If you are looking for a teaching job in Laos here is a great opportunity. They need a secondary teacher and either a primary teacher or childcare worker. Class numbers are small and all students are English speaking (all children of ex pats working in Laos). If interested let me know and I will put you in touch with the people organising the school.
"Our children range from the ages of 18 months to 15 years old, which means we have classes from crèche through to year 9. School runs from 8:30 am until 1pm. There is a great need for someone to help the high school. There are four students all up in there and at the moment they have rather minimal assistance. So if there is anyone out there that J.C. is speaking to in this area but perhaps is a little apprehensive and unsure please be brave for HIS sake and read Philippians (4 v4-9). He will not forsake you and He will give you the peace that surpasses all understanding.
We also need an extra teacher in the elementary school as at the moment we have the 3 little guys in crèche coming in and out of the other classes where there mummies are teaching. So if we were able to free up one mum then she could stay with the crèche kids or if there is someone who is called to taking care of crèche aged children we would be happy to have a chat."
Friday, September 5, 2008
Friday, August 29, 2008
Week in Review
Have had 2 busy weeks at Coles. Have had extra shifts on the registers due to people being away sick. Have had a shift in the Deli (brought back some memories) and a shift in Fruit & Veg (had to search the memory back a bit further for this one) and several shifts in the Bakery (all a new learning curve). It is good to move around a bit and try different things and meet new people. Was asked today if I had any experience in the meathall. So they must of been looking for someone to fill a shift there. There seems to still be lots of colds and wogs about. Fortunately we have avoided them. Dave has been going to the physio this week to try and fix his neck. He has caught his nerve or muscle or something in between the bones in his neck. Physio is helping so that is good. Boys are both good. Pat is at a sleep over tonight. Nick has started playing Rugby League for Interschool sport and is enjoying it.
Photos as Promised
A while ago I posted about Pat's 4WD weekend and that I was going to put in some photos. So here they are. They did end up with water up to their ankles in the 4WD and have to be towed out of the water hole. All in all a great bloky weekend was had by all.
China Bible Confiscation
Received this email the other day and thought I would pass it on.
China confiscates Bibles from American Christians [Excerpts]
Chinese customs officials confiscated more than 300 Bibles on Sunday from four American Christians who arrived in a southwestern city with plans to distribute them, the group's leader said.The Bibles were taken from the group's checked luggage after they landed at the airport in the city of Kunming, said Pat Klein, head of Vision Beyond Borders. The group, based in Sheridan, Wyoming, distributes Bibles and Christian teaching materials around the world to "strengthen the persecuted church," according to its Web site.The group arrived in China on Sunday and had intended to distribute the Bibles to people in the city, Klein told the AP in a telephone interview while still at the airport."I heard that there's freedom of religion in China, so why is there a problem for us to bring Bibles?" Klein said. "We had over 300 copies and customs took all of them from us."The move comes as China hosts the Olympics in Beijing, where false media reports last year claimed Bibles would be banned from the games. The state-run China Daily reported last month that 10,000 bilingual copies of the Bible would be distributed in the Olympic Village, which houses athletes and media.(Wong, Associated Press, August 17, 2008).
China confiscates Bibles from American Christians [Excerpts]
Chinese customs officials confiscated more than 300 Bibles on Sunday from four American Christians who arrived in a southwestern city with plans to distribute them, the group's leader said.The Bibles were taken from the group's checked luggage after they landed at the airport in the city of Kunming, said Pat Klein, head of Vision Beyond Borders. The group, based in Sheridan, Wyoming, distributes Bibles and Christian teaching materials around the world to "strengthen the persecuted church," according to its Web site.The group arrived in China on Sunday and had intended to distribute the Bibles to people in the city, Klein told the AP in a telephone interview while still at the airport."I heard that there's freedom of religion in China, so why is there a problem for us to bring Bibles?" Klein said. "We had over 300 copies and customs took all of them from us."The move comes as China hosts the Olympics in Beijing, where false media reports last year claimed Bibles would be banned from the games. The state-run China Daily reported last month that 10,000 bilingual copies of the Bible would be distributed in the Olympic Village, which houses athletes and media.(Wong, Associated Press, August 17, 2008).
