After two weeks of running all over town with mom and dad trying to set up a new house in a new country the kids were definitely ready to get into a routine and have something of meaning to call their own. All four kids have great teachers. Jack's teacher is the mother of Charlie's teacher. Jessie's teacher worked in Dzaleka last year setting up the special needs program in the camp. Casey's teacher is in her second year at ABCCA. <br />
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All four kids start their school day at 7:15. So the kids are up and out of bed by 6 am. We leave for school around 7 am. Jessie gets out of school at 12:00. Charlie gets out at 12:30. Casey gets out at 1:00. Jack gets out at 1:30. So we need to figure out a system for pick up. A lot of the ABC families have after school activities and their children just stay and play and run around. Monday Steve and I arrived early to get Jessie. Today we decided that waiting around at the school for 1 1/2 hours was not the best use of our time. So we gathered Jessie and Charlie and went home. Steve helped them with lunch and homework while I went back for Casey and Jack. Casey and I worked on our homework. (I am trying to learn Chichewa). This seems to be an alright system, other than it wastes some gas. We'll have to decide what is more valuable...our time or fuel.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charlie's classroom</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jessie's playground</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lower elementary corridor </td></tr>
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We have a language helper that comes to the house at 2:00 every week day to help us learn Chichewa. Her name is Jacinta. She is Malawian, of Portuguese decent. She can speak English perfectly, as well as Chichewa and Portuguese. She also attends Capital City Baptist Church in Lilongwe, the same church we have been worshiping at. We are thankful for the time Jacinta takes with us, especially while the kids are milling about after school. <br />
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We have slowly started integrating ourselves into work. Steve is busy building shelves and planning for an "office remodel" as There is Hope is adding 3 new staff people and potentially more. I have been helping with Kibebe projects. This Saturday I plan to bring the Kibebe books, shopping bags, picnic blankets, Christmas stockings, Christmas cards, and Christmas oraments to a Farmers Market in town. This will be our first go at this type of venue. I may even have a chance to teach Sunday School next Sunday at a refugee church here in town. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shopping for school supplies with our friend and neighbor Diya</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanging out with Uncle Inno at the church picnic</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Church picnic</td></tr>
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The other exciting bit of information is Thanksgiving. Many of you are planning a big spread, and so are we. We will celebrate Thanksgiving with the Torngas and Magambis on Saturday. Our menu is as close to traditional as we can be: Chicken and ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, rolls, green beans, veggie tray, pumpkin pie, apple crisp, and ice cream. It will be a feast for sure. We'll miss our family and friends in Michigan! But not the snow, cold, and black Friday mayhem. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10055043233994526704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8956802949523060196.post-67801919428696953982014-11-23T06:05:00.000-08:002014-11-23T06:05:38.182-08:00Dzaleka Camp Tumaini Festival<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We had the opportunity to go to the first annual Dzaleka Camp Tumaini Festival today. What a fantastic event full of many talented artists. Our favorite was the Burundian Drummers. Enjoy the pictures.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10055043233994526704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8956802949523060196.post-13371825168152116122014-11-11T23:52:00.002-08:002014-11-11T23:52:36.814-08:00Wonderful Send-off and Safe TravelsAfter selling the house, giving away and selling most all of our worldly goods, we move into my parents house for our final week in Hudsonville. They were very gracious and let the shoes pile up the door, the toys scatter from one end of the house to the other, and our luggage stacked up to the ceiling.<br />
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On November 5 we finished our packing: 14 suitcase/totes, 6 carry-on bags, and 6 backpacks. (Yes, 26 bags in all, it took 3 vehicles to get us to the airport.)</div>
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It was great to have so many of our family and friends come to the airport to see us off. It was great to eat one last meal together and share some laughter and some tears. </div>
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We arrived in Malawi on Friday November 7. All of our bags made it with us Praise God! The travel was flawless...except 2 of the 4 kids loss their lunch due to turbulence.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10055043233994526704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8956802949523060196.post-45207712273153152412014-10-15T07:05:00.000-07:002014-10-15T07:05:15.924-07:00Rocking the BoatWe are just 3 weeks away from moving to Malawi. Hard to believe. <br />
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Just this week I met with a friend who shared a bit of a sermon he had just heard and it resonated with me.<br />
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Thinking about how Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water. When he got out of the boat the boat was rocked. What did the other disciples do? think? how were they changed?<br />
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When Jesus called Peter and Andrew, James and John they were in a boat. They left their family fishing boats for follow Jesus. They left one boat for a new one. But have you ever thought about the boat they left. They rocked a their father's boat. How did leaving the family business effect their fathers, mothers, bothers?<br />
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I've been struggling with knowing how to leave our life in Hudsonville (our boat) for our new life in Malawi without causing too much pain. We are leaving very dear family and close friends here as we step out of the boat and walk by faith to our new boat.<br />
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A little rocking of the boat is good. It wakes people up, makes us take inventory of what is important. I just don't want to capsize anyone. <br />
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Steve and I were chatting during a run and he asked how I was doing watching other people fill the positions I've left. I am so happy to see Mindy Jeltema doing a fabulous job with the Children and Worship Program at church. I am blessed to have my dear friend Brandi VanHouten lead the Mom's in Prayer group for Park Elementary. My getting out of these boats has made room for two terrific women to step in and breath new life into these areas. <br />
