Opportunities and Challenges -- Trusting God in 2010

This morning Debbie and I spent some time praying for God to lead us and provide for us in the remaining 9 months of 2010. As we talked and prayed we quickly came to a clear realization of the obvious -- we are not in control of our lives! All we can do is seize the opportunities God gives us, trust Him to overcome the challenges that come our way, and follow Jesus everyday. As you know, that is sometimes easier said than done. Frankly, we are quite overwhelmed by the opportunities that God has given us -- and the resources needed to walk through those open doors. We are, perhaps, facing the greatest faith challenge of our lives. We are totally dependent on a miracle working God.

For the past 3 months we have been involved in a whirlwind of activity and ministry. The past weeks have been filled with speaking engagements in churches, meeting with pastors about ministry in Africa, spending time with people who are interested in deeper involvement in Africa, preparing for upcoming events and trips, and networking with leaders from around the world. At times we have been encouraged by what God is doing through our friends and partners, discouraged by the challenges of life (finding affordable health insurance on the individual market in the USA) and amazed by the unexpected gifts that God gives us.

This morning as Karl was doing some chores around the house he was reminded of a couple of things.

1. About 20 years ago, Peter Wagner asked this question. "Do you want to build a big church/ministry, or do you want to change the world?" A simple yet profound question with huge implications. Our heart is to change the world -- whether or not that results in a "big" ministry.

2. God reminded Karl that what we do is focused on walking alongside our African friends and partners as they minister to with those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS and as they work for transformed communities. It is about them -- not about us or Visionledd. Like Aaron and Hur held up the arms of Moses in Exodus 17 -- so we are called to hold up the arms of men and women like Pastor Kouliga Nikiema in Burkina Faso and Theresa Malila in Malawi.

We that in mind, we would ask that you stand with us in the coming months of ministry. Here is some of what we will be doing.

1. March 29 - April 1 Karl will be in Atlanta meeting with pastors and individuals interested in partnering in Africa. Pray that God will give him favor.

2. April 8 - 15 we are hosting Theresa Malila, the Founder and Director of Somebody Cares in Malawi. Aside from a number of private meetings, Theresa will be speaking at Mission Community Church on April 11 (morning services) and April 13 (dessert evening) as well as at City of Grace on April 14 (women's event in the morning). You can contact the churches involved for dates and times.

3. April 28 - May 1 we are going to Minneapolis where Karl and Theresa Malila will be doing a presentation on partnership at the Christian Alliance for Orphans Annual Summit. Over 800 people from across the USA are expected at this event.

4. May - Karl will be in Malawi. For part of the time he will be involved in a UNICEF and Faith to Action Initiative project involving Somebody Cares, Mission Community Church and Visionledd. UNICEF is publishing a book about churches/ministries in North America who partner with churches/ministries in Africa doing community-based care for orphans and vulnerable children. Our partnership will most likely be highlighted in this publication -- along with that of 3-5 others. It would be good for Debbie to be in Malawi during this time as well -- but her involvement will depend on the resources God provides.

5. Summer - Donovan and Hyesun expect to return from Korea this summer. We are so excited that they will be coming back. Debbie also expects to be in Africa for anywhere from 4-6 weeks this summer. Her role in leading teams, pastoral care, building relationships and ministering to the staff and volunteers of our Africa partners is crucial for our ministry there. Karl will stay in North America, making sure all is well on the home front.

6. Fall - We will both be in Africa for some of the fall. Debbie will return to Malawi in October and November. Karl will attend the Capetown 2010 Congress on World Evangelization as a US delegate in October. Then at the end of November, he will lead a team to Burkina Faso.

It is shaping up to be quite the year. Will you pray with us as we believe God for the spiritual and physical strength to follow Him and the resources needed to do the job? Thanks so much.

We appreciate your love, friendship and support. We are so very grateful for the many incredible people God has placed in our lives. We are blessed.

A New Decade Brings New Opportunities

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

It is hard to believe that today is January 1, 2010. Where have the last 10 years gone? I can still remember all of the "kafafal" surrounding the year 2000!

We are excited about this new year and all of the opportunities that lay ahead of us. This morning we spent some time praying together and we felt the Lord reminding us of three things.

1. The Kingdom of God grows organically. What does that mean? The Kingdom grows naturally -- through the web of people and relationships that God brings into our lives. As God brings people and relationships to us, our role is to nurture and cultivate them so that they can bring the fruit that God desires.

