Rhoda's Journal

This is the first year we could not go on furlough due to the financial situation of our mission board. We used to have 8 weeks of furlough each year, as of now every other year. With our recent move Cees and I are very busy preparing for our new assignments (Cees Masters director / professor and I 5th grade teacher). However, we took a one week break with our children and visited a few places. Rhoda wrote a journal which I share with her permission. It saved me a lot of work. Thanks Rhoda!

                                                                                                                           By: Rhoda Molenaar

The Seven Days of Fun

One Saturday morning, it was very bright and sunny outside . We, the Molenaar family, were going on a trip. We just moved to a house closer to the school. We left our German Shephard Lassie, in the previous compound for the week we were gone on a trip. Our new house doesn’t have a fence around it because we live in campus. My dad is the new director for ABC Masters program and my mom is the teachers for 5^th grade at the academy.

Well our car, which is a land rover, was packed! Literally, the roof was all loaded, and of course the back of the car was full. The seats of the car were full too. We are a family of six so it was three in front and three in the middle. There was my dad, mom, my older brother Joas who is fourteen, and two little brothers, Obed who is five (almost 6), and Moses who is 4. My name is Rhoda and I’m twelve! To keep ourselves busy we had some things at our feet, but Joas only needed his phone, earphones, and a book, so he didn’t have anything at his feet, that’s why we put Lassie at his feet just to drop her off. She loved the wind and put her face out of the window. Everyone laughed.

     After that we started driving to a missionpost called Ekwendene. It was about five hours to get there. We started at about eleven o’clock. After 4andhalf hours of non stop driving Obed and Moses were  losing their patience. Ekwendene has two Dutch Missionary families. Today, 5^th of July 2014 we’re probably going to be more sitting than standing, and going to be more inside than outside. Joas is just listening to music and reading his book the entire four hours. He’ll probably do it for the last hour toJ. Outside the window you see mountains, Eucalyptus trees, and grass. Creation is so beautiful. The sky is blue and has white and fluffy clouds. We’ll so far so good, and so far its being very exciting.

We now arrived safely in Ekwendene. The first Dutch family (Visser) invited us for a dinner with them. So we ate dinner and went to the CCAP guest house in which we will stay for two nights Joas and I slept in one room, and next to us where my mom and dad. There was a bathroom which connected to Obed and Moses’ room.

The next morning Joas and I had breakfast in bed which was wonderful, but  got the news we  had to get out!! That was because we had to go to church which started at eight o’clock in the morning.

      After the church service it was very terrific. The entire rest of the day was yummyJ. First we went to the other Dutch family (VandeBoogaart) for coffee and there was delicious cake. We all had about two pieces. After that we ate lunch with the other family (which was great as well). My mom brought chocolate cake so we ate a piece of that too. Well, I know that its very confusing but after that we went back to the second Dutch family we visited and ate dinner which included Chips & Chicken with some veggie’s. Now this is the last switch. We did praise and worship at the other families house. After that we went to the guest house and slept all night.

     The next morning we had breakfast and the first family showed us their children’s school and dad’s office. Then we stepped in the car and started on the next part of the journey.

Now we are on our way to a place at Livingstonia called Lukwe. That’s a location on the mountains. The trip was beautiful. There are lots of ridges and everlasting mountains. We drove through two actually. We saw monkeys, and lots and lots of Banana trees (that’s probably why the monkeys where there). The road that we where driving on was right past the river, there were 21 sharp hairpin bends to take. Well, we arrived at Lukwe. Joas and I slept in a cute grass hut, overlooking the mountains . We could hear the waterfalls from our hut. My parents, Obed and Moses slept together in a big tent. Their tent was under a grass roof. We had to do self-catering. We couldn’t sit still so we went on a hike. My mom washed the boys dirty clothes. Lukwe is eco...that means cooking on woodfires, pumping the water by hand and flushing the "toilet" with sand and ash...:)

     First we tried to walk to two waterfalls. The road was not really a road or trail. It became so bad (dangerous) that mom said we should turn back. Fortunately there was an other trail leading to those waterfalls.