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It is my prayer that we will rock your boat just a little bit when we leave. Look around, evaluate what God is doing around you. Is he asking you to change positions in the boat? Or does he want you to take the step and leave the boat you're in?<br />
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Please join us Sunday Novemember 2nd at Fellowship Reformed Church in Hudsonville. Worship begins at 6:00 pm, and we will have a time of fellowship together following the service at 7:00pm. This will be a chance to say "see you later" because we don't want to say good bye.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10055043233994526704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8956802949523060196.post-32197246506134735512014-08-18T11:22:00.000-07:002014-08-18T11:22:13.601-07:00Benefit Concert - Beyond All ExpectationsMonths of planning and preparations went in to the Benefit Concert held on August 8. It all started when Holly Placzek offered to host a barn sale for us at their Allendale home. About a week later Holly approached us to say she was still willing to host the sale, but she had an even better idea. A concert.<br />
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Holly and her husband Drew are both very talented musicians. Drew is the worship leader at our home church, Fellowship Reformed, and he was recruited to help Holly with the planning and organizing. <br />
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Together Drew and Holly put together an amazing event. None of us had any idea what to expect from a benefit concert on a Friday night in the middle of the summer. Holly was hoping for a standing room only crowd, I was hoping she wouldn't be disappointed. I have no idea how many people actually showed up for the concert, it was a great turnout, but not standing room only. It didn't matter. The variety of music was perfect. The performers were talented and generous with their time. <br />
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To date more that $13,000 was raised by the concert for the work we will be doing in Malawi with There is Hope. We don't know how to begin to thank everyone involved!<br />
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Thank you to Holly and Drew who faithfully followed the Holy Spirit's leading and took up the challenge to organize the Benefit Concert. <br />
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Thank you to all the musicians who gave of their time and talents!<br />
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Thank you to Fellowship Reformed Church for hosting the concert.<br />
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Thank you to everyone who came out and gave so generously.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Our greatest needs continue to be for prayer support, and monthly supporters. We cannot do this without you. You are as much a part of this ministry as we are.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;">Please pray for the kids as they will begin school here in just a couple of weeks. Their lives continue to be uncertain, not knowing when we will be leaving for Malawi.</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">Please pray that God will continue to raise up financial partners who are able to give on a monthly or annual basis. We are at 85% of our monthly funding goal. We must have 100% pledge before we can purchase our plane tickets.</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">Please pray that housing would become available for us in Lilongwe near our There is Hope teammates. </span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">Please pray for the right family or individual to rent our house here in Hudsonville.</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">Please pray for Steve and I as we take an online language learning class September 15 - October 3.</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">Pray for the family and friends we will be leaving behind as this is a transition time for all of us.</span><br />
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Join our partnership teams at: <a href="https://www.iteams.us/give">https://www.iteams.us/give</a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10055043233994526704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8956802949523060196.post-58232001903237852132014-08-02T16:02:00.000-07:002014-08-02T16:02:27.132-07:00There is Hope Malawi - Palmbos Family Benefit Concert<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">There is Hope Malawi - Palmbos Family Benefit Concert</span></h2>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Friday August 8, 7 PM</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: black;">Fellowship Reformed Church</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">6610 36th Ave</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">Hudsonville</span></div>
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No tickets necessary. Free will offering will be taken.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jordan Nederveld </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carolyn Biezunski and Carrie Holstege</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvBmoo_J4revHPWJlfTn4OvViE0s41THIoqwDcxETHB4BAiFRj3arieNNLRLYipOCDOPz3rWFA-DyI7oW_LZr505psI_4nW9GFPbWbRfNoyRaeKWtHJL3p3h-xXMyWe19r_2lpuRGbLgE/s1600/Drew+&+Holly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvBmoo_J4revHPWJlfTn4OvViE0s41THIoqwDcxETHB4BAiFRj3arieNNLRLYipOCDOPz3rWFA-DyI7oW_LZr505psI_4nW9GFPbWbRfNoyRaeKWtHJL3p3h-xXMyWe19r_2lpuRGbLgE/s1600/Drew+&+Holly.jpg" height="320" width="255" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drew and Holly Placzek</td></tr>
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A fantastic night of music and fellowship is planned for you to enjoy:</div>
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Jazz, Rock, Southern Gospel, and Spirituals. </div>
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Come out and enjoy the music. Meet the Palmbos Family.</div>
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Hear what God is doing in the lives of refugees in Malawi. </div>
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Partner with the Palmbos Family and International Teams USA.</div>
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To give online <a href="https://www.iteams.us/give">https://www.iteams.us/give</a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10055043233994526704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8956802949523060196.post-65885777728196548032014-07-28T19:17:00.001-07:002014-07-28T19:17:52.521-07:00TrainingWe've just spent 3 weeks in Elgin Il. with the staff of International Teams USA and 11 other trainees. It was an amazing 3 weeks. The kids had the opportunity to meet other kids embarking on a similar journey. They also had the opportunity to meet and interact with kids who have already lived out the "missionary kid" life. <br />
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Last week Wednesday night we had a group dinner at the home of Brad and Sandi Miller. Brad is the ITeams Discipleship Catalyst. He and Sandi spent 13ish years serving in Quito Ecuador with their two daughters, Sarah and Hannah. Sarah and Hannah were about the age of our kids when they moved to Ecuador. <br />
