Touchdown Scotland

After our last entry on the blog, we finally made it home. The team celebrated two birthdays during the 4 flights home. Gordie enjoyed a mid-air celebration courtesy of KLM and in a very quiet Amsterdam airport the team, in fine voice after the Living Waters experience, burst into a dawn chorus of "Happy Birthday to Aileen". We're not sure if the impending glow was from the sunrise or Aileen!

Its great being back, sharing stories with family, friends and co-workers. I hope that we continue communicating the amazing work that Chisomo has done and is still doing in Malawi.

We want to keep this blog updated as often as possible with news, photos, stories and experiences. Please keep posting your comments, its great to hear from you!

We're taking part in a special church service in September which we'll tell you about in future blogs. So keep tuning in!!

Nathan covers the Nation!

This is a clipping from the newspaper The Nation. This was some of the press coverage that we had whilst in Malawi as well as a feature on the 8 o'clock news! We don't know how they got to speak to Nathan, the only clue might be that they were mostly female reporters and Nath was wearing his kilt!!

Sunday 29 July - Nairobi, Kenya!

Hi, just thought I'd give you a quick update between flights! We had a fantastic day yesterday at Liwonde National Park... I'd hoped to upload some photies but they won't let me plug anything into their computer here for fear of viruses. We went on a river safari and got pretty close to some amazing wildlife - elephants bathing, hippos (in and out of the water), crocodiles ("scary mary" - Emma) not to mention Turkington at feeding time! ...God is good! Actually that's been a motto for the last week (since our visit to Living Waters Church)... Presenter: "God is good", Congregation: "...All the time", Presenter: "And all the times", Congregation: "...God is good" ...we'll give it a blast at Riverside when we get back (I'm sure Andy Gray will love it!!!).

The mountain scenery on Friday was also something special - Nelson took us to a Lodge for lunch. Passed a tea plantation on the way. Every day on this trip has brought a new and very special experience.

I hope the Melville's enjoy their gifts from Africa - Gordon's spent the last three hours shopping... with various personal shoppers! The rest are playing 'bowe'... a Malawian board/strategy game. Emma's found a cafe that serves lattes and now is in a state of caffeine induced ecstasy! I guess already (even in Kenya) we're moving a little closer to Western life.

It'll be a little weird being back home. We're all looking forward to seeing family and friends again (and brushing our teeth with tap water!) but we've left behind some very dear friends. Saying "bye" to Frank and Gift and David and Chippy (all boys currently staying at the Blantyre centre) one couldn't help but wonder what the future holds for them - one thing's for sure the future is certainly an awful lot brighter than it would have been without the intervention of Chisomo Children's Club. Here's hoping (and praying) our relationship with Chisomo will continue into the forseeable future...

Next time I 'blog on' I'll probably be back home in Scotland - I'll try and add some pics tomorrow. Thanks for your interest... for your kind, encouraging and often humorous comments... and especially for all your prayers. Please continue to pray for Chisomo (and for The BIG Week - which starts tomorrow... life rolls on, new challenges, joys, heartaches and opportunities for service everyday!!!).
God bless you!

Friday 27 July

Hello everyone to what is likely to be our final blog from Malawi! As you'll see from the photos the mural is pretty much complete - thanks not only to the team but to the input of the Chisomo staff who were delighted to get involved. The makeover has attracted a lot of interest from people passing through and the staff and kids seem to be delighted. By the way Eleanor, cheese and jam pieces have been replaced by Peanut butter and bananas (and the tray bakes are aff)!

Over the last few days a Tearfund evaluation team have been working with the Chisomo staff and children and visiting other projects. They were assessing HIV/Aids awareness and talking through some scenario situations with the children. We got the impression that this may be related to the 'Work a Miracle' campaign that Riverside have supported.

We are glad to report that Ron did return with an unblemished record from the Magistrates'. He had a fascinating and insightful afternoon with two magistrates who are working on a pilot project on juvenile justice. Ali G will be particularly keen to hear more on our return.

