“Look What God is Doing!”
Malawi – November 09
Schipol AirportWe decided to wear our trip shirts during our flight(s) as a way to witness and openly invite others to ask us about our mission. A young man named Justin did just that. He approached Bob after seeing our shirts and Bob’s Bible open in front of him.
We came to find out that God had Justin and his wife on an amazing journey of their own. Justin had recently lost his good friend, Isaiah. While on a mission trip visiting an orphanage in Uganda, Justin felt prompted to ask if there was a child named Isaiah who was currently available for adoption. There were 59 kids in the orphanage, 15 available for adoption and, of course, one of the kids was named Isaiah!
Justin was on his way home to Northern California from Uganda. He was returning to care for his four children while his wife stayed in Uganda with Isaiah. This was the first time Justin’s wife had been away from the family and they were hoping she and Isaiah would be able to return home in about two weeks. Amazingly, Anna had just read their story on their family blog prior to our trip!
We were blessed to be able to pray for Justin and his family and have Justin pray for us as well.
Nairobi Bed and BreakfastAfter a short night, we gathered for breakfast at 5:00 am, most of us wearing our Hosanna tee-shirts once more. Even though our team took up most of the breakfast area, we noticed one additional table of guests. In the buffet line, Linda politely inquired where the other guests were from and they indicated they were from Hosanna, Ethiopia!
Previous to this trip, Pastor Tim and other members of Hosanna, Lakeville had been exploring a possible connection between Hosanna, Lakeville and Hosanna, Ethiopia. Marybeth and her husband Randy had been in prayer as to God’s particular ministry call for them as a family in Hosanna, Ethiopia.
An excitement, surrounding connections and confirmations that God was providing, began to build. We discovered our new acquaintances were believers and one gentleman had a daughter who was currently in school in Minnesota. We exchanged e-mails and invitations and thanked God for connections made.
Flight to LilongweWe were blessed to have a partially empty flight from Nairobi to Lilongwe. Unfortunately, Ramona experienced a sudden bout of illness. Due to the amount of room on the flight, Ramona was able to lie down across three seats near the bathroom. Having been a caretaker to her husband and mother during recent health issues, it was now Ramona’s turn to be ministered too. Graciously, God healed Ramona in just three hours and she began regaining strength as our journey continued.
The roomy flight also allowed many of us to interact in a casual way with other travelers. We were able to observe families of different cultures and religions in action. We were also able to sit near other team members and spend some time sharing what God had been laying on our hearts. Thanks, God!
MVUU MorningOur first morning in MVUU camp was amazing. We awoke to find two young male elephants right in camp among the chalets at 6:00 am! Several of us were able to watch and take pictures as the elephants casually ate from the trees and drank from the river.
We gathered for an inspirational time of worship, soaking and devotional prayers as Ardus helped us to refocus our attention on the Lord following our crazy days of travel.
Nanthomba SchoolWe were pleased to meet David and Matt from H.E.L.P. Malawi on our way to the school. We learned a short history of the school and the connection between Hosanna and H.E.L.P. Upon arriving at the school, we were able to tour a teacher’s home where Bob and Joy’s niece, Kim, was staying. The biggest excitement among the teachers was that electricity (through solar panels) was being installed in the teachers’ homes.
“Cold water” and refrigeration were two of the most anticipated perks resulting from electricity. Terry learned that even though there was no running water or electricity currently in the homes, Kim counted herself as “lucky” to be volunteering at the school.
We spent time interacting with kids and the other staff. Our goal was to divide kids into three groups and have them rotate through activity stations of parachute play, action songs and the chicken dance. True to form, the “rotation” concept was a little rough, but there were many smiles and much laughter all around!
We returned to the school the next day for a tour of the grounds followed by a traditional meal at Kim’s house. As we began touring the gardens, we met Brian, a Peace Corp volunteer. Brian was instrumental in trying to introduce many plants that provided various health and nutritional benefits at the school. One goal of H.E.L.P. Malawi is to assist the school community in sustainable living by using perma-culture, water collection, fishponds and small business ventures.
A group of students provided some traditional Malawian music for our entertainment. The instruments were homemade including a cymbal made from bicycle sprockets! The songs were descriptive of cultural themes and includes phrases such as, “The baby has died from HIV/Aids; who will care for the baby?” “You are better than me, so stay in school.” and “Isn’t it great to drive a Toyota!”