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Before the kids were dismissed from dinner to watch a movie Brad gathered them all around and showed them a picture of his family in Ecuador when they had first arrived. When they stopped giggling about the "young" Brad, the kids were all ears. Brad spoke life and truth into them. He encouraged them to embrace the call God has for our family. The "call" isn't just for mom and dad. We are a family "on mission". THANK YOU BRAD!<br />
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Week 2 of our training was probably the best, and the hardest. Soul care was the focus of the week. We spent time creating life maps. We laid our life out on post-it notes. We wrote down the people, places, things, events, verses, and ah-ha moments that have shaped our lives. We asked the tough questions about which of those things had negatively impacted us? What bitterness, hurt, pain, or unforgiveness were still in our souls? And what did we need to bring Jesus to be transformed?<br />
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ITeams is all about seeing lives and communities transformed by the power of Christ. It was a powerful week, recognizing that Christ has also transformed my life.<br />
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Last Friday all of our efforts came together as we presented our life maps to the staff and training group. Every life map was as different as the individual presenting it. Here is a glimpse at ours. I am guessing you can figure out whose is whose.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10055043233994526704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8956802949523060196.post-47140630615244339612014-07-14T05:45:00.000-07:002014-07-14T05:45:02.865-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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One of our assignments for Access Training was to interview an immigrant preferably from the area we are going to serve. We were supposed to ask them questions related to what they experienced when they moved here, because we will most likely experience the same things when we move to Malawi. Where and how do we find someone like this in West Michigan? April came across a Facebook page for an organization called Thrive. Thrive assists, equips, and walks along side resettled refugees until they can function and thrive on their own. The 3 month "grace period" for these people to figure out their new way of life isn't nearly enough, so Thrive walks them through a 5 year program. April sent them a message, and it didn't take long for their representative, David, to give us a call. David explained that their church, South Wyoming United Methodist, started this ministry, and now worships with nearly 40 refugees each Sunday. After explaining what we are planning to do, David invited us to worship with them and stay after for classes and fellowship. On June 22 we joined SWUMC for worship. As we walked up to the church that morning, I was frustrated that the woman in front of us was taking her sweet time as she made her way to the door. It would have been rude to pass her, so we slowed down and followed her in. Shortly after entering the building, David came and introduced himself to us and immediately introduced us to a refugee couple, Charles and Monica. Monica happened to be the woman we followed in. They were happy to meet us and began telling us in broken english how they came to America from a refugee camp in Tanzania just North of Malawi. As we shared our story, their faces lit up when we told them about our move to Malawi. When we mentioned that we will be working in Dzaleka Refugee Camp, Monica just about started crying, and explained that their daughter and 3 grandchildren live in the camp. They were so excited at the possibility of us finding her, and weren't going to let us leave until we had every last bit of contact information they could think of. This was already way more than completing an assignment. After the church service we were able to meet more people from the camp in Tanzania, and sit in on the refugee youth choir rehearsal. What a great experience. We experienced another part of Africa that day, and it was only 15 minutes from home. We plan to visit them again soon, and are excited to spend time with our new friends. This is a growing ministry with lots of needs. If this sounds interesting to you, let us know. Or you can go to the Thrive Facebook page to learn more.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10055043233994526704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8956802949523060196.post-11286490319257233192014-06-21T13:39:00.000-07:002014-06-21T13:39:13.415-07:00Fellowship Reformed VBS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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The 3rd week in June is ALWAYS a great week, and usually the highlight of the summer. For the past 11 years I have been involved with Fellowship's VBS is one way or another. But this year was extra special. The education team chose "us" to be the VBS mission this year. The children were challenged to raise $3000 toward the work we will be doing with International Teams and There is Hope Malawi. <br />
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We heard stories of boys and girls who raided their piggy banks, taking out the $5, $10, and even $20 bills to put in the offering buckets. One grandmother shared that her grandkids had been selling firewood to earn money this summer, and they took their earnings and placed it in the bucket. Many boys and girls did extra chores around the house just to earn $ to bring in. At the end of Wednesday the giving total was just over $1800. You can imagine our surprise when at the celebration event Thursday night Vicki announced the grand total...$5,097.97. WOW!<br />
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A special "thank you" to Vicki, Pastor Shawn, Pastor Mike, and Pastor Jeremy who encouraged the kids with a friendly competition between the boys and the girls. And an extra special "thank you" to Pastor Jeremy and Professor NoClue for taking a pie in the face.<br />
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So where are we at now? We are preparing for our last leg of training with International Teams. The entire family heads to Elgin July 6 - 25. In September Steve and I will take a language acquisition course online through Wheaton College. Once the training and language class are complete the only thing holding us back will be our funding. Currently we are at 63% of our total monthly funding. We are continuing to contact individuals, churches and businesses in hopes of making partnerships for the work we will be doing. Our greatest need right now if for monthly and annual supporters. You can give on line at <a href="http://www.iteams.us/give,">www.iteams.us/give,</a> please be sure to include our name when making a donation. Thank you!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Save the Date:</span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There is Hope Malawi - Palmbos Family Benefit Concert</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Friday August 8 7 PM</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Fellowship Reformed Church</span></div>
