And so we enter the final phase of the 'footprint project'. We are hoping with all our hearts that this is not the end but the beginning of a new phase and new adventures!
Friday the 30th July will see the Feast for Friends held at Wakefield House at Morphett Vale, SA. We have taken the approach of having nothing to lose and everything to gain in our celebration of the achievements of so many people over the past (almost) two years.
It is vital that as privileged individuals living in a beautiful and free country we do not become complacent about the situation of others. Very importantly, we need to remember that while there are certainly people suffering in our own country, our responsibility as part of the global community is not diminished by this fact. Our activity - or lack of activity- in supporting universal health, goodwill and peace will eventually, sooner or later, impact on us in Australia. The concept of 'global neighbours' is becoming more and more apparent and literal - the countries that surround Australia are becoming more and more a significant part of our economy and health status. Wars, faltering and failing economies,disease,climate change and pollution are impacting upon us all and it is critical that our 'world view' extends beyond the boundaries of our own four walls.
For this fundraising dinner we are inviting local businesses to contribute through donations of meal ingredients and items for the Silent Auction. In return, we will promote the local businesses, encouraging those who attend the dinner to remember local businesses when shopping. In this way the dinner will be not only supporting an international cause but also local causes and businesses.
Ingredients for the dinner will be purchased through independent grocers such as local IGA's as opposed to the large supermarkets and fair trade products will be sourced wherever possible.
The countdown is on...30th July @ 7pm is rapidly approaching...goat cooked on a spit, traditional foods of a variety of countries of the African continent and a wonderful celebration!
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Not an easy road to travel...
A few days before leaving the village we received a man and his wife from Malunda village who came to find out if it was indeed true that his two children got such durable shoes free of charge. Since he was awayhe thought his wife was having an extrmarital affair. he almost beat her up but his wife asked him to look for me and get the truth , thank God I was still there! The man was speechless, he thanked me and openly confessed that his children had never had such type of shoes, not even himself. his wife was all smiles and I saved her from the beatings. When they were going back, i saw themsmiling and laughing, going in peace...
...My dear, we've done something ...our friendship is not selfish, its rich friendship which cannot easily be found...something has happended in Makuluni...'
...My dear, we've done something ...our friendship is not selfish, its rich friendship which cannot easily be found...something has happended in Makuluni...'
Sunday, Sunday...
19th may 2010...Virginia...
"...As I said, the Sunday following the distribution was amazing, everyone headed for their respective churches. I told you that we only have Christian churches, most of them being Catholic, Baptist, Seventh Day Adventists, Pentecostals and some smaller congregations. Pastors thought people had been hearing rumours about Jesus returningon that Sunday, everyone was in their best clothes and in church. They discovered it was the shoes, the children could not be silenced, everyone was talking about their new shoes in church, walking around, falling down in these new things called shoes!...
The pastors saw another surprising thing - people walking in and out of church as if everyone had a thousand litres in their bladders! The striking thing was that almost everyone who was going in and during the service had shoes, something which was very uncommon..."
"...As I said, the Sunday following the distribution was amazing, everyone headed for their respective churches. I told you that we only have Christian churches, most of them being Catholic, Baptist, Seventh Day Adventists, Pentecostals and some smaller congregations. Pastors thought people had been hearing rumours about Jesus returningon that Sunday, everyone was in their best clothes and in church. They discovered it was the shoes, the children could not be silenced, everyone was talking about their new shoes in church, walking around, falling down in these new things called shoes!...
The pastors saw another surprising thing - people walking in and out of church as if everyone had a thousand litres in their bladders! The striking thing was that almost everyone who was going in and during the service had shoes, something which was very uncommon..."
What happened next?...
19th may 2010...Virginia...
"...Everyone who got a pair of shoes was nowhere to be seen! People could not waste their time, they had to run home, take a bath and go for a walk in the nearby villages to show off! That is how neighbouring villagers flocked home to see for themselves and if possible ask for their share, which was impossible. I had to work through the waiting list, the Makuluni villagers and children of nearby villages going to the Molanje school...
...Some people from Makuluni village but who are married in nearby villages came back, claiming their identity! To be a Makuluni resident was SOMETHING REALLY SPECIAL!!! Everyone wished they were from Makuluni village. Some made calls to their relatives far and wide, we saw people who went missing for a verylong time. It was such a reunion time, people coming together in the name of Aussie Shoes!!...
