DAY 10 & 11--- General Secretary Vision and Special Dinner Invite, Youth in Mirror, Nursing School Visit
CEREMONY for Seminary Students, Ebenezer Interviews, We INVITE Dean of Theology School for Dinner
Head of Synod General Secretary VISION* DINNER Invitation to his private home
Written by Byron Wade
On Wed, 29 April, Bobbi, Frank and I met with the CCAP General Secretary and Synod staff for a conversation regarding our ongoing partnership. General Secretary then extended a dinner invitation to our entire team at his private residence which overlooked the beautiful Valley and Nkhoma mountain range that has jutted peaks formed by tectonic plates underground. There were 3 different meats, 3 different salads, and 2 desserts served.
NURSING SCHOOL TOUR AND VISIT WITH ROSE w. the Murphys
Written by Betsy Murphy
John and I visited with the Chief Nursing officer, Rose, of the Nkhoma School of Nursing. She spoke of the challenges of running the nursing school which has over 300 students. The nursing dorms are quite nice but, due to funding shortages, the school no longer provides cooked meals for the students to the effect that they must source food elsewhere or band together to pay someone to cook for them. They often only eat once a day.
The library is also quite nice and has some computers. Due to the cost of textbooks the nurses are increasingly using the internet for their studies. We were able to attend a "skills lab" where students were practicing admitting pregnant women and assessing them. 3 students dressed up as "patients" for this activity and it was fun to watch. On graduation nurses can expect to earn the equivalent of about $380 per month or 700,000 kwacha but salaries increase with experience. Nkhoma Hospital provides scholarships for a number of nurses and it costs about $2200 to complete the 3 year program which includes midwifery in the third year. Nurses are the backbone of the hospital as well as the rural clinics. To become an RN nurses can transition to a university in one of the bigger cities in order to earn their BSN.
YOUTH IN MIRROR and CEREMONY with 5TH YR SEMINARY STUDENTS
Richard K. & Kevin Frederick, a retired pastor from Waldensian Presbyterian, wrote moral education book for Malawi men, couples and youth that discuss how to reflect on what it means to be a person of high moral character, humility and integrity. Discussion about how men should interact with teenage daughters and sons and how to address fears gave these devout students a moment to speak as men on these areas of life. I left the room so the men could discuss. They asked me if my father came to my room at night to pray with me or read Scripture with me. it is a little awkward to explain my belief and personal background, but I did say that my family was diligent about my father arriving in time so that the entire family could pray and eat together. He would assign each daughter to say the prayer day to day.
After our 1st full 8 hours of class, we had a CEREMONY for the male seminary students and their wives as REPRESENTATIVES OF PRESBYTERY OF WNC in which we gifted the 18 students with brand new bikes, blue collared clerical shirts, and tailored dresses for all of the wives to wear at the graduation ceremony. They provided refreshments for us. Special thanks for all those that help provide these gifts to the graduating pastors.
DINNER GUEST - Director of Theological Seminary
Chatha and his wife explained that he himself has 3 daughters one studying in the USA now. They dressed in matching outfits and shared a lot of wisdom and love.\
From Dana Frady, Wednesday, April 28
Pictures are from the morning chapel at the hospital.
Seven am we share together in our joy for Jesus Christ with hospital patients and their guardians, hospital administrators, doctors, nurses, clinical officers, etc. at Nkhoma Hospital chapel service. Byron Wade, our Presbyter offered the sermon challenging us all that we can have knowledge but knowledge is no good in anything we do without love and kindness. Hospital staff must love and show kindness. Our team must show love and kindness in all we do. It is all in vain without love.
We depart and wish our partners well as they serve those at the hospital. Some of our team went to a special workshop regarding health ministry. Others went to prepare for the distribution of the hygiene kits to the 7th grade girls at the public primary school in town.