At Kim’s house, we were treated to our first traditional Malawian meal. We learned to use our fingers with Nsima to scoop relish and beans. We also learned (thanks to Terry) what a pre-egg was. Isn’t it ironic that the man who brought the Chicken Dance to Malawi would have this experience! Before we left for the day, we were able to spend some time with Brian, his wife Kia and sister-in-law, Shandra. We discovered they were Christians (Kia is actually Lutheran) and hadn’t been to church for 2 ½ years. They were thirsty for God and God found a way to connect us with them. We invited them to join us for worship the next morning. Go God!
Nandumbo ClinicHosanna and H.E.L.P. Malawi are partners in a new medical clinic run by Balaka Hospital. Despite the many resources and support provided for this clinic, it seemed to have difficulty opening. The building was 8 months behind schedule when we arrived. Unfortunately, no one could seem to account for the delays.
Bob was inspired to lead the team in anointing the entire building and grounds for Christ. We dedicated the clinic and anointed the windows and doors with oil. During our prayers, both David and Matt requested to come alongside of us and discover what this “anointing” was all about.
David ran into Anna and began asking questions. During the course of their conversation, David asked if people could be anointed. Even though he may not fully have understood what he was asking, David asked to be anointed. Anna joyously complied! Both David and Matt were very curious as the Holy Spirit went to work!
Moses and the BoysMoses is a student pastor whom Hosanna has been supporting in school. At Moses’ request, some of the team accompanied Moses to a nearby village to pray for two young boys who had been subjected to witchcraft.
Bob, Joy, Marybeth and Moses rode on bicycles to get to the village. It shortly became clear that someone didn’t want the team to pray for the boys. Marybeth saw an elephant and nearly fell off of her bicycle. Joy collided with another bicyclist and the two bikes were unable to be ridden. Moses’ bike even lost a pedal!
Despite the setbacks, the team arrived safely and met the boys. It seemed the grandmother of the one child was the village witchdoctor. She had made her grandson eat the flesh of a dead person to keep his spirit alive. The young boy was tormented. Every night the spirit of the dead person haunted him. The other young boy appeared blank and lifeless. It was believed he too, had been put under some type of curse.
The team prayed fervently for the boys. While they were not sure if the boys had been completely delivered, the team did notice a lightening in the boys’ countenance. Praise God! The team also was able to pray for and anoint the parents who had just dedicated their lives to Christ. They also prayed for restored eyesight to a man who had been a womanizer and drunkard but had now given himself to the Lord. He claimed God would restore his vision completely over time and was stepping out in a demonstration of faith. Wow!
The battle for souls continues in these villages. The team saw many amulets around the necks of women and children. Before the end of our stay in Balaka, Moses had called Bob to see if he could join a group of local pastors who had come together to fight against the outbreak of witchcraft in the villages. We continue to hold Moses and his people in our prayers.
We were thankful to have Moses and his family joins us for dinner at MVUU along with our young American friends. Moses preached a powerful message on the character of Christ, setting the stage for the next morning’s worship.
Young American FriendsBrian, Kia and Shandra joined us for an inspirational morning of worship. Anna was lead to bring cinnamon pita chips and water to the worship so we could commune together. It may have sounded unusual, but it was very powerful. Brian and Kia shared how moved and filled by God they were. Kia had been longing to attend a women’s conference but had been unable to do so. She rejoiced that God “brought her own conference to her!” We prayed over and anointed the family amidst many tears of joy!
Following the worship, Marybeth and others were inspired to give Kia books by Bill Johnson and Heidi Baker that we had just “happened” to have with us! We pray the books will continue to provide inspiration long after we have left.
Prior to lunch, the team gathered for some group photos near a park sign. Following the picture, Matt brought up how David had been anointed the day before and wanted to know if he could be as well! His only question was if he was going to “feel” anything different. Anna described feelings of love or warmth he may have but told him to just relax and let God take over. As we came around to anoint and pray for Matt, he staggered. Way to go, Holy Spirit!
Not to be outdone, David expressed his desire to be anointed again so the whole group could participate this time! Just try to stop us!!! Bob spoke wonderful life giving, God affirming words into both of their lives and they finished by giving heartfelt hugs to each member of the team!