...Thank God that Makuluni's neighbours also benefitted through the children going to the Monjole school. In fact, forget about Makuluni village being the only recipient! Monjole Community School enrols students from all the surrounding villages including Nsikita, Namaja, Naliya, Mbodole, Malunda, Mulelemba and Makuluni herself. All these villages have children who went away with the shoes to their homes...
"...Everyone who got a pair of shoes was nowhere to be seen! People could not waste their time, they had to run home, take a bath and go for a walk in the nearby villages to show off! That is how neighbouring villagers flocked home to see for themselves and if possible ask for their share, which was impossible. I had to work through the waiting list, the Makuluni villagers and children of nearby villages going to the Molanje school...
...Some people from Makuluni village but who are married in nearby villages came back, claiming their identity! To be a Makuluni resident was SOMETHING REALLY SPECIAL!!! Everyone wished they were from Makuluni village. Some made calls to their relatives far and wide, we saw people who went missing for a verylong time. It was such a reunion time, people coming together in the name of Aussie Shoes!!...
...Thank God that Makuluni's neighbours also benefitted through the children going to the Monjole school. In fact, forget about Makuluni village being the only recipient! Monjole Community School enrols students from all the surrounding villages including Nsikita, Namaja, Naliya, Mbodole, Malunda, Mulelemba and Makuluni herself. All these villages have children who went away with the shoes to their homes...
Hmmm... catering...?
19th may 2010...Virginia...
"...Our home was like a hospital, children crying like hell. Ihired security guards who i asked to keep watch and help me with the children. We prepared tea and bought snacks for the children, i was scared someone will collapse with hunger...
...my full involvement was a limiting factor when it came to shooting the events! I was the only person to shoot and take the pictures. In the heat of things , I could hardly find time, as i told you, to go and empty my bladder, not to talk about shooting the event and taking pictures!...
"...Our home was like a hospital, children crying like hell. Ihired security guards who i asked to keep watch and help me with the children. We prepared tea and bought snacks for the children, i was scared someone will collapse with hunger...
...my full involvement was a limiting factor when it came to shooting the events! I was the only person to shoot and take the pictures. In the heat of things , I could hardly find time, as i told you, to go and empty my bladder, not to talk about shooting the event and taking pictures!...
The recipients...our friends...
19th May 2010...Virginia...
"...We saw very old women and men carried on bicycles to receive a pair of shoes - old people i never saw after a decade...
...I saw mentally challenged man who for the first time after months, went to take a bath at muloza River, combed his hair and in his tattered clothing came peacefully to ask for a pair of shoes. I received him just like everyone else and I believe he felt good treated respectfully...
...There was a mentally challenged girl who goes around the place begging for food. She too came and asked if she could have a pair of shoes. i asked her if she would be able to keep a pair safe and she told me that her aunt would get them for her ( look after them). I looked at her and finally decided to let her have her share. After a few days in the village, I saw her proudly walking in her Aussie pair of shoes!...
"...We saw very old women and men carried on bicycles to receive a pair of shoes - old people i never saw after a decade...
...I saw mentally challenged man who for the first time after months, went to take a bath at muloza River, combed his hair and in his tattered clothing came peacefully to ask for a pair of shoes. I received him just like everyone else and I believe he felt good treated respectfully...
...There was a mentally challenged girl who goes around the place begging for food. She too came and asked if she could have a pair of shoes. i asked her if she would be able to keep a pair safe and she told me that her aunt would get them for her ( look after them). I looked at her and finally decided to let her have her share. After a few days in the village, I saw her proudly walking in her Aussie pair of shoes!...
6 weeks after the shoe delivery...
19th May 2010....FromVirginia...
"...It has been 6 weeks now since the shoes arrived in Makuluni village, still overwhelmed by the success story. A few things then though I couldnt tell you as i was recovering...
I left without chargers for my video and digital still camera - the batteries in the latter were already going flat! Thank God i at least took the gadgets with me! Of course,even if i took the chargers, the area has no electircity but I could have used the same means other use when charging their mobile phones...
The distribution, as I said, was not easy, it drained my energy. Not onlymine but my sister, mum, uncle, Felista ( Virginia's niece), and everyone close to me enjoyed the tough time. It was such a busy week, full of breath taking surprises!...
"...It has been 6 weeks now since the shoes arrived in Makuluni village, still overwhelmed by the success story. A few things then though I couldnt tell you as i was recovering...
I left without chargers for my video and digital still camera - the batteries in the latter were already going flat! Thank God i at least took the gadgets with me! Of course,even if i took the chargers, the area has no electircity but I could have used the same means other use when charging their mobile phones...
