Christmas in Malawi

We arrived in Chiwengo Village on Christmas eve and spent the night here. The drive was several hours on a beautiful paved road. On the way to we stopped at the airport and successfully retrieved our previously lost bag, just in time to deliver enclosed Christmas gifts. We passed mile after mile of hand plowed land with either 6 foot maize stalks or newly sprouted tobacco. We enjoyed a quiet Christmas morning and a long chat with Henry. He is a Godly man with a sincere heart to care for children and proclaim Jesus. His job is to coordinate all of the venture team visits in Malawi and he does it very well with a gracious spirit.

Chewengo is a "village" that has significant infrastructure constructed by the previous president of Malawi (it was his home village). That president has passed from power and the village has lost some of its glory. Street lights don't shine and water flows to the indoor plumbing - sometimes - but compared to one of the typical villages, the the homes were very nice. COTN rents eight homes that house 90 children, staff, an on duty nurse, and interns when they are there.

We walked to church in the late morning at the local Presbyterian church (previously Dutch reform). The simple brick walled church with cement floors and a tin roof had excellent reverb as the fifty voice women's group sang amazing African rhythms and tones. The congregation was called with a stick and a big metal pan. The form was familiar but rhythm and words were distinctively African. We sang O Come All Ye Faithful (in Chewian) and other African favorites. The Apostles creed and the Lord's prayer were familiar. Prior to the sermon the pastor invited any with the desire to sing to do so (there were no instruments in the room), several groups sang complex African Rhythms and a few from the COTN children.
Half way through his sermon the pastor stopped and asked the older women (who were sitting in their own section) to sing a song that reinforced the part of his sermon. They did with dance!
Prior to the offering a young man read a piece of original poetry. The service ended after a few more songs. Announcements - including a chiding for those not participating in some community project, were done at the end of the service because of the number of people who showed up to church late. Finally the attendance (315) the offering were announced and us visitors were introduced.
We saw Rebeca after church and Bryce took some pictures and enjoyed a quiet time chatting with her and her friend. She recorded a voice message on my phone for Anna - she very much wants her to visit.
Mid-afternoon Chris Clarke's mom, Grandma Pat, and his sister, Michelle, arrived to a throng of delighted children. the kids love and respect Grandma Pat for the part that she has played with COTN in Malawi. Though I just met Grandma Pat (we all call her Grandma or Grandma Pat) it is clear to me she is an experienced and energetic Bible teacher. She had the children captivated with a silly skit about people you meet in an orchard followed by a teaching from Luke.
The children performed a program for us including singing, dancing, and a skit. Pat and Michelle prepared a feast (all hand cooked) of hot dogs, buns, rolls, and chips; with tomato sauce and candy.
To finish the program off each of the older children received an English Bible of their own and everyone received a small "Jesus Loves You" toy, or a bracelet.
After the party quieted down my dad and I met Clement in his home. He is a shy boy who seemed nervous to meet us. We prayed for him and gave him a book on interesting parts of the Bible. We gave the "Merry Christmas" blocks that our family had made to decorate his home.