Jesus, Come! Be my Savior!
I Want to Help the Poor in Malawi! Donate Now!
Mission Trip Fall '07
Anabanda Mission Trip Fall ‘07
Dark Malawian faces haunt my dreams, enticing me to a life of simplicity and joy. Hardships fade as Love draws near. So many hearts hunger for Truth, thirst for knowledge of the One who offers hope, the Giver of peace. Jesus truly is the Light shining in the darkness of Africa. His light shines above the widespread dominion of the darkness of witchcraft, bringing freedom from fear. Shine, Jesus shine!
I stand in awe of You, Jesus! That you would so change my life, and allow me to be used for your purposes, reaching souls for you in this unheard of little village, in a little known country of Africa, around the world from my home….You amaze me! Here I am, wondering how I can be so comfortable in the blazing sun of Africa, in a culture so different from my own, yet totally at ease chatting with people who don’t know my language, nor me theirs! It’s all You, Jesus! You amaze me, Jesus; My love, my life, my King. How I love you!
A leaky boat ride to Chisi Island had my companion, Patti Jensen and me thinking of the disciples, hoping we would NOT be like Peter, trying to walk on the water! For two and a half hours, we watched as our hosts bailed water out, trying to keep up with the water pouring in through the cracks between the boards, as we were poled across to the island.
We felt as if we had stepped back in time, seeing the fishermen mending their nets along the beach. We thought these rough men could easily have been the ones who Jesus called to be His disciples! One told us his job was to drink beer and smoke cigarettes. But that night he and many of the other fishermen gave their hearts and lives to Jesus!
Early one Sunday morning our hosts asked if we would be willing to leave early to go pray for a few people before services. We gladly climbed aboard bicycles, and began our journey, enjoying the sights and sounds as ‘taxi’ bicyclists pedaled us along the trails.
The first home we came to touched my heart as few have in my lifetime. This was the poor village home of a grandmother, a Believer, who has been talking of suicide. Her daughter recently died, leaving four young children. She is desperate. She sits with us, allowing her month old grandchild to nurse, trying to satisfy its needs. She has no husband, no job, no source of income, and no way to provide for these children. She is overwhelmed with the task before her. She has been looking for poison to kill herself, and has spoken of trying to hang herself. As we sit on the grass mat outside her home, her eyes speak volumes of a hard times and deprivation. I try to speak to her, but my words feel inadequate. I hold her and together we cry. Those with us begin to softly sing of Jesus love, and soon she begins to repent for not trusting Jesus, and of feeling hopeless when He promises to care for us all. Patti has a little money with her and gives it to her, but we pray somehow we will be able to do more to help this family. As we left, her eyes were shining with hope, with gratitude to Jesus for showing her His love and His care.
One friend I have known since my first trip in 2004 came to visit us. His sister just died, leaving five orphans. He takes them in, which brings a total of 11 orphans, 3 children of his own, as well as his wife and mother under his roof. His house is falling down, literally. Two walls are crumbling and the roof has partially collapsed. It’s rainy season. He says “We live like dogs.” We give him money to fix his house, and send him home with a suitcase full of clothes for himself and the others. Then we get the news that he has been robbed. Everything we gave him is gone.
Jesus, You are Hope. You are Truth. We praise and exalt your holy name! We visited many areas where we had never been before and left each with tears of joy for His goodness in bringing souls into the Kingdom, and encouragement to the Believers, that Jesus has not forgotten them!
Over a thousand souls came to the Savior, being set free from sin and sickness, often in the same moment. Sozo. Glory! Jesus, you are awesome. Heaven was rejoicing as these precious ones invited the King of glory to live in them. We found ourselves sweating profusely, weak from the heat, yet strengthened by His joy in finding the lost sheep of His fold.
In mid-November we began our transition back to America after nearly a month in Malawi. Harmonious sounds of African voices still echoing in our ears, we found our senses blasted with Christmas carols and decorations in the airports on our return flight home. Culture shock stunned us as we faced the onslaught of holidays, American-style. Dear God, help us. Help us to share your heart with those at home as well as with our loved ones in Africa.