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A night of great music with many different local artist and a variety of music to suit everyone's taste. A love offering will be taken.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10055043233994526704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8956802949523060196.post-50705134919365515392014-04-14T12:25:00.001-07:002014-04-14T12:25:54.442-07:00Blown away by the Park Elementary CommunityLast month I shared that Casey's 3rd grade class was making and selling greeting cards as their spring service project. I am so excited to tell you that the 3rd graders at Park Elementary sold over 700 cards, and raised over $700. CAN YOU EVEN BELIEVE IT? <br />
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The kids got together after school on a Tuesday afternoon, and in 1 1/2 hours they cranked out the cards.<br />
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Amazing!<br />
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As a group they decided that the money they earned would go to the Ministry of Hope Crisis Nursery in Lilongwe, Malawi. The Crisis Nursery was definitely our kids favorite part of living in Malawi last summer. We visited the nursery a couple of afternoons a week and play with the children. Casey hasn't stopped talking about her special friend Tionga. Casey even wrote a special report for her class about the Crisis Nursery.<br />
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You can learn more about Ministry of Hope and the Crisis Nursery at <u><a href="http://minisryofhope.org/">minisryofhope.org</a></u><br />
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Charlie's 1st grade class also decided to make Malawi the focus of their spring "give back" event. They held a read-a-thon the Wednesday before spring break. After asking their family and friends to sponsor them, they read over 2 1/2 hours and had special guest readers. Donations continued to come in over spring break, and this morning Mrs. Hossink's class surprised us with the grand total....<br />
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Drum roll please..............................................................................................$976<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mrs. Hossink's first graders are sending the $ they raised to There is Hope to help purchase playground equipment and garden supplies.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Thank you so much Mrs. Gitler and Mrs. Hossink for taking the time to plan these special events! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Thank you Park Elementary for showing your love and support for Malawi and for our family!</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10055043233994526704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8956802949523060196.post-11575896008413922712014-03-11T16:32:00.000-07:002014-03-11T16:32:20.022-07:00Park Pride<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuKCTGFMyzg8FXVM7a6yesWAABI6ggnv-kexaTGFFI7rZgnHxK1z12Ys548MSXM1cdKGzUlDV4uL7vctP2oCO-UYGV_ADUZjunvBOmgWvQ0sxmklkz80MQxz61TgSsHmbAn5Os0-Riurk/s1600/imagesCADVJ85F.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuKCTGFMyzg8FXVM7a6yesWAABI6ggnv-kexaTGFFI7rZgnHxK1z12Ys548MSXM1cdKGzUlDV4uL7vctP2oCO-UYGV_ADUZjunvBOmgWvQ0sxmklkz80MQxz61TgSsHmbAn5Os0-Riurk/s1600/imagesCADVJ85F.jpg" height="113" width="200" /></a>This spring Casey's teacher, Mrs. Gitler, has chosen to make There is Hope their class project. The 3rd graders in Mrs. Gitler's class are taking orders for handmade greeting cards they will be making on April 1. <br />
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All money raised will go directly to support There is Hope. You can get more information about There is Hope at <a href="https://www.blogger.com/www.thereishopemalawi.org">https:www.thereishopemalawi.org</a> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6xcsxPWgXVyi8fvBcEaSDl4Pwf_lE3OCBcxFPOAWfTSkV0a1Ol3fsMNNqq-k-PmpFkMCXK9gq7rbEt5Fk9TmeMkKi_ODO3PymvIIdMEDw1xg_TK7e2e0lvQOMTV6crOnTc04k5ApquLA/s1600/imagesCAIR6SWM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6xcsxPWgXVyi8fvBcEaSDl4Pwf_lE3OCBcxFPOAWfTSkV0a1Ol3fsMNNqq-k-PmpFkMCXK9gq7rbEt5Fk9TmeMkKi_ODO3PymvIIdMEDw1xg_TK7e2e0lvQOMTV6crOnTc04k5ApquLA/s1600/imagesCAIR6SWM.jpg" height="155" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdcTsQLoGMtqhTU-c6w73CmbXXCepylT5y_7p_Vi_niTSqWpSl_Au__etzdBSjn2DwMtVxDaNtWLXjfF_jrqX-0ic6GrOG8UVeodmO47YnJ6mXgBJpqIB3h8y4nN-i0fX2_SXUa4sr6_Q/s1600/imagesCAQMQJ95.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdcTsQLoGMtqhTU-c6w73CmbXXCepylT5y_7p_Vi_niTSqWpSl_Au__etzdBSjn2DwMtVxDaNtWLXjfF_jrqX-0ic6GrOG8UVeodmO47YnJ6mXgBJpqIB3h8y4nN-i0fX2_SXUa4sr6_Q/s1600/imagesCAQMQJ95.jpg" height="200" width="140" /></a>You can purchase:<br />
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Christmas Card Pack ($5): An assortment of 5 homemade Christmas cards.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtAwIS0zlDLrAO2A_bBP_XWakxeKHpEUBHGex9uvh4JCrntax0s1k8kejIZXtZ6kfrEVnM-cJ8jxjit6Q1bOs18di25ESgIDcFVrdIxOv5wLJiyaSzRK6mJ0Up76EXY_uLKGtj3YwSAF4/s1600/imagesCAOX3PGP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtAwIS0zlDLrAO2A_bBP_XWakxeKHpEUBHGex9uvh4JCrntax0s1k8kejIZXtZ6kfrEVnM-cJ8jxjit6Q1bOs18di25ESgIDcFVrdIxOv5wLJiyaSzRK6mJ0Up76EXY_uLKGtj3YwSAF4/s1600/imagesCAOX3PGP.jpg" height="200" width="175" /></a><br />
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Birthday Card Pack ($5): An assortment of birthday themed cards.<br />
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Thank You Card 5 Pack ($5)<br />
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Assortment Pack of 5 cards - Christmas, Valentine's Day, Birthday, Thank You, Thinking of you. ($5)<br />
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Note Card 5 pack ($5) - Choose the letter monogram you would like on the front.<br />
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* Please note that card designs will vary from pictures...But you will love them!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10055043233994526704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8956802949523060196.post-49069504570269386332014-02-28T10:19:00.001-08:002014-03-11T15:30:19.320-07:00Be still<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It seems to me like it has been a LONG, COLD winter. I've been reminding myself that it's only February. Well, tomorrow is March and this LONG, COLD winter doesn't seem to want to loosen it's grip. I am temped to jump on the bandwagon and grumble about it, but instead I have chosen to look at what God might be doing. What great reason does he have for all this snow and the cold? There has to be something unbelievable coming!<br />
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The phrase "Be Still" comes to mind. I've been forced to slow down and be still. It's difficult to get busy when it's so cold, the roads are bad, and the kids are home from school for another snow day. What wonderful blessings come from "Being Still."<br />