We couldn’t help but notice that David was grinning ear to ear at lunch that day. When we asked him what was going on, he replied, “I have never felt so special.” Go God! Later that day, Brian and Kia expressed hope that a door was now open for them to continue to share about God with Matt and David. This is our prayer as well.
MVUU Highlights• Monkeys stealing toast after Terry had buttered it.
• Thomas chasing monkeys
• Joy’s idea to have Thomas’ face put on paddles to scare the monkeys with
• Thomas praying for us and writing blessings in the butter on the last day
• Awesome safari memories
• Spirit filled morning worship times
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Liwonde!We stopped for a break at a BP station in Liwonde. Most of us had been traveling in a multi passenger van while Anna, Marybeth and a couple of others had been traveling in the truck which was pulling the trailer of luggage. When it was time to resume our travels, it was discovered that the truck would not start.
Some things in life are cross cultural. As soon as the breakdown was discovered, all of the men, both American and Malawian took a spot standing around the open hood of the truck. What was said? We really don’t know. What was done? Not much. A decision was made to try to push start the truck. Unfortunately no one bothered to unhook the trailer. As the vehicle began to move, Anna, believing it was fixed, began to wave good-bye to people as the truck passed by. She and Marybeth soon discovered the reality of the situation and hopped out to join us in the other vehicle.
We learned a couple of things that afternoon. Don’t take pictures of people without asking first.
Chickens are butchered fresh on site when you buy them in Malawi and there’s more than one way to jump start a truck!
Meeting Outi BourkeOn the first morning at Chitsime Hostel, we met another mzungu, Outi Bourke. Outi is the Honorary Consulate from Finland. She lives in Lilongwe but stays at Chitsime when she’s in Balaka as “there’s really nowhere else to stay.”
Through further conversation we found out Outi had authored a book about Liwonde National Park which several of us had tried to purchase the year before. Outi brought several copies of her book to sell to us and autographed each one we bought.
We found Outi full of information as she told of a bakery run by the half-way house and a printing press run by the Mountforte Fathers. She joined us for lunch and conversation one day as we learned many new things about the socio-economic climate of Malawi.
Agape Life Church – BalakaOur first visit to Agape Life Church was on Saturday morning. We arrived to find the church still under construction and the dedication service only one week away. After greeting friends from previous trips (Peter, Gertrude, and others) the team got busy getting their hands dirty. Part of the team began stacking bricks while Linda and Cheryl went to the well with the ladies to bring back water in buckets on their heads. Even though they did not carry much water as compared to their Malawian counterparts, two azungus carrying madzi down the road was enough for most locals to stop and have a good chuckle!
Soon enough it became apparent that the best way to move bricks was via assembly line. Standing shoulder to shoulder and singing as many songs as we could think of we slowly moved piles of broken bricks onto the floor of the church. After a while some of the team began to help hoist beams for the roof to workers balanced precariously on the top of the church.
Throughout the following week, work continued on the site. Plaster was applied to inside walls and the metal sheeting was removed from Pastor Yonas’s living room floor and attached to the roof of the church. An amazing transformation occurred between that first Saturday and the following Sunday when the church held its dedication service.
Children were gathered under the Mango tree for Sunday School on Sunday morning. It never ceases to amaze how the kids can learn so many Bible verses (both in Chichewa and English) by heart! We joined Annie and Naom as guest teachers, teaching the Father’s love and anointing the kids.
The Praise team started the actual service dressed in beautiful pumpkin and black colored outfits. The service continued and we were all pleasantly surprised to hear Marybeth’s name announced as a “registered” guest vocalist! Bob gave a beautifully illustrated message on stewardship followed by Tim’s “5 quick points” for the church.
Hosanna, having assisted with funding for the church project, presented a framed plaque of dedication for the church. Pastor Yonas gave a heartfelt prayer of blessing and thanks. After many introductions, prayers and songs, the five hour inaugural church service of Agape Life Church came to a conclusion. God bless the ministry of this body.
Water or NotOne of the challenges we faced during our stay was the inconsistency of the availability of water. Here are some other water related facts we learned.