     It was awesome because there was a cave where the slaves used to hide. That happened centuries ago though. The cave in which we were sitting in was right below the waterfall, which dropped about 100 meters. We then kept on walking (crawling through jungle) until we finally saw the first waterfall.

Then we went back home had dinner, and turned in. The next day after breakfast we went to a mountain called Combe platue. It took about one hour to climb to the top.

Then after lunch we went to the town Livingstonia (Missionpost). Then after that we visited an old church which was a hundred and twenty years old!!!

We climbed its tower all the way to the top. Then there was a museum which used to be Dr. Robert Laws’ house but then they changed it partly into a museum. Its called the Stone house. We went back to Lukwe, had a campfire, and went to sleep. Then the next day we went to Sangilo, a place in the cove at the lake shore.

There were rocks everywhere in the lake. We  enjoyed the food, beach and our time. Now we are on our way to Luwawa Forest Cottage. It was about four hours there. The road was so bumpy! When we were driving through the valley’s it seemed like we were in Germany; the pines, the rolling hills, the mountain lake.

     When we arrived, we first looked at the cottage. The place looked beautiful. There were lots of pretty flowers and many different kinds of birds. There were two dogs, and five rabbits. They looked so cute. Our cottage was called Avocado Cottage. It was huge; two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen, living room with a fire place, and a dining room. That afternoon we took a hike that was about fifty minutes. We went over a bridge, crossing a huge swamp. Well we went back to our cottage. Obed and Moses loved the playground which was right in front of our cottage. We lit the fire because it was freezing cold. An other reason we didn’t feel like we were in Africa!

     After dinner I tried to take a shower but it was freezing. After that I watched a movie and went to bed. Next we looked at the program and saw lots of activities. One of them was archery, so Joas and I went to go do that. My dad and little brothers tried as well. Joas, my dad, and I went mountain biking, and we all got a perfect and splendid ride and view. In the afternoon we took another trail.

But when we got back I went to go bath and that time it was warm, and my mom went for a walk with the owners wife, and the rest went canoeing. That where so many activities for one day!! We ate at the fire, had hot chocolate, and turned in.

     The next morning was hilarious, because my brother and I had a very good and funny fight. First my brother fell of his bed, and I tried to stuff a very dirty, stinky, and sweaty sock in his face. At last I succeeded and did it. Then my father told us to pack our bags and put them in the car. After that my mom, Joas, and I went for a wonderful walk for about twenty five minutes. While we were doing that my dad packed the rest or the stuff. Obed and Moses played in the playground. Then we were finally ready to go. Then we were driving for home. And when I say home I mean Malawi, Lilongwe, Area forty seven, Sector one, ABC campus, the house with the canoe in front of the garden. How wonderful this week was! Then we arrived home!!!

The End

Towards Christ

"Thus is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His Name to all nations..." These are Christ's words recorded in the gospel of Luke. The Word touched me when I was sitting in the devotions at Logos Pastors training, glancing over the serious looks of the pastors. It's this Word that connects us missionaries with the people we work with. Serving towards one and the same purpose: winning people for Christ. When Cees was getting his copies from the office I had a chat with one of the pastors. Justin told me how privileged he feels, being part of this training program. "I did secondary school and started serving in the church voluntarily. I am so grateful for the ministry of Logos. I could never afford going to a college or seminary. Here, God is equipping me for free. Amazing grace." When I asked him what the best part was so far, he said: "I love the way Reverend Cees is helping us to be able to interpret the Old Testament towards Christ. It is a real eye opener!"