Monday, August 25, 2008
Africa - Feldmeier Story
I mentioned in one of my earlier blogs about people we knew from Gympie who were in Malawi in Africa on a 1 to 2 year mission trip. The following story is from their June/July newsletter and was written by Rainald (the dad).
One Day in Prison
I have driven past the Karonga Prison many times. It is almost a funny story, for the prisoners seem to roam freely in the fields where they grow maize, rap and other vegetables. A partly broken down wall separates the road from the prison which seems more like a small farm of 2 acres with a central building and an office block at the entrance. The gate is a branch of a broken gumtree with the hinge broken off, so it just lies on the ground across the path. A solider sits under a shady tree watching the day’s events, seeming to neither worry nor care about prisoners climbing over the brick fence. He is not armed and the whole scene looks quite peaceful, "All is well".
A few days ago, driving past, a couple of "Inmates" jumped over the fence and waved my car down. Winding down the window they asked if I could bring them some soap and maybe toothpaste. Now, they did know me because Lusubilo sends food every couple of weeks as supplement for the sick ones and I had helped deliver it the previous week. You also have to know that like in hospitals, prisoners do not get fed by the Government; neither do they get hygienic products. They have to grow their own supplies, or depend on their family members to bring food and other essentials.
So, that is how I came to visit the Karonga Prison. Rudo, my Malawian co-worker and friend organised two boxes of soap, 180 bars of it and Jennie gave us a couple of packets of biscuits as we drove off. The guards led us to the office building to meet the officer in charge. He welcomed us officially and gave us a half hour rundown on their needs and how we can assist them. We told him that the prison in Karonga is not part of our work, but that we will try to help in small ways. After hearing of our gifts, we asked if we could distribute the soap ourselves and if we could minister the word of God to them at the same time. He happily agreed, commands were shouted and during the continuing conversation I could see through the partly opened door, groups of prisoners being herded into the building next to us. Finally, we were escorted to meet them. A huge steel gate bared our vision, and we had to wait several minutes to enter while some more inmates in their whitish, pyjama like outfits were pushed inside.
The officer in charge asked us to enter and two soldiers opened the gate. Stepping over a bar on the bottom of the door of the steel gate I entered, into a scene which truly rocked me. One hundred and thirty-six prisoners were sitting in a crouched position in a courtyard roughly 20x30 metres. They were all shaven and being in that crouching position made them look more miserable. One side of the courtyard had a narrow building attached to the wall. Two steel barred gates showed the opening to two rooms 15x4m each, no beds, no pillows, only grass mats on a badly worn concrete floor. That was the sleeping facility for 136 men. The brick work all around showed signs of lack of maintenance. Patches of plaster had come off everywhere and the unpainted concrete structures had been stained by years of wet-seasons and dust blown dry times. The far side of the prison courtyard revealed two toilets and two wash-bays. The toilets were just concrete walls, the size of a shower, with a hole in the lid of the underground tank, a bucket of water being the only way to clean up. Because there is neither tile nor paint, the condition of hygiene is at a very low standard. 136 men wash and clean and go to toilet at this facility day in, day out, my heart was gripped with the horrific conditions.
Thirty-one of the prisoners are HIV-Positive and nine have developed AIDS. Looking up, I saw barb wire rolls on the top of the surrounding walls, a lonely flag pole with a sluggish red and green national flag in the centre of the court room and a grass roofed bamboo-structure looking like a kitchen, for there were several pots on burning fires smoking away. A sweetish smell hung in the air, as I followed the officer to one of the corners of the courtyard where there was a simple plank of timber off cut resting on two empty oil drums as a bench. Sitting down the eyes of all the inmates and about twenty soldiers were locked on us.
