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Widows in Mzuzu

“I spent a lot of time thinking today, Mom,” Anna said after our visit with a small widows’ group in Mzuzu.  “I was thinking and praying about ways to help widows and orphans in Malawi.”

Widows in Malawi suffer greatly as they often feel isolated from others, manipulated by their families and desperate to find a way to support themselves and their children.  If they are infected by HIV, they face greater rejection along with the fear of not knowing what will happen to their children in the future.

Mrs. Msiska, our pastor’s wife from the Mzuzu FM church, started meeting with a few widows, most of them HIV positive, encouraging them from God’s Word and teaching some of them how to read.  Rather than waiting for someone to help them, these widows decided to work together to start some small businesses.  They are sewing and knitting products to sell…..even without a sewing machine!  They have saved their money to purchase equipment to start a donut business, hoping to eventually expand their bakery.

It was impressive to see how diligently these women are working to help one another and to hear of their faith in their Father who loves them and defends them.  I am with Anna in asking the Lord what He wants me to do to express His love to them. 

 

2011 Pastors' Wives' Training

We have had a wonderful week with our pastors' wives and women in ministry!  The Lord has accomplished great things for His glory as we studied His Word and worshiped together!

“She opens her hands to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.”—Prov. 31:20

   

    Every day when I am driving around the city, there are some people who walk amongst the cars at the stoplights asking for money or food.  It is rather disheartening to see them.....I can selfishly feel put out by them at times.  But then at other times, I ask myself, “Why do I get to have as much as I want to eat every day?   Why did I grow up with clean water, without a doubt?  Why was I able to get excellent care so that I could walk again after my accident?  Do I deserve these benefits more than others?”  I still can't reconcile that in my mind, actually and I know feeling guilty is not the answer.....I don't even know what the answer is!  But, the other day I saw a man whose legs were severely deformed.  He was sitting on the side of the road with a tiny little girl who was holding an umbrella to shade them from the sun.  I couldn't help wondering what his story was, why his legs were the way they were and if he had been born in the USA or somewhere in Europe, if he would not be that way today?  Who was the little girl and why was she with him? Then, as the light changed, I proceeded on in my car quickly getting distracted with the tasks of my day. 

    But, just recently these same questions and thoughts came to mind again when I heard a story of genuine compassion and mercy.  I had made a trip with two Malawian women a couple of weeks ago to the refugee camp where we have a Free Methodist Church.  The refugee women were sharing about their plan to begin a business to help support one another, to help widows and to care for new refugees arriving to the camp.  Because they have all suffered greatly themselves, they desire to help one another, even though they at times feel like they have little to offer.

    Our pastors’ wives heard the story of what the refugee women were doing and their hearts were deeply touched.  Most of our pastors’ wives struggle to provide for their own families, often not knowing if they will have enough food, enough money for school fees, clothes or medical care.  Yet, their hearts were moved with compassion for their sisters at Dzaleka refugee camp, and they decided to give the money they had raised for their own ministry purposes to help these women!  They considered the suffering of the refugees, the horrors they had experienced, the homes they left behind, greater than their own suffering. 

    The question I am left with is “How can I follow their example of sacrifice and compassion?”

Please, let me see my friend!

I thought this Sunday would be like any other Sunday in Malawi, but a few minutes into our car ride to church yesterday morning proved me wrong when Pastor Magwaza introduced me to his new member of his church.  “Mr. Mbewe was a Muslim, but now he is a follower of Jesus!”  As I asked questions, I discovered that not only is he a follower of Jesus, but his entire family, including his mother and father, have come to know the Lord through his example.  When I asked him why they decided to follow Jesus, he told me it was because they longed for His peace and love…something they had never experienced.

Once we arrived at Tsabango village, I quickly realized that this church had grown significantly since the first time I visited them in 2007.  Before there were only 4 or 5 adults and several children, but now there were about 50 adults present and many, many children.   About 15 children were dedicated to the Lord, 10 people became new members and 23 people were baptized.

“You should stay behind.”  I was told, because the Lilongwe River was too far for me to walk and they were worried about my knee.  But I refused to stay….I couldn’t miss out on the baptisms!  So, we all set out for a long walk, adults, children, grandmothers and all singing the entire way.   While we were standing on rocks to witness the 23 baptisms, I saw a very old woman with a cane, struggling to get down to the water.  “Let me see my friend!” she said as another older woman was being baptized, “Next time it will be me!”  What a beautiful moment it was to see so many people publicly acknowledge their new life in Jesus, young or old! 

