Summer Camp in December - Days 7 & 8

Banquet day! We were supposed to start decorating by 1pm, then it changed to 3pm, then we had a meeting that lasted until 3:45; which meant we started decorating at 4ish & we didn’t finish putting everything together until close to 8pm… if not 8:30. The decorations didn’t take all that long; it was organizing, cleaning & moving the tables that took a little bit of time. Once we set it all up, though, it really looked great and I was excited for the kids to have an enjoyable evening. There was a LOT of food prepared for the banquet, but we didn’t start eating until close to 10pm because we started the escorts coming in around 9:30ish…. They had to take pictures at the door before seating them, so each couple took about 30 seconds or so. Everyone seemed to really enjoy the evening. I felt a little uncomfortable when I had to go up front to pass out the certificates – I didn’t feel worthy of the honor of having my name on their certificates; but I was glad to be a part of it. We didn’t end up having a lot of time to dance, but we did the Cha Cha Slide – which they all love – and then 2 swing songs. I went around getting multiple partners to dance & I think they had a lot of fun showing off their new moves on the dance floor. J

Once the banquet was ‘officially’ over, some of the campers were still dancing to the music and sitting around talking. Pastor Nkosi enjoyed watching them for a little bit, then he told us to make sure they’re done by 2:30am… that’s right, it was already morning before all the campers were heading to bed; and even later that we as staff had cleaned everything up and called it a night.

Summer Camp in December – Day 8

What a morning! We baptized 10 campers today – Praise the Lord!! J I was able to sit with Pastor Jack as he did the baptism counseling. I was also able to talk a little more with Pastor Jack about one of the girls who was baptized – she has grown up in a broken home and had a troubled past, but she is such a precious girl. She lives here in Blantyre and I am glad for the opportunity to get to know her over the next few weeks that we have together. She is hurting, like so many of us are, but during her time at camp, I saw healing taking place and God slowly opening her heart so that she can experience His love from those around her who want to support her. Our God is mighty and awesome to save – it is humbling to know that He asks us to participate in drawing His children to Him. This was a beautiful end to a wonderful week of camp!! :D

I miss hugs. I didn’t realize how much I missed them until camp was over and everyone was leaving. The Malawian goodbye most often does not include hugging. Some of the campers were willing & ready to give me a hug, but the Youth leaders and other staff shook my hand when bidding adieu. It definitely felt a little strange to me, but I also recognize that that is what they’re comfortable with and what they expect & experience in their culture.

No sooner did everyone leave, then it was Christmas time! My Malawian Christmas was definitely the warmest Christmas I’ve ever had – it was in the upper 70s, if not low 80s – though I did get to see some rain (the closest thing to snow around here! J). The only downside to Christmas was getting sick. I think the late nights & early mornings of camp caught up to me. I now have a cough that doesn’t seem to want to go away. I went to a clinic on Tuesday and started some antibiotics, so hopefully I’ll be all better by the time school starts again next Tuesday, January 3^rd.

I pray you had a blessed Christmas and that your New Year also begins with love and celebration!!

Prayer & Praises:

-       I have missed have Kayla around, but I look forward to seeing her & her dad soon – please prayer that they have safe travels next week. They are scheduled to arrive on January 4^th

^-      Please pray that the antibiotics begin to work and help me to get better sooner rather than later; though I don’t like being sick, I am glad that it happened during a week when I’m not teaching so that I don’t miss out on any time with the children