Planting Malawi June 2010 newsletter

I know we haven't sent out an update or newsletter for a while. We apologize for the gap, but there is actually a reason for it -- time is running out, we don't know what's happening, and going home is scary. But, we're starting to face up to the fact, and thought we should let you know. So here is our June newsletter, with more about our going home, a cool transformation story we got to be part of, and a story about the difference a bicycle ambulance is making in a village that has been frustrated with the challenges of poverty, HIV/AIDS, poor access to health care, etc. It's all in there.

So we're leaving here July 17, spending some time in Holland, and then in northern BC, before finally reaching home August 23, God willing (I just got a notice about a canceled flight we need to rebook somehow...). So we look forward to seeing some of you again soon. Please let us know if you want to set a date to see us.

NOTE: For some reason you might see some missing graphics if you're viewing the embedded version on our blog. Download the PDF version to get the full graphics.

Planting Malawi June 2010 newsletter

International Day of the African Child

This little boy sat on my lap for almost an hour yesterday. We were out in a village to give the community a bicycle ambulance. The other kids were kind of picking on him because he said something silly to the "azungu." We were told he had malaria too many times and it has affected his brain. But he adopted me for the next hour, proudly sitting on my lap. I was sitting on a chair with the village chiefs while everyone else was seated on the ground facing us so I think he was feeling pretty special. I took his photo and showed him. Then we took some photos of the other kids together and he figured out all the buttons on the camera. He also took off my hat and wore it for a while. He was a cute little kid. He wasn't too happy when I had to leave, I think I had kind of made his day. And he had been my gift for the day. I found out after we left that it was African Child Day -- kind of appropriate.

Yesterday, June 16, was the International Day of the African Child. "It is [also] a day to fight for the cause of children in trouble: the AIDS orphans, child soldiers and impoverished youth who will inherit the continent."