Raising Money For Church Roofs

“What are you doing?” I asked Anna and her friend late one night when they were supposed to be sleeping.  “We’ll tell you later, Mom, don’t worry,” said Anna.  The next day, Anna showed me a stack of bookmarks they had made and said, “We’re going to sell them to raise money for church roofs in Malawi.”   She had obviously overheard me talking about this very real and present need for about 15 of our churches here in Malawi (each roof costs about $300-$500).

A few days later, on New Year’s Eve, after I had forgotten about Anna’s business venture, Anna was putting on her hat, gloves and jacket.  “Where are you going?” I asked her.  “I am going out to sell bookmarks, we have got to get some money for church roofs before their buildings fall down from the rains!”  Anna planned to sell each bookmark for 25 cents, so I didn’t expect her to return with much money.  However, she ended up receiving some generous donations and was able to raise over $120!  People were amazed that this 10 year old girl would be so passionate and resourceful.

My daughter once again challenges me to think of others before myself, seek to make a difference in whatever small way possible while trusting in God’s provision!  Anyone else interested in buying bookmarks from Anna?  If so, email me and we will work something out! 

 

Coming to Oregon!

“Anna?!” was all Jonathan (my nephew) could say when he opened the door in Sisters, OR to find Anna standing there. “Anna who?” thought my brother, Paul and sister-in-law, Sharri when they heard him say her name.  We decided to surprise my family with a 3 week Christmas visit to the States last month and they were completely surprised!  In November, I was sensing the need for the girls and I to see family, especially in light of the car accident I had in August here in Malawi.  It truly was a blessing to see them, and they have continued to tell me how glad they are to see that I am doing well physically and emotionally.

The greatest blessing and most exciting thing that happened while I was in the States is that Rob Keranen asked me to marry him on December 22nd!  We met over a year ago in Sisters, Oregon and have been praying and seeking the Lord’s direction in this for the last several months.  The girls are very excited about this new change in our lives and are especially excited to have a new older brother, Mitch! 

I am grateful for how the Lord has continued to heal my heart and brought this amazing man of God into my life.  Things are definitely different than I could have ever imagined!

Please continue to pray for the girls, Mitch, Rob and I as we prepare for our life together!

Ella’s 5th Birthday!

         

It is hard to believe that my “baby” is already 5 years old!  She truly enjoyed celebrating and soaked up all the special attention.  I pray for her to continue to grow in her understanding of the Lord’s faithfulness and love!

Not What I Expected….

On October 28th, Jen Willson and I were planning on traveling to Chilumba (8 hours from here) for our Northern Women’s Conference.  I was especially excited to be reunited with these women, to share my heart with them and to hear from the Lord together.  As we were preparing to leave, I noticed that my leg was a bit swollen.  After driving about two hours, I noticed that the swelling had increase even more, so I called the doctor.  He was concerned about a possible blood clot and asked us to turn around immediately to come to his clinic.  The entire time we were driving, we were praying for the Lord’s protection, hoping that everything would be fine.  Thankfully, after doing an ultrasound of my leg, everything looked healthy and normal, but the doctor asked me to not travel that far.  I was so disappointed to miss out on another opportunity to be with our FM women ( we have had to cancel several ministry events due to health/car issues), asking the Lord “Why am I here then?  Why do I keep facing these obstacles to do what You have called me to do?”

Just a few days before this happened, one of our Malawian pastors’ wives came to tell me that the husband of Pastor Mdazyola was very sick.  Understanding that he had been unwell for a very long time, I decided that it was essential to go and see him.  They live fairly close to us, so I felt that I would be fine to drive over there (this was the first time I had driven without Jen Willson since the accident).  Once I arrived, I discovered that he had experienced stroke symptoms since the previous Sunday.  I asked, “Why did you not call us?  We would have been glad to help!”  She said, “I was worried that you would be tired of all the problems we have been facing as we have gone to the hospital so many times!”  I said, “No!  We love you!  You have been there for me when I have needed you, why would I not do the same for you?”  She said, “I love you too!  We love each other!”  After talking with Jen, I decided to take him to the hospital that afternoon.