Crowded by children of all ages. The first words I heard were “picture please, picture, please.” I took their picture and they rushed to my phone to see themselves. They all started giggling and then more and more children crowded around and started posing. The children who attend the public school in town are the poorest of the poor. They come to school in tattered and torn clothing. They look at you longingly. They crowd around you until you almost feel as though you will stumble. But they are all smiling and giggling. The teachers are smiling and the head teacher is joyful and welcome us.
We are escorted to the classroom, where the seventh grade girls are waiting for us. They are sitting on the floor. The headteacher proudly tells me “you notice all the children sit on the floor to learn. There are no desks here. And they learn well.“ The girls are sitting quietly and patiently as nurse Ellen from the hospital begins giving her health talk. The girls listen intently, and call back to her in unison. It’s like a church call and response. The girls become more and more excited as they see us put soap in their hygiene kits and get ready to start handing them out. In love and kindness from all the churches who made the, we start handing out the kits. One of the girls spontaneously starts to sing and the others join in behind her. It is an amazing experience to feel, hear, and see their joy.
On Thursday morning April 29th Ellen saw me walking through the hospital and called out to me. I spent a couple hours sitting with her in the labor and delivery department. Women were walking around with their guardians (the person who is required to come with them). Ellen had some quotes from some of to the students and this is what they had to say:
“Hygiene pads are amazing!! Without these hygiene pads, I could be missing classes, but look now no one knows my menses. I can attend all classes without failing.“
“I can sit in class comfortable without being bothered thanks to our American friends.“
“Previously I used to use a simple cloth folded into. Whenever I feel wet, I could sit in class with fear of soiling my dress. My underwear was always soiled. But look now, I am one of the beneficiaries to get nice panties and hygiene pads. We, Malawi and girls want to appreciate our Partners for taking time to help us, we are needy. We appreciate your love and care and we are in school because of your encouragement and support, no more staying at home when they are in menses.“
Ellen wrote a note for us which in part says “Our humble request is for you to continue helping us till we become Reverend teachers, nurses, doctors and social workers. May God bless you all for choosing us at Nkhoma in Malawi. We love you.“
Before I left the labor and delivery department Ellen brought me to one of the curtained cubicles and asked permission for me to enter. I had the honor to see a woman who had just had her baby within an hour or two. Ellen said the women must bring all their own linens for their hospital bed and to wrap their baby. They allow the baby to rest on mom’s naked chest for the first two hours and then after mom is moved to anti-natal and baby is moved to the nursery. Some mothers who come from poor villages come with nothing and Ellen is always in need of donated cloth and clothing.
Be in prayer for the children receiving pads and for Ellen and the mothers and all those who need and do not have. Take note of their joy even in hardship and go yourself and serve others in love and kindness always!
Dispatch from Julie Adams
DAY 9-University and Palliative Care
7 AM Early AM Worship with Seminary Students at JMTI Seminary
Nkhoma Presbyterian Church to Morning Chapel with 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th year male theological students. Intros/Prayers. Sermon on 2nd Timothy 2:1-13 “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others” — Paul to Timothy we have been employed by Christ, whatever you do as believers you do for Christ and NOT for yourself. We ended with Amazing Grace. “ If we are faithless, He remains faithful for the Divine cannot disown himself”. This was encouragement from Paul to Timothy about how trials and suffering can be overcome.
JOY— Seeing how FULL the morning chapel for a single department the Theological Institute was.
9 AM-5 PM Palliative Care All Day Adventure w Malawi USA reps Frank and Betsy
Reflections from Betsy- Frank and I accompanied the Palliative Care team of Nkhoma Hospital to visit 4 patients located behind Nkhoma Mountain. The team consists of a doctor, nurse, chaplain and social worker and tries to visit all the patients on their patient panel every 1 to 3 months depending on severity of life limiting illness. Given that the price of fuel here in Malawi is astronomical, these visits require a lot of resources and it is not possible to inform patients ahead of time that the team is coming. We found that one patient with advanced liver disease had already died and one patient was not at home. The team brings medication and social and spiritual support to the patient and the family but this program is in peril given the fuel situation in Malawi. We ended up traveling over 100 km over very rough and bumpy roads which made us appreciate how difficult it is for families to travel to the hospital to get health care. There is no public transport in these very rural areas and families must either walk, bicycle or hire motorcycle transport to get to the hospital.
