![]() Well, after a very very long two day trip, we finally made it to the Rafiki village in Malawi where I (Laura) lived 7 years ago. When we got off the plane and through customs, we were thrilled that both of our luggage bags made it (though we started getting a bit nervous when Nathan’s bag didn’t show up until the end)! As we stepped through the security doors to leave the airport, I saw my Malawian Mama, Bertha, waiting for us with arms wide open. I’ve missed that joyful hug of hers! She was thrilled to finally get to meet her adopted son-in-law (Nathan). It was a long 5 hour drive up to the village, but it was so good to have time to chat with Mama Bertha and catch up on the last 7 years. We got to the village at about 7:00PM on Thursday night, and enjoyed a wonderful dinner with all the long term missionaries here. Three of those people were actually here when I was here, so that too was a sweet reunion. That night we fell into bed after very little sleep for the past several days, and we slept a solid 14 hours. Sleep never felt so good! As we got ready to leave the guest house to walk down to the dining hall for a graduation ceremony, I stepped out the door and noticed a Malawian woman cleaning outside one of the missionary’s houses 30 yards away. I waved, unsure if it was who I thought it was. As I waved I heard the most familiar laugh as the woman dropped her broom and came running towards me shouting “Madam Laura!”. It was Mercy!... my housegirl from 7 years ago! The whole scene played out like a movie as we both ran towards each other laughing and then threw our arms around each other. It made my heart smile! The best reunion of all was seeing the kids. In 7 years, these little kids became teenagers, babies became young children, and they are each blossoming into the person God is creating them to be. I was so excited to get to finally see them, yet terrified that they wouldn’t remember me. It turns out that many of them didn’t think I would remember them either, so we were all joyfully surprised! In addition to the 70 kids I knew while I was here, Rafiki now has 30 additional children in their care. Nathan is enjoying getting to know them, though he is having a hard time remembering so many new names and being able to tell them apart. It is a lot to take in all at one time. When I saw each kiddo come in the room for the first time, my heart leapt as I recognized each of them. I did need help with some of the names, though I knew their faces well, but as soon as they said their name I thought, “How could I have forgotten!?” How awesome it was to see God’s faithfulness to what He began with these children so long ago. I remember almost all of their stories and where they came from. I remember how sick they were and how they started to transform with the love and good nutrition they received. Now, they are all incredibly healthy and growing so big! Some of the boys are growing taller than most Malawians. Debb, the village director, is a good friend of mine. She was sharing with me the different gifts and talents that are coming out of each child. They are all so different, and yet completely unique in who God made them to be. Today was our third full day at Rafiki. It was good that we arrived so close to the weekend so that we could have a few days to rest and get over the jet lag. We’ve spent the last two afternoons having fun with the kids. They are CRAZY little balls of energy, and so much fun. Yesterday, the kids and I started a game of Ultimate Frisbee, which kicked my butt! After the score was 3 to 3 for the game, I was barely able to breathe. I had expected we were reaching the end and asked how many points they play to. 10! I nearly fainted at the thought of any more running, but its near impossible to sit on the sidelines and not join in on the fun, no matter how exhausting it is. After Ultimate Frisbee, some of the boys wanted to play Capture the Flag. I said we should go find Uncle Nathan first. We found him fixing Paul’s bicycle. The boys had a fun time watching Nathan get dirty and joking with him. I realized that they just don’t get to be around a lot of younger men like Nathan as much as the older men. After the bike was fixed, the boys were eager to get to Capture the Flag, so we started walking back to the field. As soon as they found out Nathan was a runner they were ready to challenge his skills. They declared a race to the field, and took off in a flash. Nathan took off with them, and I think they were surprised by how fast he is. I decided to stand and watch the game instead of actually playing, but threw Nathan in instead. So much fun to watch! After three exhausting games of Capture the Flag, some of the boys took Nathan to go play basketball. (oh to be that young again!) They went down to the schoolhouse to get a ball, but found the door was locked. Without even skipping a beat, they turned to Nathan and said, “When this happens we just run,” and instantly they took off running. Nathan was flustered, but took off behind them. They ran a good half mile together before they had to stop for dinner. They had officially worn Nathan out… so much so that Nathan could hardly eat dinner! Apparently there was a short term missionary that was here awhile ago who was a runner. She taught the kids how to run long distances and how to pace yourself. At one point the kids were telling me everything she taught them, but my favorite part was this: Shadrack: “Auntie said that girls have more fat than boys” Jack: “Yes, they have more fat, but since we don’t have as much we can run faster” Nixon: “The girls take our fat from us, so we have to eat more” This afternoon (Sunday), I took a nap while Nathan went out to see what the kids were up to. I emerged about an hour later and went to see what Nathan was getting into with the kids. As I was walking, several of the younger boys came running up to me saying that Uncle Nathan wanted me to come. I asked where he was, and they pointed to a 35 foot pear tree and said, “Up there!” I couldn’t see anyone because the tree was so full of leaves, but as we got closer I heard, “Auntie Laura!” At the very top of the tree I saw a tiny Malawian head sticking out, and my jaw dropped. It was one of the boys Alex. I couldn’t help but to laugh, despite my motherly worries. These boys never get tired, and they never stop making me laugh. After climbing trees for an hour or so, they decided to take us down to the new school house that is under construction. They ran in and our of rooms, yelling, laughing, jumping, and occasionally flying. Then Shadrack, one of the boys, took me out to the back of the building where there is a hug dirt mound about 15-20 feet high. The boys instantly ran inside to get any boards they could find to slide down the sand mountain.