• Cold showers hit the spot after a hot sticky day but are not as appreciated first thing in the morning.
• The higher your room number, the less water pressure you will have.
• The odds of having water for showers during the middle of the day is reversely proportional to the height of the noon temperature and the amount of manual labor performed prior to arriving back at the hostel.
• The maximum number of times one can undress and then redress with the same sticky clothes while waiting for a shower is twice.
• Some of the water issues were caused by not having enough diesel fuel to run the water pumps.
• Mysteriously, complaining about the lack of water and/or seeing a man fiddle with a red handled valve on a pipe usually led to the sudden availability of water.
First DinnerOur first dinner at Pastor Yonas’ house was quite traditional. Annie, Naom, and some other neighbors served as Yonas’ wife Catherine was attending a women’s conference out of town. Some of the highlights included learning how to cut and eat deliciously fresh and flavorful mangoes, stepping over the mat covered roof panels on the living room floor, dancing and singing in the kitchen, and a very loud, strange praise and worship DVD by Rose Matecha (sp? Pastor Yonas’ favorite!)
Chenda usikuWe went out to Chenda usiku for our first Sunday worship experience in Malawi. We taught Sunday School under an awning and got to pray for and anoint the kids. During the service, Bob gave the offering message using 10 stones representing blessings. Joy gave a message on the Father’s love and Terry prayed the closing prayer.
Following the service, we broke into prayer teams. Marybeth and Cheryl prayed for a young woman who wanted a child. As they felt things lighten, they stepped back from praying and notice the woman was deeply entranced and not moving. Sensing the Spirit working in the woman they again began to pray. During the prayer, a drop of something wet fell on Marybeth’s hand. Marybeth looked to see if the woman was crying, but she wasn’t. The drop was a drop of oil! We fully expect this young woman to conceive soon.
A mother brought her son who was thought to have been cursed by a witchdoctor. The child appeared terrified and was crying horribly. Following prayer, the child seemed peaceful and held onto his mother as if ready to go to sleep in her arms. Thank you, God.
The team had begun to pray for a man with very limited vision. After praying the first time the man began to turn and walk sadly away with no improvement in his vision. He was called back for more prayer and the entire team joined in. This time, God restored complete vision to the man! We began praising God while the stunned man sat in his chair, rubbing his face and looking bewildered.
As an act of celebration, the members of the church had prepared a local drink known as tobwa. This drink is not nearly appreciated by visitors as much as it is by the local community members. Bob tried to discreetly dump the remainder of his tobwa behind a bush when someone caught him. – It was the man whose vision had just been restored! God has a great sense of humor!
ZombaSunday after lunch George and Edgar arrived. Representatives from Emmanuel International, they came to help us over the next few days. As out time together grew, George and Edgar became part of our team as well.
I don’t recall the exact events leading up to the next part of our trip, but I vividly recall the precision of alternating knees and staggering hip placements that it took for 14 people to fit in one vehicle. After proving the adage that in Africa, “There’s always room for one more,” we were on our way to Zomba. George and Edgar assured us it would only take a short while to reach Zomba as opposed to the “much longer” drive it would take to reach Mangotchi. It was a good thing that we chose the “shorter” trip as we apparently were a bit short on fuel as well. Martin stopped us along the road and informed George and Edgar he would be trying to acquire more fuel for us soon. All of the diesel fuel arriving in Malawi has to make its way via truck through Tanzania first and there seemed to be a shortage. Hmmmm. Through conversation, we determined the cost of diesel in Malawi to be roughly equivalent to $10 a gallon (US).
We stopped to drop off the beading supplies we had brought for the Liwonde widow’s group. Unfortunately, we were not able to meet any of the widows, but we did get to meet the delightful neighborhood kids who hang around the area. All too soon, the bubbles and pictures came to an end as we boarded the truck and continued on our way. Despite our best efforts to make the truck look “roomy,” we were stopped and ticketed for being overloaded on our way into Zomba.
When we reached Zomba, Edgar took us on a quick side trip to see something many of us had never seen before, a grove of Banyan trees! The roots of the tree shoot out above ground, land and sprout again. Covered with bark, the roots become indistinguishable from the trunk of the tree and something like nature’s own jungle gym is produced. The sophistication and creativity of God’s creation is mind boggling!
