Day 17 of my trip to Africa!

Hard to believe in 5 days I’ll be on my way home. This has been my longest trip, anywhere, and I’m starting to feel a little homesick. Actually, it’s more of an exhausted fatigue. A lot of travel via land, air, and water, almost always hot or at least very warm, and quite a bit of uncertainty.

Trips like this always stretch and strengthen faith. Changes in culture, food, living conditions, language, customs… in addition to airline dramas and economy woes. My original plans included a short layover in Kenya between Uganda and Malawi, but that turned into an eleven-hour layover. And the first leg of my trip home (Malawi to Johannesburg) was canceled by the airline because they stopped service in and out of Malawi (economic concerns). Would have then gone to Germany and then straight to Saint Louis, MO. Those two legs were fine, but they (Travelocity) couldn’t get me to Johannesburg. I cancelled that whole trip and started over, adding an additional day in Malawi. I’m now going to Kenya, to Paris, to Chicago. Then taking a train to Saint Louis. The layover in Chicago was 6 hours, in which time I could have almost driven home and back. I hate flying through Chicago, but it was pretty much the only option. Luckily the train is only about $30, and this will be my first train ride in the states. This will also be my first time in Paris! I have a seven-hour layover and I intend on leaving the airport, catching their train into the city, and enjoying a coffee and pastry in a café with a view of the Eiffel Tower. I mean, why not?!?

After spending 3 weeks in African heat, I welcome the colder temps ahead! Unfortunately, I didn’t bring a jacket or even long sleeves! Guess I’ll have to get a Paris hoodie or something, because O’Hare to Union Station will be painful in a t-shirt!! I left a hoodie with my brother, who would have picked me up at the Saint Louis airport.

Oh, I did get to go on a safari in Uganda! Saw a bunch of cool animals and stuff.

OK, with all that non-mission trip stuff out of the way, here’s the ministries updates!

Uganda was great! I was in Moyo, about 5k (3 miles) from the South Sudan border. Yeah, a little close to some fighting, but safe in the middle of God’s plan and hands. It’s in the bush, which means roughing it. Not camping, but things that are taken for granted at home are not easy to come by. Clean running water, electricity, internet, decent roads, etc. But the people are doing the best they know how. Those apparent inconveniences pale in comparison to lack of food, shelter, and hope. Churches with dirt floors and caving thatch roofs, 1 church met in an open field. Reminders that it’s not about the buildings, but the Gospel and the people. I preached at one service about trust in the Lord, which brings peace. Philippians 4 says to think on things that are true, so what is truth? God on His Throne and the redemption through Jesus. Based on that, we should put our trust in Him because He’s unfailing. Come what may, but He’s still God. Worst case for a believer? We die and enter eternity. Anything else will seem irrelevant in eternity. I also made salvation bracelets with some kids who live in one of the refugee camps. Chaos ensued, of course kids + beads, but it was still a success. We celebrated Thanksgiving with a feast for the community, including traditional African foods (beans, etc.) and turkey, lamb, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie. I got to put together the diplomas for the nursery school graduates from the school my friends started in a village. I took pictures of the kids and designed the certificates, a big help to them, and some of my favorite things to do! I’m planning to design them yearly for them. I was able to build relationships with the servants of God there and I pray we can continue. I captured in video and photos a lot of ministries going on there and will put together something after I get home.

Malawi has been fabulous so far! I am in absolute awe of what God has done since I was here in 2020. In 3.5 years, during a pandemic, this ministry has grown at least 3 times. The land we saw in 2020 that was undeveloped, and a school was a dream and a prayer, is now home to an 8-classroom school, admin building, living space for the headmaster and some staff, and a safe road for the girls to walk to and from the safe home dorms. A new, 2-story, dorm was built with offices on the 1^st floor for the councilors. A chapel was built and almost complete, which will house prayer and praise meetings, along with special events and possibly be rent-able for weddings and such. The gardening has increased, and the 1 cow and dozen pigs of 2020 are now 3 cows and 40+ pigs! A small number of vehicles has grown to an entire fleet, including a new school bus, trucks, cars, and utility type vehicles. The staff has easily tripled as well as double the number of girls in the dorms. All I can do is stand back and think, “Won’t He do it?!” and “How big is my God?!?!” Never underestimate what He will do with a “yes” and a willing heart.

Yes, I’ve had and will have splurges (safari & Paris) on this journey to Africa but seeing what God has done and is doing in these people is the biggest blessing. These are little moments are life changing.

I’m not quite done here in Malawi just yet, but where to next Lord?!

LOVE THE ADVENTURE AND MAKE THE MOST OF (EVEN UNEXPECTED) OPPORTUNITIES! Worries don’t accomplish anything, enjoy the ride & trust God in all things!