The Flood Malawi team is back home! (minus 2 team members who are staying to research a future intern exchange program)
Check out this phone update from Adam Klekowski on the last days of the trip. Awesome to hear how the ministry in Malawi has grown in the past 5 years!
Phone interview on Flood’s Tumblr: click here
Photos on Flood’s Tumblr: click here
Yesterday our team lead the last day of the leadership conference. Leaders of Flood Malawi gathered together to listen to pastor Adam and Shawn deliver messages geared toward encouraging and empowering the leaders to reach the city of Ll. Flood Malawi leaders were also given the opportunity to choose different seminars lead by the Flood San Diego team. After the seminars, we enjoyed a Malawi Barbeque and slept soundly.
Today, Sunday, we enjoyed our last church service. Adam delivered a message titled “What Happens When We Die Together,” exploring the connection between our Christian hope and the significance of our work here together—the Gospel is a cause worth dying together for. During the service the Church prayed for our team and a safe return. We celebrated communion together and, after the service, as the church’s custom, we drank soda.
Tonight, we will join Flood Malawi as they welcome incoming freshmen to ABC (African Bible College). At the heart of Flood Malawi is the desire to reach the young to impact the future of the country. After we debrief, our teams will part ways, with two of our team remaining to continue research into a future intern-exchange program between Flood Malawi and San Diego.
The spirits of our team remain high. We are all both happy, and, as Adam puts it, disturbed—disturbed in the sense that we cannot help but be moved by what God is doing in Malawi and the challenge this presents to us as followers of Jesus.
Hello friends and family!
We just finished our Zambian safari! We all had a great time. God’s creation is so beautiful! Everyone is still healthy and safe. We are on our way back to Malawi today to go to the market. Tomorow we are having lunch with our sponser kids and saying goodbye to all our new friends. We are all excited to see everyone at home and have some amazing pictures and stories to share.
In His loving and wonderful name,
Ally
Last Sunday was my first experience preaching from the pulpit. Nervousness was an understatement, but I was also very excited to share my experiences about being a woman and using my gifts, strengths, and passions in ministry. In the morning, we were picked up from COTN, where we are staying, and headed off to Flood Malawi. We met at Tom and Jo’s house. Tom is currently on Staff with Flood Malawi, as the Associate Pastor. He and his wife are from the UK and first came to Malawi in 2008 with an agriculture project. After attending Flood Malawi they felt God’s calling to join Flood Malawi and have been a tremendous asset to the team here at Flood.
We started our production meeting with the entire Flood Staff, our team from Flood SD, and others who are a part of the prayer team. The house was full of people and prayer. I was so encouraged for their time of prayer. Each week they have all of the leaders, worship leader, the preacher (me), and the Children’s pastor stand in the middle as everyone prays. Here I was standing with everyone in prayer for me, for the message, and for God’s presence to be known. Later we prayed for the logistics of the day, and then we prayed for the elders from Kudoko Village who came to visit.
This particular Sunday at Flood Malawi was a special day. Not only was I preaching, but the Women’s Choir from Kudoko Village came. All of the women were dressed to the “nines”. Each had a matching chitenje “tatingi” (wrap skirt), white blouse, and hat. Although there were about a dozen women when these women sang their voices were LOUD, full of praises to God. Every time I have come to Malawi when I hear sining in the village I am always full of tears. I cannot describe the beautiful sound of singing and worship that occurs here in Malawi. It is something that I miss when I go back to the States.
….and then after worship, it was my turn. Oh man the butterflies, but I got up there and started off. What I am most thankful for is that my voice did not quiver! I calmed myself down and started out. I shared about how God did not make a mistake as the Holy Spirit distributed the gifts to both men and women. I challenged the congregation to look at their life, potential obstacles that get in the way of people knowing that they have been gifted. I shared my experience of how God has used scripture and people in my life to help me know my gifts and how to use my gifts. I shared about my difficulty with what I call the “Pill of Limitation”. Which is having limits in our life, limits in our gifts, and relying on others, specifically the Body of Christ, Romans 12: 3-8, to be whole, a reflection of Christ. Later, I challenged Flood Malawi, and specifically women to go out and DO IT! To use their gifts, find their passions, and align their gifts/passions with the needs of their community. It really all felt like a blur and as I ended I thought “did I just do that?”, “did I just preach a sermon on a Sunday morning?” I have no idea how people have reacted to my sermon. And as I have learned by talking to others and looking at the verse 1 Corinthians 4:2, “but the Message came through anyways”–I came to Malawi following the God’s calling and that alone is what matters.