The distribution, as I said, was not easy, it drained my energy. Not onlymine but my sister, mum, uncle, Felista ( Virginia's niece), and everyone close to me enjoyed the tough time. It was such a busy week, full of breath taking surprises!...
and about the uniforms...
10th May 2010...From Virginia...
"...As you can see, the uniforms of these girls look better than the others, as I am always there for them. I share costs with their parents. i bought a piece of cloth which the parents shared and have the uniforms made for thier children, there are six girls and one of them is a double orphan, no mum, no dad. I only needed 12 meters which costed me around $70 dollars. I paid for the sewing of the orphan's dress.
Let me send part of the inscriptions on the papers in their hands. i had difficulties taking pictures while making the presentations, it was just too much and i missed lots of inspirational scenes!..."
"...As you can see, the uniforms of these girls look better than the others, as I am always there for them. I share costs with their parents. i bought a piece of cloth which the parents shared and have the uniforms made for thier children, there are six girls and one of them is a double orphan, no mum, no dad. I only needed 12 meters which costed me around $70 dollars. I paid for the sewing of the orphan's dress.
Let me send part of the inscriptions on the papers in their hands. i had difficulties taking pictures while making the presentations, it was just too much and i missed lots of inspirational scenes!..."
The monjale girls dancing for joy...
10th May 2010
From Virginia...
"...Suzy, these are the Monjale school girls from Makuluni village. The shoes are pure Australian as you can - where else would they get beautiful and durable shoes if Australia was not there? They nagged their parents for white pairs of socks long before the shoes got there! Since they are from the village and had the performance on the day we arraned for them to receive the shoes early before everyone else - one of the advantages of being active in the community... (this was one of the criteria Virginia used to create some sort of order out of the chaos of the distribution process!!)
Virginia continues..."The song they were singing goes like this...
Thank you Australia for the beautiful shoes
We had no shoes on our hurting feet, you our friends have covered us up
Thank you Josiah,Caitlin,Meshach, the Shoe-pals,
We are grateful for the shoes
Chorus :
Thank you Australia
Thank You Aussie
Thank You Friends
Thank You for the shoes
Thank you Aunt Suzanna, Karen and our own Virginia
May God bless you for all the work you did
To collect,arrange and bring the shoes to our feet
It was not easy we know, God bless you all.
Chorus
Thank you , all of you, the churches,schools,communities,
and individuals who contributed in cash and kind
The shoes are beautiful, we couldnt wait any longer,
We waited and waited and today we have them!
Alinafe, the one holding the piece of paper is my sister's last born Alinafe (God With Us). She also goes to the school. On her paper were the words THANKYOU AUSTRALIA. Another girl behind her had another piece of paper on which was written BIG UPS MADAM VIRGINIA - I laughed my lungs out!..."
From Virginia...
"...Suzy, these are the Monjale school girls from Makuluni village. The shoes are pure Australian as you can - where else would they get beautiful and durable shoes if Australia was not there? They nagged their parents for white pairs of socks long before the shoes got there! Since they are from the village and had the performance on the day we arraned for them to receive the shoes early before everyone else - one of the advantages of being active in the community... (this was one of the criteria Virginia used to create some sort of order out of the chaos of the distribution process!!)
Virginia continues..."The song they were singing goes like this...
Thank you Australia for the beautiful shoes
We had no shoes on our hurting feet, you our friends have covered us up
Thank you Josiah,Caitlin,Meshach, the Shoe-pals,
We are grateful for the shoes
Chorus :
Thank you Australia
Thank You Aussie
Thank You Friends
Thank You for the shoes
Thank you Aunt Suzanna, Karen and our own Virginia
May God bless you for all the work you did
To collect,arrange and bring the shoes to our feet
It was not easy we know, God bless you all.
Chorus
Thank you , all of you, the churches,schools,communities,
and individuals who contributed in cash and kind
The shoes are beautiful, we couldnt wait any longer,
We waited and waited and today we have them!
Alinafe, the one holding the piece of paper is my sister's last born Alinafe (God With Us). She also goes to the school. On her paper were the words THANKYOU AUSTRALIA. Another girl behind her had another piece of paper on which was written BIG UPS MADAM VIRGINIA - I laughed my lungs out!..."
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
From Virginia...
