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 By the way Eleanor, cheese and jam pieces have been replaced by Peanut butter and bananas (and the tray bakes are aff)!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'!
4 comments:
Hi Folks
Great to hear from you again and looking forward to hearing all the news when you return next week.
Looking foward to the BBQ at Stephen & Eleanor's on Sunday. 40 tickets now sold Ian.
Baking Donations, Jams etc coming in steadily for next week's Gala.
Have been a good boy and haven't sampled any!!!
Will tune in to Westsound on Sunday- any idea when on Sunday. I know the programme goes out between 7pm and 10pm. Remember we could still be eating our burgers unless Stephen has "flung me oot" by that time.
Best wishes
Jim
Hi Everyone
The mural looks absolutely fantastic, great job. Katie, that's a great picture.
Well done to you all for the hard work, whether it's Aileen doing the wonderful work with helping peoples eyesight, painting and so on.
The hoochting and choochting sounded like great fun, bet everyone loved it.
Ron, glad your record is unblemished, he he!
You have all done amazing work so far and it all sounds wonderful.
Take care in the days you have left. We look forward to hearing all about it when you get home.
Lots and lots of love,
Julie
x
Hi there Everyone,
You guys have all done an awesome work out there, and we are so proud of you all. Those folks are going to miss you SO much.
Indeed, Africa is a humbling place...without all the clutter of the Western world, they are so happy with so little, and have such a real and energising faith...and so very warm hearted. My prayer is that you will all hold this memory very dear for the rest of your lives!
The Lord said "In blessing (others) I will bless thee"
You surely will feel blessed!
Our prayers are with you as you travel home, and we will be listening on Sunday!
Hope you have your wellies, brollies and macs handy!!
We have enjoyed the true Scots humour in your blog!
Love and prayers, Janette and John,
(proud owners of wur wee boy and his lovely wife!!))
Wow we are so humbled to hear how you God has used you guys - and so thrilled we have been able to share your blogs. The Mural is amazing great job to you all and I love the photo of katie with a little admirer. I am really touched by the work Aileen has been doing infact just reading a book called "Vision for God" - the story of Dr. Margaret Brand who served in Vellore, India pioneered fanatsic work with leprosy sufferers - any way one of the first eye clinics she did in a village resulted in some very disappointed patients cos they got their eyesight improved but could not read - Dr Margaret then found out they had never learned to read - they thought surgery/glasses would make it happen for them!!! Great to hear you all having such a wonderfull impact on so many lives and to see God at work in and through you. loads of prayers for your journey home Sarah, John, Andrew and Naomi
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