After a short introduction in Tumbuka, the local language it was over to me. Standing up my heart pounded some what, I felt almost ashamed to tell them that we were here to bring them a bar of soap each. " And despite the unfavourable condition you are in" I continue, while Rudo translated " I know that God and our Lord Jesus Christ loves you and therefore allow me to bring you a portion of His word". I then read Ephesians chapter 2 – in Tumbuka – their language. The Lord had lain on my heart to do so. As a consequence I had exercised and read this portion of scripture again and again:
Pa Chifukwa Ichi Nkhati Ndapulika Na Za Chipulikano Chino Mwa Fuma Yesu Ndiposa Na Kutemwa Kwinu Ku Wose Wanthu Wa Chivita.
That’s verse 15; Eph Ch 2, I encourage you to read that chapter right now and stand in that courtyard with me! Upon finishing the reading all was quiet. Some heads were bowed, others looked straight at me. It seemed a long silence, but as Gods presence was there, a peaceful one. Finally, the officer in charge stood up and addressed the prisoners.
"This man who we call Mr. Vula has come from Australia to help the orphans of this town. He brought his entire family. He made an effort to teach in our language, even though he cannot understand what he reads in Tumbuka. From now on this prison is open to him at any time. He is free to come and free to go. God Bless him."
A slow clap- clap- clap started and ended in a staccato of many hands. We then handed out the soap to each prisoner and the biscuits which were not enough for all of them and I was left feeling terrible.
Thirty-one AIDS affected prisoners came and thanked us for the supplementary food Lusubilo is sending them and they asked if we could supply an ambulance bicycle, for often they are falling sick and sometimes it takes two days for an ambulance to respond, so usually the other prisoners have to carry them the 4km to the hospital. An ambulance bicycle is a converted bike with the back cut off and a stretcher on 2 wheels wielded to the front. I found a business man in Lilongwe who is open to this request; thank you, God and I will be writing an official request. At the other end of the court yard two prisoners stood up and started singing and dancing and praising the Lord for His goodness. In no time two thirds of the men were on their feet, the powerful voices of the African men, stomping of their feet, the swinging of shoulders and hips, clapping of hands with white teeth shining and a smile on their face left me with tears in my eyes and with emotions overflowing that a meagre bar of soap could bring forth such gratitude to our God and Lord!
Have you praised Him today!
Jessica (15) has started teaching an abstinence program to Year 12 students (2 years older than her) at a local high school. Please pray for her.
One Day in Prison
I have driven past the Karonga Prison many times. It is almost a funny story, for the prisoners seem to roam freely in the fields where they grow maize, rap and other vegetables. A partly broken down wall separates the road from the prison which seems more like a small farm of 2 acres with a central building and an office block at the entrance. The gate is a branch of a broken gumtree with the hinge broken off, so it just lies on the ground across the path. A solider sits under a shady tree watching the day’s events, seeming to neither worry nor care about prisoners climbing over the brick fence. He is not armed and the whole scene looks quite peaceful, "All is well".
A few days ago, driving past, a couple of "Inmates" jumped over the fence and waved my car down. Winding down the window they asked if I could bring them some soap and maybe toothpaste. Now, they did know me because Lusubilo sends food every couple of weeks as supplement for the sick ones and I had helped deliver it the previous week. You also have to know that like in hospitals, prisoners do not get fed by the Government; neither do they get hygienic products. They have to grow their own supplies, or depend on their family members to bring food and other essentials.
So, that is how I came to visit the Karonga Prison. Rudo, my Malawian co-worker and friend organised two boxes of soap, 180 bars of it and Jennie gave us a couple of packets of biscuits as we drove off. The guards led us to the office building to meet the officer in charge. He welcomed us officially and gave us a half hour rundown on their needs and how we can assist them. We told him that the prison in Karonga is not part of our work, but that we will try to help in small ways. After hearing of our gifts, we asked if we could distribute the soap ourselves and if we could minister the word of God to them at the same time. He happily agreed, commands were shouted and during the continuing conversation I could see through the partly opened door, groups of prisoners being herded into the building next to us. Finally, we were escorted to meet them. A huge steel gate bared our vision, and we had to wait several minutes to enter while some more inmates in their whitish, pyjama like outfits were pushed inside.