From there I drove to Chinsapo where the kids come running down the dirt road as soon as they hear the sound of our vehicle. They eagerly help me carry all teaching materials and of course the bread, accross the bridge and up, into the village! A couple hundred kids are gathering in the shade of the big tree and started singing the song 'Lolani ana' (let the children come). This day all my abc assistants are absent, my friend Grace is still in Tanzania. My other faithful Korean friend is with me. She is such a gem! She is a real servant! Eventhough she hardly speak english nor Chichewa I understand her and she is great in helping with logistics. Teaching 500 children in one group by myself is only doable in rural Africa!!! After the whole program I walk over to the mothers who have been listening too. They always appreciate a little 'kucheza' with me. I pray that as we lead these children to Christ, through them we might also lead the mothers!

The newest addition to our program: Towela, the 2 days old baby of one of our unmarried teenagers, a very common problem here. We believe this 'unwanted' baby is also welcome in the Kingdom of God. The need for leading children to Christ is always there!

Camping and more

I was never a great fan of camping! I simply don't like sand and ants in my food and in my bed, stuff all over the place because there are no cupboards to keep everything organized and a mattress that needs air every hour. Yet, when we had car problems in Zambia and needed to stay multiple nights in Lusaka we figured it was cheaper for us to buy a tent and sleeping bags than staying in a lodge. That's when our family camping adventures started. We cannot afford lodges, resorts, hotels or cottages so when we want to go other places with our family we camp. It's a LOT of Work....(especially for the mom). I must admit, there is a bright side to camping in Africa! Unlike to camping in the Netherlands we usually have the whole campground for ourselves!!! And even if we don't there is still lots of space left for playing, making noises and spreading our junk. An other blessing is the untouched surrounding creation, nothing is cultivated, no trimmed hedges, just bush, wild flora and fauna! Animals around you, pure African bush noises and smells. The number one blessing is the amazing sky at night. There is no place where you can see so many beautiful stars!!!!! I have no words for the sight of the galaxy here. Every Easter our church here (IBF) goes camping. A team from US comes to provide kids and adult Bible programs. We always enjoy the fellowship with one another in the rustic setting of Kuti campground!!! Will we go camping again? Lord willing, yes!

Welcomed by an ostrich: "Hello, how can I help you?"

This Duiker was addicted to coffee, every time when I emptied the filter it came to eat it.

Pinning the tent corner under the gaze and graze of local cows.

Campsite at the beach, no danger of tides at a lake! My favorite spot! Waking up (in case I slept) with the sound of waves.

We hiked the nearby Senga hills, great view of the bay!

An other blessing of camping...mud making and painting. Moses stared this feast and soon all little boys of church camp came to have this experience.

An hour after this three were flat...we didn't manege to find the holes.

Received their Bible story and coloring book, so happy with it!

First fruits of 2014.

Rhoda and 600 other kids watching the Easter skit.

Mothers were watching too!!!

Lunch with the chief and his wife.

Looking back

There is nothing wrong with looking back. In fact, it is encouraging. Didn't God instruct the Israelite's to remember the past in order to celebrate Gods faithfulness? When you live your life as a follower of Christ it is good to take a little time now and then to look back and say "Eben-Hazer".

April 2006 Arrival in Africa

Covenant College mission post, we lived our first 365 days in the tiny left house before we built our own.

No electricity so in order to have hot water, this is what we did.

April is a special month in our family. First of all we received two children in April; Joas was born 9 April 2000 and Rhoda 6 April 2002. What a blessings from God our amazing Creator. He has kept them all these years in His hands. Secondly we celebrate our arrival into the mission field in Africa this month. It has been 8 years now that we set foot on the African soil. I never ever thought of going to Africa, I was totally focused on going to Indonesia, yet Gods thoughts are much higher that ours. He makes no mistakes. He made us willing to go to a place I would have never picked myself. Great is His faithfulness.

Homescholing our kids .

The school building where Cees taught pastors from mon-friday and I did kids ministry on Saturdays.

Graduation October 2006

Joas and Rhode enjoyed eating lunch with CC staf (all from one pot).

