John and Sue Update…

Hi all, Sue here! The team has been separated for a few days, so we thought it would be good to bring you all up to date with what myself and John have been up to during our first week.

Sunday John preached at Mt. Carmel, his text was Philippians 3:16-21, about running life’s journey. I did my children’s talk (complete with puppets, thanks Henty!) to over 200 very children. I told the story of the prodigal son, the children were in awe, listening and watching attentively.

Since then, we have been mostly focused on Orbus, a Presbyterian-funded orphanage that opened last year. John has been involved in further development of the Orbus site, while I have been helping the carers look after the 100 orphans that attend daily. Specifically, I have been doing Bible studies, leading the children in songs, organising games, telling Australian stories and of course there has been plenty of “cuddle-time”! It has been an absolute privilege to stand beside such dedicated ladies, who work with these little ones each day.

Afternoons have been spent working with the women from the surrounding villages who come to Orbus. I have been doing health and hygiene and Bible studies etc.

A few days ago, I had the privilege of being taken to visit some of the very poorest families in the surrounding villages of Blantyre. Nearly all the families I visited have been directly effected by HIV/AIDS. For example, the first home I visited, a widow was trying to raise 7 children by herself with no income or support. A grandmother headed another home, having lost all her children to HIV/AIDS, she was left to look after her grandchildren in a tiny mud brick home. These are just a few examples, but they are typical of the results of this dreadful pandemic which tragically effects the whole continent.

Both John and I drove to Zomba to pick up John W and Carey. While we were there we attended a CCAP-run Prison visit. What a great experience to be part of this communion service! One of the highlights for John (S) was helping Colin give out Chichwa Bibles and hymn books to ten prisoners on death row. As we were leaving, one of the inmates begged John for his own personal English NIV Bible, needless to say we are now on the look out for a new Bible for John to use!

So far, while thoroughly exhausting, our trip has been very rewarding and we look forward to the rest of our time here in Africa. Thank you ALL for your thoughts and prayers.