9 AM Meeting with Director of Seminary in Private Office
JOY— Engaging and Lively is the best words to use to describe the JMTI Theological Instiute Director, Chatta, who welcomed us into his office to discuss the Dutch Reformed Tradition from South Africa that started the Christian mission village of Nkhoma and greatly influenced their Reformed tradition, worship content, and theology. This institution requires 5 years of study of the students.
CHALLENGES—Due to scheduling we could not attend theology classes that day, we left for the university tour
10 AM Nkhoma University Tour
Nkhoma University serves the local area and also the larger outlying Synods of Malawi (think of parish which are counties in Louisiana). They have different Departments Business, Education, Theology, Mathematics and IT department and Liberal Arts-social studies. They just started a B.Science in Social Work program which is not yet operational. There are several building requiring roofs and furniture.
JOY—Nkhoma University has a stellar reputation from newly graduated students as compared to other schools. In fact, in first job placements, they write such good proposal, lessons plans and sermons that students from other areas have been attracted to this learning institution. The school has revamped itself to offer services to a larger student population since 2020 the enrollment went from 400 to 1083 almost tripled.
CHALLENGES— NO or LITLE STUDENT HOUSING FOR WOMEN, this vulnerable population has little money for housing during university studies. SEXUAL ABUSE / ASSAULT prevents women from finding safe accommodation during their Bachelor and Masters studies.
Provided by Dana Frady following Monday’s events on Day at Ebenezer school.
Children long for somebody
to accept them,
to love them,
to praise them,
to be proud of them.
Let us bring the child back to the
centre of our care and concern.
This is the only way the world can
survive because our children are
our only hope for the future.
As older people are called to God
only their children can take
their place.
- Mother Theresa
There were smiles everywhere. A smartly dressed girl in school uniform with a short haircut stands up from her desk and says “on behalf of the students and our teachers we would not learn and the teachers would not teach without you. We have furniture and we would write with charcoal if you did not come so we thank you”.
From the kindergarten class to the seventh graders, some shy and some bold, all the students were happy we were there and had questions about America. One student asked Byron if it is true that Americans treat black people badly. A younger student asked if the United States has big companies and inventions like China. We were surprised and yet glad that they had materials on the wall in the third grade glass about why sexual assault is not acceptable and what they should do if this happens. What might happen if we trained all our third graders about sexual assault!
The seventh graders are getting ready to take the district exam and will afterwards take the national exam. They attend school 6 days a week from 6:30am - 4:00pm for three terms (all year). The other students also attend 3 terms but arrive later and leave earlier depending on the grade. When asked, the seventh grade students, the majority of whom had attended school there from kindergarten, stated that the improvements they have seen that have been most important to them have been the bus for field trips, the library, computer lab, resource center (for this with learning disabilities), and learning to speak English.
Dreams of being a surgeon and studying in America, being a journalist and going to Japan, and becoming a soldier to protect his country from those who threaten to invade - various and varied dreams float in front of us. We thanked the children for sharing with us and then we met with the principal and vice principal to discuss the dreams and visions of the school and the financial needs to make those dreams and visions come true. The girls in the higher grades need flushable toilets for hygiene purposes. Currently they have compost toilets.