Aileen continued her sterling work yesterday (ably assisted by the West Sound heart-throb Mike Buick). She wouldn't want to admit it but her work has made a huge impact on children, staff and their families. Presently Aileen is visiting the Eye Clinic - a modern hospital. She is delivering the left over spectacles and following-up on the needs of one of the Chisomo staff's children.
A small group accompanied Nora (one of Chisomo's finest social workers) on a street visit. Again this helped them catch the flavour of the environment that Chisomo staff are operating in day in and day out.
In the afternoon we brought a little of Scotland to a corner of Malawi! Nathan and Ian causing a stir (and a draught!) in their fine Scottish regalia!! After a demonstration by the team the children and staff threw themselves into the wheeling, jigging and 'hoochting and choochting'. A fine time was had by all... we should have brought some Irn Bru to revive everybody!
Our visit to Namatapa made the 8 o'clock national news and p3 of a national newspaper! Despite our new found celebrity status we were able to walk home last night without autograph hunters besieging us - although pot holes and electricity cables presented their own hazards as darkness fell... Aileen allowed Mama K to be escorted by the strong arm of her husband!
We are about to head off with Nelson up a mountain... and may be gone sometime! Tomorrow we visit the wildlife of Liwonde before heading home to the wildlife of Ayr! It will be sad to go but I know some fathers, aunties and granny who are looking forward to seeing family again.
Hope you all enjoy the BBQ at Stevie & Eleanor's on Sunday afternoon - we have an interesting recipe for rat kebabs. Remember to tune in to West Sound's 'Sunday @ 7'!

Thursday 26 July

Hello everyone in Blogworld! Gordo and I have just read your comments - it is so great to hear from you all! Sorry we weren't able to get online yesterday - we spent the whole day at Namatapa School (more about that in a moment). Billy G - I don't think we can determine how many 'hits' our page has had (where did you learn to use lingo like that?) but we'll check it out. There were 17 comments left for us today - a record so far! Thank you to everyone, we hope that we've been able to communicate something of the experience of being here - 'awesome' may be a cliche but I think its possibly appropriate. It's been humbling, moving, exciting and challenging - sometimes all at the same time!

Aileen's off with my camera but we'll get some photos uploaded l8r 2day - got that Billy?! Katie and Niamh, we'll definitely include a photo of aunty gigi - Granny and gigi send their love and are always so excited to hear from you. Hazel, your medical observations have proved strangely prophetic - Gordo has indeed been tending to his fellow bandanna boy who was a bit off colour yesterday (Don't be alarmed - nothing too serious - just a touch of the 'toilet 2 step'!). Jack & Ann: I'm sure your boy loves you, he's mentioned his dad and skinny dipping on more than one occasion (please DON'T feel the need to post any photos!!!) - 'young' Mama K also sends her love. And BobRob, it was good to hear from you at last - where've you been?!

Yesterday proved to be a very special day. We were all at Namatapa Primary School with some of the Limbe based Chisomo staff. The headmaster Mr Joe Mgumba had arranged for an 'official' presentation of the resources which they had purchased from some of the money raised by Belmont Academy and Lainshaw Primary. The pupils performed some amazing dance routines. There were also speeches from the head and his superiors - local advisers and a representative of the Ministry of Education! Mama K also had to give a speech - she handled it brilliantly. The whole thing was covered by reporters from the Malawian press, a Reuters journalist and Malawian tv!!! Malawian tv have promised to get a DVD of their coverage to us before we leave! Normally you would expect all this coverage and excitement to be a highlight in itself but what was really exciting and rewarding was just meeting the teachers and children and hearing their stories. We went into some classes and told them a bit about Scotland. Jean had brought with her tartan bags filled with 'Scottish stuff'. Al delighted one class by chasing a fluffy haggis around the room - as we all do back home!!! Gordy had managed to get some pictures blown up to A2 size - thanks to his cousin at Paw Print in Irvine. Katie got in some extra teacher training practice... Shortlees Primary was a good preparation for teaching in Malawi.

