Friday, June 19 (Lilongwe) The team travelled north after repeated stops at the produce market and to drop off books and the obligatory Coke & Fanta at Pastor Smart's home. We greeted a church at the Lilongwe South church--our first exposure to a village church. The villages are beyond poor. There was no church building; we worshiped in the open air. Needless to say, they really outsang us!! We were greeted by a female chief, who warmly expressed her excitement about being there. We continue to be blown away by the depth of their faith, love of God, and their willingness to show it. After that church, we went to Pastor Steve's house and met the leadership of the Bethel Circuit. We received a solo from one of our new friends, Kelly, written just for us. We also heard many of them give their testimony about how they came to Christ. After 14 hours, we finally arrived at the Kiboko Hotel. We had a very late dinner. Since it had been 14 hrs since we last ate, we could not even taste it we ate so fast.

Saturday, June 20 (Lilongwe) Woke up to an incredible African sunrise and had breakfast at the hotel: local tropical fruit salad, fried eggs, toast, and coffee to die for. Loaded on the bus, went back to Pastor Steve's house, where we picked up several people, and proceeded to St. Peter's Church, UMC. This church supports over 80 orphans. My Lord, how humbling the experience to give out clothing, food, and blankets that had been purchased by AFUMC to them. Many of these children have absolutely nothing, and it is only the St. Peter's UMC that stands between them and certain death. Yet they smiled, sang songs to Jesus, and were some of the most well-mannered children you can imagine. We also presented some gifts that we brought. We then toured the church where we will help install a cement floor on Monday. We toured the village and were able to enter a hut of an elderly woman, experiencing life from their perspective. We also witnessed 80 orphans as they lined up for porridge. The church is teaching them hygiene, so they huddle in a line to quickly wash their hands and spoons. They huddle in another line to get their cup of porridge. We saw Christ in every face. We stopped to view one of the bore holes (a shallow well operated by a hand pump)donated by the Methodist Church. This is their only source of clean water for miles. Women walk at least 2 miles to obtain water to wash and drink. We then stayed true to African time and arrived at Pastor Steve's house at 3:00 (scheduled for 1:00 pm). We had a tasty lunch of rice, fried chicken, fresh salad, seasoned peas (tomatoes, onions, salt), and the obligatory Fanta & Coke. We then proceeded to Trinity UMC, where we delivered more food and blankets to the orphans. Jim Crabb taught basic skills on raising pigs that will be purchased in the near future with funds from AFUMC. We will return to Trinity UMC for Sunday worship service to teach and worship with our brothers and sisters, who have now become the deep heart of who we are.