Melissa in Malawi, part 2

Just heard from Melissa again.
Her suitcase finally turned up today (3 days after she arrived).

She said that she and her dad are having a phenomenal trip. One suprising thing they've discovered: there are virtually no NGO's (non profits, aid groups, etc) in that particular part of Malawi. On the one hand that is tragic because the folks there just aren't getting much help. On the other hand, though, that's great. It feels like we are definitely heading in the right place.

She was able to arrange a partnership with a local hospital that will provide the leadership for digging wells in the region. That is another win/win. It guarantees local knowledge of the need. It ensures adequate local support for upkeep of the wells. And it means that local contractors will be the ones hired to do the actual digging.

Melissa also had a great day of visiting with the Opportunity International representatives in Mulanje. She was asked to share with one of the Trust Groups (a partnership of loan recipients) about her hopes for this Meet Malawi project. Melissa told me she broke into tears sharing about the amazing hospitality and welcome she had received and about how her heart for others was expanded by the heart of the group she was sitting with.

Those folks in Mulanje are incredibly excited about the group of us coming back there next year!!!

Melissa is spending the next 3 days building relationships with local churches in the region. She has stumbled across a fantastic friendship with a young couple who are being incredibly helpful. The wife is a health worker (trained in the U.K. thanks to a church partnership). She is going to drive Melissa into several small villages a bit further away from the population center. Some places that don't get alot of attention. But some places where the church in Malawi is active. Melissa is awfully excited about the possibilities.

One funny story. Most of the people they meet just naturally assume her dad is in charge and they talk to him. Her dad has started answering them all by saying, "I'm just here to carry her luggage. She's the boss."

Keep her and her dad in your prayers.