It was so much fun to see boys being boys. It almost made me want to be a boy ;) Less worry and more play! I suppose I can still do that as a girl ;) As I sit here and type tonight, my heart is so full. I have fallen in love with these kids all over again, and with the beautiful country of Malawi. Next week Nathan and I will be substitute teaching some of the 7th and 8th grade classes so that the teachers can attend a city wide meeting. Outside of that, Nathan’s list of projects is already growing by the hour, which neither of us are surprised about. I will be doing some training with the Mama’s and older boys on nutrition and how to eat balanced meals to help with some challenges they have been facing. Debb has also asked Nathan and I to consider leading a worship and devotional time for the older kids next weekend. She pointed out that they really don’t get to hear about marriage and healthy dating from young couples, but just from couples who have been married for 20 years or more. She asked us to pray about it and see what God puts on our hearts to share. Please pray with us for that. Nathan agrees it is a good idea and very needed, but he is a little out of his comfort zone with it, as am I. Sometimes that’s when God does His best because we are completely dependant on Him. Thank you for reading all these stories and letting me share life here with you a bit. I hope to write more later this week, if not next weekend. God Bless! Laura (& Nathan)
7 Comments
Jennifer Duran
7/26/2015 07:24:39 am
I'm sitting here reading with tears in my eyes thinking about Gods faithfulness. I remember the day you said you were going to Africa. I remember the fear I felt for you because all I knew of Africa was danger. I also remember the peace I felt when God confirmed for me too that you were called to go. It makes my heart so happy to read about your current adventure in response to God's call now and this time you get to go with your husband. Wow! He is good, friend, so good! Praying for clear direction as you walk out in faith what He has called you to next. Love you both!
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Sara Beth
7/26/2015 09:37:03 am
I can feel the joy in your heart from here:)
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Alexis Lantz
7/26/2015 10:15:18 pm
I loved reading this and I still can't quite believe yal are gone! Very happy for you two and thank you for sharing all of this. It is encouraging!
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Elaine Woodard
7/27/2015 12:31:17 am
I cried with unexplainable joy as I read all the details of your first days in Malawi. Beautiful adventures. I kind of think Heaven will be like this, with the reunions and games. You're in my prayers daily.
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Megan Whalin
7/27/2015 05:52:01 am
Tears streamed down my face as a read your words. Woodards, it's amazing to see how God is working through both of you. I can feel your joy, peace, happiness, and exhaustion from across the world! Love you and know that you are in my continuous prayers!
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Geoff and the younger Martins
7/28/2015 06:28:56 am
Sending our love! Thanks for sharing about your first days in Malawi. Kate, myself and the kids will keep in our prayers about leading worship and sharing about marriage!
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Kelly Solomito
8/4/2015 12:14:40 pm
It is so wonderful reading about your trip this far and also seeing the pictures. Thank you for taking the time to share how it's going. You two are such a blessing to so many, and I continue to pray that God watches over you while he uses you to impact many lives. The stories brought a smile to my face at the same time tears were streaming down......it is so touching! Praying for continued joy, peace and guidance for you. Hugs!!!
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