Soon we were on our way up the mountain to Zomba Plateau. It’s amazing to see the many villagers running barefoot up and down the sides of the mountain carrying long bundles of wood balanced on their heads and the vendors selling fresh berries all along the road made our mouths water.
When we arrived at the top of the mountain, we were treated to a lovely view and refreshments, courtesy of the Sunbird Hotel. The gardens were magnificent, the view spectacular and the baboons, entertaining. Ardus even ran into a gentleman (and his entire extended family) whom she had sat by on one of the longer plane flights!
While we were relaxing, Edgar and George returned to the checkpoint to pay the fine and retrieve George’s license. This left us with “no choice” but to have dinner at the hotel. Being the gracious mission team that we were, we quickly agreed to the change in plans. The food we were served was scrumptious, helped in no small part by the fact that goat was not on the menu. Pastor Yonas delighted in his T-bone steak and enjoyed sampling many of the other dishes as well. He did not, however, enjoy Marybeth’s prawns – too many legs!
TikondaneSeveral members of the team paid a visit to a support group for persons living with HIV/Aids. Tommy and Margaret lead the group with spiritual help from Pastor Yonas. The team got to see the fields where the winter crop of Maize had been harvested and were able to help prepare the other fields for the next crop of maize. As a team, we were able to help provide the group with seed and fertilizer. Unfortunately, people living with HIV/Aids are subject to severe discrimination in Malawi and this group had no other way to acquire the very necessary fertilizer. The team was also able to worship and pray with the members of the group.
Upon returning from this first visit, Terry was inspired to do more for the group. God had prompted Terry to bring about 150 baseball caps to Malawi. After consulting with Edgar, it was decided that the group at Tikondane could sell the hats in the market and raise about $300, equivalent to one year’s salary in Malawi! Terry was able to deliver the hats which were received with much joy. God works in very surprising ways.
Mpoto VillagesNot too far from Kituma is a group of 4 villages lead by a Christian group village head-man. Members of the team visited this group of villages and brought along one of the saber machines and a bag full of Bible tracts. This meeting began in the formal British style of speeches and introductions. When it was time to demonstrate the saber, the machine would not work correctly.
We took the opportunity to pray for the villagers while George and Joy tried to remedy the machine. More than just translators and guides, Edgar and George joined in the prayers for the people. We prayed for many ailments including persistent headaches and stomach aches (often a sign of the onset of Aids.) several healings took place. Ardus and Ramona saw a woman with leg pains healed and Marybeth prayed for many children with troubled eyesight. There were some especially poignant moments as Pastor Yonas took the name of a family who were literally starving and the team prayed for young girl in the family was experiencing symptoms of illness that her sister had recently passed away from.
The visit concluded on an upbeat note as Joy and Audrey were able to demonstrate a working saber. There were many attentive faces and vocal responses to the well placed sound effects in the stories. Bob announced the gifting of 10 goats to the villages and we watched with great amusement as Edgar explained to the villagers how the herd of goats would be multiplying! As we were heading back to the truck, a young boy ran up to Marybeth exclaiming, “I see! I see! Thank you!” Praise God for miracles!
Efrida’sOn Tuesday morning we drove a short distance to the village of Kaumphawi and then got out of the truck and walked (down one side of the ravine and then up the other) to Efrida’s Home. Efrida is a widow who cares for her deceased daughter’s children as well as many other orphans under the age of 5. We were met by singing volunteers and some happy and some scared (of us) children. We took turns holding some of the younger kids while we walked the grounds, prayed and helped cooked soy-fortified porridge.
Linda noticed Efrida’s mother sitting on a mat outside of the home. She had been too ill to be up and had had a high fever. The team prayed and sang with her and offered her as much comfort as we could.
It was obvious that God is very much a part of Efrida’s. Even though the kids were learning and eating in a tumbled down school block, it was obvious they were being loved and cared for to the best of the volunteers’ abilities. Anna and Linda found Mary, who had been very ill with Malaria the year before. Last year, Mary was so sick; she just lay under a tree. The team had prayed for her extensively. What a joy to see her running around full of spunk this year! Praise God for healing!
