Our First Journey Together

               It’s 7pm here in Malawi, the crickets are chirping, the thunder is rumbling in the background, there’s an occasional flash of lightning through our windows, and I can’t believe we’re here. That latter statement has three parts to it- firstly, that Jer and I somehow managed to complete all the tasks on our plate to get here is mind-boggling in and of itself. Secondly, that extended travel days (like our 27 hour one), always seem a bit like the twilight zone and a time vortex all rolled into one, which can feel like the day is never going to end and simultaneously that time doesn’t exist at all, hahaha. And thirdly because my malaria medication wrecked me on the last flight and I was a walking zombie for the remaining 4 hours of our journey… and then for the following 24, hahaha.

               And yet, despite every obstacle that has come at us in the last three months, Jer and I are here, sitting in our spacious guesthouse connected to our host family’s home, soaking in the cool night air in the quiet of this beautiful evening. As this reality settles in, as I reflect over the mayhem that has been our last few months, I have nothing but a heart of thankfulness towards the Shepherd who called us here. The Lord was behind every step in this process. I’ll spare you the nitty gritty details (unless of course you want to email me to ask me for them haha), but it’s a miracle in and of itself that I got accepted to come here with my husband.

               We were able to tour Malawi a bit today, to stop by Village of Hope and walk around the school campus with Jef (our host and the campus director) and to meet some of the teachers and the students. We had an orientation of sorts, where Jef shared his intention to utilize our natural giftings to serve the organization, and Jer and I are excited to bring what we have to offer and add it as a small offering to the incredible work the Lord has already been doing here.

               We know we’re here because of your prayers and your partnership, and we are so grateful for your faithfulness to the Father’s plans for us, the Waltons, and for Village of Hope. Please be praying for wisdom and strength for the Waltons as they serve the Malawi people tirelessly, for the teachers at VOH to work with peace and joy that trickles down to the students, and that Jer and I would increase in humility with a heart to learn and care for the people around us. We are richly blessed to be here and cannot wait to share how the Lord is moving in our hearts and in this country over the next three months.

                                                                                                                        Zikomo,

                                                                                                                                       Diana