2. Divine Appointments. We need God to give us those "divine appointments". 2009 was filled with many divine appointments. We could give you the names of more than a dozen people God clearly directed us to. Each of the relationships have a different purpose, but we can see how God brought these people into our lives to take us further on this adventure, open doors for us, or teach us things we need to learn.

3. Champions. God will grow our ministry as He leads us to "champions" -- men and women who have a heart for the poor, the widow, the orphan, the vulnerable child. We are asking God to lead us to people in whom He has birthed a similar vision to ours -- people whose vision we can champion - and people who can champion our vision. We are looking for those we can truly work together with as a team and a family -- even if we live in different parts of North America or even the world. God has knit us together with some of those champions already - but we are asking God for many more.

So, what did God remind us of this morning? Nothing more than He is the author and director of our lives, our faith and our ministry, and, that He is interested in people and relationships and that as we nurture the relationships He brings into our lives, His Kingdom will come and His will will be done.

January Opportunities

January 6 - Karl is leading a panel discussion at the East Valley Missions Consortium on mobilizing people and resources for missions in our changing world.
January 9 - Visionledd USA Board of Directors Meeting via Skype with board members here in the Phoenix area, in Atlanta, Florida and Toronto!
January 12-13- Karl is participating in the Founders Meeting of the Global CHE Network that is bringing together 22 leaders from 17 ministries who are focused on Community Health Evangelism.
January 14 - Karl is attending the Board of Directors meeting of the Alliance for Transformational Ministry.
January 16 - Karl is attending the Board of Directors meeting of Global CHE Enterprises
January 23 - We are leading a dessert meeting focusing on Visionledd USA's new partner ministry in Burkina Faso. If you'd like to attend the meeting, send an email to KARL.
January 25-27 - Karl will be in Dallas for a meeting of the American delegates to Capetown 2010.
January 31 - Karl will be speaking at Sunday services at Church of the Vine in Surprise, Arizona.

As you can see, it is a BUSY month, and we are going to need your prayer. Thank you for standing with us.

Do You Want to Experience Africa in 2010?

Now is the time to begin praying and preparing to join us in Africa! Debbie and/or Karl will be leading teams to Malawi, Zambia and Burkina Faso this year. Teams will be going in March, June, July, August and November. We would love for you to join us. We promise, you will never be the same.

There are ways for everybody to serve -- but we have some special opportunities this year for nurses and teachers in June in Zambia. If you fit the bill, or know someone who may be interested, let us know.

If you want more information, exact dates and costs, or have questions, send an email to US.

Thank you so very much for your prayer and support. We have been so blessed by our friends and partners in ministry over this past year. We hope and pray we have been a blessing to you as well and that this coming year will be one of joy, peace and fruitfulness.

Merry Christmas from Karl and Debbie

Debbie and I are writing this from Edmonton, Canada where we are here to celebrate Christmas with Karl's parents. As you can see we are "enjoying" the -18C (0F) temperatures, the beautiful snow and the crisp, cold air. Having lived in Phoenix the last 10 years, we are no longer used to real Canadian winters. We fear we have become "winter wimps".

In order to toughen up, Karl went on a 2km (1.2 mile) walk in the Mill Creek Ravine with his Dad this afternoon. He figured there is nothing like a long, refreshing, brisk walk in the snow to make one feel like you are in the middle of winter! Debbie, decided that the best way to remember winter is to stay inside! You can decide who made the best decision!

We are glad to be able to be with Karl's parents for this Christmas. Donovan and Hyesun are spending their first Christmas as a married couple in Korea. We are looking forward to spending some time with on Christmas Eve via that wonderful thing called "Skype". Those of you with friends and family scattered around the globe know what I am talking about.

Debbie and I want to wish you a wonderful Christmas and a blessed 2010. We are so grateful for our friends and family around the world and for your prayer, support and partnership in the adventure that we have embarked on this past year. These past 12 months have not only been encouraging and filled with tremendous opportunities, but have also challenged our faith. We are so glad that we can do this as husband and wife -- but also with so many of you who have told us your are praying for us and standing with us.

