Good morning. The previous four blogs from our trip involved activities and facts from my head. This last blog about our trip involves friends and family from my heart. First, Jan and I had a wonderful time together. Next, it was fun getting to know Ken and Russ better, our traveling partners. Finally, it was such a blessing to meet Nancy, Jayne, Kangwany, Harrison, and others who work with CRWRC and PWW in Africa.
I had not seen my sister and her family for over two years. Beth and Dan, I saw God using you through the relationships and friendships you have with others in Malawi. I consider it a priveledge to be family. I pray God continues to bless you as continue in your teaching and accounting professions.
Moses and Maria live in a village next to a river close to Lilongwe with their two children. I was impressed with their maize crop and the bridge they built out of logs that crosses the river. I was inspired by their love for and walk with the Lord. I was amazed at the leadership they displayed in their village and in their church.
Michael used to farm a fair amount with his dad and brothers in an adjoining country in southern Africa. He and his wife Igna and their family now live and work at African Bible College in Lilongwe. They are so fun to be around and Michael talks to everyone he meets about his Lord.
Hennie and Renee invited us out to their place for a brai(barbecue) Sunday after church. Hennie runs a tobacco farm. They live about 50 kilometers out of town. They were wonderful hosts and made us feel right at home from the minute we arrived. Their son was home for spring break and their daughter was in boarding school in South Africa.
While the gals looked around at the plants and flowers the guys talked farming. Hennie grew up and farmed in Zimbabwe. He had a large, successful operation. I thought I remember him saying they ran two Case/IH and two NH combines. Life was good. Then about five or six years ago on a Thursday he saw some folks driving through his fields. When he asked if they needed help they told him they were just looking around. The next day they came on his yard and asked for the keys to his equipment. They said they were from the gov't and they were taking his land, his crop, and his machinery. I asked him if he resisted and he said he did but fighting a corrupt gov't wears you down. He said the gov't started accusing him of things he didn't do. The following week' he loaded up his family, their clothes, and one piece of furniture, left a lifetime of possessions and moved to Malawi.
Hennie said now Malawi is becoming unstable and folks are starting to experience some of the same things. He said their gov't is power hungry and is suffocating the economy. He said their population is hurting because their money is worthless. There is very little fuel in the country and people with vehicles wait in lines for days.
Hennie and I talked about the USA. We talked about our countries gov't, our economy, and our debt. We agreed we have leaders slowly trying to take away our privileges and freedoms. Hennie said you people don't see it because you have not lived it. We agreed as Americans we should not take our freedoms for granted and fight to save them.
Around 3 pm after an unbelievable dinner we put on mosquito repellent and walked through a jungle looking area to the farmstead where Hennie showed us how tobacco is dried and stored. Then we walked and looked at the cattle which gain about 2-3#/head/day on grass and chicken manure.
We came back to the house for dessert and coffee, shared our testimonies, and talked about the mutual assurance we have as Christian brothers that God is sovereign and in control. We agreed financial losses often turn into spiritual gains. We talked about hanging on tightly to our faith, loving family, and appreciating friends. We agreed to hang on loosely to our possessions and all the things we gain from our farming occupations.
Just before dark we stood in a circle, sang the doxology, prayed for each other, said our good-byes, and headed for Beth and Dan's home in the dark and the rain. Praise God from whom all blessings flow for Christian friends.
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