August 18th 2015
UPI's Director of Special Projects, Margaret Wooten, is leading a vision trip to Malawi. She is taking a team of UPI supporters to visit our ministries, meet our executive directors, and witness the work we are doing in "The Warm Heart of Africa." Check back often for updates from the team!
Friday, August 14th
Today we witnessed the power of community, the power of commitment and dedication, and the power of God's Love. As we dedicated the girls' SafeHaven home at YouthCare Ministries, we saw a vision realized. Gibozi and others spoke about the history of YouthCare and how the addition of the girls' home expanded their goal of helping children on their path of religious and academic education. In her heartfelt remarks (supported by a translator!), Nancy underscored how so many hands worked together to reach this day: UPI, New Hanover UMC, First Presbyterian, other support organizations, and of course, Gibozi and the team at YouthCare.
We spent time with the girls after the ceremony, and to see their faces, their gratitude, and their hope for the future, for their future, was overwhelming. To be a part of this moment was an honor.
From YouthCare, we traveled to our second site visit for the day, ChristCares. Here we were also amazed at the work being done in this local community. Two hundred kids attend summer camp on this day. Lunch is served during camp and mothers of the children are asked to take a turn making the the meal for the campers. We get to help make nsima, a cornmeal-based food that is a staple starch in Malawi, much like bread, rice, or pasta. After lunch, the kids performed songs and skits for us. After they are dismissed, we are joined by some of the older students to paint two classrooms. Working side by side with these young students, we spoke with them about their academics, their daily lives, and their aspirations.
The final stop on this busy day was a trip back to the orphanage for a pizza party. Although we showed up well over an hour late, these kids waited patiently for us and without complaint. Debi and John shared handmade dresses with the girls, and Nancy and Gene gave each girl and boy their own Bible.
So many things were revealed to us on this day: that the children are so grateful and gracious. That they have and continue to overcome tremendous struggles. That they have virtually no possessions yet still have a profound sense of joy and hope in their hearts. That those working with and for the kids have unmatched commitment, an ability to use their resources to the fullest, and determination to continue their mission. We have seen true grace in action. And, as so many told us before we arrived in Malawi, we have received so much more than we came to give.