It Takes a Global Village to Raise a Child

I, Aften, have decided to write Greg’s blog update this time because I had one story in particular that has moved me, and that I hope moves you. There are so many things I could write about like our wonderful Malawian church that threw a huge wedding celebration for us the second week we were back, how much the students at the Evangelical Bible College of Malawi love Greg and what a great teacher he is, or how supportive and loving the other missionaries have been here. There are so many things to tell, but I will leave some pictures to do most of the talking.

Wedding celebration for us at our Malawian church in Bangwe

The House that we are staying in while in Malawi,
generously offered by Greg's good friends, the Kanyumi's
for while they are on home assignment

Today, I want you to hear about Patrick. Patrick is a former EBCoM student; he graduated last year and is currently a pastor at a local Baptist church in Blantyre. If you asked Patrick what his ministry passion was he would tell you children (especially orphaned children) and the elderly. He has started schools for orphans both where he is from in Zomba and now here in Blantyre too, the children are taught a little bit every day and fed; he has planted fields in Zomba that feed the children and also generate income that funds his ministry efforts. He even trained a crippled man (without legs) how to do carpentry, and now that man no longer has to beg but can work for himself. Patrick is a social entrepreneur, and he doesn’t even know it. 

Patrick is also a pastor and under his leadership the church is growing and improving. His first line of business when he became the pastor was to look at the church membership list visit everyone who was on the list but not regularly attending the services, and he told me, “Many people just go to church because they want people to sing nice songs for them once they die.” But for Patrick, he wants them to know the gospel; he wants them to know they can have a relationship with God that’s not based on works but is because of God’s grace. The people have been encouraged to have a pastor who cares enough to visit them and talk with them.

Patrick is truly a man of God and an inspiration to me.

Aften (left) and Sarah (right)

Greg holding Sarah, with Patrick on the right and
the woman taking care of the twins on the left

About 14 months ago, Patrick made Greg aware of twins who had been orphaned when their mother died due to complications after her C-section. Patrick told Greg about how expensive formula is and asked if Greg could provide it for them. Patrick gave Greg the honor of naming the twins because of his assistance, and so Greg named one of them Aften and the other we together named Sarah after two of my dear friends and because the name means princess. Patrick also found a woman to care for the twins in Zomba, which is where the twins were from too. The woman is a widow with 8 children of her own, the youngest of whom is about eleven, and she attends the Baptist church right next to her house.

Greg and I had the privilege of visiting Sarah and Aften a couple of weeks ago; we were delighted to be with them. They are growing and developing well. Although they are twins they have their own personalities. Aften is much more dominant and strong-willed; whereas, Sarah is much more laid back and easy going. Greg and I were surprised to see that they are both walking, just a few steps at a time, but soon they will be everywhere! They do not have many physical possessions, but their foster mother and siblings love them and that is what really matters. Besides having just formula now, they also eat a maize cereal that is good for babies. It was a wonderful morning we all spent together.

House where Aften and Sarah stay

About a year ago another baby girl was orphaned, her name is Esther. Greg was able to assist Esther with food as well because of help from a group within his home church. Currently Esther and her grandmother are living with Patrick’s family in Blantyre. A couple of weeks ago Patrick came to visit us with his wife, Josephine, and Esther, and it was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen – to see a Malawian woman carrying an orphaned baby on her back like the baby was her own. It is customary here for women to carry their babies around in wraps called chitenjis on their backs, but it is not customary for Malawians to raise an orphan as their own unless they are related.

Patrick, his wife, Josephine, and baby Esther

Patrick says everyone is so surprised when they see the twins and Esther; they are surprised to see them doing so well – and maybe they are surprised they are alive at all. Patrick and Josephine are quick to say, “It’s because of God.” But they know, like me, it’s because God provides through people who are obedient to Him. It truly has taken a global village to raise these children. It’s taken Patrick who mediates between us, the orphans and the foster mothers, the mothers themselves who physically care for the girls, and those who have given support directly to the girls or to our ministry here in Malawi. So in my mind there are four main parties (Patrick, the mothers, us and supporters) involved and each is doing what they can to help these girls not just survive but thrive and to see the kingdom of God breaking in here and now.

I am reminded that we were once all orphans – not maybe in terms of this world, but in terms of the Spiritual realm – but God has chosen to adopt us through Jesus and to become our Father and give us a new family. Continue to pray for Patrick and his ministry. Pray also for the women who care for the girls. Pray that Greg and I would know what our place should be in this situation as we transition out of Malawi and to Canada. Lastly, pray that Sarah, Aften and Esther continue to be healthy and that they grow not only physically but grow to know their heavenly Father – the one who has ordained all this. May all praise go to our God who offers salvation, hope and adoption to us all.

p.s. more pictures of Aften and Sarah available here (http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152182295140207.918393.722870206&type=1&l=f7ee36e7ff) and some other pictures of Malawi here (http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152149170925207.913627.722870206&type=1&l=942891b339)