Furlough 2007/08

We are so happy to be back in the USA. Although we miss our work and friends in Malawi, we are looking forward to sharing what God has been doing there with many of you. Please pray for safety in travel and for God's wonderful and faithful provision for needed funding for projects. He has given us many wonderful visions for the people. Please pray for the explosion of the Gospel message throughout all of Malawi and for the faith of Christians there to grow deep. We plan to return to Malawi in April 2008.

Big Disappointment

We were saddened by an email we received three days after we landed in the US. The email was from our Board chairman who informed us that our trusted worker (good Christian man to whom we entrusted all of our belongings in Malawi), took our vehicle for a drive (without permission) and wrecked it. We are unsure what the insurance will cover at this point, but we are trusting God for His provision and know He will do more than we can imagine. As for our worker, he has been fired. Please pray that Satan will not be able to attack any other part of our ministry while we are gone. We need to continue to lift up the ministry in prayer as Satan is standing ready to launch attacks on unprotected areas - areas that are not covered with the power of prayer.

We were so blessed by the group of chiefs in our villages recently. They honored Larry by making him an honorary "group village headman" and gave him the name of "Cheukani" which means "look back." As we were returning to the US for furlough they wanted to make sure we remembered where we'd been and to look back and see how much they need us to return to Malawi. We assured them that we would be back and work with them again. They gave Mandy the name of "Nachisali" which is a name of respect for a woman. She is also called, "Mama" because she cares for their needs. The picture shows Larry receiving the special scepter that they gave him to show he is really a group village headman. This is the highest honor they could bestow on someone. We were both humbled by their love and gifts.

This picture was taken the last Sunday we were in Malawi to worship with Mphanda Christian Church. The church leaders have begun the temporary church building. It will have grass/straw walls and a thatch roof. This will allow them to gather for worship during the rainy season. When we return to Malawi in April, they will begin the process of building a more permanent structure made of bricks. Please pray that the church will remain strong and the Lord will bless them as they grow in their faith.

This past week, we distributed new school uniforms for about 50 orphans. They were so happy. It was also the last time we will get to see the kids for six months because our furlough begins next week. We are finishing up the rest of the school uniforms this week and when it is all finished we will have given over 100 uniforms. Thanks to the efforts of the mission team from Kewanee Illinois, all of these kids will be welcomed into their schools. Mandy spoke with all the orphans about the importance of education. Her father, Jim Patterson organized a mission trip to Malawi and helped raise the funding for the uniforms. His vision was for all of the orphans to have an opportunity to attend shool.

Thank you Kewanee First Christian Church for giving the money to pay for the uniforms.

Mandy's dad, Jim Patterson went to be with the Lord on July 30, 2007. Although Larry was not able to travel back for the memorial service, he wrote his fondest memories of Jim. Here is what he wrote:

"There are alot of things I could say at this moment...about Jim. The first thing is to Sandy...Mom. I am so sorry I can't be there. There is nothing I could do or say to change the loss you feel but I would like to comfort you by just being there. I pray you understand and ask you to save a little time for me when I am there because I will need your comfort too. I went to our village and told Agogo our coordinator's grandmother about Jim. She grabbed her heart and said "Pepani Pepani" "I am So So sorry". She then took my hand and walked me from her house down to where we have the orphan care program. She has never come to the program before much less taken my hand and escort me there. I found out recently that she is the oldest matriarch of the royal family. In her way she was giving tribute to Jim. And I want to do the same.