Nath and Ron gave their kilts an airing once more - adding a further touch of tartan hysteria to the occasion. The African ladies have been very impressed... so much so the boys are now insisting upon wearing them everyday! Mind you, this afternoon we're going to teach the kids some Scottish dances (!?!) so I guess that's a good excuse.

A special mention must be given to Mike and Aileen who got through a power of work yesterday. Aileen tested over 40 kids (normally a week's work!) who had been identified by their teachers as having vision problems. Today she's returned to test some of the teachers. Thank you again to Newton PS, Lainshaw PS and others who donated or collected spec's. In between times she's also been testing Chisomo children and staff. This has been an incredibly worthwhile aspect of our trip.

Today the pressure's on to get the painting and mural work completed - Victoria's cracking the whip and getting everyone organised! The kids are in this afternoon - painting, dancing and crafts are all on the agenda. A big thanks to Glebe PS whose P3 Enterprise project raised the money which bought all the craft materials - the kids have been really excited to decorate their hats and bags.

Tomorrow may be our last chance to post a blog. On Saturday we're heading to Liwonde National Park - will the boys wear their kilts? This could be the true test of their manhood! We fly out from Blantyre at 7 am (6am your time) on Sunday. We'll try to get online in an airport en route. Tune in to Sunday @ 7 on West Sound. It coincides with our stop-over in Nairobi and Mike is hoping to achieve a live link.

It's strange to think about leaving here. Yesterday when we arrived at Blantyre centre Frank, David and Gift (who are all currently staying at the centre) ran out to greet us as usual. However they were a little perplexed when we didn't come in to play with them (we were heading to Namatapa). Frank's face looked particularly confused and disappointed - I think he may have thought we were leaving. It's important for them that we have less time with them over the last few days. We head back to our life in the West - Malawi, its people, Chisomo, the staff, Frank and all his friends are still here. The true value of this trip will be the long term impact on our lives - how can we continue to serve our friends and neighbours in Malawi?

Tuesday 24 July

A big, big thanks to everyone who has been posting comments - they have been a great source of merriment and encouragement! If you haven't posted one yet just click on the word 'comments' at the bottom of this latest blog. Yesterday I discovered some comments that we'd missed - some of you had posted them on earlier blogs rather than the latest blog! ...So thank you Mrs Buick for your warning about the beasties, your 'wee' boy is doing just fine and is visiting Namatapa Primary School as I type!

Yesterday's blog was rather long (Nath was on a roll after his successful Malawi preaching debut!) - today will be briefer! I've uploaded some 'before and after' photos showing the main room at the Blantyre centre. We're almost finished ...just waiting on some paints to be mixed at the shop so that we can complete the mural.

The team are split in two this morning. Jean, Aileen, Mike, Al & Katie are at Namatapa while Ron, Gillian, Gordo, Victoria, Emma and Ian have been finishing the painting. This afternoon we'll mostly join up at Limbe (where Chisomo have another centre) from there some will shadow social workers on the streets (this is where they make first contact with the street children), some will visit a family who are 'supported' by Chisomo, some will run activities for the children at Limbe centre and some will stay behind at Blantyre to make progress on the mural (as long as the paint has arrived). Those who didn't visit Namatapa today will get an opportunity to accompany Mama K tomorrow. Aileen will be there doing eye checks both days. She got on very well yesterday and was surprised how good the average Malawian's eye sight is! Perhaps due to the lack of tv!!! Gillian and Emma have been fully trained as ophthalmic (?) assistants. One of the groundsmen was initially a bit unsure when given glasses for the first time but later came up to Aileen and thanked her - obviously amazed at what he could now see and read!

Jean and Katie visited Makata Primary yesterday and were quite affected by what they saw. The surrounding poverty, the lack of resources, 10 toilets for 5000 children. The headteacher lives on site in a house that is little more than four walls - his wife died two years ago leaving him to care for his own children and also his brother's children. It is almost impossible to find a family in Malawi who have not been affected by Aids.

Tomorrow Ron is going up before the Magistrate! All will be revealed...