Dark Malawian faces haunt my dreams, enticing me to a life of simplicity and joy. Hardships fade as Love draws near. So many hearts hunger for Truth, thirst for knowledge of the One who offers hope, the Giver of peace. Jesus truly is the Light shining in the darkness of Africa. His light shines above the widespread dominion of the darkness of witchcraft, bringing freedom from fear. Shine, Jesus shine!
I stand in awe of You, Jesus! That you would so change my life, and allow me to be used for your purposes, reaching souls for you in this unheard of little village, in a little known country of Africa, around the world from my home….You amaze me! Here I am, wondering how I can be so comfortable in the blazing sun of Africa, in a culture so different from my own, yet totally at ease chatting with people who don’t know my language, nor me theirs! It’s all You, Jesus! You amaze me, Jesus; My love, my life, my King. How I love you!
A leaky boat ride to Chisi Island had my companion, Patti Jensen and me thinking of the disciples, hoping we would NOT be like Peter, trying to walk on the water! For two and a half hours, we watched as our hosts bailed water out, trying to keep up with the water pouring in through the cracks between the boards, as we were poled across to the island.
We felt as if we had stepped back in time, seeing the fishermen mending their nets along the beach. We thought these rough men could easily have been the ones who Jesus called to be His disciples! One told us his job was to drink beer and smoke cigarettes. But that night he and many of the other fishermen gave their hearts and lives to Jesus!
Early one Sunday morning our hosts asked if we would be willing to leave early to go pray for a few people before services. We gladly climbed aboard bicycles, and began our journey, enjoying the sights and sounds as ‘taxi’ bicyclists pedaled us along the trails.
The first home we came to touched my heart as few have in my lifetime. This was the poor village home of a grandmother, a Believer, who has been talking of suicide. Her daughter recently died, leaving four young children. She is desperate. She sits with us, allowing her month old grandchild to nurse, trying to satisfy its needs. She has no husband, no job, no source of income, and no way to provide for these children. She is overwhelmed with the task before her. She has been looking for poison to kill herself, and has spoken of trying to hang herself. As we sit on the grass mat outside her home, her eyes speak volumes of a hard times and deprivation. I try to speak to her, but my words feel inadequate. I hold her and together we cry. Those with us begin to softly sing of Jesus love, and soon she begins to repent for not trusting Jesus, and of feeling hopeless when He promises to care for us all. Patti has a little money with her and gives it to her, but we pray somehow we will be able to do more to help this family. As we left, her eyes were shining with hope, with gratitude to Jesus for showing her His love and His care.
One friend I have known since my first trip in 2004 came to visit us. His sister just died, leaving five orphans. He takes them in, which brings a total of 11 orphans, 3 children of his own, as well as his wife and mother under his roof. His house is falling down, literally. Two walls are crumbling and the roof has partially collapsed. It’s rainy season. He says “We live like dogs.” We give him money to fix his house, and send him home with a suitcase full of clothes for himself and the others. Then we get the news that he has been robbed. Everything we gave him is gone.
Jesus, You are Hope. You are Truth. We praise and exalt your holy name! We visited many areas where we had never been before and left each with tears of joy for His goodness in bringing souls into the Kingdom, and encouragement to the Believers, that Jesus has not forgotten them!
Over a thousand souls came to the Savior, being set free from sin and sickness, often in the same moment. Sozo. Glory! Jesus, you are awesome. Heaven was rejoicing as these precious ones invited the King of glory to live in them. We found ourselves sweating profusely, weak from the heat, yet strengthened by His joy in finding the lost sheep of His fold.
In mid-November we began our transition back to America after nearly a month in Malawi. Harmonious sounds of African voices still echoing in our ears, we found our senses blasted with Christmas carols and decorations in the airports on our return flight home. Culture shock stunned us as we faced the onslaught of holidays, American-style. Dear God, help us. Help us to share your heart with those at home as well as with our loved ones in Africa.
Future Mission Trips
God willing, i will take a team to Malawi once or twice each year. Currently we have a team preparing to go in June 08. If you are interested in possibly going with me on a trip, please email me at judykw@msn.com and i will send you more information.
