The End (for now)

The End (for now)

I (Frank) just returned from bringing the team back to the airport in Lilongwe. It is quiet and a bit empty in the house but at the same time wonderfully restful. On Thursday we had our final test which we all passed with flying colors. After the test we cleaned the house and waxed the floors. On Friday we first had debriefing in the morning with Victor and Lori. We sat under a nice grass roof on the premises of the Anglican diocese which is their neighbor. They prepared well: a sheet with good questions that we went through and coffee, tea and a basket of mango-muffins. It was a really good time. After that we went to Bonnie's birthday celebration with a lovely pick nick out at the black rocks. It was beautiful to be out in nature, good to meet people and fun to see the kids playing in the water of the stream. We missed Sandra and Judah because our little one was down with fever and a severe cough that had us a bit worried.

For the night we had planned to go out and have dinner to celebrate our graduation but Judah had to stay home so we moved the party to our house. I picked up the food from the restaurant and also two of our guest: Elidio and Sylver who have been translating for us so wonderfully. At home also Victor and Lori were presented with their kids. That night Sandra and I officially graduated from our IPHC and even Judah was presented with a beautiful (mock) certificate that Jill had drawn up. He has been present at all lectures (though he has been known to sleep a lot in class) but his work as a model was an example for us all.

Saturday was a day of rest and last shoppings and packing. And then on Sunday morning 6.00 we stepped into the car to go towards Malawi. Sandra and Judah stayed home because of Judah still being sick (he is clearing up now). We had a long journey ahead of us with a detour to Itepela. Our colleagues had called us to the rescue: they were out of medicines for days and couldn't do their work. The government is still so super-centralized and over controlled together with corruption and bureaucracy that is not easy for supplies to arrive. So the medicines were in Massangulo and it would only be a detour of 2x 20 kilometers so we decided to go for it. We found Geraldo waiting for us at 8.00 in Massangulo and could continue quickly. In Itepela we said goodbye to Geraldo, Luisa, Irene, Ariel and Elias (who was visiting his girlfriend). That day everything went really smooth. The road, the people, the road blocks, the car, the weather, the border crossings. We went swiftly through everything and arrived around 16.00 in Lilongwe. Deliah prepared a wonderful meal for us that night. On Monday we all went into town to do shopping and get souvenirs. We enjoyed a least meal out together (first pizza in three months!) and had a good time. Then on Tuesday morning it was time for me (Frank) to say goodbye. I jumped in the car at 8.00 after a good breakfast of egg-bread. It was weird saying goodbye to people you have shared so much with for so long. Especially for Judah it will be strange; it turns out he only he has two parents instead off a whole bunch.

We look back on a great time and have learned a lot and have seen God moving amongst the people we were serving. We want to thank you for following us and praying for us while we were on this outreach. Some of you will meet up with the other back in England and will hear more of our exciting stories of our time in Africa.

Love from Frank, Sandra and Judah on behalf of the whole outreach team:
Lyn, Karen, Tinashe, Jill, Rachel L, Rachel S, Frank, Sandra and Judah!!!