The officer in charge asked us to enter and two soldiers opened the gate. Stepping over a bar on the bottom of the door of the steel gate I entered, into a scene which truly rocked me. One hundred and thirty-six prisoners were sitting in a crouched position in a courtyard roughly 20x30 metres. They were all shaven and being in that crouching position made them look more miserable. One side of the courtyard had a narrow building attached to the wall. Two steel barred gates showed the opening to two rooms 15x4m each, no beds, no pillows, only grass mats on a badly worn concrete floor. That was the sleeping facility for 136 men. The brick work all around showed signs of lack of maintenance. Patches of plaster had come off everywhere and the unpainted concrete structures had been stained by years of wet-seasons and dust blown dry times. The far side of the prison courtyard revealed two toilets and two wash-bays. The toilets were just concrete walls, the size of a shower, with a hole in the lid of the underground tank, a bucket of water being the only way to clean up. Because there is neither tile nor paint, the condition of hygiene is at a very low standard. 136 men wash and clean and go to toilet at this facility day in, day out, my heart was gripped with the horrific conditions.
Thirty-one of the prisoners are HIV-Positive and nine have developed AIDS. Looking up, I saw barb wire rolls on the top of the surrounding walls, a lonely flag pole with a sluggish red and green national flag in the centre of the court room and a grass roofed bamboo-structure looking like a kitchen, for there were several pots on burning fires smoking away. A sweetish smell hung in the air, as I followed the officer to one of the corners of the courtyard where there was a simple plank of timber off cut resting on two empty oil drums as a bench. Sitting down the eyes of all the inmates and about twenty soldiers were locked on us.
After a short introduction in Tumbuka, the local language it was over to me. Standing up my heart pounded some what, I felt almost ashamed to tell them that we were here to bring them a bar of soap each. " And despite the unfavourable condition you are in" I continue, while Rudo translated " I know that God and our Lord Jesus Christ loves you and therefore allow me to bring you a portion of His word". I then read Ephesians chapter 2 – in Tumbuka – their language. The Lord had lain on my heart to do so. As a consequence I had exercised and read this portion of scripture again and again:
Pa Chifukwa Ichi Nkhati Ndapulika Na Za Chipulikano Chino Mwa Fuma Yesu Ndiposa Na Kutemwa Kwinu Ku Wose Wanthu Wa Chivita.
That’s verse 15; Eph Ch 2, I encourage you to read that chapter right now and stand in that courtyard with me! Upon finishing the reading all was quiet. Some heads were bowed, others looked straight at me. It seemed a long silence, but as Gods presence was there, a peaceful one. Finally, the officer in charge stood up and addressed the prisoners.
"This man who we call Mr. Vula has come from Australia to help the orphans of this town. He brought his entire family. He made an effort to teach in our language, even though he cannot understand what he reads in Tumbuka. From now on this prison is open to him at any time. He is free to come and free to go. God Bless him."
A slow clap- clap- clap started and ended in a staccato of many hands. We then handed out the soap to each prisoner and the biscuits which were not enough for all of them and I was left feeling terrible.
Thirty-one AIDS affected prisoners came and thanked us for the supplementary food Lusubilo is sending them and they asked if we could supply an ambulance bicycle, for often they are falling sick and sometimes it takes two days for an ambulance to respond, so usually the other prisoners have to carry them the 4km to the hospital. An ambulance bicycle is a converted bike with the back cut off and a stretcher on 2 wheels wielded to the front. I found a business man in Lilongwe who is open to this request; thank you, God and I will be writing an official request. At the other end of the court yard two prisoners stood up and started singing and dancing and praising the Lord for His goodness. In no time two thirds of the men were on their feet, the powerful voices of the African men, stomping of their feet, the swinging of shoulders and hips, clapping of hands with white teeth shining and a smile on their face left me with tears in my eyes and with emotions overflowing that a meagre bar of soap could bring forth such gratitude to our God and Lord!
Have you praised Him today!
Jessica (15) has started teaching an abstinence program to Year 12 students (2 years older than her) at a local high school. Please pray for her.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
DOULOS Downunder
This is obviously not my photo it is off the website.