On another note, the first week we were here and we visited the hospital, the lab only had 5 bags of emergency blood. Blood is almost always needed during surgery on Tuesdays and Thursdays. So five of us went to give blood. As we were checking in the, technician told us Malawi has a rule that people 65 and over cannot donate blood. Three out of five of us are 65 and over!! We were very disappointed but he said he would make an exception! We made a joke and asked him if some of the blood would be labeled “old blood” and the other labeled “young blood”. He looked at us like we were quite literal and answered no and we kept on teasing him about the old blood. Seen in the picture this was Julie’s first time ever giving blood! We all teased her as well giving her little frights while she lay on the gurney. The lab technician told us our bags of blood would be used the next day during surgery as blood is precious usually used immediately.
Nkhoma Presbyterian Church Services 7 AM English & 9:30 Chichewa- Background/History of the Church- The Church of Central Africa Presbyterian – Nkhoma Synod was founded in 1889 and is one of the major Protestant churches in Malawi. The Church consists of 124 congregations and 1,298 prayer houses and serves 800,000 members. The churches meet every two years in a synod. They have adopted the Belgic Confession, Heidelberg Catechism and Canons of Dort as their doctrinal standards. Along with the General Synod of the CCAP, the Nkhoma Synod is a member of the World Communion of Reformed Churches. This Synod runs the Hospital, University, Elementary school and Theological institute in this village
THE Experience- The CCAP church is like many Reformed churches of the USA in that the sanctuary is not elaborate and focuses on the direct experience of the worshipper and believer directly with God. There was only 1 stained glass window in the entrance to the church. Inside wooden pews in 4 sections, two main sections with the left and right-hand sides, then columns on the end which extended out in another area. In the front of the sanctuary a pulpit was perched on the left side for the pastor and below what would be a choir area for us, is where the elders, pastors, and theological students sat. There was a Lord's table in the center of the room
Worship Service-- During the service, the Malawian Former Moderator read the Ten Commandments, the Apostles Creed, Lord's Prayer, we sang 3 traditional American gospel hymns including "Blessed Assurance" , "What a Friend We Have in Jesus", and "Rock of Ages". He introduced Byron Wade to do the sermon on Joshua 1:1-9 which discussed moving forward in confidence in Christ, not looking backwards in life, but forward to what lies ahead. Most important verses in this reading were to me, "As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. " v5 and "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” verse9. He encouraged all in the world, especially the youth, to "go forward" with what God has planned for you.
Joy-- The offering -**YES the OFFERING** it was a time in which the elders in all white men's blazers stood up, danced in unison, and sang "I want praise the Lord, praise the Lord". Lines of around 500 people were formed, row by row, pew by pew, and everyone donates something to the church and efforts to their community and world. The joy around giving was palpable, there was a sense of honor and duty in doing so.
2nd biggest joy was the singing choirs that popped up out of the congregation pews and began singing beautifully with harmonies and even dance movements.
Introductions- We were introduced one by one to the entire congregation. Bobbi White was asked to give a post sermon prayer and Byron Wade also gave a stirring benedicion.
Chichewa Service 9:30 -- We returned to do what we thought would be the same service in their language. But this Sunday was youth Sunday and an eager young man preached on Luke 15 about the Prodigal Son, the wayward son and the loyal one, and how the wayward one was greeted as if he was a lost sheep in flock or the 1 lost coin out of 10 gold coins and the joy that God has for the 1 person that finds joy in living and is not lost in the world but has a sense of purpose and decidation of his life for love. Isn't that what we all would like to be truely seen and loved and have such a strong sense of purpose that we are not preoccupied with FEAR or survival? Byron spoke in his sermon on the first worship service here that FEAR stood for False Evidence Appearing Real. It is often hard to not be consumed by thoughts of worry and even dread. But not all we think is fearful is. Africa does seem out of reach for so many Americans. It is a mysterious and far away land. But I can tell you with all confidence, here in Malawi, the people's hearts here are deeply moved by the Holy Spirit to find joy in each day and to be faithful to the Lord.
