This morning we shared morning devotion with the students at the International Christian Academy, which is within the compound where we stay. The singing was inspiring.
After breakfast we headed for the Crisis Nursery. This nursery houses children who lost their mothers during birth or who were abandoned. The nursery has about 6 months to find family to support the child. They work very hard to save these children from death or a life on the street. We were allowed to spend time, hold, play with the kids. We were all very touched. Several of our team members contemplated becoming international fugitives and smuggling a baby out with us.
The exception to the six month rule is Toko. Toko is two and a half and clearly rules the roost at the nursery. He inherited HIV from his mom. Mom is still around so they trying to stabilize mom so Toku can go back home.
I really thought visiting the nursing home would be hard emotionally. As it turns out, it was very uplifting. The home was immaculate and the babies were clearly well cared for and loved.
Next we went to the Graduation ceremony of a long time COTN staff member. Then back to the compound for lunch and laundry. Meal times have been a real blessing. The team dines together, we laugh hysterically and really get to know each other. Laundry was ...different. Fill a tub with water and some soap, agitate by hand, rinse in the sink, ring out and hang to dry. A lot harder than I thought. I was sweating like a pig!
We spent the afternoon with the high school seniors working with them on the strength finders curriculum. It was a lot of fun getting to spend some individual time with kids and learning more about them.
We ended the day by going into Lilongwe for dinner. The staff found a very nice Italian restaurant. What a nice time being in a place a little more like home. We brought our driver and guide with us and treated them to dinner. It was a very small way of thanking them for all they've done for us.
We stopped at 7/11 ( yes there's 7/11 in Malawi) and I traded $40 for 16,000 Kwacha. I'm rich!
Only 12 of us in the van this evening. There as so much room it felt like a stretch limo.
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