It was difficult to leave Efrida’s, but God had a surprise for our return visit. A few of the team members were able to return to Efrida’s a couple of days later. Led by George, the team arrived to deliver a saber machine and other supplies. Efrida was not home, but some of the local kids saw the team and came running to her house. Imagine the team’s surprise when the woman who stood opening the door was Dinah, Efrida’s mother!
Dinah accepted the gifts on behalf of Efrida and then insisted on joining George and the kids in an impromptu session of praise songs and dancing. God is great!
School near KaumphawiA new place we visited was a primary school near Efrida’s. The headmaster and staff welcomed us with grace and of course a well thought-out speech. Following the formalities, we were able to tour the school. It was a good thing we were providing blackboard paint and cement as many of the school rooms were in disrepair. Nonetheless, the kids were excited to see us. Often lead by a teacher with a large white ruler, the kids assembled in each classroom and sang their hearts out!
The school committee expressed a desire for radios, computers and staff housing among their future needs. We were able to leave pens, rulers, maps, teaching aids, soccer balls, Frisbees and a parachute on our first visit. It was great fun to demonstrate the parachute to the staff and watch Edgar in action once again, as he translated and then joined in the fun of playing with the parachute.
Balaka HospitalLinda spearheaded the collection of medical supplies to take to Malawi. As a team, we completed the assembly of many HIV/Aids and Midwife kits. The next day, we were able to deliver the kits and as well as many other supplies from the World Health Organization to the Balaka Hospital. Our visit began with meeting several women from Agape Life Church who were joining us to pray for people and act as translators. While the hospital staff was setting up for the formal program, the team began to pray for people in the lobby, including a young boy suffering from many deformities.
Following the formal speeches, donations and choruses, our team split into two. Half of the team was able to go into the men’s and children’s wards and pray for the patients. The prayers were warmly welcomed and Joy noted this was the cleanest African Village hospital she had ever been in. The other half of the team was able to pray for women and newborns in the maternity ward. Some of the babies only weighed a few pounds. Some of the mothers were quite young. As we anointed the babies, several of them smiled (which newborns don’t intentionally do). Praise God for the presence of the Holy Spirit in the tiniest of his children! We couldn’t leave the parking lot without praying for Bob’s rash and, of course, God showed up and lessened its severity almost immediately! (Why didn’t we think of that earlier? – sorry Bob!)
Anna’s Bistro and Coffee ShopIt should be noted that many days were begun and concluded in the little known oasis in Balaka Township, Anna’s Bistro and Coffee Shop. There was always plenty of seating available, however many mornings Anna herself delivered hot beverages to people’s rooms. An unending supply of drink mixes and snacks (including chocolate) was available morning through night.
Many times we gathered here to debrief the day, worship, pray together, share funny stories and just plain fellowship. It was here we learned from Emma what life was like for women in Malawi. It was also here where God allowed us to share in Emma’s grief upon the loss of her sister. God’s timing is impeccable.
To Oscillate or NotWith the advent of the Forgiveness and Reconciliation Retreat on the horizon, a large grey oscillating fan was purchased. The only problem, it didn’t oscillate! Not to worry! Soon, George had the fan taken apart in many different pieces. Some of the pieces wound up in his room and others went with him – who knows where – for a long time. It was quite a mystery to Joe, but somehow, when George returned and put it back together, the fan oscillated! Now, the only problem was the fan started and stopped on its own accord. (That may have had something to do with the extremely high temperature the motor housing rose to, but who knows.) The other small issue was that although the fan was marked for three speeds, it only operated on one – turbo.
Tim and Kurt wound up with 4 guys in their room and decided they would use the fan in their room during the night to provide a small amount of relief from the ever present heat. Apparently the fan was not designed to work in such small spaces. Tim nicknamed the fan the “Skin Peeler 2000.” He said that as the fan oscillated it peeled your skin off in one direction. Then you had a quick moment to catch your breath before the fan oscillated and peeled your skin the returning direction. The good news, the fan took care of their mosquito problem because all of the mosquitoes were now plastered against the back wall of the room!
The most enjoyable thing about the fan was that at the end of our trip, we sent the fan to Pastor Yonas’ house. Much to our amazement, the fan calmly and quietly oscillated in his living room. It seems the fan worked best with the low amount of electricity generated in Pastor Yonas’ house. God is so funny!