A brilliant moment that happened on our safari with the Head Presbyter and Moderator who welcomed us the next day at the Nkhoma Presbyterian church doors was when we had given up hope on seeing any large mammals on our 5 am morning ride, like the "cats" (lions, cheetah, etc) or elephants on land. We all climbed out of the LandRover with 4 foot drops using steps to walk around the bushlands and stretch our legs. We were offered hot tea and cookies for a quick rest and renewal. All lost seemed lost about seeing any large game animals.
Suddenly out of the far, far distance, a herd of 30 elephants just appeared. They marched one by one, two by two, in a solitary line with slow, but gracious and deliberate steps towards the river. Bryan the 6'5" tall also calm and grounded individual who is the Malawian General Secretary in the Synodl, softly but strongly stated, "Truly this is God's providence". I said, "Providence that the elephants are cared for?? or Providence that we saw them?"
We answered, "Both".
Providence is providing for and being provided for. It requires effort, energy and talent, but with all faithfulness and trust in the Divine. Part of providence for this Presbytery is finding out how we might best provide for our brothers and sisters in Christ here in Malawi, with clean water, safe healthcare, and strong education.
We hope you are well and thank you for your support of our team!
Notes provided by Dana Frady…. April 26
I know Julie wrote to you about our trip to Liwonde National Park, I would like to share a few more points as our experience was so rich! First of all, sitting around a candle-lit table after dinner Sunday evening, 2:38 pm your time, we were all laughing that the trip was not 3 hours one way but 6.5 hours through the mountains over roads full of cavernous potholes. When the government rebuilds roads in Malawi as they were doing to the road on our way, they have you drive on very narrow dirt gravel paths along with people riding bicycles and motor bikes and people walking with heavy loads.
It is Sunday April 26th and we spent the day in worship and processing the events of our two-day trip which Bobbi has said may be the most important part of our trip to Malawi. This is when we spend the most time together with the key leaders in our partnerships. The chatter on the bus was lively. People spoke of theology and the different approaches to teaching in Malawi and America. Other topics included the comparison of appointment of pastors to churches and the approach to safety of children in the community.
Important discussions occurred regarding the needs of the synod and the needs of the pastors. The synod post pastors hundreds of miles away in remote villages and rough terrain to bike the entire family. Church members are poor and pastors and their families struggle themselves. So many pastors are dealing with the burdens of caring for their entire extended family, both physically and financially. The synod has recently recognized the need to address mental health concerns of pastors and their wives. There are no adequate pensions for the pastors and many have died and their wives are not cared for. There are so many needs of which we were made aware on this excruciatingly uncomfortable and sometimes painful travel we shared together, both there and back. This was one of the most amazing adventures of our lives. Most of us, including our Malawian brothers and sisters, had never seen elephants or a cheetah in the wild, and we shared that experience together! Having a safari Friday night around 7:30-9:45 pm, we all met again at the lodge at 5:30 am for coffee to go on our morning safari.
Something very striking that I reflected on the way back, even though our trip was rugged, we were quite privileged to use petrol to fuel a bus to drive 6.5 – 7 hours when there were so many vehicles and motor bikes waiting hours upon hours to get fuel. We had fuel in a container on the back of the bus. When we needed to refuel we simply pulled over to the side of the road. And the duration of the journey we passed hundreds and hundreds of people who were walking with heavy loads, even in the darkness.
Join me in praying for the Malawian people. Pray specifically for the Nkhoma Synod that sends pastors to posts hundreds of miles away to very remote villages with rough terrain. Pray that they find ways to sustain their churches. Pray for the relationships we continue to build. Pray that there are solutions to address the mental health needs of the pastors and their families. Pray for us for the remainder of our days in Malawi. We have so much more to do.
One very special note, I twisted my knee getting out of the boat and Agnes ministered to me in the most kind way. Today she came to visit me at our lodge to check on me. Building relationships!
Notes from Julie Adams following events for April 24.
DAY 5 – MALAWI MISSION TRIP – Hospitals, Seminary, Clinics, and Schools.
