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.