I awoke sometime in the early morning as we travelled over Sardina in the Mediterranean. For a few moments the view was cloudless and you could see the outline of the island and the cities around the coast and in the mountains. Falling back asleep I awoke again when the airline attendants turned on the cabin-light, passed around hot towels and served us breakfast. We circled the green countryside around London before taxing into Heathrow around 6.45a GMT.
We followed the long line of passengers from around the world through a couple of stages of security before walking into the shopping concourse. We spied-out an Irish restaurant where we crashed in a corner and took turns visiting the washroom to clean-up. Pastor Scott Hunter-a missionary for many years- suggested on my first trip to Africa to bring a towel, toiletries, a change of clothes and a plastic bag on long haul travel with a substantial lay-over. I now reiterate that wisdom. You won’t regret reserving some space in your carry-on. Speaking of wisdom, immediately before travelling you should have something easily digestible in your stomach so as not to cause discomfort in the air. Please note that Pastor Mike and I enjoyed the “Full Irish Breakfast” consisting of sausage, back bacon, eggs, black pudding, and some Irish concoction made partially of cabbage. Did I mention wisdom?
The flight across the Atlantic seems longer in the day- almost seven hours in total. The personal touch screen on the Air Canada flight provided a choice of various movies and other entertainment. Between another lunch, some reading and writing, a snooze or two and an interesting incident in which a passenger decided to light up a cigarette in the washroom, the time passed. Though we left at 12.05p London time we landed in Halifax at just 2.40p Atlantic time. Ahhh, the wonder of time zones. Our flight to St. John’s would leave in 2.5 hours. This time went quickly as we had to pass through customs, collect our checked luggage and recheck them for the flight home. Pastor Mike received a little extra love when he was called into a special location to go through his baggage in detail. After a magnificent double beef burger at Legends, and a quick chat to a friend of Mike’s from the Gander church, we boarded the final jet for the 90 minute ride to St. John’s. We were being prepared for a return to reality as the airline attendant provided something to drink but nothing to eat unless you paid for it. The final reminder that we were home came when the co-pilot informed us the weather at the airport in St. John’s was fog, drizzle and 2 degrees. Oh well...Just after 7p, walking off the jet, up the gate and down the escalator we were greeted by our families. Be it ever so frigid, there’s no place like home!
That night I slept in my own bed. Wonderful!
Mike however stayed in town another day before heading home to Gander. The Monster Trucks were in town. Such a Youth Pastor!
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Day 10 - 3rd Advance Team YC Malawi (08 May)
The alarm went off much too early on Thursday morning. After grabbing some breakfast, completing the packing and checking-out of the hotel we headed for the Woods to drop-off the Andrews’ truck and ensure our bags were the correct weight. Saying goodbye to Angela and their son we left for the airport with Tyler and his dad visiting from Canada. En route we realized we were missing vital stuff- specifically, the gift I purchased for my wife. Tyler also forgot a Manchester United cap for Pastor Shane Simms. Quickly he phoned Angela explaining the situation after which she graciously jumped in the other vehicle and chased us. I’m glad we gave her the Tim Horton’s coffee and not her husband. Both of them are great people! We checked our luggage, paid our exit fee ($30 American each- be sure you have it when you leave!), and met Angela at the door in time to stuff the gifts into the carry-on before running upstairs to security. In a few minutes we were both on our way to the shuttle which took us to the awaiting Kenya Airlines 777 flight. All too quickly we were taking off and leaving Malawi.
The flight from Lilongwe to Nairobi was just over two hours. We were served a meal of fish or chicken and watched an in-flight movie. At 4.35p local time we arrived in Kenya where we quickly settled into a booth at the Nairobi Java House restaurant. Our flight to London would not depart until 11.30p so the coffee shop would prove an important place to rest. From this location to the far right of the arrival bays, we took turns wandering the long bending departure floor that included numerous curio shops and duty free stores but very few places to eat. I recommend getting your seat at the Java House as soon as you arrive. The food there is good and there is a neighbouring kiosk selling African fare and Indian samosas and spring rolls. We boarded our flight for London just prior to midnight, had a brief lunch, watched some “tele” and attempted our best to sleep.