Ebenezer Elementary School in Nkhoma, Malawi-
It was with the WARMEST welcome that 4 of our team were invited to the morning assembly of Ebenezer Elementary school in Nkhoma, Malawi. The children sang songs, greeted us in English, sang their national anthem, and read to us their school motto, “In God, we learn how to compete at any level”. How touching, strong and powerful. Also their national anthem mentions “Oh God… put down each and every enemy- Hunger, disease and envy”. The concept of envy as an enemy expands my mind as people here have so little yet hold the greatest respect for each other, knowing that envy does not lead to peace. The Vice Principal read some announcements and discipline reminders to the youngest students aged 5-10, “Remember, punctuality is of great importance, and you must participate in life and learning and avoid absenteeism”. We climbed the small red,dirt clay hill back up to the Mbawa Lodge to pack for our trip 3 hours south to the Game Park of Liwonde National Park where lions, elephants, crocodiles, hippos, impalas, and jackals await us…
Road Trip – 3 Hours to Shire River to MVUU Lodge
To build good relationship in our mission partnerships in Malawi, we must spend the time to understand the people, their work, their personal and overall desires for their community in the schools, hospitals, clinics, Presbyterian church, seminary, and universities. Therefore, we loaded up in a caravan with the Vice Chancellor, Head Hospital Administrator, the Nkhoma Hospital CFO, the Presbyterian General Secretary of the Synod, the Presbyters (head of larger area in WNC) past and present, the Head Principal of the elementary school, the Nurse Practitioner for Maternity ward, and Dean of the Theological, 2 retired career missionaries for the PCUSA to Africa, a seminary student, and social worker from the USA to see if we could learn more about life, work, and socializing one culture to another at a national wildlife game park.
YES… that kinda game park….lion, tigers, no bears, OH MY!
We drove 3 hours south, got on boat to cross a river, and landed in a magical resort of thatched roof dining hall and semi-primitive screened huts to begin our adventures.
Sent by Julie Adams, backtracking to events of April 23. DAY 4
Today really exemplified the entire point of this Malawi Mission Trip!!
Mobile Health Clinic for Under 5 and Pregnant Mothers
Distribution of Reusable Cloth Sanitary Pads and Underwear / Health Talks to Middle/H.S. Students
Two completely different mission goals set against varied landscape both in alignment with the heart of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and in Malawi. First one was joining a mobile rural health check up clinic for pregnant mothers and children under 5. The second one was a handout of materials for young girls that need hygiene products as they enter womanhood. “Mobile Rural Health Under 5 Clinic” was in a high-altitude mountain village called Mlele, where only ONCE a month, the hospital sends CNAs and nurses out in the field to support and assess pregnant mothers/young babies/children. The areas are so remote that only motorcycles can transverse them. We arrived in a LandRover over extremely eroded and uneven roads. Describing as a bumpy road would be an understatement. However, we braved the eroded red clay roads up sharp turns gaining elevation, them plummeting down roads, up and down and all around, to finally reaching a place of between 2500 and 3000 ft elevation. The 2nd mission was going out to a local school and distributing pads. This was in a much better and accessible area with pavement. We exhausted all the soap and supplies we had and some girls left (temporarily) empty handed--- even the young and older adult teachers requested a packet for themselves.
We thank you for your support!! Even $3 allows a health consultation. The period packets that churches gave left entire schools overjoyed and young vulnerable girls felt more confident about themselves, their bodies and their future!.
Although things are not easy anywhere on earth, Malawian are having road blocks and cars stranded in on side of road with fuel demand lines with shortages of ½ day or more, even willing to pay all their money for $16 a gallon gas just to survive.
This is written by Anne Provost on the morning of April 24th.
I did not receive a meaty narrative yesterday from the Malawi team, but a short text on WhatsApp from Betsy Murphy which included some pictures. They are all fine but days are exhausting. There is no time to recover from jetlag! Two of the team have succumbed some sort of crud so are laying low for a couple of days.