May God richly bless you during this time where we remember the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Merry Christmas

and a

Happy New Year

Blessed to Be A Blessing -- Burkina Faso, Sacrifice and Dessert

Whenever I come back from Africa I am so very strongly reminded that we are blessed to be a blessing, that sacrifice can change the world, and that desserts can be a good thing. Let me explain.

Burkina Faso

During the last week of October I had the privilege of joining Steve Bowler, the Visionledd Africa Representative in the small west African nation of Burkina Faso. The purpose of our trip was to meet with the leadership of Vigilance (an HIV/AIDS ministry in this nation of 13 million), see what God is doing, and discern whether or not Visionledd should join Vigilance in partnership.

Burkina Faso is French speaking and about 45% of the people are Muslim. One could see the Islamic influence everywhere -- from hotels and gas stations funded by Libya, to brand new mosques and boreholes/wells in almost every village and community -- all funded by "petro-dollars". The Christian population numbers about 25% and despite being in the minority, we were privileged to see signs of God is at work throughout the country.

I was privileged to attend a baptism in a village just outside the capital city where 11 people were baptized in a small pond. I spoke to a group of over 100 young leaders who were all committed to abstinence and to seeing God use them to change their nation. Steve spoke to a group of more than 100 people living with AIDS. The story of his 22 year struggle with MS and how this disease is a "gift from God" encouraged those who too were struggling with a fatal illness.

Steve and I, along with Pastor Kouliga Nikiema (the founder and director of Vigilance), traveled to meet Vigilance partners in two communities that have a high HIV infection rate. Meeting with pastors and leaders and listening to how they are ministering to those who are HIV+ regardless of religious background was inspiring. In the town of Bousse, all but two members of the leadership team were HIV+, but they were committed to helping the 57 churches in 90 villages be the hands and feet of Jesus to their communities.

There are many stories that could be told -- but Steve and I both left Burkina Faso and Pastor Kouliga with a profound sense of gratefulness. Grateful that we had the opportunity to interact with heroes of the faith. Encouraged that God is at work, and challenged by the sacrifice of so many who have so little.

I trust this will not be my last trip to Burkina (though I would like to choose a time when the temperature is less than 112F for my next visit). God is at work in this nation and He is using Pastor Kouliga and Vigilance to make a difference!

Blessing and Sacrifice

In the past couple of weeks Debbie and I have been especially blessed by two families, and we would like to briefly tell their stories. About 10 days ago we received an email from a friend who told us that they were celebrating their daughter's birthday. AND, instead of of gifts, they were asking their young daughter's friends to bring money to be given to the ministry of Visionledd in Africa. Whatever the children brought, the parents would match! We were so blessed and humbled to hear this story. Truly, this family knows what it means to be blessed and then be a blessing.

In the last couple of days I spoke to another family that had heard about the WOW Children's Christmas through a friend on Facebook and decided that they wanted to help orphans and vulnerable children in Africa. I spoke with the mother, and was again humbled by the sacrifice that this family is making in order to bless over 200 children with not only a Christmas celebration but school uniforms and school supplies. The family was on the verge of bankruptcy and then a close family member passed away and left them some money. They have been determined to not only pay off their debts, but to tithe from this inheritance -- even if it meant not being totally debt free -- or buying the new car they need. As the mom and I talked on the phone, I was once again humbled, inspired and encouraged by the commitment of this family to be a blessing.

If you'd like to help an orphan and vulnerable child in Africa hear the Christmas story, enjoy a real party and supply them with what they need for school in the coming year, EMAIL KARL. You can actually do all that for only $20!

Dessert Meeting With Theresa Malila of Somebody Cares Malawi

What is God doing in Malawi? Theresa Malila, the founder of Somebody Cares, will be with us to talk about what the Holy Spirit is doing in Malawi. Join us for some great dessert and the chance to renew old friendships and make new ones as we hear from Theresa and pray together. There will also be an opportunity to support the work of Somebody Cares as they battle against HIV/AIDS and for transformed communities.

Date: Friday, November 20, 2009 Time: 7:00pm - 9:00pm Location: 2843 N Whiting Circle, Mesa, AZ 85213

Click HERE for the location on Google Maps.

Please RSVP by sending an email to KARL so we can be sure we have enough dessert (and not too much).

We'll see you there!

Dessert Meeting About Vigilance and Burkina Faso

What is God doing in Burkina Faso through the ministry of Vigilance? Join us for a dessert to hear Karl share about his trip, the ministry of Vigilance and for a time of prayer.

