Malawi Update: A Week of Preparation and Gratitude

This week has been full as we prepare for our upcoming trip to Malawi. The reality of this journey is sinking in—we’ve received our vaccines, attended a cultural and safety meeting, gathered gifts, and even received some incredible news that left us in awe of God’s provision.

Fundraising Update: A Humbling Blessing

With deep gratitude, I’m humbled to share that we have not only reached but exceeded our fundraising goal!

When we first started this process, we worried about whether we’d be able to raise enough. But God, through your generosity, was faithful to provide.

Honestly, we’re still in shock.

Thanks to your generous support, any additional funds we continue to receive will go toward meaningful projects, such as:

Practical Gifts

Potato peelers, sturdy metal spoons, silverware, pots, instant coffee, honey, peanut butter, solar lamps, flashlights, Tambuku and picture Bibles, clothespins, clotheslines, sewing kits, games, and even live chickens.

Larger Projects

• Replacing grass roofs with tin roofs ($700+ per home)

• Supplying mattresses ($40–80 each)

• Constructing school kitchens at three schools ($4,000 total)

Clothing and Shoes

Each of us will pack two 50 lb sea bags filled with clothing and shoes to leave behind, returning home with only a backpack.

This week, we were blessed to find high-quality, culturally appropriate clothing and shoes at Goodwill, making it possible to provide for even more men, women, and children!

Vaccines: One Step Closer

Getting our vaccines was quite the process—lots of paperwork and only available through the state on Thursdays. Our nurse was amazing, and we’re grateful to have this step behind us.

The yellow fever vaccine was a shot, while the typhoid vaccine came in pill form—four doses taken every other day. The typhoid vaccine is a live virus but provides protection for five years.

Aside from a minor reaction for our daughter, all went well—praise the Lord!

Cultural and Safety Training: Eye-Opening Realities

Our cultural and safety meeting opened our eyes to the challenges Malawians face daily.

Some of the things that stood out most to us:

• Many people do not know their exact age.

• Land can only be owned by tribal leaders.

• Though children learn in English, they often struggle to form full sentences.

• Many toddlers are abandoned and taken in by Agogos (grandmothers) who already struggle to provide for themselves.

• Men often leave for work in other countries and never return, leaving women and children in extreme poverty.

• Girls are commonly married between ages 14–17 and expected to work for their husbands.

• Women often make bricks as a primary source of income.

• Placing a child in an orphanage requires covering their food expenses, which is financially impossible for many families.

These realities are heartbreaking, but they also give us a deeper understanding of how we can serve.

We also covered essential safety measures—staying in groups, drinking only bottled water, and avoiding fruit without a peel.

We’re bringing extra malaria medication, Tylenol, and Advil, especially for elderly villagers who often live with chronic pain and no relief.

Packing for a Purpose

As we finalize our packing, we’re making sure to bring not only gifts but also extra essentials:

✅ Pocket mirrors (as mirrors are rare)
✅ Wash rags and a towel
✅ Earplugs (for the loud dogs at night)
✅ Battery packs
✅ Toilet paper, Kleenex, and wet wipes (since paper products are unavailable)
✅ Laundry soap (for hand-washing clothes)
✅ A light raincoat (for the rainy season)

The Heart Behind Our Mission

Fundraising was humbling for us.

Asking for support felt uncomfortable at times.

But your generosity reminded us that this mission is bigger than us. As one friend put it, “You are just giving people an opportunity to say yes to God.”

Still, we wrestled with the cost of travel, knowing how far that money could go in Malawi. Guilt crept in as we wondered if we were stewarding resources wisely.

But in His kindness, God reminded us that He is sovereign over every dollar and every step of this journey.

Through you, He has and still is providing abundantly—allowing us not only to meet more needs but also to bring gifts as we visit villages.

More than anything, this trip is about building ongoing relationships, understanding the needs firsthand so we can better meet them, and sharing the hope of Jesus in a relatable way. We aren’t just going to give; we are going to learn, to love, and to be changed.

“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” — Hebrews 13:16

We are so excited for this opportunity. Thank you again for being part of this mission with us!