I attached two pictures from their tour of the hospital on Tuesday. One is the view of Nkhoma Mountain. This towers over the village and is seen from everywhere. It also provides a nice challenging hike! The next picture is of the hospital laundry hanging out to dry. This is not a site you see in our US hospitals along with the cooking fires in the surrounding land (caregivers prepare food for their family patient).
On Wednesday, they went to the ‘under 5 clinic.’ This is a mobile clinic about an hour’s drive out (on bumpy dusty roads) where women and young children are able to get care. It is set up in a field. The women will walk miles to get to this spot. The picture is of a child being weighed by a scale that is hanging in a tree. NOTE: the women all carry health cards (i.e. medical record) that records the vitals for each child. This health card was something that Frank Dimmock introduced when he was working in Nkhoma. It is nice to see it still in use!
On Thursday, they went to two schools to deliver the women’s hygiene pads. In the picture at the high school, Mya is having the ‘talk’ with the girls. We appreciate having a Malawian lead this discussion. It is always a lively event. Mya is a social worker and has been involved with the pad project for several years.
On Friday the team is heading down to the game park in southern Malawi. Several Malawians from Nkhoma go with the team. This is a great time to get to know our partners better. Many will be attending the game park for the first time. It is always exciting to witness the thrill of seeing the lions and elephants by the Malawians.
I will relay more as I get it.
This is written by Dana Frady on the evening of April 22nd.
Good afternoon friends of Nkhoma Synod. We have just finished day three of the mission from the Presbytery of Western North Carolina. What a day to rejoice and a day to ponder.
It is amazing to see how the Nkhoma people welcomed Rev. Bobbi White, Rev. Byron Wade, and Frank Dimmock, who has spent many years in Nkhoma along with other parts of Africa. The rest of the team, all of whom in Malawi for first time , are welcomed just the same. The Nkhoma people have such joy in the hearts. This was evident during chapel this morning as we joined together in song both in English and Chichewa. What joy was in the room! Bobbi shared her sermon -God through Jesus gives us peace, love and joy. He is the vine and we are the branches. We are ALL the branches together just as we are in partnership working together through Jesus.
We journeyed together to the Malingunde Clinic through many rural villages on extremely bumpy roads. The evidence of God’s peace, love and joy was present in the medical clinic that is considered a hospital for this rural area. Victor, one of the nurse midwives and James Twaibu, property manager for Nkhoma Hospital shaowed a renovate neonatal space. Gratitude for our partnership was abundant. The villages, including Nkhoma, have such pride in the new buildings and renovations because individuals from the community are hired to do the work.
Four young women with their one-week-old babies had returned to have their babies checked. Using a translator, one of the hospital staff, I was able to talk with the women and learn about their experience. Having walked 8-29 kilometers to get to the medical center, one of the churches in the Presbyterian Synod housed them until they are done with their well-baby checks. For 3 of the young women this was their first baby. The fourth and oldest woman, this was her fifth child. All of them were very grateful for the center and feel they receive a lot of assistance and support from staff. Having asked what would happen if the center was not there, the oldest of the four was very outspoken. She said some who are more experienced having babies may be ok but even something could happen to them and they could lose a lot of blood. They would not be near anyone who could help them. This would be very bad. All the other mothers agreed. What better evidence do we have than this that our partnership is crucial.
As I close, please pray that the government will bring water to the medical center soon. They have a water tank on site. The government has a dam, reservoir and treatment facility that is only a couple meters off the center property. Staff must go to pump water and carry it in buckets. Pray that staff housing can be repaired. Portions of the beams in the ceiling are at risk of collapse because of termite damage. And yet there is such joy in the hearts of staff. Victor said his favorite part of working at the center is to see healthy babies born and healthy mothers recover. It breaks his heart when a baby is sick or dies. They do not have equipment to keep babies warm. Bridgette, another nurse midwife said the environment at the center is wonderful. She loves all the people she works with and she serves. And again, as Gods branches, together we walk in peace, love and joy.