Date: Saturday, December 5, 2009 Time: 7:00pm - 9:00pm Location: 1140 E Loyola Drive, Tempe, AZ 85282

Click HERE for the location on Google Maps.

Please RSVP by sending an email to KARL so we can be sure we have enough dessert (and not too much).

Thank you again for all your prayer and support. We really appreciate it.

Zambia, Malawi, A WOW Children's Christmas, Ouagadougou & Capetown 2010

What do Zambia, Malawi, A WOW Children's Christmas, Ouagadougou and Capetown 2010 all have in common? One thing -- they have all been the focus of much of our attention over the last few weeks (in addition to many other things).

Zambia and Malawi

Since I was in Zambia in April, Pastor Eric Mwambelo the leader of Kabwe Home-Based Care and I have been working on beginning a leadership training program for rural pastors around the city of Kabwe. Well, after months of work -- the dream has become a reality. As I write this, Jack Tesch and Micah Brechtel are in Zambia conducting 3 days of training in 3 different locations! Pastor Eric is expecting about 150 pastors to participate!

After two weeks in Zambia Jack is going to Malawi to continue working with rural pastors in the Somebody Cares network. He'll be there for a month, along with another couple from Alabama.

One of the things Visionledd does is help build the capacity of the local church, and these rural pastors will benefit greatly from the teaching and training they will receive.

A WOW Children's Christmas

Another project we have been involved with is the WOW Children's Christmas. WOW (Women for Orphans and Widows) is a ministry of Visionledd. This year we are encouraging churches, families and individuals to consider making a one-time donation of $20 to WOW so that, along with our African partners, we can throw an orphan or vulnerable child a Christmas party they will never forget. Our goal is for at least 1,500 children to experience Christmas. In so many of the communities in which we work, AIDS has brought pain and suffering, and joy is a gift many children can't imagine.

The WOW Children's Christmas brings the love of Jesus Christ and the celebration of Christmas to an orphan or vulnerable child along with the story of Jesus, a school uniform, school supplies and a special Christmas dinner.

If you want to know more about a WOW Children's Christmas, check out this VIDEO. If you would like to give a child a great Christmas, check out the info at the end of this post.

Ouagadougou

On October 22 Karl is heading back to Africa -- but will not land in Malawi -- rather in Ouagadougou, the capital city of Burkina Faso. Burkina Faso is a small country in Western Africa that has over 400,000 orphans and vulnerable children. Karl will be joined by Steve Bowler, the Visionledd African Representative and together they will spend a week on-the-ground with Pastor Kouliga Nikiema and the staff and leadership of Vigilance. Vigilance has been a Christian voice on HIV/AIDS in Burkina Faso since 1996, and Karl and Steve are going to see whether a partnership with Visionledd is something that God would be leading us to. Pray for safety in travel and wisdom as the two of them attempt to discern God's will for Visionledd and Vigilance.

Capetown 2010

Today Karl was notified that he has been selected to be one of the USA participants in the 3^rd Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization in Capetown, South Africa scheduled for October 16-25, 2010 (this congress is in collaboration with the World Evangelical Alliance). It is an honour to be selected as a participant, and a great opportunity for me. I will be one of 4,000 delegates from 200 nations attending. I will be participating in discussions and forums on:

• Children at Risk
• HIV/AIDS in Africa
• Church and ministry partnerships between the Global North and the Global South
  

Karl was surprised to have been selected since much of the focus has been on bringing younger leaders to this 10 day event, and unfortunately he doesn't fit into that category anymore. Karl had the privilege of participating in the 2^nd Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization in Manila, the Philippines in 1989. He was a Canadian delegate at that time. It was an incredible time of networking, building relationships, learning, and discovering what God is doing in the world. I know this time in Capetown will be very profitable for him personally, but also for Visionledd International. Needless to say, Karl is excited about the opportunity!

How to Give!

If you live in the USA and would like to contribute to our ministry or to the WOW Children's Christmas you can do that in one of 3 ways.

1. Write a check to Visionledd and mail it to:

Visionledd
PO Box 20158
Mesa, AZ 85277

2. You can use the "Bill Pay" feature your bank offers.

3. You can give via credit card through Network for Good.

If you live in Canada, you can give by going to the Visionledd website.

