Work has started...

Ruth phoned at 18.30hrs on Thursday 28 July and left a message on my anwerphone. Ed has joined the team now in Mlowe, though his baggage is lost in the system somewhere – but at least they are all together.
They have started work on repairing the first jetty and are making good progress.
Two of the team have gone by boat to Tcharo to be an advance party to sort out arrangements for the rest of the team to join them later – that’s where they hope to build a brand new jetty.
Ruth says everyone is happy and she plans to get a long letter written that will arrive at the end of next week - I wonder!
David (in deepest Devon – sorry about the delay on this news)

We've found Ed - phew!

Ed's father has just phoned with an answer phone message from Ed - he's arrived in Llongwe and is fine. As you might expect, faced with a cancelled flight at Heathrow he found an alternative route via Lusaka, Zambia; then his baggage got lost and so he was delayed a bit more - but his journey is done now.
Early morning he plans to take a bus to Mzuzu and will then travel on to Mlowe where he'll fall into the arms of a very happy team of Fellowship Afloaters. Thanks Lord for this happy news!
David

At Lakeside!

The team have visited Mzuzu and met the General Secretary of the Church of Central African Presbetery, where they were welcomed.
They then travelled 20 miles north to Ekwendeni where the mission complex is based - they enjoyed good fellowship and singing and a welcome meal.
Ruth’s phone call this evening at 18.45hrs was from Mlowe on Lake Malawi, where there’s a clinic and landing for the boat to Tcharo. They will stay there for a while and do repairs on the landing and other work. They are all in fine spirits.
We still haven’t heard from Ed Sauven – he was due to travel on a different flight with South African Airways; South African Airways have been on strike for a number of days and all flights have stopped. We are assuming he’s taking an alternative route to Malawi, and await news – if you read this Ed get in touch and update us on your progress on 07941 223 679.
David

They've Arrived!

Ruth phoned this afternoon (Sun 24 Jul) at 15.45hrs to say they have arrived safely. Ed Sauven, who took a different flight is held up because of a S African air strike - so we need prayers to speed him on his way.
John Challis is now with the team and they are all staying at the Korea Garden Lodge, Lilongwe and then setting off tomorrow to Mzuzu to meet the General Secretary of the mission - the formal stuff!
We'll keep this blogspot posted with news as it comes in.
PS: They are two hours ahead of UK time.
David

Ready for take-off...

Here's the Malawi team just before checking in at Heathrow this afternoon. They were due to take off at 8pm. We also said goodbye to Lizzie Firth's cousin, who was going on the same plane to Uganda. And to FACT volunteer Emma Crick, who was heading off to China for five weeks to work with children.

See some more snaps taken at Heathrow.

1 DAY TO GO!!!!!!!

Oops - forgot to count down 2 & 3 days to go! Oh well eh.

So... we're off tomorrow!! Hereafter blogs will be posted by David (probably) on the basis of communications we have via satallite phone!! Tragically no braodband on the shores of Lake Malawi!!

Thanks for all your support up to this point - please do remember us in your prayers if you should have a minute…

… last minute packing and any jitters…
…John Challis and Bob Baxter already in Malawi – that any problems or hiccups, especially with vehicles…
…for a smooth journey – we’re flying at 8 pm on Saturday with Kenya Airways via Nairobi, arriving in Malawi on Sunday morning… our journey up north in a minibus has a couple of stops along the way before we get to Mlowe on Tuesday.
…for safety…
... that building supplies would be easily found...
… for the people in Tcharo and Mlowe that we meet…

…. I could go on and on but perhaps I’ll just end with a ‘catch all’… that we would keep our eyes fixed Jesus, and that his love would be evident in all that we do…

See ya!

4 DAYS TO GO!!!!!

5 DAYS TO GO!!!!

One week to go!!

My my doesn't time fly!! There's just ONE WEEK til we fly off into the sunset.... well, to Malawi, anyway!! This time next week we'll be just about to get on the aeroplane - aarghh!! A busy week ahead... must remember to pack...

John Challis is in Malawi!

John Challis flew out to Malawi on Sunday ( July 3rd) to get the project rolling! Please pray for safwety for him, and Bob Baxter who is with him, as they get to work! John asked especially that we pray for engines - both the boat and car variety - that they might be in working order!! Never a given in malawi....!

Oh no... watching 10 hours of tv non stop has made me philosophical!

Like many of you I expect, I've spent the afternoon and evening today glued to Live 8... from U2 and Macca doing Sgt Pepper to Peter Kay on his way to Amarillo, some beautiful musical moments! In this technological age we have this great moment to make ourselves heard...I'm sure that you've already put your name on Live 8 list at www.live8live.com and emailed Blair via www.makepovertyhistory.org .... if not get on it! And lets not forget that we do have another form of mass communication that's even more powerful than mobile phones and email... our hotline to the Almighty.

With our little Malawi 05 project we're not going to make any huge impact on making poverty history... but then, that's not the point. We do however, have the privilege of going to Africa and meeting the people behind the statistics. The privilege of meeting hope, dignity and laughter where we're told there should be none. The privilege of encouraging people who have never heard of Sir Bob, Bono, Bush and Blair that they are not forgotten. The privilege of being able to do a practical project where we know that the money won't be going to a corrupt government. The privilege of making new friends and learning from them. The prvilege of seeing God at work through his people. And of course... the responsibility not to forget all this once Live 8 and G8 are done and dusted.

Nelson Mandela calls upon us to be a great generation. Greatness seem like a impossible thing to aspire too... but our small acts of kindness - an email, a prayer, just 4 weeks building a jetty in a remote part of Malawi - surely these multiply. Because, as they say, if not now, when?

Not sure I understand all the fuss about Pink Floyd... I think I must be too young.

Jump, Lizzie, Jump!!

Well, people have certainly been doing some wierd and wonderfull things to raise money, but I think the bravery prize has to go to Lizzie K, who did a tandom parachute jump last week!!! You'll be pleased to hear that she landed safe and sound in one piece... Well done Lizzie!

Follow this link for some pictures...