Then, the day after Jen and I returned from our attempted trip to the North, Mr. Mdazyola passed away.  Jen, Ryan and I attended the funeral services both here in Lilongwe and in Mr. Mdazyola’s home village.  After a long, exhausting day of mourning and celebrating his life, Jen and I got a few minutes to be with Mrs. Mdazyola.  As we prayed with her and listened to her heart, I remembered how she had done the same for me.  I ached for my friend when she said, “This is the most difficult time in my life.”    Even while she said this, I could see the hope in her eyes….she knows that this world is not our home.

So much has happened in this short time I have spent in Malawi.  Nothing has really been what I expected, but the Lord continues to show me that His ways are higher.  I may not be accomplishing all the “ministry tasks” I set out to do, but I can see His purpose is much greater than the goals or tasks I have in mind.  I am completely humbled to be here and learning to trust in His timing and purpose, rather than trusting in my own gifts or goals.

Lydia Turns Eight!

                                 
 
We had a wonderful day at Lake Malawi celebrating Lydia's 8th birthday.  Lydia said, "It was the best day ever!"  Thank you, Lord, for giving us sweet Lydia!

“..to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.” (Isaiah 61:1)

 

On August 29th, as truckload after truckload, minibus after minibus dropped off hundreds of women for our Free Methodist Women’s Conference in Central Malawi, I was amazed by how much this conference had changed since I first attended in 2007.  In 2007, there were only about 50-75 women in attendance and many churches were not represented, but each year, the numbers continue to grow.   

Throughout the conference, we heard moving testimonies of women being delivered from the darkness of witchcraft, husbands being freed from addiction to alcohol, and families being made whole through the healing love of Jesus. 

On Friday, Jennifer Willson and I “marched” around our neighborhood dressed like our Malawian sisters in white “Kuunika” uniforms.  Afterwards, we spent an hour singing and dancing with our friends in the church.    I looked at some of the pastors’ wives and said in Chichewa “You are laughing!”  They said, “No, we are just very happy.”  I realized in that moment that I was exactly where God wanted me.

The next day, I decided to take Lydia to a classmate’s birthday party. On the way home, as I was turning into the parking lot of a bakery, I suddenly hit a fuel tanker head on.  In the moments after the accident, I immediately thought “Enough is enough.  I can’t take this anymore.”  Lying in a private clinic in Lilongwe, I began to make phone calls to my family.  “I am coming home,” I said, “I can’t risk the safety of my children or take another tragedy.” 

Some of my closest Malawian friends came to visit me in that clinic.  As they gathered around my bed, they each squeezed my hand with tears in their eyes.  Then, they poured out their hearts to me in Chichewa, even though some spoke perfect English.  I listened (and somehow understood) as they reminded me of what I had shared with them two days before.  I had shared Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”  They reminded me that Jesus told his disciples that “in this world you will have trouble” in John 16:33.   They wanted to encourage me not to lose hope or be discouraged but to remain faithful to God’s calling.  I wept as they said these things, knowing that I was leaving them.

In the accident, I suffered a shattered patella (knee cap) and a broken pelvis.  Thankfully, Lydia escaped with cuts and bruises and some whiplash.  After talking to Dr. Perry Janssen, an American doctor practicing in Lilongwe, we decided that I would receive excellent care at CURE International Hospital in Blantyre, Malawi, a hospital specializing in orthopedic care.  On the following Monday, as the nurses were taking me into surgery, Jennifer Willson and I were crying, asking “Why did this happen?  Why has my time here been cut short once again?”

Several days after the surgery, a couple of close friends confronted me about my return to the states.   They desired to respect whatever decision I made, but they sensed that this accident should not be something that would change my call to be in Malawi at this time.  At first, I was angry, thinking, “They just don’t understand!  My family needs stability!”  But, the Holy Spirit softened my heart and I began to pray and seek wisdom.  I reflected back on my thoughts when I was dancing with the women and on the words my Malawian sisters shared with me in the clinic.  I thought about all the times I shared in churches about my call to return to Malawi after Ryan’s death, even though it meant I would serve as a widow with three children!  As I prayed, reflected, wept, and read God’s Word, I knew that I was supposed to remain in Malawi.  God is not finished with the work He has here for me yet!

Will this be difficult?  Absolutely, but I now know that I can receive the care and physical therapy that I need, right in Lilongwe.  I am already walking with crutches and not experiencing much pain.  I have had my brother, Paul, and sister, Julie here to help me and VISA missionary, Stephanie Harris, has just arrived to help as well for as long as we need her.  I also know that I have a fantastic support system of family and friends who are praying for me daily and willing to help in any way possible. 

The Lord has been, is and will be faithful and He is simply asking me to remain faithful to Him.