An Update...

Hello from Malawi!

Our apologies for leaving you all in the dark regarding our status but I’ll catch you up quickly…..

Sunday morning we boarded the plane in Johannesburg and flew the 2 ½ hours to Malawi.   We arrived without incident as the demonstrations happened during 2 days last week.  There’s another demonstration planned for August 17^th.  Basically there’s an opposition group that is looking for some changes in government policy and they’re getting tired of waiting.  The recent event of the middle east have inspired factions in many different countries to “rise up”.  

We stayed at a guest house on campus Sunday night and first thing Monday morning Sarah and I hit the stacks of boxes with a vengeance.   They set us up with another couple here to serve as our “hosts” (basically making sure we’re okay and have opportunity to get to any necessary stores for supplies).  We’ve have 4 nights of dinners at people’s houses which has been a huge help too. 

Yesterday (Wednesday) we finally got internet access and just as we were ready to start this email the electricity went out.  It happens a few times a day usually lasting anywhere from 30 minutes to 3 hours.  Tomorrow is supposedly a “no water” day so we’re stocking up tonight. 

Grace and her new friends on campus

The house we have to live in is beautiful and Sarah and I have already made it feel like home (at least it will be for the next 10 months).  We have plenty of space and Grace and Beth even have one room set aside for their play things.  The cold cement floor is even covered with a beautiful rug that we salvaged from the Fultons before our container shipped. 

We’ll be settling in for the next couple weeks and increasingly that will mean gearing up for the arrival of the students.  A former student of mine from my teaching days in Kenya will be coming for a visit the 2^nd week of August.   

We need to start looking for a vehicle soon but gas is often hard to come by too so it seems a little odd to be buying a car now – but if we want to get around and be able to get our own groceries – we’ll need to do it.  Please pray with us for wisdom in this decision.    

The girls are adjusting beautifully.  Beth was standing and took a few steps while pushing an empty carton around the living room yesterday.  Grace is running a fever tonight but we’ve been assured it’s to be expected with all the new “bugs” to adjust to. 

While the real “work” has yet to begin – we are thankful that you stand with us and that God is in control of every aspect of this mission He has given us.  

By Grace,

Bruce, Sarah, Grace & Beth