My night photography needs some work but here is the DOULOS. Photos taken from the wharf - one with night settings which makes it look like it is caught in a bolt of lightning and one with out night settings - taken by my son Nicholas. (Kelly - our niece, David, Patrick and me - the pose is a bit odd because I am actually holding down Patricks hands to stop him from covering his face and making silly gestures)
Inside one of the narrow hallways with many rooms off them. We saw inside one cabin. It was about the same size as a small bathroom but had 2 bunks, bookshelf, chest of drawers, toilet and shower. Very cramped. The other photo is of one of the sets of stairs. There were stairs everywhere and they are all quite steep with very narrow treads.
The funnel with GBA (the German Company who owns the boat - translated as Good Books For All) and down the outside of the boat near the galley.
We had a fantastic time at the DOULOS. If you get a chance to go when it comes to a city near you (or it's sister ship LOGOS) then do so. We went on the 45 minute tour which takes you all over the ship and gives you an overview of the history - from it's origins (built in 1914, 2 years after the Titanic) as a cargo ship carrying potatoes and onions, used in both World Wars, 1948 changed to a passenger ship carrying immigrants from Italy to Canada and Australia, mid 50's converted to luxury passenger liner and then in 70's becoming the DOULOS. She has 350 volunteer crew from 50 different nations. She travels the world stopping in different countries to bring KNOWLEDGE (largest floating bookshop in the world on board), HELP finding projects in each place that they can offer help with and HOPE with the message of Jesus Christ.
We also went to the Youth Program in the evening which was really good.
All in all a great time was had by all.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
August Update
Well another month has skipped away and I'm not sure where it went. Other than work I can't really think of anything we have done but we always seem to be busy.
David's mowing is still going well. He has had to change his days and move things around a few times due to rain but because he only goes 1 or 2 days a week during the winter this is no big deal.
I have had pretty good hours at Coles the last few weeks averaging about 11 hours. Last week I did some extra shifts for a case clean out. We worked from 9pm to 6am taking all the products out of the bottom shelf of the dairy, freezer, meat, fruit and vege and deli, cleaning all the shelves while contractors cleaned out all underneath and checked all the fans and motors. It was hard work but not difficult but apparently once people do it once they don't want to do it again. I just don't think people want to work (you get time and a half after midnight and I get $20.90 an hour normally - which is a criminal amount of money when you look at it compared to what teachers, child care workers etc get).
The boys are both coasting along at school not really achieving much. Starting to look at options for Nicholas next year as he heads into high school.
Had contact last week from a family who used to be in Gympie {Rainald and Jenny and their 4 children Daniel (17), Jessica (15), Dean (12), and Emily (11)} who now live in Karonga, Malawi, Africa. Reinald is the building superviser for a group Lusubilo Orphan Care. The following is some of an email sent to me by Jessica describing life there.
Here in Karonga, English is not spoken by most people. And if they can speak English, it's the adult generation. There is enough spoken English though that we don't have to desperately learn the language. I know the basic words and greetings. The language is called Tumbuka. This situation makes it hard for Daniel and I to make friends. For Emily, her age group don't communicate by talking but playing. Dean had 2 good friends that speak great English so he is blessed. But for Daniel and me to communicate to people our age is very difficult because they don't play anymore. Anyways, another factor on top is Malawi has the largest percent of stunted growth. So the people here think I look 21 or so and I get quite a few marriage proposals. I spend most of my time in the orphanage though. Because with the young kids love is an universal language. It is a bit difficult with Mum being out teacher. We let all our frustration out on her. Which isn't good of us. We are looking at possibly getting a tutor but no decisions are made. I would say schooling would be the worst part of the life here.(sorry to say). But in myself I love it here because I am more content with myself and what I have here. I love not having the pressures of the western world. The Malawi Lake which is the 2ndlargest fresh water lake in the world. When you go there its almost like being on the ocean just fresh water. And its 1 km from our home.I also am looking at going into high school and teaching an abstinence program called 'why wait' but I am really scared and also am procrastinating on the idea.
The orphanage is an independent orphanage from a organisation but it is ran by a Nun. But the orphanage in itself isn't at all connected to the catholic church because the Nun who started it rebelled against the church to go and help in Northern Malawi. The staff are from all different Christian/religious backgrounds too.