5th may 2010
"...Have been waiting for the network at work to send village photos...very frustrating...will see if we get connected tomorrow...Did i tell you about the old woman who demanded people should let her go with her shoes to the grave? She said this was her first pair and she wouldn't afford to leave them behind...not my grandma, another little old lovely bird of the village - she wants to show God her shoes and thank HIM for allowing her a pair of shoes before going home...So many stories...the technology is revolting...you'll love the photo...some children crying afraid of the shoes and some excited..."
"...Have been waiting for the network at work to send village photos...very frustrating...will see if we get connected tomorrow...Did i tell you about the old woman who demanded people should let her go with her shoes to the grave? She said this was her first pair and she wouldn't afford to leave them behind...not my grandma, another little old lovely bird of the village - she wants to show God her shoes and thank HIM for allowing her a pair of shoes before going home...So many stories...the technology is revolting...you'll love the photo...some children crying afraid of the shoes and some excited..."
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
The power of patience...
The twists and turns continue! Not only has Virginia been able to connect with part of the Australian community in Lilongwe but the project has been lifted to an extraordinarily public platform.
The cabinet minister for Gender, Community and Community Development, The Honourable Patricia Kaliati, a member of the Malawi full cabinet has taken a personal interest in the project. It has become an opportunity for Virginia to show other women - and men- what is possible when women are enabled and empowered to act without threat or repression. The Honourable Kaliati's desire is that this will show how empowering women to become active in national development can contribute to the community.
Last week, Virginia was also interviewed on air by Zodiak Broadcasting Corporation, a local radio station who visited her and interviewed her regarding the shoe project. Virginia has been receiving calls ever since with peopel congratulating her for her amazing work. The callers have also been thanking the Aussies involved back here too, specifically remarking on the amazing work of the Shoe-Pals - the children who reached out to other children across the globe.
The cabinet minister for Gender, Community and Community Development, The Honourable Patricia Kaliati, a member of the Malawi full cabinet has taken a personal interest in the project. It has become an opportunity for Virginia to show other women - and men- what is possible when women are enabled and empowered to act without threat or repression. The Honourable Kaliati's desire is that this will show how empowering women to become active in national development can contribute to the community.
Last week, Virginia was also interviewed on air by Zodiak Broadcasting Corporation, a local radio station who visited her and interviewed her regarding the shoe project. Virginia has been receiving calls ever since with peopel congratulating her for her amazing work. The callers have also been thanking the Aussies involved back here too, specifically remarking on the amazing work of the Shoe-Pals - the children who reached out to other children across the globe.
Stepping out in the right direction...
The process seems (well actually has!) taken such a long time but we are almost there. What we do know is that had the path been smooth and without challenge, so much would not have been discovered. From the outset, V and I committed to persevering, no matter where the journey took us and there have been so many twists and turns!
The shoes have been cleared, finally, but not without much anxiety, frustration and sheer determination on Virginia's part to ensure that they reach their intended destination. Virginia's resolve and commitment has been simply extraordinary. There is no doubt that the easy path would have been to succumb to the temptations of a 'speedy resolution' made possible through payment of bribes, deceit and release of any sense of personal dignity, self respect and morals. In refusing to participate in such corrupt and immoral activity, the cost has been financially increased but the sense of personal strength and integrity cannot ever be diminished. There are some things that cannot be valued through dollars and cents.
The shoes are now safely being guarded and awaiting transport to the village...and the tale continues!
The shoes have been cleared, finally, but not without much anxiety, frustration and sheer determination on Virginia's part to ensure that they reach their intended destination. Virginia's resolve and commitment has been simply extraordinary. There is no doubt that the easy path would have been to succumb to the temptations of a 'speedy resolution' made possible through payment of bribes, deceit and release of any sense of personal dignity, self respect and morals. In refusing to participate in such corrupt and immoral activity, the cost has been financially increased but the sense of personal strength and integrity cannot ever be diminished. There are some things that cannot be valued through dollars and cents.
The shoes are now safely being guarded and awaiting transport to the village...and the tale continues!
Thursday, March 18, 2010
holding our breath...
our daughter turns 21 tomorrow and just like we were 21 years ago, we are holding our breath...20th March 1989 changed our lives forever. We thank God every day for our beautiful daughter who has brought us incredible joy and pride. We love her and thank God for her very precious life.
the latest from virginia reads thus...
"am very fine. by sunset today will be coming with good news that the shoes are released. Just be all ears. Am closing in.Love."
and so we wait...
the latest from virginia reads thus...
"am very fine. by sunset today will be coming with good news that the shoes are released. Just be all ears. Am closing in.Love."
and so we wait...