Written by Julie Adams on afternoon of April 21, Malawi time.
I am writing from the lodge and Bella restaurant in Nkhoma-
We had a long but safe plane trip 13 hours from Washington Dulles to Addis Ababa. We arrived at 8000 feet in a non-airconditioned airport slightly crowded with many Muslims in their traditional clothing and limited food and coffee options. Good thing we were well on the United and Ethiopian Airline flights with rice and chicken or beef/fish and potato wedges. The Ethiopian airlines had bright cabins and interiors and the women of this country had gorgeous complexions w this unique olive light brown color and wore scarves of green, red and yellow, their flag colors. One main attendant who acted as a greeter donned a fully white flowing dress w embroidery of the same vibrant red, green and yellow.
After we got to Addis Ababa there was no terminal gate but a small door and line that led to a bus which took us to the next plane to Lilongwe Malawi. We boarded “old school” style which meant outdoors up a metal staircase reminiscent of 1940s air travel.
Delightfully clean and moderately full, we flew another 4 hours from Ethiopia to Malawi. The airport at Lilongwe was small but there was an orderly feel about it with beautiful, curated gardens, trees, and flowers all around. We needed to pay for visas for each one of us and complete entry paperwork. During this wait, we explained that we had about 5 small carry-on luggage pieces and 27 large totes each at 50 pounds that we would pay a good tip for any or as many porters willing to help. When we exited customs, we were greeted by about 8 porters who had already gotten the correct carts and loaded them 2 each ready to walk us out to the parking lot. Even our carry-on fabric pieces were separated and prepped. After leaving this area, we passed through with hardly any inspection and met up w Agnes, Isaac, Rodrick, and Dr. Mouiyou- each person represented themselves and the village of Nkhoma as either the principal, eye clinic doctor, hospitality administrator, head of hospital administration or other major part of Nkhoma village daily life. Thereafter we went to a grocery store that caters to expats to purchase a week of groceries just for our lunches (the lodge where we stay prepares breakfasts and dinners). After that trip we went to a very small indoor mall to get airtel portal modem for the lodge in Nkhoma.
Nkhoma is south of capital city Lilongwe and our “headquarters” or base for the trip and the location of our housing the entire trip except for one night at a wildlife game park.
Nkhoma is also where the school, hospital, seminary school, church, and synod main headquarters are located. Many buildings in the local Nkhoma hospital have been financed by the Presbyterian Woman USA like the children’s ward.
Agnes is our main host who joined us for our first hospitality evening meal which was a creamed sweet potato soup with homemade croutons and rice. This morning she walked us to meet the General Secretary of the Nkhoma synod in his office in his all-black formal ministerial clothing and shirt with white collar. We formally greeted him one by one and then sat for a short introductory talk about the impact and influence of this synod to the area. He explained the 136-year history of the synod from its founding in 1889 and offered a courteous invite to the 140-year anniversary in 2029. Also, he explained that Ebenezer elementary school, Nkhoma hospital and JTMI Jacobson Theological Seminary are all part of the Presbyterian Synod of Nkhoma. In the synod there are over 252 churches with 240 ministers of those 252 faith communities 42 are lacking ministers.
Agnes then walked us to the hospital to discuss the operations and give us a tour. We witnessed the neonatal room, the laboratory / blood bank (less than 10 bags were inside), the outpatient waiting room, the medical ward divided by men and female as there are 17 women in one room and 25 men in the other patient room. We also saw the “theaters” which is a British term for the surgery wards. The main surgery ward has only two rooms, the ICU room only 3 beds, and an endoscopy room only available Fridays- there is a separate female theater for C sections and deliveries. They have only 1 X-ray machine and 1 ultrasound. It is a miracle that their volumes rival many US hospitals.
More to come as we continue this adventure. Keep us in your prayers.