Thank you so much for your prayer and support.

Malawi, A Miracle and Money

MALAWI

Debbie returned from a four week ministry trip to Malawi on August 7 (just in time for our 28th wedding anniversary on August 8). She wanted to share the following experiences with you from her trip.

Somebody Cares Staff Prayer in the Mornings

Each weekday morning at 7:30 am I could count on hearing the lovely sound of Chichewan worship on the grounds of the Somebody Cares (SC) offices. I am so impressed with the commitment of the SC staff. Leaving as early as 5:30 am, the staff walk, ride their bike, or take jam-packed shuttle vans so they can pray and worship together before working long, often emotionally draining days -- only to make the 1 or 2 hour trip home again in the evening.

As I slipped into the circle each morning, the staff greeted me with warm smiles, nudges, high hand slaps and Muli Bwanji (how are you?). I then hummed and did my best to fake singing the words to the songs and move to the beat - in hopes that somehow God would perform a miracle so that I could dance like them. I’m still waiting for that miracle.

I loved being part of that worship. Africans seem to get lost in praising God. I can still hear their wonderful harmonies when I’m alone and close my eyes. They are a part of my heart now. My heart is in two places. When I’m home, I miss my African family. When I’m in Malawi, I miss my American family.

They Sowed and I Got to Reap

A few days after I arrived in Malawi my short-term missions team joined me. One of our "jobs" was to interview literally hundreds of volunteers who work with Somebody Cares doing Home-Based Care (HBC).

One day, in Mgwangwa, a community about 30 minutes outside of Lilongwe, Georgia, one of my team members, came to me and asked, “Can you come pray with us?” Georgia and I were working together with Theresa Changalusa, our translator to interview scores of HBC volunteers about what it takes to be a volunteer, their needs and challenges, their hopes and dreams and their prayer needs.

While Georgia was interviewing, I was busy taking each volunteer's picture - using my limited knowledge of Chichewa, to entertain them by asking them to smile, showing them their picture, etc. That is always a hoot! They rarely see pictures of themselves - for some it is their first time. Every picture turns into a group event as I show the person their picture, and then show the picture to each group of people sitting on the floor. When they see the picture, they cover their mouths, laugh and point at the picture and pat the person who’s picture was taken, on the back. Quite the process! But what fun and a good time building friendships.

One of the questions we ask each volunteer is "Do you know Jesus"? That day two men said "no", but asked to pray so they could. So that’s when Georgia came and got me. Along with Theresa, we talked to the men individually about what it meant to follow Christ, and then led them in prayer. Two men began their walk with God that day!

This is a direct result of Somebody Cares "tilling the soil and the sowing the seed" through Home-Based Care. Many of the people now volunteering and serving the sick and dying, were at one time patients who were sick and near death. But a HBC volunteer came to be the hands and feet of Jesus -- and now they are well enough to serve others!

I count it a high privilege to come alongside SC for brief moments in time to assist them and be part of the harvest. They "sow" day in and day out, working, visiting and praying. We have the opportunity to come alongside them, encourage them and "lift their arms" in the battle.

A MIRACLE IN FLORIDA

While Debbie was in Malawi, Karl got an envelope in the mail with a card, a note and a check for $335.87. It was from the children's ministry of a church in the St Petersburg area called Warehouse 727. Their story was so encouraging, that I called Charlene Iskra, the pastors wife, and thanked her for the gift and asked her if I could share their story with you. She said yes, so here it is!

Warehouse 727 is a two year old church plant that ministers in a poorer neighborhood in the St. Petersburg area. This year they sponsored a Vacation Bible School (VBS) for children in their community. Each night 25-30 children came -- many of them hungry -- so they fed them. Charlene, who led the VBS, wanted the kids to raise $100 towards the Visionledd God Rocks program in Zambia -- a program raising funds to expand a school in one of the poorest neighborhoods in the city of Kabwe. When she announced the goal of raising $100 -- many of the children and adults said -- "this can't be done -- we'll never reach $100". Afterall, many of the families in the church were unemployed, and some of the kids that came to the VBS came from families who didn't even have hot water in their homes. It was impossible.

BUT GOD! Two of the best words you can ever hear! By Wednesday evening, the children had raised $75! By Friday night, they had raised $335.87 for the children of Zambia! As Charlene told me -- "It was a great ending to a great week".