The CC farm was just taking in the harvest when we arrived, a welcome distraction to our kids as we were still waiting for our school materials (arrived 6 months later so I improvised a lot, like, daily schooltrips to the farm...)

God blessed us with a son in 2008, Obed, born in a local hospital nearby, baptised by Rev. Miti our 'grandfather-friend'.

In 2009 we were again blessed with a son...that make a lap full for daddy Cees during his student-home-visits.

Family pic Dec 2009

Family pic 2014. Eben-Hazer! (To Joas' happiness he is now as tall as his parents...)

Guinea-pig for Dinner

 

I have never been to a palace in Asia, Europe or US, but here in Africa I am a regular palace visitor. In Zambia we had a very good relationship with chief Mumbi. He was a member of the church of one of our students (quite exceptional to have a Christian chief!). We have been in his palace quite a few times and he has been at our home regularly. Here in Malawi I work closely with the Mfumu (king / chief / leader) of Chimpangu community. In fact, in general most community work will only succeed with the approval / support of the local leader. Even though this man is not a professing Christian, he is very appreciative for everything we do and even encourages us to keep doing the good work and expand. Therefore he offered us a piece of land.

A few of Mfumu's lifestock, so lucky to live in a palace!

It happened during my conversation with him in his palace that suddenly a little animal ran from under my chair. Something started to squeak and whistle and all of a sudden the room was filled with…. Guinea-pigs. I had never seen those in Africa yet. Was Mfumu actually keeping pets? Not really, his wife explained they have Guinea-pig on the menu regularly! During one of my next visits (Cees and the kids were with me) she gave us two little ones, male and female, so that we can start breeding and have it for dinner… Our kids are very happy with their new pets!

Seriously, for dinner?! No way.

We have been looking at land, not very easy to measure with the maize being so tall… Mfumu is the only chief in a big area who still owns land for sale. Grace and I are very excited about building a proper ministry building, for evangelism, literacy, pre-school and other community development programs. Please pray for wisdom for us to do what is right to serve the people here in Malawi, bringing them to Christ.

Discussing and measuring the land.

Mfumu has been leader for over 40 years. He wants to retire but there is no-one willing to take his place. His positions is not desirable; mostly dealing with problems everyday. When we left the palace on Saturday, a very angry neighbor had pulled out all his maize because Mfumu’s cows had been eating from it. Another neighbor reported his chickens were killed by some dogs. When we reached our car a drunkard bothered us, so Grace reported that to Mfumu. He and his first wife had 15 children, 9 are still alive. He has more than 60 (great)-grand children…most of them are in our programs. Mfumu shared his concerns about the youth. They are not following the traditional rules of respect and behavior anymore because they are influenced by a lot of worldly (western) stuff. 

Mfumu's cow's after their mud bath down the stream.

I was extra excited when I watched a big group of teenage boys listening and interacting to the Bible lesson last week. Wow! What an opportunity to teach them about a life in the footsteps of Christ. I formed a subgroup afterwards and read a passage with them, giving each of them a turn and asked questions. First their answers were a bit ‘gigglish’ but they got more and more serious. These teenagers are really an in-between group of the community. They are not kids anymore, but they aren’t adults yet either. Who takes them serious? Jesus does!!!

I am very excited about a new development: African Bible College students have to spend one afternoon per week on outreach / ministry as part of their training. Since we come eyes, hands, mouths and legs short with so many kids coming to our programs I suggested to involve a group of ABC students in our ministry. Today I am taking 19 students (8 in my car, the rest will follow by mini-bus) to our program. With some training integrated they can start helping out. Imagine, teaching all kids at the same time in small groups (10 groups of 40 kids)!! Now that someone gives us 40 loaves of bread every week….the number of kids is going up again. Let’s hope we find enough trees in the community to facilitate all. Please, pray for this development.

Some of Mfumu's great-grandchildren.