In a land far far away.

I'm in the state of Washington sharing my life and heart with woman about woman. Funny how we all have the same desires for life and living. You know, simple things like a warm bed, food in our children's stomachs, a dry night's sleep, warmth in the cold season, and shade in the heat. They want to talk to their friends and enjoy their surroundings. There greatest fears are offending the dead, even more so than having a child die. The dead or far more dangerous than the living.

So here I am frozen out of my mom's house wondering when we could go back, will it be in time for thanksgiving with the family all coming. Will they be able to come? In our world those questions all seem quite important, but when I think of how people my village are doing right now with the land as dry as a hardened brick from months of the sun baking the earth. They have very little food to eat. Wondering if what little maise they have left will last until March when a new crop of maise will bear fruit. It's eazy to see how the walls of poverty choke out dreams and hope for tomorrow. I'm listening to a woman in the resturant moan and groan about how terrible her life is right now. She's having a ten dollar breakfast in a nice hotel, says she has a generator at her home which provides power to the microwave, stove and all the latest amenties of life, but life is really terrible to her, oh yes we are checking into the hotel tonight she says. Are you kidding me or are those in the west just kidding themselves. Most of the time I cann't justify or find justice in life. Hasn't God given us as people the power to choose how we will live our live and how those lives will or will not affect others. What have we done with this power. How will we account for that priviledge and power?

Red Tape and paperwork

I spent a lot of time getting to know these people as we ran from one office to another getting people to approve the signing of this land.

Grandma Pat meets the Village Headman and leads him to Christ

Even the children were dancing.

Ground Breaking

Yesterday after completeing all the paper work on the land we began breaking ground.

Visiting Mom, Family and Friends

Hi! Im in the states for a few week. We had a great 80th Birthday for my mom. August was action packed as I moved out of my house with it's man eating dogs and entertained a group of people from Whittier Area Community Church who is paying and praying for the building of our new Hospital ward. It was fun to be with them and see the many faces who have worked so hard at making this dream for Malawi come true. We experienced some big disapointments together as the container they had sent did not come in time for them to do the painting they had hoped to be able to do. However they saw alot of the differant ministries here in Malawi and were able to experience the joys of meeting the Malawian people, and living life on the Lords terms and not our own.

Recently I heard of a family here in the states who were fueding over who was going to take care of a relatives child and I couldn't help think about how important it is to let others live and not to attach one self to things God doesn't have for you to do. Wouldn't we all be happier if we just gave of ourselves without demands recognition. I'm learning how to let go of what I think is best for what God deams best.

Apon returning to ABC I will be finishing up the hospital and then starting the food services around campus starting with the hospital kitchen and moving to the College Student Center, International Academy and then to a snack shack for the general public.
My passion is for training Malawians to succeed in business so that their nation can grow.
Because of my work last year 5 adults and 8 children are being fed. Not as a hand out, but because the adults are willing to work.

When I return to Malawi I hope to find a permant place to live. Please be praying for me on this, as I would like to purchase a half built house or build one to live in, thus providing jobs for malawians. Most rentals belong to the Indians in the country so the money you pay goes to making them richer. I'd like to see Malawians gain, by working, saving and then building places of their own. Thankyou for your prayers.
Blessings,
Michelle

PS I will be taking my mom back with me for a year. She will teach at the college and help me out. I'm sure we will be a lot less lonely.