Welcome!!

As many of you know this past summer I spent 8 weeks in Malawi, Africa serving as an intern with an organization called Children of the Nations. As you read further you will see ways that my heart has forever been changed because of this experience. It is a journey of losing myself and finding Christ in the eyes of the poor and orphaned. I have come to realize that this was not just a 2 month vacation, but that I am now responsible for what I have seen. I am now in the process of taking what I know and applying it to my world here. Please join me in this as I become more aware of the hurts in Africa and search for other ways to serve at home. I pray that this website will not only be informative, but also encouraging. Thank you for visiting!
God Bless!!

Love,
Karin :)

Encouraging Words of God

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us" Ephesians 3:20
"The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Deuteronomy 31:8
"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." 2 Corinthians 12:9

Sunday, July 20, 2008

It's already been halfway!

I wish I could keep you all updated more frequently since there is so much I want to share! Limited communication is so hard because I went to tell you everything!! But I'm going to try my best to describe my experience so it feels like you are here too :) Just keep in mind that once again internet connection is unpredictable.. haha
* side note: We made another blog for the whole entire team and we are trying to post on it more frequently so feel free to check it out at malawi2008interns.blogspot.com It has more information of our weekly schedule which  might be hard for me to include on mine.
With that said here are a couple highlights from my week:
The widows' ministry is going well and I have been feeling more connected the more time we spend with them. Tuesdays and Thursdays are dedicated days with these women. In the mornings we visit their homes where they teach us true Malawian chores like bucketing water from the well (yes I have carried a bucket on my head.... not as easy as it looks hahaha), washing dishes, washing laundry, building cooking fires, sweeping inside the house, and mudding floors (this is my favorite.. we mix mud and spread it on the floors to fill in some holes and have a clean finish.. when it dries it looks like a brand new floor!) In the afternoons we come back to help them with their projects to sell in the COTN store back at the compound. It's been hilarious trying to learn how to knit! And mom I wish I would've paid more attention to your sewing skills.. you would love it! They use antique foot peddle Singers and are super fast and talented. Tons of beautiful fabrics.. don't worry I'm bringing some stuff home to share :) This Tuesday was my favorite day with them.. We literally spent 2 and a half hours dancing! Even the older ones were getting down super low! hahahaha I was dying laughing! Malawians are all born with rhythm and amazing voices.. I don't know how that happens.. but it's not really something to learn (believe me I've tried hahahaha). I feel like we have reached the stage where the women are comfortable being with us and now I am praying that we can form a deeper realtionship by hearing their stories and sharing my own. Language barriers have definitley prolonged the process, but in that time God has taught me how to listen and to be present. I never realized how rewarding it is to just take part in what He is already doing and observe His simple joy and love :)
Another highlight was when we went to Mgwayi on Friday for our outreach program. Mondays are spent giving a message, Wednesdays are small group discussion, and Fridays are game day. I was in a weird funk for a couple days before just feeling useless and frustrated and missing the comforts of home. As we were walking into the village I was praying for God to give me energy because I had none whatsoever (I know hard to believe.. haha), all I wanted to do was start the weekend early and just relax. As we entered 2 of my favorite little girls (Christina and Angela) ran to me screaming my name, "Auntie Kaylin!!!!!" They were so excited to play with me and it was refreshing to see their smiles. It was a perfect picture as God's prescence was known with the sun shining perfectly through the clouds as I scooped these girls up! My energy was immediatley filled and even though I couldn't understand a word they were saying we spent the whole day singing and laughing and dancing! God has been showing me that sometimes words just complicate things and get in the way of experiencing what a laugh or smile truely means. His love is so simple.. all He wants is us.. nothing else... and it was displayed perfectly in Christina and Angela. I felt like I was looking in the eyes of Jesus where I was completely known without saying anything and felt no shame letting go and being exactly who He has made me to be. God is GOOD!! 
I miss you all!!!!!!
I'm glad this post could be longer... it's part of our lazy Sunday routine :)
Love you all!!!
Until next time.... Tionana!!!

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

So happy you are happy Karin in Malawi. See you soon. Miss you terribly, Love, Dad
My precious daughter,
Thank you for a glimpse into your life with your new family. You look and sound so peaceful. You have always been such a good worker so it doesn't surprise me how you have taken to your new chores. Wow, a pedal Singer machine. Nana had my grandma's in the garage when I was really little before I started sewing. I wish I had her keep it. This week has been the halfway point for me too with you being so far away. God knew I needed a boost so he put Jill the paralegal at the lawyer's office in Auburn where Nana and Uncle Geoff and I met. She will be starting law school in the fall at Santa Clara Uiv. I made a connection with her right away. Perhaps it was partly because I miss you but she would definitely fit in our family. Anyway, I gave her one of my teacher careds with email and numbers form her to contact us for dinner. She asked about you and J. When I told her you were in Africa she said she has been thehre too. I don't remember what country but she said she had a similar diet that helped her to concentrate on her job. Somehow meeting her made me feel close to you and at peace. I love you so much! You are and always will be my K. Love, Mom