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="color: black;">Exodus 14:14</span> "<span style="color: black;">The Lord will fight for you; you need only be still."</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="color: black;">I Samuel 12:16</span> "<span style="color: black;">Now then</span>, <span style="color: black;">stand still and see this great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes!"</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: black;">Psalm 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">Zechariah 2:13 "Be still before the Lord, all mankind, because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling."</span></span><br />
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What is it that has you and me busy? What is it that has us worried and running around? We need only to "Be Still". God himself will fight for us; He will do great things before our eyes; We will see him exalted among the nations; He will rouse himself from his holy dwelling. <br />
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So, instead of complaining about the long, cold winter, or facing a mountain of fundraising with fear and dread, I am stepping back, trying to Be Still and let God come through like only he can. And let me tell you, he has already begun!<br />
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<span style="background-color: #f1c232; color: #38761d;"></span><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10055043233994526704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8956802949523060196.post-38716846687747238182014-01-11T11:42:00.002-08:002014-01-11T11:42:49.244-08:00What's NextIt's been a while since we had much to say. Big changes are in the wind here, so I thought I would let you know what God has been doing.<br />
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Steve and I just returned from Orientation at International Teams (ITeams). What a great week, but boy has it been a long time (14 years for me, even longer for Steve) since we have sat in a classroom all day long.<br />
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How did we end up at orientation you wonder? Well, when we returned from Malawi back in August it was a difficult re-entry in to life as we knew it. I dare say depression set in. We knew in our hearts that God was calling us to something more. I should have been excited, it is what I thought I wanted. Then I began to think of all we would miss here if we moved to Malawi. Jessie wouldn't have Mrs. Horn for kindergarten with Jaida. Casey wouldn't be in Miss. Uthe's class next year. Christmas and summer vacations, the list goes on. <br />
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We talked about our trip and about the possibility of going back with our family and friends. We were all talk and no action. Then in October, during a Mom's in Prayer meeting, Missy VB asked me where we were with our decision about Malawi. Embarrassed I had to admit we hadn't taken any action. That Sunday night, the Holy Spirit spoke to John Nauta and Linda Cook. John found Steve and told him he had to go to Malawi and not look back. Linda was having a similar conversation with me. Coincidence? No! When we walked in the door following church I checked my email. Wouldn't you know it. An email from Mark Foshager at ITeams. Okay God, we hear you. <br />
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The next day Steve and I began filling out the Next Step application for ITeams. It's been a whirlwind of paperwork and interviews, trying to make deadlines....and on December 23 we were offered conditional employment. <br />
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So what's next? We have to finish up our budget. We begin fundraising. Language acquisition school, 3 more weeks of in house training, lots of homework assignments....it's all a bit overwhelming. I really wish we could just fast forward, jump on a plane and begin ministry in Malawi. But, alas, that would leave you out of the process. <br />
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We need you! We need your prayers! We need your words of encouragement. We need you to come with us. I know most of you will never walk in Malawi with us, but we would love to have you! If flying over the Atlantic in not in the cards, you're not off the hook. The children in the villages need you. The churches in Dzaleka need you. The students seeking scholarships need you. <br />
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We wish to see everyone in Dzaleka and the surrounding villages have access to </div>
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FOOD FREEDOM and FORGIVENESS</div>
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Ask us how you can get involved</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10055043233994526704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8956802949523060196.post-13665358666492445932013-08-14T13:21:00.001-07:002013-08-14T13:21:36.483-07:00Water FiltersSo many of you already know that Jack's 4th grade class chose to make our trip to Malawi the focus of their spring service project. Ms. Uthe and her class decided to sell flower pots to raise money for water filters. As a class they developed a business plan, pot designs, and set a goal of selling enough flower pots to buy 3 water filters. The class really got excited about this project and sold over 100 flower pots, raising enough $$ for 10 water filters! Truly a blessing!<br />
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The day the class painted the pots we arranged for Lou Haveman, the Sawyer Filter salesman, to give a clean water demonstration. The kids walked from school over to Hughes Park to find the dirty water we "planted." With Mr. Haveman's water filter the kids were able to drink our neighbors green pool water right there on the spot.<br />
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It's now August and 4 of those filters have been given to the Tsandule Early Childhood Center in Dowa, Malawi. This center services 5 villages, and has about 120 preschool students in attendance every morning. The water filters will allow the children and the surrounding villages to have clean water. No longer will diarrhea be a way of life for them. They will enjoy health and clean water all because 4th graders in Hudsonville Michigan took the time to care about others; friends they may never meet.<br />
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THANK YOU MS. UTHE'S CLASS! AND THE PARK ELEMENTARY FAMILY! <br />
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The rest of the water filters will be distributed to 3 other early childhood centers in the Dowa District.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10055043233994526704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8956802949523060196.post-42482669756282146702013-08-14T00:20:00.002-07:002013-08-14T00:20:41.002-07:00Last DayI can't hardly believe today is our last day here in Malawi. Seven weeks have flown by so quickly. We're not ready to come home yet. (Jack just wants to get on the plane and go, no more of this packing and living in anticipation of leaving....if we have to leave, let's just go...)<br />
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Yesterday Steve was able to go to the building site and check on progress. He was also able to say his "good byes" to the workers and Patron. Dad and the boys continued to work on hanging the drywall in the office.<br />
