Travel in Malawi

April 25 we left Blantyre in the south enroute to Chitipa in the North. We took the "long way" around and a variety of vehicles to arrive in Chitipa (Blantyre-Lilongwe-Mzuzu-Karonga-Chitipa rather than the direct route Blantyre-Karonga-Chitipa)...
1. Maxwell's Minibus from Blantyre to Lilongwe (he uses this minibus for ministry and as a taxi in Blantyre to help fund the ministry and provide for his family).

2. Regular Bus from Lilongwe to Mzuzu (7 hours), then by another minibus crammed full of people to Karonga (5 hours). We were the first people to enter the mini-bus, but after 20 minutes or so, others joined us we had 13-15 people, plus all their baggage. It was a tight squeeze for sure.

3. Pick-up Truck from Karonga to Chitipa. Nancy Sue and I rode in the cab of the truck. Patrick Malasi, John Kadalinga and Maxwell Mpitinyanga rode in the back. We had 100 km of dirt road to travel - taking us 5 hours.
As the pick-up made its way to Chitipa we stopped and picked up more passengers and bags until the back was crammed full.

4. After 10 days in Chitipa, we had a pleasant surprise on our return to Karonga - they now had regular bus service from Chitipa to Karonga! As always Nancy Sue and I watch in amazement as people bring all kinds of things onto the bus, including their live chickens!

From Karonga to Mzuzu and Mzuzu to Lilongwe we had regular buses on our return trip. We give thanks for God's protection as we traveled. Also, Nancy Sue and I are thankful for Maxwell who had to take care of these two white women along the way!

Sena Literacy Classes

Since his training in 2005 in Tulsa, Maxwell has been serving as a National Missionary associated with LEI-USA. After helping to develop the Sena literacy primers (2 books with 72 lessons), Maxwell has trained 4 coordinators who in turn train volunteer literacy teachers. Currently, they have 54 literacy classes happening in churches across Sena areas of Malawi and Mozambique. Around 900 adult learners make up those classes. (Pictured above, 2 literacy teachers trained by Fred John, one of the Sena literacy coordinators. Fred John is wearing a tie).

April 23rd, Nancy Sue and I traveled with Maxwell down from Blantyre to Bangula area in the valley. As we descended from the heights of Blantyre, the temperatures increased and the sun came out.

We visited two villages where literacy classes are in progress. Maxwell begins in a village with the church. If the church is willing to host a literacy class, then Maxwell (or the literacy coordinator) will work with them to have a volunteer teacher trained.

Nancy Sue and I had the privilege of greeting the classes and giving them encouragement. We listened as several people (men and women) read from their literacy books and from the Bible. Each visit began with greetings and singing. The joy of the Lord is in the place! Hearing adult learners reading always gives me a special joy. Seeing how Maxwell has utilized the training he received in Tulsa also gave me special joy. Maxwell (and other LEI national missionaries), serve in this position without a set salary. They receive donations from individuals and churches just as all LEI missionaries do for the support of their families and ministries. Below are some photos of our time with the literacy classes.














Sena literacy class held in the church (Bangula area, Malawi). Most of the class is women, many with babies with them.

Presbyterian Connections in Malawi -

Finally I'm back on-line. I arrived back in Bobcaygeon on Thursday May 14th after 3 weeks away. After leaving Johannesburg, internet access was minimal to non-existent (or convenient if available). So, the updates have been few. However, over the next few days, I will be posting updates related to my time in Malawi and Ivory Coast.

On April 22nd Nancy Sue and I left Johannesburg for Blantyre, Malawi. In the Johannesburg airport I saw Dr. Ron Wallace, the Secretary for International Ministries of the Presbyterian Church in Canada. I knew he was headed to Blantyre also, but didn't realize we would see him on the plane! That was my one brief encounter with him on the trip. But praise God for another connection.

Maxwell met Nancy Sue and I at the Blantyre airport. We settled into our room at the Presbyterian Church guest house visited Maxwell's home for lunch. We met some of Maxwell's family, his wife, 4 of his 5 children, 2 of his brothers and a few other relatives that are living with him.