The flight from Lilongwe to Nairobi was just over two hours. We were served a meal of fish or chicken and watched an in-flight movie. At 4.35p local time we arrived in Kenya where we quickly settled into a booth at the Nairobi Java House restaurant. Our flight to London would not depart until 11.30p so the coffee shop would prove an important place to rest. From this location to the far right of the arrival bays, we took turns wandering the long bending departure floor that included numerous curio shops and duty free stores but very few places to eat. I recommend getting your seat at the Java House as soon as you arrive. The food there is good and there is a neighbouring kiosk selling African fare and Indian samosas and spring rolls. We boarded our flight for London just prior to midnight, had a brief lunch, watched some “tele” and attempted our best to sleep.
Day 9 - 3rd Advance Team YC Malawi (07 May)
On Wednesday morning we were treated to breakfast at the home of Dr. Chris Brookes, the founder of Lifeline Malawi. We enjoyed hearing about Lifeline’s beginnings and their current goals for the future. We travelled back to the hotel compound where we met with Steve Bowler of Visionledd (http://www.visionledd.com/about.html). This group will provide ministry opportunity for our AIDS Awareness team. Our conversation was highlighted by in depth insight into the challenges facing Malawi and suggestions to prepare our teams for ministry including encouraging each member’s prayer life and the need to triple the amount of water we would estimate per person.
Following the exchange of Canadian and American currency into Malawian Kwacha and a visit to the African Enterprise office where we met Enoch Phiri, the Malawian Team Leader (http://www.africanenterprise.org/malawi/index.html), we filled-up our tank for the second time and left for Lake Malawi. We said good-bye to David Chigamba and Cheepo who were heading to the northern part of the country to prepare for another outreach. The 90 minute drive to Livingstonia is highlighted with incredible views of mountains, thatched hut villages, tropical foliage and the city of Salima. Just prior to the lake we stopped at a craft market where Mike and Matthew scouted bargains while I tipped the driver seat back and slept. My thanks to Junior and Ivy for a very comfortable seat! They returned to the truck much too quickly. We travelled a few more kilometers east and entered the gates of the Sunbird resort at Livingstonia. The hotel borders on a lengthy sandy beach, includes a great swimming pool, and a delicious buffet of Malawian delicacies. We chatted with the manager regarding the possibility of teams visiting the resort on the rest-day. The drive back included the purchase of curios-a drum for Mike’s son-and an inspiring sunset over the mountains.
Returning to the hotel we met with the Campbells for supper and enjoyed great conversation and lots of laughter. The night finished with a final conversation with hotel management and the packing of our gear for the trip tomorrow.
Following the exchange of Canadian and American currency into Malawian Kwacha and a visit to the African Enterprise office where we met Enoch Phiri, the Malawian Team Leader (http://www.africanenterprise.org/malawi/index.html), we filled-up our tank for the second time and left for Lake Malawi. We said good-bye to David Chigamba and Cheepo who were heading to the northern part of the country to prepare for another outreach. The 90 minute drive to Livingstonia is highlighted with incredible views of mountains, thatched hut villages, tropical foliage and the city of Salima. Just prior to the lake we stopped at a craft market where Mike and Matthew scouted bargains while I tipped the driver seat back and slept. My thanks to Junior and Ivy for a very comfortable seat! They returned to the truck much too quickly. We travelled a few more kilometers east and entered the gates of the Sunbird resort at Livingstonia. The hotel borders on a lengthy sandy beach, includes a great swimming pool, and a delicious buffet of Malawian delicacies. We chatted with the manager regarding the possibility of teams visiting the resort on the rest-day. The drive back included the purchase of curios-a drum for Mike’s son-and an inspiring sunset over the mountains.
Returning to the hotel we met with the Campbells for supper and enjoyed great conversation and lots of laughter. The night finished with a final conversation with hotel management and the packing of our gear for the trip tomorrow.
Day 8 - 3rd Advance Team YC Malawi (06 May)
We began the day with a visit to the Village of Hope where we met Tyler and Angela Woods and were treated with a wonderful tour of the facility and met the staff and children. The many connections with Newfoundland and Labrador are evident with houses named after churches, communities, families and of course YC! Our teams will be reminded of home right there in the middle of Malawi! On the way out I gave Angela a big can of Tims explaining it was for her and not Tyler! Pastor Mike and I met Pastor David Chigamba, Cheepo and Matthew at Silver Stadium. We surveyed the grounds and considered again the possibilities for stage location, seating and crowd control. We then all went downtown to Nandos- a restaurant specializing in fried chicken with a taste of Portugal! The extra spicy was very good!
