Perspective: The value of it

Family picture on Easter Morning

Our yard is beautiful but the majesty of the mountains around us is breathtaking. 

Because of homeschooling and a lack of places to go in general, it can be days without the kids and I leaving our fence. We have a beautiful yard here. Larger than our lot back home, it is nestled and lush with vegetation including my favorite: palm trees! We enjoy watching the monkeys cause trouble and the caterpillars change to butterflies. There are trees strong enough for tire swings and so many new crevices to hide easter eggs!

Wesley on a recent hike up the mountain cross

The only thing lacking from our oasis is a view. When we leave our fence we catch a glimpse of the mountains and they take our breath away. The peaks are tall and rocky and they reflect the sunlight beautifully. Our village sits up high and at certain places along the road you turn a corner and the valley is spread out below and the mountains above.  On a clear day the visibility stretches all the way to lake Malawi. Right now as our summer is ending everything is lush and the farm plots make a quilt of green.

Easter morning worship with other families serving at the hospital

Seeing the mountains when I leave my yard has been a reminder to me not to lose sight of God and his sovereignty. Days here are full of physical chores, we often don't leave the house, Mark is working really hard and the baby cries a lot. Daily we interact with people in new ways that stretch us. Amidst the tasks I am quick to forget the stunning beauty of the place we are living in just as I am quick to forget God is always at work even though I can not see him.  The spectacular mountain is always visible just outside my gate, even though some days I forget that it is there. 

Psalm 19:1-4

The heavens declare the glory of God;

    the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Day after day they pour forth speech;

    night after night they reveal knowledge.

They have no speech, they use no words;

    no sound is heard from them.

Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,

    their words to the ends of the world.

Mom is happy to have all her children together

The two older kids have returned from school for their term break. We joined another RVA family for a week at Lake Malawi. It was a delightful time away from the struggles of life and working. It was our first real break since arriving. While home from break we enjoyed games nights, many late night chats, epic Lego builds and hosting friends.

Greeley and Mark worked on some small projects around the house together with our staff. We asked them both to learn a news kill while on break so Greeley asked to learn how to tile. Clara did some sewing projects with Marcela. She also helped with the younger kids schooling too.

Mark and Wesley have been getting more involved doing rock climbing and this past weekend took a group of the Nkhoma orphanage to a local rock quarry for a day of fun of climbing and repelling. It was a great lesson in learning trust as many of the kids were abandoned out by their families. We had a blast!!!!

The project is moving along but at a snail’s pace, we have encountered many obstacles and bureaucratic steps. We have finally erected a fence and will start site clearing in the next few weeks. Please continue to pray for people’s minds and hearts to change towards as we continue to navigate the political waters.

Mark and his personal assistant work in the office

Our life here in Nkhoma is one of perspective; the good, the bad; the disparity and challenges; the highs and lows. Our environment can change but let us not lose our perspective on what matters most. Our hope in Christ and sharing what He has done for us.

Please continue to pray for our time here and the work God has called us to:

Praise:

• For a wonderful time with Greeley and Clara during the term break

• Our health during the rainy season, no malaria or other sickness thus far

• for the guys who have worked on the project so far have been very helpful and willing to learn

• For our new house as we continue to make it home, it is such a blessing

• for the new adventures as we are able to see more of Malawi

• Marcela and the kids as they seem to be getting better at homeschooling each week

• for those who were able to donate funds to support us during the hunger season; we were able to provide work for over 15 men

Pray:

• for leadership at the hospital to see the path forward as we need to make progress on the foundation works now that the rains have stopped, time is very important

• understanding more of our role in and around the hospital (outside of the surgical center project) the need is big, but the workers are few

• safety as we start working on more dangerous parts of the project with site work and concrete pours

• for Bradley has he is still struggling to sleep and hasn't taken to his nanny very well, he cries a lot when not with Mom or dad

• as we make plans for the next year God would make it clear our direction and path forward