Monday 23rd

Since the last communication, the murals are coming on a treat! Nelson arrived back from Lilongwe yesterday and was really impressed with how the centre has already been transformed. He is hoping to get the press in tomorrow and is even threatening to contact the National TV! Victoria and Katie have done a great job and Ron's gift in painting petals has blossomed beyond all belief - much to the concern of Nathan his room mate. While some paint, others have been doing activities with the kids at the centre - Gillian's craft workshops have gone down a storm! We had time off yesterday afternoon and took a walk around town, it was great to spot one of the kids proudly sporting his bag that he'd designed and painted with us the day before!
Living Waters Church was a great experience yesterday. The praise and worship was lively and inspirational until a bunch of tone deaf Scots with no sense of rhythm took to the platform. At least Nath and Ron's kilts provided some distraction for the congregation! We have been made to feel very welcome by all we meet. Later in the day, most of the team visited St Michael's and All Angels Presbyterian Cathedral. It was poignant to read the memorial plaques to the various Scottish missionaries who have served the people of Malawi over the last 150 years. Gordi and Ian returned for the sunset service at the Cathedral. They chatted with the Malawian Minister before the service and after the final hymn he invited the 'Rev Ian' to come and give the benediction! All in one day, Ian had been publicly identified as 'Pastor' and 'Reverend' - watch your back Al!
This morning we joined with the Chisomo staff at Blantyre for morning devotions. After some lively worship and prayer, brother Nath gave a powerful word in true Malawian style. Jean and Katie are presently visiting a local Primary school while the team continue with the painting and mural work. Children will be arriving this afternoon to take part in some structured activities including sports, crafts and mural work. We hope to introduce the Blantyre children to some parachute games - a big thanks to Glebe Primary, Irvine, and Littlemill Primary, Rankinston who donated the parachutes (among other things). Lainshaw Primary in Stewarton also contributed various games and teaching materials. Our own Explorers provided personal health starter packs which the staff at Lilongwe were delighted to receive. Aileen starts her eye clinic this afternoon for the children and staff at Blantyre. Tomorrow and Wednesday she'll be at Namatapa School in Limbe. We will pass on the card from the children at Newton Primary in Ayr to the children of Namatapa. The children of Newton and Lainshaw did a brilliant job collecting specs which Aileen will be able to allocate to the kids.

Everyone continues to keep well, weather has been bright but not too warm and we are enjoying the tastes and experience of Malawian food (boa bo, sugar cane juice, seema and burgers).

Photo's to appear tomorrow hopefully! This is Malawi signing off....

Saturday 21st July 2007

Chisomo calling...

We had a good day yesterday. The Blantyre Centre's main room has been washed, sanded, primed and painted. It's looking great. Victoria and Katie are now hard at work drawing the murals. The Chisomo staff and children have been heavily involved in all the activities.

We have migrated to the cludgie ( that's the W.C. for posh Riversiders!) and that has been washed down and sanded too.

Jean, Katie, Victoria, Nathan and Gordie visited Limbe yesterday afternoon. We met about 35 children there, all boys. They gave Nath and Gordie a lesson on how football should be played, whilst Jean, Kaite and Victoria were treated to a tour of the gardens. The gardens are tended by the staff and children. David, a staff member, is knowledgeable in the use of plant medicine, so many of these plants are usually grown there, however this growing season has been very dry and not many plants have grown. (We hear that the Malawi rain has fallen in Ayrshire instead.)

On returning to the Blantyre centre we discovered that big Mike had ripped his breeks. Later in the day Mama K. attempted to come to the rescue however the rip was beyond redemption. With a large sigh, she longed for the sewing skills of Ruth Gawn.

Yesterday's hard work was rewarded by a trip to the local Chinese Restaurant, where Ian and Emma had ants in the tree, rather than their pants!

A major investigation is now under way into who purloined Mama K's hot water bottle! The chief suspect was heard to say "It wisnae me" in a soft Irish brogue.

We're all keeping well, and enjoying one anothers' company. The team has gelled well - members have taken responsibility for various areas of the work, according to their skills and abilities. It's really humbling to feel so welcome here and to feel that we are contributing to the amazing work that our brothers and sisters are doing.