Leaving the restaurant we travelled to the centre of the city to visit Maula Prison, a maximum security facility. Approaching the front gate Mike took a photo. The quick and rather belligerent guard demanded the camera and was about to break it before we demonstrated our deletion of the pictures. In the end he still took the camera and placed it in the guard house until we left. Our tour included watching prisoners play soccer (football in Malawi), conversations with the warden, and a general walk-about outside the inmate fence. If a team is considering ministry at the prison I would strongly suggest visiting a prison in Newfoundland at least once before leaving for Africa.
We travelled out of the city through a number of area settlements before entering another village market area. Once again we scouted a location for an outdoor service and visited a small Pentecostal church. After we dropped our friends off we met with Lifeline Malawi (http://www.lifelinemalawi.com/) administrator Pat Laforet to discuss the role our medical team would play at their mission in Ngodzi. Lifeline is dedicated to providing clinic, HIV/AIDS, and maternity ministry to Malawians. We enjoyed wonderful conversation over delicious cuisine at an Italian restaurant. Yummy! Following supper and a well-needed clean-up we met with hotel management to discuss various aspects our booking including the leasing of rooms, conference halls, a theatre, internet, meals, laundry, shuttle service and of course the swimming pool!
Leaving the restaurant we travelled to the centre of the city to visit Maula Prison, a maximum security facility. Approaching the front gate Mike took a photo. The quick and rather belligerent guard demanded the camera and was about to break it before we demonstrated our deletion of the pictures. In the end he still took the camera and placed it in the guard house until we left. Our tour included watching prisoners play soccer (football in Malawi), conversations with the warden, and a general walk-about outside the inmate fence. If a team is considering ministry at the prison I would strongly suggest visiting a prison in Newfoundland at least once before leaving for Africa.
We travelled out of the city through a number of area settlements before entering another village market area. Once again we scouted a location for an outdoor service and visited a small Pentecostal church. After we dropped our friends off we met with Lifeline Malawi (http://www.lifelinemalawi.com/) administrator Pat Laforet to discuss the role our medical team would play at their mission in Ngodzi. Lifeline is dedicated to providing clinic, HIV/AIDS, and maternity ministry to Malawians. We enjoyed wonderful conversation over delicious cuisine at an Italian restaurant. Yummy! Following supper and a well-needed clean-up we met with hotel management to discuss various aspects our booking including the leasing of rooms, conference halls, a theatre, internet, meals, laundry, shuttle service and of course the swimming pool!
Day 7 - 3rd Advance Team YC Malawi (05 May)
On Monday morning Pastor Mike and I met to review our trip thus far and make plans for the remainder of the week. Around 11a we met with Pastor David Chigamba, Cheepo and Matthew and left together to research some of the ministry sites GYM teams would be visiting. Passing by the hotel we travelled into the countryside where we turned onto a dirt road, leading to maize fields, small lakes and a little village called Kandiyani. We toured an open area where our friends explained we would be holding a meeting with music and speaking. On the return journey we turned onto another highway which led to a post secondary campus- National Agriculture College. The very impressive compound included an auditorium which would host evening meetings open to the public in the area. The travel from the hotel to these locations was at least 30 minutes.
Following supper we left for our Foxfire discussions at LPC. The Foxfire leadership team is composed of visionary young men and women. An imposed blackout left the streets and church in darkness. Carrying the gear into the building I stepped into a trough unseen in the complete darkness… stumbled, fell and managed to scrape and bruise my leg pretty bad. Once Mike stopped laughing he attempted to help me. It was rather interesting beginning a large committee meeting with only a candle to provide light. About 40 minutes later a generator kicked-in and we had power. Following 3 hours of intensive discussions we left LPC and headed-back to the hotel, where Mike and I continued our planning, sorted through our photos and prepared the blog. Tomorrow our focus will be on further GYM team ministry sites.
Following supper we left for our Foxfire discussions at LPC. The Foxfire leadership team is composed of visionary young men and women. An imposed blackout left the streets and church in darkness. Carrying the gear into the building I stepped into a trough unseen in the complete darkness… stumbled, fell and managed to scrape and bruise my leg pretty bad. Once Mike stopped laughing he attempted to help me. It was rather interesting beginning a large committee meeting with only a candle to provide light. About 40 minutes later a generator kicked-in and we had power. Following 3 hours of intensive discussions we left LPC and headed-back to the hotel, where Mike and I continued our planning, sorted through our photos and prepared the blog. Tomorrow our focus will be on further GYM team ministry sites.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
