Back In Malawi

        I've got a lot of catching up to do! I was finally able to upload some pictures this morning, and I want to share about the August team's time in Malawi. We had a group of ten travel to Malawi on August 28th. There were representatives from all three Cross Church campuses, and it was a neat experience getting to know everyone. I believe that we had running water one of the days that they were here, and they all had outstanding attitudes regardless. God used this team in many ways - here are some of the things that they did...

Here is the team with our Esther's House friends - the best shot we got :)

The team tried out a new technique called Bible storying as they shared the Gospel. This technique equips team members to share God's Word in a way that allows oral learning cultures to understand scripture more easily. The team studied these specific stories in detail so that they were able to tell each Bible story without a lot of help from text or other resources. In Malawi, this especially helps to fully engage the listener. It will be a 52 week program that tells the complete story of the Bible.

In this picture: Heidi May, along with her interpreter John, are teaching some kids a Bible story.

Our team spent a lot of time loving on kids at Esther's House and those in the surrounding villages.

One of the most exciting experiences for me on this trip, so far, has been the opportunity to finally meet the other children living at Esther's House. During my last stay in Malawi there were only two boys living at E.H. and now there are 10 kids, plus the children of our new house parents. They are pretty stinking cute! 

Kyle hit it big with the widows in our ministry :)

Throughout the week our team had the opportunity to do some village evangelism. We saw nearly 200 people receive Christ. Praise the Lord. On Sunday, Doug preached about the importance of believer's baptism, and 17 people made the decision to follow Christ in baptism that afternoon!

Two of our team members, Hanna and Claire, are hair stylists in Arkansas. They were able to use their skill in Malawi not only to cut the children's hair, but also to train a couple of the women to be able to do this in the future.

This is a picture of half of our team on a boat safari along the Shire river.  We had a fun and relaxing day, apart from the angry hippo charging towards our boat.

Another task that this group had while they were in Malawi, was to help move the Hart family into their new home. Shortly after we arrived, this family of four traveled from Arkansas to Malawi to join us. The Hart family has committed to be in Malawi, working at Esther's House, for a two year period. Malawian houses aren't exactly built for a guy of Ryan's height :)

       Thanks again to all of you who have been praying. I have lots more to share - so keep checking in for new posts. 

        "Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; Let such as love Your salvation say continually, 'The LORD be magnified!' But I am poor and needy; yet the LORD thinks upon me. You are my help and my deliverer; Do not delay, O my God." -Psalm 40:16-17