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Today Dad and Steve hope to complete the drywall and trim work at the office, and still have time for one last trip to the Crisis Nursery.<br />
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This has been an amazing adventure. Thank you to all of you who have supported us both financially and through prayer. We are so blessed!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10055043233994526704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8956802949523060196.post-56386374514972446292013-08-07T00:23:00.000-07:002013-08-07T00:23:26.870-07:00Grandpa arrives in MalawiSaturday we welcomed my dad to Malawi. The kids could hardly contain themselves on the ride to the airport. What we didn't realize was that on Saturdays groups of people use M1 to promote their causes. So what we thought was going to be a 15 minute drive to the airport turned into a 30 minute drive. I started to get nervous about missing Dad's plane landing when we saw all the traffic. Then we discovered the traffic back up was due to a group of Muslim youth asking for money in the middle of M1. Then, not 5 minutes later a Catholic choir was also asking for money. Really, do you need an entire lane of the highway to beg for money on a Saturday? Really? I want to see my Dad... We saw his plane land while we were driving, and we made it to the airport before he made it through customs. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arriving in Lilongwe<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dad's birthday was Friday while he was flying. We made a cake and bought ice cream to celebrate. Happy 65th Dad!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grandpa and the girls working hard at the conference center.</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10055043233994526704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8956802949523060196.post-66159847707339238182013-08-02T00:15:00.001-07:002013-08-02T00:23:06.845-07:00CBO Visit <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The children are practicing their alphabet and numbers.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first room of the two room library. There were books in both English and Chichewa.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">Yesterday's CBO visit went very well. It is amazing the difference between the first CBO and the second. The first had just a tiny building with a grass roof, this one has a large 3 room building, metal roof, and a library. Both CBO's service 5 surrounding villages. This one also works with orphans and those with HIV. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">This time we taught them the song "Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes", and played lots of games. The kids had already showed us that they knew the parts of the body, so it was fun to teach them a song to help them remember. They caught on very quickly.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jump the River</td></tr>
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Before leaving we presented one of the Village Chiefs with </div>
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two soccer balls, and promised to return with water filters from Ms. Uthe's class. Then as we left the teachers sang to us as we drove away. What a great day! Looking forward to bringing the water filters next week!</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10055043233994526704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8956802949523060196.post-33912858907687352002013-07-30T00:34:00.001-07:002013-07-30T04:23:52.773-07:00In Africa there is always room for one moreSomething we notice very early on in our trip is that there is ALWAYS room for one more. In Malawi there is always time for someone, there is always room for someone. Mini-buses are actually like Volkswagen Vans, used as public transportation. Designed to seat 7 or 8 comfortably, these vans are often packed with 12 or 15 people, their suitcases, brooms, firewood, chickens, etc....And they will gladly stop to pick up one more person. We have not ventured into a mini-bus. I wonder if Steve would even fit. But you get the idea, there is always room for one more. <br />
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We drive around in our van, all comfortably buckled in with ample wiggle room, even if the kids don't think so. We've been asked for rides by police officers, nannies at the crisis nursery, and complete strangers. We are pretty stingy with our "rides". When the nannies ask for a ride we are happy to help out, but only as our space allows. I am beginning to feel torn between safety and the idea "there is always room for one more." <br />
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Yesterday as we left the nursery a nanny hollered from the window for a ride. I said sure, not knowing where she was going or who was coming with her. I had all the kids in the back seat double buckled so we would have plenty of room for "one more." Steve told her we only had room for one. So there she and Jen sat, just the two of them in the middle row. Room for at least one more, but in Africa probably two or three.<br />
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Sunday worship in the camp is another example of "room for one more." Benches and chairs are crammed together with just enough room to walk pass, but not really to have sit without your knees in someone else's back. This week at St. Stephen's Catholic Church we were allowed to sit in the benches in the back. This was a rare treat, and most appreciated. All the other weeks we have been ushered right to the front, where everyone can watch us.<br />
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We sat down a couple of minutes before the service began. Steve, Charlie and I in one bench; Jen, Casey and Jessie in the next; and Jack by himself in the next. Every time there was break in the "action" more people would spill into the church from every door. They would carefully look for any sliver of wood on a bench and then claim it as their seat. By the end of the service Jessie was on my lap, Jen and Casey were sharing their bench with a mother and her two children, and Jack was swished between 3 ladies. (These benches are maybe 4 feet long, and between 4 and 6 inches wide.)<br />
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I think we enjoyed this service more than the others for a couple of reasons. The kids liked it because it wasn't as loud, and it was only 2 1/2 hours long instead of 4 hours. I liked it because the people worshiped in pure joy. Their faces shined with joy. They danced and sang unto the Lord, not in a showy way like we have seen at other churches. These brothers and sisters were worshiping the Lord.<br />
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Jen has been working with the youth pastor at St. Stephen's helping him with a letter exchange program. The school aged children of the church work together to write letters in English, and send them to a school in the UK. Sunday following the service we met with some of the students for a letter exchange activity. We played Simon Says to practice simple English commands. They also played their favorite game, Sword Drills. Three teams were formed, a passage was given, and a member from each team raced to see who could find it first and read it in English. Our kids participated, and were even eager to help. They have been shy and reluctant in past activities like this. It was great to see them interacting with kids more comfortably.<br />