I am thankful to be back here in Malawi. This country which is so far away feels like a second home. I am thankful for the people and the relationships in which God has granted me to have here. Today I feel blessed.
Our team is finally all together settled into Malawi, myself and BKR arriving from Uganda, while Adam, Kelly, Cameron, and Jesse arriving after their safari adventure in South Africa.
Today we had the opportunity to visit Kudoku village, which is about a 40 minute drive from the COTN village we are staying at in Lilongwe. We all got dressed up in anticipation of the meeting we were to have with the village chiefs and village elders. As we turned down the dirt road toward the village we were confronted with a cloud a dust, a common occurrence during the dry season of Malawi that we arrived during. Emerging from the dirt we were told that we were just about there, and that the building we were driving towards was one that Flood had helped construct through the donation of concrete and roofing materials. A steady stream of kids were now following us as we made our final approach to the building, knowing that a car full of “Mazungus”, or white people, usually means a couple soccer balls (which it did). Emerging from the car to be greeted by a bunch of happy kids with big smiles is a sure way to fill your soul.
After we arrived a couple of Flood Malawi members gathered all the kids and started a makeshift soccer camp, as myself and the rest of the team was ushered inside. We learned that the building Flood helped construct was now a church, as well as a classroom, and the village meeting hall. We sat in a circle and formally introduced ourselves to everyone and got acquainted with the different chiefs and village representatives. I glanced down and noticed my black dress shoes were already covered in a nice red dirt… ahhh its good to be in Africa.
Next on the agenda was a tour of part of the village. We started our walk around and were shown all the fields they usually grow crops, but because it is winter here, are now barren. We were told stories of how much of a blessing it was when, a couple of years ago, Flood donated seeds and fertilizer during a famine, and how the crops they yielded from that not only provided food during a much needed time, but were also some of their most abundant crops ever. We walked through peoples homes and were shown the building in which they sleep, cook, and relieve themselves; all of which were humbling experiences. We made it to our destination when we reached a water pump, that we learned was the well that Flood had dug for Kudoku. As we arrived, we saw some women using it to draw water, and listened to how much of an impact this well has had not only on Kudoku village, but on the entire community also. Most of us decided to take a drive from the ‘Flood water’ after learning it drills into a water table that is quite pure and naturally filtered.
We were then taken to a couple homes that had cooked the goat and chickens we had brought with us. The tables were littered with all sorts of delicious looking food, so foreign to us, yet so enticing. We gathered around, said a prayer, and dug in. There are no personal plates provided here, and no silverware either. Everyone uses their hands, and just grabs from whichever dish looks appealing at that moment. Most every bite is accompanied by the staple food, n’sima, which is basically boiled cornflower. It is sticky, relatively flavourless, very filling, and I rather enjoyed it. The strangest thing on the table were the goat intestines, which despite being rather chewy, were cooked in some sort of sauce that made them edible…. or at least edible enough to try a tiny piece.
We were then taken back to the meeting building in order to tackle the agenda we came here with. Many of you know about human rights initiative we are hoping to take to Malawi in the Summer of 2011, and we were able to have some honest dialogue about what that might look like in Kudoku village. It was very encouraging to hear what the chiefs had to say and that they love having us there. We also got to talk about the internship exchange program me and Andrew will be researching for the two weeks after the rest of the team leaves on Monday. A vision we have for that would involved village immersion, which would mean having some people stay in this village for a few nights during the internship to get a feel of what Malawian village life is like. We had some good ideas about that, got great and encouraging feedback, and actually scheduled two nights that Andrew and I would be spending the night here in about a week to try it out… so wish us luck for that.
