It's one thing to drive from place to place and see the countryside and street corners. It is a completely different experience to walk through the countryside and along the streets, passing people on the pathways as you greet each other. This week we walked beyond the walls of our house. If you peered over the wall that keeps intruders out, you would see fields of green maize stocks with a few groups of trees scattered around. There is a valley there with a rive...

This week was filled with many firsts. Last Sabbath (January 14th) I gave a sermon titled "Our Foundation." This was the first in a series of sermons that I have started that will be an overview of the fundamental beliefs of the United Church of God. This was the first of many sermons that will require a translator. In Malawi the official language is Chichewa, a regional language that is shared by people in some of the other surrounding countries. It has become ...

Van about town! The Church in Lilongwe owns a van, or as some call them a "vanette." I'm not sure what the technical term is, but it's basically a cross between a minivan and a small bus (it seats 12). This will be our main mode of transportation for the coming year. Haiton, who knows this van better than anyone else, helped immensely by giving me a few pointers about driving in Malawi, and about navigating a vanette through pothole infested side roads and back a...

We've waited six months to come to Malawi and meet our brethren here. The past week has been filled with many new experiences. Thankfully we were met at the airport by Aaron Dean and Haiton Thungula. Otherwise I think we might have been lost. Interestingly, although we have a long enough visa to cover our time here, the border agent at the airport in Lilongwe said we only have a short period of time before we have to leave the country. We can return as many times...

It is always difficult saying goodbye to people you have gotten to know. It is always bittersweet every single time. We woke up early, had some hot coffee and a nice breakfast, hugged a few people, and caught a ride with Vivien and Cathy to the Avalon Guest House where we stayed before camp. It was so nice to just relax for a time. We did go out for lunch at KFC (have to try KFC in at least three or four different countries). Jason stopped by to get our photos, a...