The Gift of Giving

It is hard to believe that it has been well over a month since my parents and youngest sister, Bree came for a three week visit with us.  We had such a wonderful time with them and we enjoyed every minute of catching up and living life with them when they were here.  It was also really fun to see Malawi through their “eyes”.   I (Sarah) have been meaning to blog about our time together but things have been quite hectic with the start of a new school year. Despite the delay, the next few postings will describe some of our highlights of our time together in August. 

One of the highlights of their visit was delivering the gifts that were collected from my parent’s Sunday school class at First Baptist Church in Sudbury.  In the two suitcases they brought, it included  items such as toothbrushes, pencils and markers, paper, band aids, knitted baby hats, children’s medicine and even some soccer balls!  We had the joy of being able to deliver the school items to Gusu Village, the knitted hats and children’s medicine to the local children’s crisis nursery and the remaining items to Mafosha Village.  Mafosha Village is only 15 minutes from our home and it is the village where Bruce ran his weekly discipleship program last year.  The visit with the people at Mafosha village started with the children and women singing (in Chichewa – the local language) songs and dancing for us followed by a short gospel message given by Bruce and then the handing out of the gifts.  I will never forget the joy and excitement that the children expressed when they each received one marker and 2 sheets of paper.   It was a great reminder to me to receive the “little” things in life with the same amount of joy and appreciation. 

 A very special thank you to Mrs. Rotz for organizing the fundraiser and for all those at First Baptist who gave so generously.  You brought much joy to many people here in Malawi.