Forgiveness and Reconciliation Retreat23 pastors from different churches came to Chitsime Hostel for a Forgiveness and Reconciliation Retreat led by Joy and Bob with help from the rest of us. The retreat began smoothly enough after we rearranged some additional guests who just happened to b staying in rooms reserved for the retreat – surprise!
All of the pastors were patient and gracious as we learned not to mix room numbers with group numbers, to plate the food prior to the meals, to ask for choruses as well as praise and worship music, to look for Jesus under the rug, and to have smaller bills to cover transportation costs.
The retreat offered an intimate setting where the Kingdom of God could enter in. Through a time of retreat, sharing of the Word, personal reflection, prayer and of course, the Chicken Dance, God began to move in powerful ways. As a team we were privileged to pray with our brothers and sisters in Christ and invite the Holy Spirit to begin the healing process in many lives. Foot washing and communion were a wonderful way to celebrate the new community we had all become.
Even though the retreat had concluded, God had only begun to work. We prayed for a pastor who had needed a cane. He later demonstrated how he could stomp his foot with no pain and even led dancing up and down the aisles of the church the next day. We also prayed for the eyes of another pastor. While we were thinking of complete restoration of sight, God showed up with the removal of pain. The Pastor was overjoyed. God’s ways are not always our ways, praise God!
Additional Trip Memories• “Ana” means children in Chichewa and “Chitsime” means well.
• Our drivers can always get a better price for Fanta then Bob can.
• Homemade pizza has never tasted better than in Malawi.
• The door on Peter’s van only fell off once during our trips (that’s a record, folks!)
• After passing brick pieces by hand in an assembly line at the church, Bob found an unused wheelbarrow.
• Of all the countries Terry has visited, this was one of them!
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Here is the final installment of the New Testament in a Year Reading Guide. For more information contact Heather Weaver-Orosz 905-634-1849 ext. 23 hweaverorosz@wsquare.ca
The Church Office will be closing at noon on Dec 24 and Dec 31.
Thursday, Dec. 24 at 4:30 pm 
Financial Peace University | On Dec. 2nd 18 graduates from our Fall FPU course started their journey to Financial Peace. We have a winter session scheduled to start on Tues., Jan. 26, 2010. Register early as we expect this class to sell out. Cost is $130 per couple or single. You can register through the FPU website at www.daveramsey.com or by email at twilson@wsquare.ca. For further
Look for the Mitten Tree in the foyer, waiting for your mittens, scarves and hats. They will go to cold hands and heads in our community.
Sunday, we celebrated the Sacrament of Baptism with Taylor Rose Maureen Scherle, daughter of David and Stephanie Scherle. 
Lighting the advent candle Sunday are Nikki and Rob and Charlie Smith. They are active members of Wellington Square; Nikki leads the Drama Team and Rob is a first-year member of the Board.
WOW Book Club | If you love to read, join us as we share lives and the work of gifted authors who dig deep into their hearts to share their stories. Next book is "Still Alice" a novel by Lisa Genova to be discussed on a Monday in January or February (date to be determined). New members welcome, dinner provided. Contact Margaret Terry 905-634-8988 or mterry@wsquare.ca
Lighting the advent candle this Sunday are Sharon and Neal Mosher who you might know because of their involvement in the caring and connecting teams, as well as facilitating the Wednesday midday home life group. They also work with Canadian Food Grains, Fair Trade and Neal helps with the Community Suppers. Sharon is currently in her second year on the board. Neal and Sharon are wonderful people to get to know!
A Christmas Musical presented by the combined choirs
click on chart to view full size
40 dozen homemade cookies are needed for the Wesley Dinner. Please bring your cookies to the church by Saturday, December 26 noon with the words Wesley Centre clearly marked on the outside.
Two volunteer teams needed to prepare and serve dinner for the Wesley Centre.
Community Dinner is part of our Men’s Ministry, offered to the community, for anyone who would like to share a meal here at Wsquare.
WOW Book Club | Join us Monday, November 23 to discuss Lawrence Hill’s The Book of Negroes. If you love to read, join us as we share lives and the work of gifted authors who dig deep into their hearts to share their stories. New members welcome, dinner provided. RSVP to Margaret Terry 905-634-8988 or mterry@wsquare.ca
