"Hello my Friend" is what Ive heard a hundred times each day as i walk through the streets of Malawi. The local life here is worlds away from life back home and words cannot do it justice. You have to be here to see the deprivation they live in, hear their enthusiasm as they struggle to earn a living, smell that stench that is only and always found in 3rd world countries and feel the energy of the community that is abundant with life & culture. The food tastes pretty good too but It'll never compete with a pizza. I'll miss this amazing place and would love to come back. Will I? I'm just working on the present at the moment, trusting whatever future I have to God's great plan.
Disaster in my last week. The rains are finally here which is fantastic for everyone but when it rains here it buckets down and tragically the septic tank collapsed due to the build up of water around it.
We only finished building it last week. This is another blow for the orphanage as its already suffered its fair share of disappointments. However I firmly believe "...in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" Romans 8 v28. The work will continue here after I'm gone so please add to your prayers all the people involved in this project from the vulnerable children in Malawi to those in Australia who have given so much time, money and energy.
On a more cheerful note the rains mean that planting season has arrived. Yay! the aim is to eventually make the orphanage self-sustaining. Rather than have 'rich' white people pay for everything year after year. Eventually the site will generate its own food and income through the vast fields available for farming. Everyone got stuck in and started planting maize, bananas, paw paw and other stuff I can't name. 
So from me its farewell to the kiddies as I leave Malawi. I feel like I'm finally on the home stretch now.
Great photos, even of the seeming disaster, and, as usual, a wonderful description that shows clearly the love you have developed for the Malawian people. Thanks you Bobby for what you have done for the Kingdom of God whilst you have been there, and for your openness to be led by the Lord wherever He wants you. Just a note of caution: Naomi's love for the Fijian people didn't result in that being the place of service though, as you know. Continue to be open and you will be led :-)
ReplyDeleteGod bless you my friend.
Hi Tiger, So what would be the solution to the tank problem? Different site or different building? Glad no-one was hurt and that you were there when it happened rather than wondering about it later. God bless you in the work you have been doing. PTL He has called us all to be faithful rather than 'successful' as the world would see it. I love the photo of you with the children, am sorry for your heartbreak, and encouraged by your faith. God bless you and keep you safe, Love Mum
ReplyDeleteThanks mum. We started building the tank again. Because it was empty and the rainwater flooded around it there was too much pressure on the Septic tank walls and it caved inwards. I made sure that we dug in drainage around and below the tank and left further instructions to hopefully ensure it doesn't happen again. If we fill it with water when its finished then it should be ok this time.
ReplyDeleteHey bro,
ReplyDeleteI was just thinking, i might start a travel blog for when I go to the cook islands. It would be a massive poor man's Bobby's blog, as it would be full of my reflections of laziness on an island paradise for 10 days (I trust there would be nothing meaningful in it like your blog!). What do you think? ;)
It would probably have 2 entries before I got too lazy to add more.
I could call it 'Where's Ochmed? (lazing on a beach for 10 days...)'
YBIC
Isaac