On the road again...

On Friday morning, we had an early start to go for a short run with Doug and some of his running friends—Mark is from NY and Clara is from CA.  We ran a 3 mile loop around an air strip.  After our run, we joined Doug in taking care of a few errands (paying the auto parts store), driving to the market, and returning the vehicle we had borrowed for our trip to travel to the village in Mangochi on Thursday. 

Our running group on Friday morning

Along the path during our run

Cow crossing

When we returned from our run, we enjoyed some breakfast (including leftover hippo, needed some protein to add to our breakfast, of course!).  After breakfast, Bridget and I traveled with Doug to a nearby town to see another BIC home where some friends of ours had previously served as missionaries.  After leaving there, we drove to an overlook of the city to do a videotaping with Doug.  We were hoping to return to the house by 10:30 to begin our travel back to Blantyre….but, time never goes as planned in Africa.  J

View over the town

Another friend of Doug’s, Aagtje (from Holland), was at the house to meet us to join us for our trip to Blantyre.  One of Doug and Barb’s workers, Moses, joined us for part of the trip, too.  He was going to spend the weekend in his village with his family (about a 2 hour trip on our way).  We had quite a collection of bags, ice chests, other items, and even a box carrying pigeons!  Once we started on our journey, it took quite a bit of time for the pigeons to settle down.  There were little feathers flying everywhere…poor Aagtje got the worst of it since she was sitting right in front of the box!

On our way to Mangochi, we stopped in Zomba to meet with the group that manages The Passion Center for Children (an orphanage).  I had found out about this organization before I left for Africa and it worked out to make a visit to see them and their facilities.  We had a very nice meeting with them.  I have much to process from that visit as well.  Maybe this is an organization we can partner with someday? 

The Passion Center for Children (orphanage)

Kitchen at the orphanage

Girls dorm at the orphanage

Since our arrival to Blantyre was later than expected, AND, since we had an early start on Saturday morning, we stayed in a guest house in Blantyre, rather than returning to Jonathan and Becky’s home.  So much travel….

Thank you for your continued prayers!