Hello everyone,
Time flies when you are having fun!!! I am not sure about the fun but the time is really flying and keeping up to date with the blog is becoming a challenge! Today I am in Lilongwe and have spent the past 4 hours trying to upload the pictures but the network is really slow!
Lots has happened since my last post. We had a strategic plan review meeting for the synod in April, and I was glad I was there because somehow the planners had forgotten that we have children in our churches, and I was able to emphasize the importance of planning for our children too! In a culture where children are not really valued, they are often forgotten!!
The strategic plan is being co-ordinated by Martijn Booghart our Capacity Building Officer, and his understudy Rev Glad Kumwenda!
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| The strategic plan review team! |
At the end of April, i travelled to Lusaka in Zambia to spend some time with CCAP Synod of Zambia, our sister synod. I had a great trip - I was welcomed very warmly and saw and heard much about the work of the church in Zambia. I was humbled by the hospitality I received - it was a privilege to have this experience with these Godly men. In the photograph below is Rev Dr Chilenje, the Moderator and Rev M Kabandama the General Secretary. We are standing in front of their unfinished offices - right now, they are operating from what is supposed to be a hen house!
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| Mr Ngulube, the General Treasurer of the Synod |
One of the highlights of my visit was meeting Rev David Chiboboka, who I worked with at Zomba Theological College and I had not seen him for 9 years! It was great to catch up with him and hear about his family and the work of the Theological College at Chasefu where he is now principal.
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| A group of CCAP Synod of Zambia ministers |
Just like in Malawi, the children are keen to come and greet visitors. These kids were so much fun and were able to communicate in English much to my surprise!
As well as being there on an official visit, I was taken on a couple of sight seeing visits, one to a reptile park. Snakes are not my favourite creatures but I was fascinated by the different types. This one of course is a black mamba - one of the most deadliest snakes in Africa. It is named black mamba because the inside of its mouth is jet black - if you are bitten by this snake, there is not much hope for survival! Thankfully this one was behind glass!
Just before I went to Zambia, it was lovely to have Terry and Joyce McMullan stay for a couple of days too! Some of you may also recognise Luso and two of her three children in the photo too!
From Zambia to Ireland - I spent a couple of weeks in Scotland and Ireland, visiting family and also doing a presentation at Stranmillis on the research I had done a couple of years ago in Malawi on early childhood.
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| With some of my lovely nieces and nephew! |
Visited the Ireland Garden show in Antrim with some folks from Armoy PW - we had a great day.....
Back to Malawi and straight back into work. A delegation from PCUSA were with the Synod and wanted to learn about our early childhood programme, so we went to visit our CCAP International Pre-school in Mzuzu.
As you can see the children were fascinated by some photos on Fletcher's phone!
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| busy counting! |
Its the time of year for visitors and it was so nice to see Peter who I met 20 years ago when I first came to Malawi - he was doing research in the South and stayed in Zomba! He was on a quick visit and I was so thankful to be able to spend some time with him and catch up with all his news!
Yesterday I attended two Presbytery meetings where I have to give a report on Early childhood development. First was Nkhamenya Presbytery where I intended to reach by about 9.30am. However, a few miles before Nkhamenya I was stopped by the police and asked if I could take some victims to the hospital - there had been a bad accident and some people were seriously injured. Unfortunately one person died. I was able to carry three people who were hurt, two others and a policeman to the hospital at Nkhamenya. I just hope the victims survived - one of them seemed to be in a critical condition. A minibus had collided with a taxi and the taxi had lifted off the road and flew through the air, going through a brick kiln before stopping. All casualties were from the taxi, and unfortunately all of them from the same family. Praying for safety on the roads here is a necessity before you embark on any journey.
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| the church at Chamakala (Nkhamenya Presbytery) |
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| Umanyano - the women's guild |
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| Madodana - the men's guild |
I am also conducting interviews to find new Presbytery Trainers for Early Childhood development. This means a lot of travel as I have to visit 25 Presbyteries. During the last week, I had interviews in Mzuzu, Dwangwa and Limphasa. On the way back from Dwangwa I saw these two monitor lizards - I thought they were being very affectionate, but they were fighting - and what a fight it was. They are large lizards with a lot of strength and I was quite a bit away but could feel the power!! Amazing sight to see!
Tomorrow I am heading to Nkhoma to see an orphan project which is under the Synod there. I will travel back to Mzuzu on Wednesday. I value your prayers for safety as I travel on the roads of Malawi.
Have a good week,
Blessings,
Diane x