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Anyways....I am hoping when we return home we will take with us the idea that there is always time for conversation, and there is always room for one more.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Casey leading a round of Simon Says</td></tr>
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Jack, Casey and Charlie with Francis, the youth minister at St. Stephen's Catholic ChurchAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10055043233994526704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8956802949523060196.post-31501061492268080762013-07-26T01:04:00.002-07:002013-07-26T01:04:47.838-07:00ABC campus<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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African Bible College also has a Primary and Secondary School on their campus, as well as a very nice medical clinic. While the kids played on the playground I took some pictures of their beautiful campus. The pictures below are of the primary school buildings.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10055043233994526704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8956802949523060196.post-18003763594563378632013-07-26T00:48:00.000-07:002013-07-26T00:48:28.827-07:00Building updateSteve received word this morning that the villages have come to an agreement and that building will be able to resume. We now need to wait for the District Commissioner to give an official document. Hopefully we will have proper documentation in hand today or Monday, but we are planning for it to more likely be the end of next week. Steve is really itching to get back to work. It would be great to have things rolling again before Dad gets here next Saturday.<br />
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This week Steve was invited to play volleyball at African Bible College (ABC). ABC has a prison ministry and they organized a game between students and youth inmates. Steve played for an hour or so while the kids and I played on the playground.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKjlCATPTsPLSbwpM4w21I0f6vTuNUSEWetXSLl6Dsd1JN0GRrpqI1vX4Z9C_u3DxwJVWuipQv8tfxM3uItUVh5-EZLqvHGUaX2ScsBtEGIBqbYY3N9acrpEe_DAavHi6SSxWu2mm2Xaw/s1600/DSC02704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKjlCATPTsPLSbwpM4w21I0f6vTuNUSEWetXSLl6Dsd1JN0GRrpqI1vX4Z9C_u3DxwJVWuipQv8tfxM3uItUVh5-EZLqvHGUaX2ScsBtEGIBqbYY3N9acrpEe_DAavHi6SSxWu2mm2Xaw/s320/DSC02704.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10055043233994526704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8956802949523060196.post-7301524406547919402013-07-23T12:13:00.001-07:002013-07-23T12:50:04.609-07:00SafariLast Thursday we set out from Lilongwe with Kiboko Safari Company and headed to Zambia for a 3 night 4 day safari. Thursday was a day of travel and getting familiar with the camp. Our campsite was right on the Luangwa River. We could see hippos and plenty of beautiful birds right out our front door. Monkeys and Baboons ran freely through the camp as well. Our accommodations were tents with cots. Each tent slept two people, but Jake and Jen were each willing to bunk with one of the kids. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHSBC-n5kJARgCJUvuPdMX20BkeNIV7rbGl2B8N8WYBmyFdF9U7tZ3ZQm6SmMno01ODIamE8ARrKdV3h7hb90VhwjPo023hFzOma1AWFddzSLjP9qTibBbC8G1JKf82HJjeSkvs7_jDm4/s1600/IMG_0353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHSBC-n5kJARgCJUvuPdMX20BkeNIV7rbGl2B8N8WYBmyFdF9U7tZ3ZQm6SmMno01ODIamE8ARrKdV3h7hb90VhwjPo023hFzOma1AWFddzSLjP9qTibBbC8G1JKf82HJjeSkvs7_jDm4/s320/IMG_0353.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO2vwsFtIg3P97oS1UxSfZMQ78rwB3ujEg4cm41b6pMuh3UIRae7iSBkuYqj7bE9CFJraHiSJJTQXHItAlvclAP8JpqADttueepnfgnUaGHF4J1mTlOBhWkcYEQAg_hnlpKc48zREID1Q/s1600/IMG_0359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO2vwsFtIg3P97oS1UxSfZMQ78rwB3ujEg4cm41b6pMuh3UIRae7iSBkuYqj7bE9CFJraHiSJJTQXHItAlvclAP8JpqADttueepnfgnUaGHF4J1mTlOBhWkcYEQAg_hnlpKc48zREID1Q/s320/IMG_0359.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thank you Auntie Jen for sharing your tent with Jessie.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4BnH5QicFQ4MUNOdG7mfyZbUetQvKr2FNMxY36gl0bDhnKINUI4klA8Qrdh3dv70RyeLiXYGJ4xJbwZH9Q-m5uJkPMFn9TFN6AKtDD2Sl2E15AzY_ZAk4MEnHllMZuhZGvAvHBOuAQ64/s1600/IMG_0363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4BnH5QicFQ4MUNOdG7mfyZbUetQvKr2FNMxY36gl0bDhnKINUI4klA8Qrdh3dv70RyeLiXYGJ4xJbwZH9Q-m5uJkPMFn9TFN6AKtDD2Sl2E15AzY_ZAk4MEnHllMZuhZGvAvHBOuAQ64/s320/IMG_0363.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Thursday night, just after going to bed a huge bull elephant wandered right into our camp. It choose to snack on the tree right behind Jen and Jessie's tent. Even with all the noise Jessie slept right through the visit. Jen on the other hand was a bit worried the elephant was going to sit on the tent as he kept backing up. He was literally close enough for Jen to reach out and touch if she wanted to. The elephants stopped in every night. Wow! And who knew how loud hippos were. Every night they would "bark" and "howl" all night long. (Camping at Cran Hill has nothing on this experience, sorry guys :) hope you're having fun though)<br />
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Friday morning's wake up call came at 5 am. Breakfast at 5:30 as the sun rose. Our first game drive started at 6 am. Right away, before we even make it to the park we were greeted with giraffes. We saw so many beautiful animals. Impalas, Kudo, Kuku, Bushbuck, Zebra, Crocodiles, a Leopard, Vultures on a giraffe kill, and a pair of Lions. Our first game drive was a total success!<br />
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We had the afternoon to relax and gear up for our first evening game drive. After tea and coffee at 3:30 we loaded up in the Land Rover and got ready to see more. We enjoyed a beautiful sunset on the river. While we stopped for a snack we watched a group of fishermen get ready for a night of fishing. Gondwe, our guide, told us that the river is teeming with crocodiles and that if you fell in and lasted 10 minutes that would be quite something. So Steve and I decided kayaking was probably out of the question. We were really hoping that we would see more lions and spot our first hyena once the sun set, but our night drive was less fruitful than our morning.</div>
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Saturday morning was another early start. More amazing and wonderful animals, but no lions. We were hot on the trail of another leopard, but never got an eye on him. The kids all enjoyed taking turns riding shotgun.</div>
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Our last game drive was probably the best. We were able to see a huge Baobab tree. These are my most favorite trees in the world, simply amazing. If you look really closely you'll see Steve standing in the lower left hand corner. We also saw two 3 leopards, hundreds of Cape Buffalo, and a couple of Hyenas. </div>
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Seeing all of these animals so closely was beyond amazing. Truly God is a creative, loving and awesome God!</div>
