November 10, 2007

• Heading to Malawi?

  Dean Kershner arrived last night.  It was so wonderful to hear him give us updates on the Malawi Project!  I am so excited I just have to share with you some of what has happened. 

  The
  Malawi Project is the brainchild of and operating under Gospel Link, a
  ministry devoted to supporting/training local pastors/ministers in
  foreign countries.  The cost comparison of what it takes to support a
  native missionary vs. sending out an American missionary is
  incredible.  It is tremendously more cost effective to provide
  financial support to local Pastors.  Steve and I have been involved in
  supporting the Malawi project since we first heard about it two years
  ago. 

  As Dean describes in the informational video about the
  Project there is no reason for the people of Malawi, or most African
  countries for that matter, to be starving to death.  They live in a
  modern day “Garden of Eden” with the perfect climate and incredibly
  rich soil for growing things.  Unfortunately generations of political unrest have
  left the current population of Malawi ignorant in how to use and
  support themselves with the valuable resources they have.  In the words
  of one Malawi pastor Christianity is viewed by many if not most in
  Africa as “The lazy white man’s religion.  If you convert to
  Christianity you will get free handouts and support from rich
  Americans.”  The Malawi Project is actually a large tract of land
  bordering Lake Malawi.  For the past two years, slowly and even
  painstakingly efforts have been made to turn this tract of land into a
  Banana Farm.  Not only would it be a source of honest work at a (for them) generous wage to the local people but the profits would directly support
  the churches and ministries of Malawi and even perhaps surrounding
  African countries.  They would be able to feed their own instead of
  relying on inconsistent handouts from the UN and other charitable
  organizations.  A bonus is that the people would be educated HOW to
  cultivate, irrigate and rotate crops so that they can replicate it on
  their own land for their own families. 

  At this time all of the workers that come onto the farm are given the
  opportunity to participate in twice a day Bible studies.  They are
  LOVING it.  There is a shortage of Bibles there and many do not know
  how to read so their only contact with the word of God is through
  studies like those or preaching. 

  Watching the footage Dean took his last trip there brought tears to my
  eyes.  The Malawian pastors have put themselves on the line in so
  many ways to make this project a success are so humble, sinsere, and
  passionate.  Their passion for Christ and spreading the Gospel is
  unlike anything I have seen here in the states in quite some time. 
  This is matched only by their fervor and delight in doing good unto
  others.

  Steve and I are absolutely thrilled when Dean presented us the
  opportunity to go visit the Malawi Project for two weeks in March!  
  We are praying about it and starting to find out what would be involved
  in taking a 10 month old baby with us to Africa.  Please join us in
  prayer.  I am so very excited at this opportunity and hope that all the
  multiple pieces fall into place allowing us to go. 

  One of the several things I would like to do if we are allowed to go is
  bring seeds with me to start an Herb garden there along with books
  teaching them how to use the herbs medicinally.  It is such a remote
  location that most of their medical needs will need to be treated on
  site since it is such a long ways to get any “Professional” care.  They
  have First Aid kits there but for the everyday sicknesses and ailments
  that can come up it would be a fantastic resource if they had their own
  little patch of plant medicines on hand.  The American guy that is the
  head of the project there right now tells the story of how the local village
  brought an extremely sick woman to the Farm asking for transportation
  to take her to the nearest city for Medical Aid.  They have the only
  working vehicle for miles.  He looked at his truck that had just been
  unloaded off the container that transported it there and it’s bare
  minimum of gas.  Just enough to assure that it would crank when
  started. Knowing that it was a two hour drive to the hospital or more
  gas.  Praying as he loaded them up he decided he would take them as far
  as he could.  They made it all the way there!

  If any of you have traveled over seas with an infant please let me know
  any resources/links that would be helpful!  I am starting the process
  of researching everything out that I can and any information will be
  greatly appreciated.  Thank you in advance!

  • 2:02 am
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