I am always amazed by how God works. Debbie and I are excited about continuing to partner with Warehouse 727 in the future. If you are in the St. Petersburg area, check out Warehouse 727. Visit their website by clicking HERE.

MONEY

Okay, I know you are tempted to stop reading now, but we rarely say anything about money in these updates. The truth is that August has been a tough month for Visionledd both in Canada and the USA. We could really use your help as we move into the fall. If you would like to contribute to our ministry as we walk alongside our African friends in the battle against AIDS and for transformed communities, you can do that in the following tax-deductible ways.

US Residents

1. You can write a check to "Visionledd" and mail it to:

Visionledd
PO Box 20158
Mesa, AZ 85277

2. You can give via credit card through our partner Network for Good. Just click HERE and follow the directions. 96% of your gift comes to us.

3. You can give through the "Bill Pay" program of your bank. Just email me if you need more information.

Canadian Residents

You can give via check or credit card by clicking HERE and following the directions.

Thank you so much for your prayer and support. We REALLY appreciate it.

Debbie's Malawian Adventures

Visiting the sick and dying in Mgona. Interviewing literally hundreds of Home-Based Care volunteers and HIV/AIDS Support Group participants. Speaking at a Women's Conference. Networking and building relationships with other ministries. Living without electricity. Short-term missions team leader. Cross-cultural advisor, pastor, counselor, friend. Experiencing African worship in villages and churches.

These are all words and sentences that describe what Debbie has been doing and experiencing in Malawi since July 6.

Short-Term Mission Team

Debbie arrived in Malawi on July 8, and a few days later a small team of women joined her for almost two weeks of ministry. The team ministered to the sick and dying in Mgona -- a large slum area in Lilongwe where 25,000 of the 50,000 residents are orphans or vulnerable children. Somebody Cares has an extensive ministry here that includes Home-Based Care, HIV/AIDS Support Groups, a feeding program for orphans and vulnerable children and some early childhood education. The team also spent a significant amount of time interviewing and praying for Home-Based Care volunteers (the people on the frontlines of the frontlines in the battle against HIV/AIDS) and members of HIV/AIDS support groups in several of the communities that Somebody Cares works in. They literally spent time with hundreds of dedicated volunteers who work alongside Somebody Cares. One of the highlights of the first couple of weeks was the first Women's Conference sponsored by Somebody Cares.

Women's Conference

On July 15 Somebody Cares hosted their first-ever conference for women in the peri-urban and rural communities that they work in. About 300 women came to the one-day event which focused on relationship with God, marriage, the role of women in the home and community and on issues related to HIV/AIDS. Debbie was one of the speakers, along with Linda Rinzel from City of Grace Church in Mesa, AZ, and Theresa Malila of Somebody Cares. At the end of the day more than 50 women came for prayer and ministry.

The event was so successful, that this coming week another conference will be held in another community to enable more women to come. Debbie will be speaking at the event as well.

The Story of Roseta

Many of your were touched by the story of Roseta that we included in our last post. Shortly after I posted the story, Roseta passed away. You can read about Roseta's passing here. Many of you have asked about Roseta's five children now that their mother has died.

At this point in time, Roseta's sister is caring for the children with the help of Somebody Cares. Keeping the children with family is the best option for them as they grieve the loss of their mother and begin to move forward.

Debbie was able to see Roseta's children. Here is a picture of her holding Sherif, who is only two months old. Please continue to pray not only for Roseta's children, but the millions of other children in Sub-Saharan Africa who have lost one or both of their parents to HIV/AIDS and now face an even more difficult future. The numbers of such children are staggering -- about 1.8 million in Malawi, and over 12 million in Africa. Those of you who support a Home-Based Care worker through Visionledd are part of the solution to this challenge -- since it is your funds that are helping to provide hope to children like Roseta's. If you would like to learn more about how you can support the work of Home-Based Care click here.

Continue to pray for Debbie, that God would give her the spiritual, emotional and physical strength that she needs. Also pray that she would continue to be led by the Holy Spirit and have those Divine Appointments with the staff and volunteers of Somebody Cares, the people in the villages and others who she meets during her time there. She is in Malawi until August 6. I'm looking forward to having her home in time to celebrate our 28th wedding anniversary on August 8.

Thank you so much for your prayer and support.