The organisation does a lot more than just run a children's village (orphanage). Its projects involve:
• Infant Care
• Community Base Childcare Centres (Dad is manager of building)
• Community Feeding Centres
• Orphan Headed Households
• Home based Care
• Village Nutrition Centres
• Food Production
• Nyungwe Technical Tafe
• Youth Awareness ( Mum is involved in this)
• Displaced Children
• Busary Programme
They also have a irrigation system in progress. So all things are a part of the organisation and 'Lusubilo/Hope Orphan Care' is working in over 60 villages in the local community.In the orphanage itself there is 40-50 children plus a Nursery for infants. This is out of the 9000 orphans they deal with. Their aim is to get the displaced child back into homes even if they are not directly related to the child. So out of the 9000 only 50 children homes can not be found for or their nutrition state is not well.
Because English isn't spoken well, there are only 2 churches in town that speak English, the Prespatarian and the Catholic. Neither at which we feel the holy spirit moving upon. So in Karonga we don't as such have a church to go to. Though in Lilongwe the capital city we have found an amazing church which we visit every time we go there.its called 'city capital Baptist church' and it is incredible.
So hopefully that gives you more an insight into our mission here.Its all volunteer work from our behalf. Also coming here we have all come as a family decision not just Mum and Dad. We have all committed to come for a year, and after that we will again as a family reassess what we will then do, whether we stay longer or come home etc.
And I can see you have been doing great things for Him andfollowing his heart of Love. James 1:27.
Let your light shine for Christ,Love Jess.
Lusubilo Orphan Care, PO Box 42, Karonga, Malawi, Afrika.
They send out a monthly newsletter so if you would like to hear about what they are dong let me know and I will send it out to you. I'll have a hunt around for some photos of them so you can put a face to the names.
For those of you who saw my blog about our other friends overseas, they have decided to stay for another year. They also have a monthly newsletter if you want to read it. They are busy at the moment setting up the bottom floor of the new place they have moved into for the Home Schooling Coop they are helping set up for Ex Pat kids.
Your prayers for both these groups would be appreciated.
We are off to the DOULOS this afternoon. She is the oldest ocean going passenger ship in the world, built 2 years after the Titanic. It also has the world's largest floating bookstore inside. They are running several onboard programs and tours and have an international cafe with crew speaking their throughout the day. The ship has c. 300 christian volunteers from c. 50 countries. Will try and take heaps of photos and post them for you next week. They have a website and are visiting several ports around Australia. This is their last tour here as it will retire in 2010. Australian website is www.doulosdownunder.org.au not sure where it is off to after Australia but I am sure that it is on the website.
Anyway better go and get some work done. Am starting to catch up on some phone calls to people that I haven't spoken to in a while so please don't think I am ignoring you if you haven't heard from me in a while.
God Bless!!!
David's mowing is still going well. He has had to change his days and move things around a few times due to rain but because he only goes 1 or 2 days a week during the winter this is no big deal.
I have had pretty good hours at Coles the last few weeks averaging about 11 hours. Last week I did some extra shifts for a case clean out. We worked from 9pm to 6am taking all the products out of the bottom shelf of the dairy, freezer, meat, fruit and vege and deli, cleaning all the shelves while contractors cleaned out all underneath and checked all the fans and motors. It was hard work but not difficult but apparently once people do it once they don't want to do it again. I just don't think people want to work (you get time and a half after midnight and I get $20.90 an hour normally - which is a criminal amount of money when you look at it compared to what teachers, child care workers etc get).
The boys are both coasting along at school not really achieving much. Starting to look at options for Nicholas next year as he heads into high school.
Had contact last week from a family who used to be in Gympie {Rainald and Jenny and their 4 children Daniel (17), Jessica (15), Dean (12), and Emily (11)} who now live in Karonga, Malawi, Africa. Reinald is the building superviser for a group Lusubilo Orphan Care. The following is some of an email sent to me by Jessica describing life there.