I have known him since I was nine years old. And in these 41 years we have had many encounters, some good and some not so good. But all of them served to create a unique relationship. My first day of school moving from Springfield Mo. to Kewanee at nine years old was one of those times. I was being teased because of talking like a Hillbilly and got into a fight right in front of the Blish Building. Here comes the principle, Mr Patterson. So I stopped him telling him my story and he asked in a gruff voice, "Who started it? ". I said "He did". And then he said with same gruff voice "Who won?", and I said "I did". Then he got quieter and said, "I guess everything turned OK then didn't it." and walked away. That summer I was swimming at the Northeast pool and so him playing with his family in the pool and I thought WOW, it's Mr Patterson and his wife and daughters yahoo! I holler out "Mr Patterson, Hey Mr Patterson" and dove into the pool, the shallow end. I came up out of the water right in front of in front of him with the biggest bloody smile you have ever seen. He said, "Oh garsh you're bleeding, hurry up and go to the front desk and call your mom" I had hit the bottom of the pool and cut a hole in my lip and I thought, Mr Patterson saved my life. The Patterson family moved away which was a sad day but they moved back when I was in sixth grade. And guess who sat next to me, but Mr Patterson's daughter Mandy. I thought "WOW I saw her in her swimming suit in third grade and now she is sitting by me! As you all know we started dating three years later and I started spending a lot a time at their house. One night I came over for dinner and they had popcorn. Popcorn. I was fifteen and eating five meals a day which my mom says included a loaf a bread each day. Sandy who loves to cook said she would make me some hot dogs. After six hotdogs Jim finaly looked at me and said, "We eat here again Lar". That same year he and Howard Shroyer took me fishing and four O'clock in the morning. I had never been so excited since I wanted to make a good impression. I picked a good spot and Jim and Howard walked down a ways and before they could get started themselves, they heard a big splash. I found out later they thought I had caught a big one but soon saw me floating down the river. They pulled me out and cleared my lungs but with Jim's experience in special ed., he knew that there was another problem, that I was having a seizure. This time, he really did save my life. He eventually allowed me to marry Mandy and he and I became family. The rest seems like a blur until we decided to go on the mission field and Jim became one of the most excited and the most encouraging people. It didn't take him long to start telling others and making sacrifices himself, to send us and to support us. He now knows something I have been wondering about. When does God start preparing someone for ministry and who does he use in this preparation? I think I just answered that. God uses whomever he wants to use and he used Jim to prepare me, for his daughter, even though I don't think he knew it, and God used Jim to prepare me for ministry.

There is one more thing I want to say. The most important part of the race is the finish line and a runner must finish well to win the prize. Jim started the plan to come here about two years ago. He encouraged others to come on this mission trip and they are now here, encouraging Mandy and I by their work. Jim finished well."

Early in our ministry, we taught the orphans that even though we don't speak each other's language, we can communicate through signs like "I love you." We taught them the American sign language and told them it is our special sign with them and we can show each other our love by using that sign. It has become very popular and whenever they see us, they show us the sign. It has been a tremendous source of encouragement for us.

The Lord has been so wonderful to give us such a fulfilling ministry here in Malawi. Our days are full of planning and running around doing so many things.

We hope to be able to continue to update this BLOG so you will have extra tidbits of our ministry with many pictures.

May God richly bless you as you see Him working in your life as well.

We try not to have favorites, but some of the orphans have such magnetic personalities. They love to play with us. Larry loves to keep them guessing what funny thing he will do next. They love to laugh at him. These three are best friends and are always together.

We are always greeted in the village by smiling faces.

Mandy had a good time with family in Florida recently. Here is her with our three year old granddaughter, Alyse.

Here are some of our favorite wedding pictures. Sarah and Tim Hayes were married on June 17, 2006. It was a beautiful and happy day.

March 2007

This month marks our two year anniversary for ministry in Malawi Africa. Mandy just spent one month in the US (Illinois and Florida) staying and helping her mother who was recovering from surgery to repair a broken hip. Sandy needed help with everyday tasks and Mandy was very glad to help out. It was a good time. Larry, however stayed in Malawi to complete the well projects.

IDES (International Disaster Emergency Services) gave us $17,500 to complete five wells. These are almost complete and we are seeing many expressions of gratitude. Water becomes scarse in the dry season when it doesn't rain for about 8 months.

The Orphan Ministry is going well and we are anticipating some great things in the near future.