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But for me, the best part of the entire safari was the people. We set our from Lilongwe with 7 other tourists. Carolyn is from Maryland, and artist by trade and a fellow Christian. Ella and Thomas were from Norway, and very kind. The MacFarland family is from New Zeeland. Mr. and Mrs. MacFarland are grandparents. They have 2 adopted twin daughters who are married with children and living in the states. The MacFarlands lived in Malawi for several years, and while they were here they adopted Moses and Miriam, now 6 years old, from the Crisis Nursery. </div>
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The staff of Kiboko were also very special people. They treated us like family, answered all of our questions and looked after the kids. Geertje, a 27 year old art therapist from the Netherlands, is working at Kiboko as the camp manager. She took the job in June, and is the only European working in the camp. I really enjoyed talking with her. Her life has been difficult, but her attitude is positive. She is thoughtful and caring. Friday afternoon she took the time to paint the kids faces. Saturday afternoon Geertje and Carolyn were painting and drawing wildlife, but both women welcomed our watchful eyes. They both shared their "real" supplies with the kids without hesitation.</div>
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Throughout our entire stay here in Malawi, meeting the people, sharing life stories; This has been my most favorite experience of all. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10055043233994526704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8956802949523060196.post-25391908734622141372013-07-15T12:56:00.001-07:002013-07-15T12:56:37.571-07:003 Things That Wouldn't Happen In West Michigan1.So the house has 4 door bell type buttons placed in various spots which are actually emergency buttons. There are pickup trucks driving around Lilongwe with SWAT team guys on the back that respond to pushed buttons. Saturday we attended a youth conference in the camp. By lunch the kids were ready to go home. April and the Torngas stayed, and I took them home. After we returned home I heard a knock on the gate. I didn't think much of it, because it is usually somebody looking for work. Then I heard the gate slide open and saw these emergency guys all coming on the property. The first thing I did was ask the kids if anyone had pushed one of those buttons. Jack said, "yah I did. What are those things there for anyway?" I told him to step outside and find out. I must admit my heart was beating a little faster than normal when I stepped outside, but the guys were very gracious and accepted my apologies. We all laughed a little bit and they were on there way.<br />
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2.On my way to the camp today there were police officers stationed very systematically along M1, the main road through Malawi. Police officers in Malawi don't have patrol cars. They just stand along the road, and when they want you to pull over, they step out in front of you and hold up their hand. Today there were a lot more than usual out. I was just on the outskirts of town when an officer motioned for me to pull over. When I did, he greeted me with a good morning and a smile and asked where I was going. I told him I was going to Dowa, the town just past the camp. He told me that was perfect because he needed a ride to the Dowa turn off. What was I supposed to do? I had the boys with me, but I didn't want to mess with an officer. I turns out that the president was traveling that route this morning, and he needed to man his post at the turn off but had no way of getting there. As we talked during our ride, I couldn't help but chuckle inside at what I was actually doing. When I dropped him off, he said he enjoyed our conversation and wanted my cell phone number so we could chat more later. I told him thanks, but I would just look for him along the road. He laughed, we shook hands, and he was on his way.<br />
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3.We arrived at the job site today, and I realized right away that we needed bags of cement which were stored in a room at the camp about a half mile away. The boys, some workers, and myself grabbed some wheelbarrows and went to grab some. On the way back we met some Malawian soldiers who were at a check point on the road. They were curious about the project, so I explained it to them. They wished us a good day, hopped on the back of a pickup already full of people with their road cones, and were off. On the way home, we went through the new check point they had set up. They of course recognized us, and before I knew it, we spent the next 5 minutes chatting about the project, our families, and where we lived. Again we shook hands and were on our way.<br />
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These were 3 abnormal meetings, but as I sit here and reflect on them, these are the things and the people we are here to see and interact with. It was a joy to have met all of these guys.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10055043233994526704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8956802949523060196.post-57238151819965504662013-07-14T11:23:00.000-07:002013-07-14T11:23:04.233-07:00Youth ConfrenceSaturday we were able to tag along with the youth from Capital City Baptist Church in Lilongwe as they spent the day with the youth in Dzaleka. It was a full day of performances by youth from both Lilongwe and Dzaleka; Singing, dancing, drama and games. <br />
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Lunch was also provided - Mandazi (basically a deep fried dinner roll) and coke. Mandazi has to be Steve's favorite Malawian snack. He buys some every time he's in the camp.<br />
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Steve and the kids went home following lunch, and the rest of us stayed to participate in the teaching and group discussions. <br />
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Jake taught a hard hitting lesson about being totally obedient to God in all areas of our lives.<br />
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During small group discussions may of the refugee youth expressed how difficult it is to be totally obedient because of their poverty. They feel their deep, and often desperate physical needs sometimes compromise their obedience to God. Many of the girls talked about prostitution as their only real option to support themselves. How do you even begin to wrap your mind around that? Especially as you see so many young girls in the camp.<br />
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I couldn't help but think how my wealth also gets in the way of my total obedience to God. In my wealth I have become prideful, and self-reliant. I always want more. I am never satisfied with what I have once I see what someone else has. Because of my wealth there is nothing I need that I do not have. I don't "need" God for anything. <br />
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Perhaps that is why Jesus taught us to pray, "give us our <u>daily</u> bread". Father forgive my pride and self-reliance, my half-hearted obedience. <br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10055043233994526704noreply@blogger.com1