Routines

So much has happened since my last blog. As I am typing these words, our son Joas is flying above the Arabian Peninsula, together with about 400 strangers. Not a good feeling for a mother, but we do trust the Father above, looking down in love. I think it’s one of the hardest things about having your child in boarding school far from home; not being able to take care of him on a daily basis. Joas stayed three more weeks in Holland and will start school in Kenya Monday. We came back home to Malawi three weeks ago. Our two month furlough in Holland went quick. We saw and spend time with all our relatives, did our shopping, medical appointments and presentations.

It is good to get back to normal routines. So far I have been fulltime in my class at the Academy, but soon my team teacher is going to teach her subjects independently which will give me a little more time for my home-makers and ministry duties. I teach Bible, Math, Language and Social Studies. In my class we speak 13 different languages and learn about the different cultures represented. Very interesting.

At the ministry we had a disappointment as the gates were stolen. The poles were anchored in cement, the thieves however brought their saw and cut the gates out of its hinges. Despite of that we have carried on with the Thursday Children outreach and last week we started with the Creation lesson again. This teaching schedule will take us through the Bible in two years. For the opening of the school we wait until our property is secure, otherwise all the precious donated materials will be surely stolen. Theft is a very big problem in Malawi. For now our classrooms are empty, kids sit on the floor, walls are painted.

The women have been busy over the break with sewing lessons. First by hand so that they know how to properly mend their clothes, but also how the cut and sew new clothes. We have one manual (pedal) sewing machine which we use. They are starting literacy classes again soon. 

An ABC graduate is helping us with some sport ministry. He plays soccer three times a week with boys in different age groups. The start each game or training with prayer, then half way a bible lesson is taught and after that they finish the game or training.

Cees is busy directing and teaching the Masters program. We are  very happy with the official accreditation. It is great to see many graduates ending up in very important positions, pastors, teachers, inspectors, managers etc. We pray they will use what they learned, to be a Christian leader, in each of their roles in the Malawian society. Many new students are enrolled again and Cees has mentor talks with each one of them on a regular basis. Relationship is number one for ministry in Africa.

 Meanwhile, today, Saturday, he is fixing problems. Here we cannot get good quality materials. A doorknob, a light switch, a hinge or a tap only last about 8 months….lots of maintenance to do!

Obed and Moses get home every day like dirty pigs….enjoying playing in dirt and trees. What would they do without each other! 

 

Teaching our boys something about their nationality, even though they have never been a resident of their home country.

The opening of the school year for the ABC Christian Academy. Teachers in front, facing the students and parents.