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Aussie possibilities...
Nephew #4 is finally walking but I am confined to crutches...we are so close to the release of the shoes but the challenges continue. Virginia doggedly refuses to give up on finding support for the clearance and transport of the shoes to the village despite the ongoing pressures and frustrating- now frightening at times- developments.
V has been thrilled to find the listening and supportive ear of an Aussie businessman with whom a number of meetings have been held and we wait with our fingers crossed and breath held. How wonderful it would be to have Aussie hearts and hands at the village joined with Virginia when the shoes finally reach their destination.
V has been thrilled to find the listening and supportive ear of an Aussie businessman with whom a number of meetings have been held and we wait with our fingers crossed and breath held. How wonderful it would be to have Aussie hearts and hands at the village joined with Virginia when the shoes finally reach their destination.
Friday, February 19, 2010
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.
our challenge, i have to say, is brought into perspective by stories such as that told in the movie "Hotel Rwanda". It's promo phrase : "When the world closed its eyes, he opened his arms".
Edmund Burke wrote, "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing".
Over 100 days in 1994, the African country of Rwanda was the site for the genocide of almost one million people. As the streets ran with rivers of blood, a large portion of the international community looked away. One man could not. "Hotel Rwanda" is the story of Paul Rusesabagina, a hotel manager in Rwanda who used his courage and cunning to shelter over a thousand refugees from certain death. The movie highlights the tension between the Hutu and Tutsi tribal people. As Rwanda descended in to horror we can only imagine, Rusesabagina risked his liberty and life to save those around him. It is the true story of one good man who jeopardised everything to do something.
Edmund Burke wrote, "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing".
Over 100 days in 1994, the African country of Rwanda was the site for the genocide of almost one million people. As the streets ran with rivers of blood, a large portion of the international community looked away. One man could not. "Hotel Rwanda" is the story of Paul Rusesabagina, a hotel manager in Rwanda who used his courage and cunning to shelter over a thousand refugees from certain death. The movie highlights the tension between the Hutu and Tutsi tribal people. As Rwanda descended in to horror we can only imagine, Rusesabagina risked his liberty and life to save those around him. It is the true story of one good man who jeopardised everything to do something.
and still..things continue to change...
Another few frustrating, high anxiety days. Perhaps that is the problem. We need to take a big breath and relax...
which is what we did.
The Red Cross possibility did not eventuate. After calls to Adelaide and Melbourne, it was sinply not possible to arrange the support that was required to authenticate the project to Malawi Red Cross. We were however provided with a few alternatives for future activities so that in itself is a gain.
News from V is that there has been a meeting between herself and the overall Malawi Revenue Authority boss ( I believe) and so we wait for any further developments! Her tone today was optimistic and up beat - a blessing in itself!
And in Virginia's own words, " ...we are powerful women. This serves to remind us and motivate us for the cause of those who are themselves powerless...".
which is what we did.
The Red Cross possibility did not eventuate. After calls to Adelaide and Melbourne, it was sinply not possible to arrange the support that was required to authenticate the project to Malawi Red Cross. We were however provided with a few alternatives for future activities so that in itself is a gain.
News from V is that there has been a meeting between herself and the overall Malawi Revenue Authority boss ( I believe) and so we wait for any further developments! Her tone today was optimistic and up beat - a blessing in itself!
And in Virginia's own words, " ...we are powerful women. This serves to remind us and motivate us for the cause of those who are themselves powerless...".
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
our very own miracle...(SIT DOWN BEFORE READING!)
our hearts have been extraordinarily heavy over the past few days as time passes, the situation regarding the clearance worsens and generally all those involved wonder where we go from here. The issue has been a point of prayer for so many people since i passed on the news that we were indeed confronted with serious issues we were beginning to believe were insurmountable regarding the release of the freight into safe hands.
I have had a numer of phone calls,emails and texts with Virginia. They have been tearful, angry ( not with each other but at the awfulness of the situation V has been endeavouring to control), frustrated calls where we both felt so unsure of ever reaching a positive outcome and felt so isolated from each other. Our certainty of God's Hand on the project has been unfailing but a clear picture of how this project would end was disappearing.
This morning i received an email from Virignia...