Love to all at home... Not sure if we'll have access to a computer tomorrow, but we'll keep you posted.

p.s. Katie & Niamh - Granny & Gigi send their love and were so excited to get your blog.

pps Emz - hope you didn't spend too much at Scotts! Nath does smell bad though.

KT - have a gr8 time @ Blair Atholl & Cammy - hope u'r doing the dishes for mum!

Ini - love u!

Friday 20 July

Just taking a break from sanding, scrubbing and painting to keep you up to date with the latest news from Malawi. We started early today at the centre, painting the main room. It's having a 24 hour make over and in best changing rooms style we will have before and after footage for you all to see when we get back home. (We're still waiting on Carol Smillieeeee to appear!)

We're all sleeping well in the accommodation. Gordon and Al have settled in very well and have the cosiest little nest which is very well equipped- washing line, cup a soups, hot chocolate and kettle. Last night they turned out for dinner in splendour wearing matching neck wear- fetching red bandannas!

Thank you to all who have posted comments so far on this site. Gordon is really chuffed to hear from Emma and wants to reply personally but is out visiting the Limbe office this afternoon.

Tomorrow we hope to paint the murals and are spending the afternoon with the kids doing crafts, parachute games and teaching them ceilidh dancing. We are all looking forward to visiting Living Waters church on Sunday. We are already practising our African dancing but think we should stick to the Scottish Country dancing!

That's all for now folks.......................

GREETINGS FROM BLANTYRE, MALAWI!
Already this has been a pleasantly eventful trip - full of shocks and surprises. Shock no1 Gordon turned up on the right day and on time! Jean Keenan requests that we're careful what we write on the "Blob". Emma was hyper throughout the 24 hour journey - suspected overdose on aunty Avril's tablet. It was great to spend yesterday afternoon with some of the Chisomo staff and children in Lilongwe - really great to see their new centre complete. Some went out on to the streets with social workers, others visited a Chisomo boy now completing an apprenticeship and the rest of us stayed behind and took a traditional Scottish gubbin' at the fitba' (The kids have all heard of Celtic and Rangers but the Jambos are a non-event out here too - sorry Jim).
Flew down to Blantyre last night. Accommodation is comfortable and the food very good. A cold shower helped bring a wearied Farmer Ron back to being his usual cheeky chap self (he's already promoting himself as a young, single and successful farmer/entrepreneur! Gordon and Al slept soundly with pictures of their children tucked under their pillows. Katie and Victoria are raising the fashion profile of the team. Ian and Nath have had their socks and shoes off trying to get to grips with the currency conversion rates!
The team are already washing and scrubbing the centre in preparation for the painting and decorating. Everyone is in good health and good spirits. We've appreciated your thoughts and prayers for us as we journeyed. More news will follow as our plans and activities become clearer - we meet with Ken later today and Nelson returns to Blantyre from Lilongwe in the next couple of days. Some of you will remember Frank (the wee boy Bobby, Ali and I met last year who had been abandoned). He's here again in the Centre. He was getting a lot of illnesses where he was staying. He has recently been diagnosed as HIV+ and Chisomo have decided to again be more directly responsible for his care. He is full of life, fun and mischief. Chisomo staff are bringing the love of Jesus into desperate lives and situations. Yet this is a place full of hope and joy. It's a privilege for all of us to be here.
We'll be in touch. Love from all the team.

One Week to Go!

None of us can quite believe that after months of planning for it and talking about it we will very soon be heading off to Africa! We are all 'blog virgins' but we will seek to keep you up to date during our time in Malawi. Right now it's all the last minute preparations - mossie spray, travel wash, a book to read... will it all fit in? What should I leave behind?

Please pray for us: For a safe journey. That we're all in the right place to hear and see what God wants us to experience and perceive. For our unity as a team. For loved ones left at home. Pray for Chisomo Children's Club - that we'll be a help to them rather than a drain on their resources. For cultural sensitivity and new friendships. Pray for safety and good health.

Thank you for your interest in us and commitment to us. A special thanks to everyone who has contributed to making this trip possible. We will be in touch soon!