How do I summarize this trip? Here we go!Our home team (top-right here) spent three and half weeks in Malawi, partnering in leadership with: African Bible College (ABC - see the magical Mrs. Lisa Kowalski mid-right), Children of the Nations (COTN) and Flood Malawi.
CAMP! The leadership Bible camp for teenage, COTN orphans was a huge success!!! Over 140 campers were blessed with a true “retreat” at the base of beautiful Mt. Chongoni. They experienced four days in a safe place where they could spend their time and energy encountering God in new ways, in fellowship with their peers from different homes and villages, and being poured in to by our camp staff (our team and the national COTN interns).
The theme, “Body of Christ” (1 Corinthians 12:27) was integrated into every facet of camp: from devotionals to worship to workshops to games. We knew that althou
gh we could not come offering answers and relief to every hardship they have or will ever face, we could encourage them in the Truth of the Word: that they Belong and are Loved. These key points were echoed in our Bible-based leadership workshops and evening messages which I had the honor to preach:
COTN was very appreciative of the camp held for their young men and women. They shared their hopes for continuing this ministry in the years to come. We knew it was fun and a break for the kids (and we were hoping it was meaningful), but my heart didn’t realize the true impact God was making until the end. I watched Courtney, my fiance', pray with a 16-year-old girl. The young teen asked God to “keep us (COTN kids) safe and growing strong in Him so that one day we (the COTN teenagers) might be able to put on another camp for young ones.” Amazing!
It was a privilege.
Oh yeah, these people knew how to worship their God:
HEALTH CLINIC: During our last couple of days in Malawi, we created a practical, fun and interactive heath education clinic to several COTN villages. Our goal was to promote healthy habits and disease prevention. It was a fun and memorable time spent in the homes of these hospitable and gracious people!
God showed Himself in powerful ways to me and my team. By His mercy, we knew His strength when we grew weak, His patience when we were anxious, and His compassion when we couldn’t bring ourselves to understand things in this drastically different culture. We saw God’s mighty presence in nature, culture, triumphs, and challenges. He lives through the interaction with our brothers and sisters in Christ. We saw Him in the faces of the children - laughing, singing, and crying out to God in prayer.
Team “Camp Malawi” ready for take-off!
Camp Malawi - Feeling His Joy!
As you can see from our entries, the trip was transformative, beautiful, sad and uplifting. The Body of Christ is worldwide and it is moving.
THANK YOU!!!! The time I spent in Malawi this past summer was an awesome opportunity for service and growth. I’m so thankful to all of you who made it possible for our campers and me to share this experience together! Thank you for your support, financial gifts, and prayer – this would not have happened without you! With your assistance, I am a
Andy
"Riches and Abundance come hypocritically clad in sheep's clothing pretending to be security against anxieties; and they then become the very object of those anxieties." - Soren Kierkegaard
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