Adam had everyone’s attention for the final topic of the day, which was the presentation of mosquito nets. This was a surprisingly emotional time for everyone there, as Adam explained where these nets had come from. Flood member, and local artist, Andrew Salituri had gone to Malawi a couple of years ago, and met the members of Kudoku village. Upon returning home he dedicated each piece of art to these people and their stories. Every piece he has sold since then, was sold with the promise of using the money to buy mosquito nets for Malawi. Through his sacrifice he raised enough money to provide not only mosquito nets to the entire village, but to many other people as well. And now we were given the privilege of presenting them to the village, to take part in the kind of journey that impacts and transforms people. At the end of Adams presentation all the elders and chiefs erupted in applause knowing of the change this will make to their village.
Driving away from Kudoku was a blur, the team was tired and full. In our stomachs and in our spirits. It was great to have heard so much about this place at Flood and now to be able to experience it for ourselves.
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers as we trek onward.
-Kyle
Hey Family,
I’m heading back to Malawi tomorrow to begin the work on some amazing initiatives coming our way in 2011. I just posted on my personal blog, so feel free to read a brief message. You’ll also see a link to our trip itinerary so you can keep us in your prayers.
http://klekowski.blogspot.com/
Love you all!
Pastor Adam Klekowski
(Team Members: Kelly Perry, Cameron Perry, Jesse Sykes, Andrew Ruiz and Kyle Healy)
Hello from Uganda Venture Team (Delta Team)!!
We about to begin our last week here in the north and we are definitely feeling the weight of many midway emotions. We are all feeling a little tired from the numerous activities they have us doing and are very glad today to be having an afternoon of rest; a real Sabbath. We just came to the realization today that we have only four more days here with COTN and just two more with the global interns, as they will be taking a two day half-way-point debrief midweek this week. Our relationships with the COTN children continue to grow, as we are spending most of our late afternoon/evenings in the children’s village. As we turn our sights to the end, it has been amazing to reflect on the growth and relationships that have developed over just this past week. Our team is quite honestly such an impressive group of individuals. It has been such a blessing to watch us all shine in our respective areas of strength and to be stretched in our areas of weakness.
Personally, this trip has been a whirlwind of emotions. In the beginning, I had been praying for God to open my eyes to the things of this country that broke His heart. Being in Barlonyo, seeing the orphans at the baby’s home, and hearing so many incredible testimonies both from the COTN kids and staff had all done just that. Having Empathy as a #1 strength, I was feeling almost drowned in the weight of all of those things. I reflected on Philippians 4:6&7 and came to the conclusion that all I could do for those people and those situations was to intercede on their behalf. So on Friday, knowing that we were to be going to do Prison ministry, I asked God to show me His hand in that place, no matter how bad the condition was, so that my hope could be renewed. When we got to the Prison, we were ushered into a long hall with about 200 inmates. None were bound in any way; they were all just sitting on the floor in front of us. Pastor Richard came up to the front and asked if we could have two worship songs before we began the program. I cannot describe to you the sound of joy that came out of those men. I was completely floored by how much they were just crying out to God with praise. It was like nothing I have ever seen or heard before. God was literally singing in my face “Here I am”. It was such a loud answer to prayer. I had the opportunity after worship to go up and share a small testimony. I told them of my feelings from above and of the verse in Philippians. I told them that when I was preparing to come to see them I was expecting to see another sad place. It was so nice to be able to thank them for having blessing me so much.
It is hard to put this trip in a nutshell and I hope I wasn’t too all over the place. I have fallen completely in love with this place and these people. Their relational way of life and absolute faith in the Lord is so challenging and inspiring at the same time.
Thanks for taking the time to read!
Prayers, Love and lots of Hugs from Uganda!!
Mariah DiCecco
Hello Flood Family!!!