"...I was at the Red Cross Society today and they have been touched by my toils to get the shoes out. All they want is an email from any Red Cross branch to back us up that yes, the project did take place and that we need a hand with clearance, transportation and distribution logistics...the Red Cross representative has also promised to connect me with Australians in Lilongwe so that they can represent you guys up there. Tomorrow i willbe able to meet them, how exciting!The prayers are getting through. God is in full control..."
and so i am off to try to find a Red Cross contact who will vouch for us. I will also contact Edwin and see if he could also email re the legitimacy of the project.
I have had a numer of phone calls,emails and texts with Virginia. They have been tearful, angry ( not with each other but at the awfulness of the situation V has been endeavouring to control), frustrated calls where we both felt so unsure of ever reaching a positive outcome and felt so isolated from each other. Our certainty of God's Hand on the project has been unfailing but a clear picture of how this project would end was disappearing.
This morning i received an email from Virignia...
"...I was at the Red Cross Society today and they have been touched by my toils to get the shoes out. All they want is an email from any Red Cross branch to back us up that yes, the project did take place and that we need a hand with clearance, transportation and distribution logistics...the Red Cross representative has also promised to connect me with Australians in Lilongwe so that they can represent you guys up there. Tomorrow i willbe able to meet them, how exciting!The prayers are getting through. God is in full control..."
and so i am off to try to find a Red Cross contact who will vouch for us. I will also contact Edwin and see if he could also email re the legitimacy of the project.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Christmas in Makuluni
This is an excerpt from an email from Virginia regarding her Christmas at Makuluni village.
"...We set off on the 24th December for the village...I bought a goat and it was slaughtered. We invited neighbours who could not afford such a nice meal and we cooked together,ate and laughed together. I was particularly touched by a six year old little fella who after i shared with them about the reason for the gathering he said, ' Oh I wish Jesus was being born every day so that you could be celebrating His birth with us and enjoying good food like this, by the way, when is He getting born again?'. The village is full of humanity calls, the people are just innocent and it is amazing the way they just 'hang in there'. i love those poor souls..."
Please remember these people throughout your day today.
"...We set off on the 24th December for the village...I bought a goat and it was slaughtered. We invited neighbours who could not afford such a nice meal and we cooked together,ate and laughed together. I was particularly touched by a six year old little fella who after i shared with them about the reason for the gathering he said, ' Oh I wish Jesus was being born every day so that you could be celebrating His birth with us and enjoying good food like this, by the way, when is He getting born again?'. The village is full of humanity calls, the people are just innocent and it is amazing the way they just 'hang in there'. i love those poor souls..."
Please remember these people throughout your day today.
Praying for a miracle...
We are soooo close and yet still a bit too far! The shoes arrived in Malawi safely but have been delayed by clearance/revenue issues. Although so close to our hearts, at the moment the women, men and children of Makuluni are frustratingly far away. It is certainly a reminder of how fortunate we are in Australia to have the things we take for granted - phone access, computer access, communication infrastructrue that enables contact at the lifting of a receiver rather than miles of physical vehicular travel for very basic communication. Virginia is doing all that is physically possible to engineer the release of the freight asap but wheels grind slowly and at the moment, we feel powerless to speed up the process being driven by a culture and environment so foreign to us here. Please remember her in your prayers as she negotiates the toughest part of the journey thus far. We also ask that you pray for the protection of the shoes as they wait in an environment that is less than secure and at significant risk of unauthorised access and corrupt activity. May God soften the heart of those who hold the authority and power over the release of the shoes. Pharaoh's heart was softened and we pray for a similar miracle.
Once the shoes are released, their transportation to the village is ready and waiting. And so are the people of Makuluni!
Once the shoes are released, their transportation to the village is ready and waiting. And so are the people of Makuluni!
nephew #4 holding out for arrival of shoes to start walking!
we have a theory in our family. Nephew #4 - utterly gorgeous and delicious and charming and all that- remains a crawler as opposed to a toddler. Although in fairness, by definition, toddlers do 'toddle' which i suppose is what he is doing - kind of! 15 steps, however, does not constitute 'walking' if not followed up by another 15 steps - or more! So we suspect he is waiting for the release of the shoes from clearance in Malawi to make his big moves. Conscientious objecter in the wings? should there be a sign on his backside so that while he is crawling we all know why it is he isnt up on his feet and running the place yet??
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
+josiah+email+(3).jpg)
+family+email+(2).jpg)
+karen+and+josiah+email+(2).jpg)
+group+winners+email+(2).jpg)
+sue+denise+andy+josiah+email+(5).jpg)
+josiah+and+susie+(2)+(2).jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
+operations+manager+USA+and+dad.jpg)
+registered+nurse+and+mum.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