I was able to present Maxwell with his new computer. This will assist him in his literacy work and communications.

That evening, Nancy Sue and I had dinner with Rev. Ed and Jackie Hoekstra and 2 of their 5 children. Ed, Jackie, Jacob and Nico arrived in Blantyre in August 2008. Rev. Hoekstra serves as associate minister with St. Columba Presbyterian Church in Blantyre as a mission partner from Canada. We had a lovely meal and visit with them. We shared with them about the literacy work and how St. Columba church could be involved. Maxwell has met them now, so the network has begun.

I trust that God will be developing more connections with Maxwell, the Hoekstras and the Presbyterian Church in Malawi.

Next posting... Sena Literacy Classes

Connections

Made it to Johannesburg! In fact the plane even arrived early. I had four seats to myself on the 14 1/2 hour flight. Nancy Sue arrived early as well. One of my bags arrived and the other is "coming". Thankfully the bag with my clothes arrived.

Leah and David Preston came to pick us up. Roy and Rose Tibbitt came for supper. (They have both been with Wycliff Bible Translators and help run this stopover on the way to... Leah and DAvid are beginning a 4 year term here in Johannesburg. They have been working in Mozambique prior to this.

Connection one...
Roy and Rose are wondering where to next, which might be Peterborough ON (just down the road from me!). Rose is very interested in literacy and ESL and she might help set-up some training. God must have a good sense of humour. Bringing me to Johannesburg to meet Roy and Rose.

Connection two...
Leah is the daughter of Ted Pollock, a missionary to Africa, who I knew of from my Pittsburgh days. In fact she knows Tod Custer from Ellwood City, the area where Paul and I ministered in Pennsylvania. We have others in common as well. We sang several times "It's a small world after all."

We also are getting names of connections for Maxwell for Sena work in Mozambique.

And this is just the first day!

First Leg Complete

Well, I've made it the first step - to Washington Dulles airport. A puddle-jumper airline on a rainy day from Toronto to Washington. I've spent the time catching up on e-mails, cleaning up inboxes and other administrative tasks. Wi-fi in the airport is great! Not too long now before my flight boards to Johannesburg - next leg (14 1/2 hours) coming up. Keep up the prayers!

Just about 24 hours from now I'll be on the plane ready for take off! The final preparations are coming together. This is always the most frantic part of the trip. Once I'm away, then it is what it is. So, thanks for your prayers especially in this preparation time.

(Pictured is Maxwell Mpitinyanga with his wife and 5 children. )

Maxwell in Malawi has things well in hand. But as always, I expect that there will be many things that aren't as I expect! Just the nature of travel in general and travel in particular in Africa. Hopefully I will be meeting with Presbyterian Church of Canada partners in mission who minister in Malawi. We've made e-mail contact, so now we just have to get together in the short time I'll be in Blantyre.

Basic itinerary:
Apr 20 - 21 Fly to Johannesburg, South Africa
Apr 22 - Fly to Blantyre (spend 3 days)
Apr 24 - Travel to Lilongwe (ground)
Apr 25 - Travel to Chitapa (Northern Malawi), here we will work on the Lambya primer.

Please be praying for myself, Patrick Malasy and Nancy Sue Laminack who will join me in Malawi
* safe travel
* good contacts
* safety of family and churches while away
* protection over the Lambya primer team and their families
* God would be glorified

Carey Jo Spring Trip

I'm preparing for a trip to Malawi and Ivory Coast this Spring. Leaving Toronto on April 20 arriving in Malawi April 22nd. I'll be working with Maxwell Mpitanyango and others on the Lambya primer in northern Malawi.

Then May 8th - 13th I'll be in Ivory Coast visiting the International Literacy Training Institute (ILTI), being hosted by our West Africa regional team (director Gregory Bangura).

Besides being two things I love doing (developing primers and training others), it is a special privilege in that I'll be working with colleagues trained at LEI training institutes in previous years.