The last few days in Uganda have been absolutely amazing! Busy but amazing. Wednesday morning our team had the unique opportunity to go to a baby orphanage just outside of town. The orphanage is managed by only a handful of extraordinary women who have committed their lives to taking care of these babies after they have been found abandoned by their mothers or orphaned with no relatives to care for them. At any one time, there can be up to 32 babies in the home of ages ranging from newborns to 3 years old. When we arrived, we were given a brief introduction and tour of the home by Sister Francis, who manages the orphanage, and then our team immediately went to work bathing, feeding, and holding all the babies. I think the moment that affected me the most was seeing two newborn twins named Apio and Achen who were only 4 days old. They were so small that they each couldn’t have weighed more than 4 lbs. Sadly, their mother died during childbirth and their father has to leave them at the home while he goes to work during the day. It made me so sad to think that these children have been born into such a dire situation, but at the same time knowing that God has blessed them by bringing them to this home where they will be loved and cared for by these amazing women. It was extremely hard to swallow, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned in Uganda it’s that you have to put you’re hope in God. Hope that he is going to watch out for these newborns. Hope that his plan for their lives is far greater than we could ever imagine.
Another highlight of the past few days was on Thursday afternoon when our team visited a local men’s prison. Now this might seem like an extremely intimidating and scary ministry to be involved in, but it is the exact opposite. It is actually one of the places that I see God the most alive and active in Uganda. When our team first arrived, we were immediately greeted by several of the guards and inmates. We then walked through the prison courtyard to a very small building packed with over 200 inmates waiting inside for us. They started to sing and play worship songs and that’s when God’s peace and joy just flooded over me. Even in a dark place such as a prison, God’s name is being praised and that overwhelmed me. Several people on my team, including me, were given the opportunity to briefly share anything that God was putting on our hearts. It was a bit intimating to stand up and speak in front of several hundred people, especially since I hate public speaking, but as soon as I spoke my first word, God took over and he started speaking through me. I don’t even know exactly what I said, but its okay because God can be given all the glory. At the end of the service, after several of us had spoken, we invited anyone who wanted to received Christ into their hearts for the first time to come up and be prayed for. Two men came forwarded to receive Christ and are now saved! Praise God! I am still at this very moment just so stoked to see what God is doing in the hearts and minds of the people of Uganda. Even in a prison, God’s name is being praised.
Thank you to all of you who are praying for our team while we are in Uganda. Your prayers are being heard as we are all safe and as God is using our team to carry out his will here. Continue to pray for our team as we are being stretched by God on a daily basis and as we learn to become his hands and his feet.
Amari metek,
Luiken
Happy 4th of July San Diegans! Our team wants to wish you a great day enjoying the sun and the beach. Here we are celebrating Independence Day with 57 wonderful kids, Mamma and Papa T, mammas and uncles of the children’s home and the very dedicated interns. What a great time. The mammas made us wonderful American food- hamburgers and French fries. Nice change from rice and beans.
It has been such and amazing experience leading this team and being back in Uganda for my third time. We arrived Saturday, after 3 days of travel, a visit to the medical center (Jeff cut his big toe pretty bad and needed stitches), a good night sleep and 8 more hours on a high way swerving to miss pot holes. As we arrived to our home we un packed the bags and got right back on the bus to the children’s home.
It brings tears to my eyes to see how the construction of the home is coming along. There are 7 houses that the kids are living in and they just finished the school house. But most of all the happiness and the pride the kids feel living there is heartwarming. It is incredible to know that last year we were part of this construction, Flood and illumination helped this dream come true. God has brought lots of smiles to lots of faces.
When we arrived it was nice to see old faces and 27 new faces that still need sponsoring. There was so much excitement to see the interns, and staff . We were welcomed by two songs, the first was by the children and the second was a rap by the interns. They truly did make us feel right at home. We were introduced to the kids, had dinner and then as tiered as we were went home and passed out.
Today, Sunday … yeah Sunday is a big deal. We woke up early to be in church by 8. The passion and dedications of worship is beautiful. Pastor James and his family were there to greet us and we were also introduced and welcomed by the congregation. After 3 hours of worship and messages we went to the children’s home to play, and love on them. In Uganda, after church, it is definitely a day for rest. In midst of playing with the children we helped out with chores. I was so excited to help pump water out of the well. Jeff carried (on his head) a jug of water for one of the villagers.
The entire children’s village got together when it started raining. We got together in the courtyard and sang and danced and enjoyed getting wet and cold. After a great Sunday of “rest”, play, laughter, crying, loving, and enjoying our company we came back to our home to organize our ministry supplies. Everybody went to bead early to dream of hummingbirds.
Impact Classifieds Prayer