Now knowing the missionaries, it’s no surprise that they planned for us to visit a non profit called Fount for Nations on the morning of our departure.

We met the cofounder, Patience, who is a member of RBC. Patience’s husband is completing school to be a doctor. Together they were burdened for the astounding number of children with special needs in Malawi who are underserved. They began Fount for Nations, hoping to help with early intervention for children who are differently-abled.

We had the privilege to watch this organization in action. We visited a village where families bring their precious little ones for physical and occupational therapy. The moms patiently wait in line, as each child gets the needed services. The clean mats and toys used by the therapists contrast the dirty, damp hut that serves as their space. One grandma shared that without the early intervention provided by Fount for Nations, her grandson would not be walking. Then she said, “Go!” With a gentle nudge, he walked slowly to Ginger and didn’t leave her side until we left.

We also visited a public, government-run school. We toured a classroom with the walls full of English words and items decoratively hanging from the ceiling. In the corner of the room was a cute blanket hanging like a tent with a bed inside. This is where the children go to rest, read, change, and many have epilepsy, so they go there for a soft spot when they are having a seizure. One teacher serves 12 students in that classroom, but travels to about 10 different schools. There are over 6,000 schools, and very few trained teachers to help them. Some of the most common conditions are CP, epilepsy, blindness and deafness. One teacher will serve all of those various needs.

We also watched a baby assessment in a government hospital. They test the baby for proper developmental milestones as well as measure the circumference of the head—too large or too small can be an indicator of more serious issues. The therapists set the room up with Malawian rugs and brightly colored paintings on the walls to make the kids feel comfortable.

The FFN team served us a delicious meal and a heartfelt prayer to send us off to the airport to begin our long journey home.

Now, 26 hours later, this update is being written in the spacious van on the smooth road home from Chicago while eating a bag full of American snacks. The flight path has brought us through Adis Ababa, to Rome, then home to Illinois.

Thank you for taking this journey with us. It has genuinely been life changing. Thank you for the prayers, support, and for following along through our adventures.

Please pray for us as we adjust back home band process everything we have seen, heard, touched, smelled, and experienced. And pray for those we left behind.

All glory be to Christ!