Today our main agenda was to encourage the missionaries—Newton & Kondi, and their families.

Vanessa and Patricia (their wives) have served us tirelessly the entire week. From waking at the rooster’s first crow preparing breakfast, to popping batches of popcorn for a late night snack—these ladies are the lifeblood of their families and their husband’s ministries.

It has been such a pleasure to get to know these amazing families and to play games with, laugh, and show love to their children. Several of the HS age girls on the team have become bosom buddies with the teenage daughters in the missionary families and will surely enjoy friendships long into the future. Watching them braid each other’s hair, giggle, and talk about life, has been a delightful and unexpected highlight of the trip.

Today we treated our hosts, or rather, our hosts treated us, to time at Lake Malawi. We traveled 3 hours, African style, in a 30 seat “busette” that seated 24 (driver and broken seat included). The missionaries were proud to show us the “gem” of their country, and we definitely saw the sparkle.

Lake Malawi is a beautiful oasis and the perfect place for the missionaries to rest and connect for a much-needed day of respite. Kondi, Newton, and their families ceaseless serve their communities, their churches, and pastors-in-training, so we were thrilled to see them enjoying this day with their families.

The kids laughed at the monkeys that greeted us at the entrance, they ran and squealed through the sand, and refreshed themselves with a swim in the water. Some of us adventured out for a short boat ride on the lake.

The traditional Malawian food was a treat as was the lovely cup of coffee to chat over. The fried plantain dessert was a tasty substitute to dip in the coffee. We even had time to buy some souvenir gifts.

Please pray for Kondi and Newton and their families as they continue laboring to do God’s work in this beautiful country. We are here 10 days—they are here a lifetime.

Zikoma!