Here in Karonga, English is not spoken by most people. And if they can speak English, it's the adult generation. There is enough spoken English though that we don't have to desperately learn the language. I know the basic words and greetings. The language is called Tumbuka. This situation makes it hard for Daniel and I to make friends. For Emily, her age group don't communicate by talking but playing. Dean had 2 good friends that speak great English so he is blessed. But for Daniel and me to communicate to people our age is very difficult because they don't play anymore. Anyways, another factor on top is Malawi has the largest percent of stunted growth. So the people here think I look 21 or so and I get quite a few marriage proposals. I spend most of my time in the orphanage though. Because with the young kids love is an universal language. It is a bit difficult with Mum being out teacher. We let all our frustration out on her. Which isn't good of us. We are looking at possibly getting a tutor but no decisions are made. I would say schooling would be the worst part of the life here.(sorry to say). But in myself I love it here because I am more content with myself and what I have here. I love not having the pressures of the western world. The Malawi Lake which is the 2ndlargest fresh water lake in the world. When you go there its almost like being on the ocean just fresh water. And its 1 km from our home.I also am looking at going into high school and teaching an abstinence program called 'why wait' but I am really scared and also am procrastinating on the idea.
The orphanage is an independent orphanage from a organisation but it is ran by a Nun. But the orphanage in itself isn't at all connected to the catholic church because the Nun who started it rebelled against the church to go and help in Northern Malawi. The staff are from all different Christian/religious backgrounds too.
The organisation does a lot more than just run a children's village (orphanage). Its projects involve:
• Infant Care
• Community Base Childcare Centres (Dad is manager of building)
• Community Feeding Centres
• Orphan Headed Households
• Home based Care
• Village Nutrition Centres
• Food Production
• Nyungwe Technical Tafe
• Youth Awareness ( Mum is involved in this)
• Displaced Children
• Busary Programme
They also have a irrigation system in progress. So all things are a part of the organisation and 'Lusubilo/Hope Orphan Care' is working in over 60 villages in the local community.In the orphanage itself there is 40-50 children plus a Nursery for infants. This is out of the 9000 orphans they deal with. Their aim is to get the displaced child back into homes even if they are not directly related to the child. So out of the 9000 only 50 children homes can not be found for or their nutrition state is not well.
Because English isn't spoken well, there are only 2 churches in town that speak English, the Prespatarian and the Catholic. Neither at which we feel the holy spirit moving upon. So in Karonga we don't as such have a church to go to. Though in Lilongwe the capital city we have found an amazing church which we visit every time we go there.its called 'city capital Baptist church' and it is incredible.
So hopefully that gives you more an insight into our mission here.Its all volunteer work from our behalf. Also coming here we have all come as a family decision not just Mum and Dad. We have all committed to come for a year, and after that we will again as a family reassess what we will then do, whether we stay longer or come home etc.
And I can see you have been doing great things for Him andfollowing his heart of Love. James 1:27.
Let your light shine for Christ,Love Jess.
Lusubilo Orphan Care, PO Box 42, Karonga, Malawi, Afrika.
They send out a monthly newsletter so if you would like to hear about what they are dong let me know and I will send it out to you. I'll have a hunt around for some photos of them so you can put a face to the names.
For those of you who saw my blog about our other friends overseas, they have decided to stay for another year. They also have a monthly newsletter if you want to read it. They are busy at the moment setting up the bottom floor of the new place they have moved into for the Home Schooling Coop they are helping set up for Ex Pat kids.
Your prayers for both these groups would be appreciated.
We are off to the DOULOS this afternoon. She is the oldest ocean going passenger ship in the world, built 2 years after the Titanic. It also has the world's largest floating bookstore inside. They are running several onboard programs and tours and have an international cafe with crew speaking their throughout the day. The ship has c. 300 christian volunteers from c. 50 countries. Will try and take heaps of photos and post them for you next week. They have a website and are visiting several ports around Australia. This is their last tour here as it will retire in 2010. Australian website is www.doulosdownunder.org.au not sure where it is off to after Australia but I am sure that it is on the website.
Anyway better go and get some work done. Am starting to catch up on some phone calls to people that I haven't spoken to in a while so please don't think I am ignoring you if you haven't heard from me in a while.
God Bless!!!
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