23 Days? What?!

Well I started to write a post about a week and a half ago but never got a chance to post it...sorry! So here is what has been going on lately and what is coming up during my last 23 days here!! Oh my!!

First of all...Elliot is back safe and sound from the United States! He had a great trip and I am thoroughly enjoying hearing all about what he thought of America! Haha Its so funny to listen to a visitors perspective about your country. Elliot was particularly impressed with our extensive road systems!

Second...I am also SOOOOO EXCITED to report that I have a new Malawian baby sister!!!! Gloria gave birth to a baby girl in the early morning hours of June 12th. She weighed 2.6kgs (5.7 lbs) and I am not sure how long she measured (I don't know if that is typical procedure after a baby is born here...I really doubt it). Her name is Favour and I can't wait to meet her! Baby Favour, Gloria, and Chico are still  in Blantyre (a city in the south of Malawi where Gloria's parents live) right now but are expected to return to Dzuwa on Monday!!! I am so excited to have Gloria and Chico back at home earlier than expected. I will post pics of the new little one as soon as I can take some :-)

As for me...I am doing fine. I am all healthy again and have been holding my own in the village. I finished up my last day of teaching this past Tuesday. It was really the best last day of teaching I could imagine. The kids actually sat and listened really well and then they sang a bunch of songs for me which I recorded on my video camera! :-) I just couldn't stop smiling. For as much trouble and anxiety they cause me sometimes I really love them and am going to miss them a lot. I enjoyed a visit to Lilongwe earlier this month to say goodbye to a friend leaving to return to the US and to do a little souvenir shopping. Yes I am at that point! Souvenir shopping. Oh my! I am currently in Kasungu visiting Ron & Ulemu and anticipating the arrival of Michelle and two members of her church back in the states who came to visit (one of which was on the HDC team that came to Dzuwa in September!).

Now as for what I am expecting in my last 3 weeks here...

This next week will be my last week at school so I will finish testing all of my kids by Friday and make my recommendations as to who I think should move on to Standard 2. The first Monday in July I am going to have an end of the year party with my kids. I think there will be another team in Dzuwa to help me out with this so hopefully it won't be a complete disaster. haha! I am hoping to treat the kids to some things that they don't normally get to eat and do that will be very special for them...so there will be scones (similar to dinner rolls), sobo (a favorite malawian drink), and twizzlers (thanks to the Casturo Family for their special package!)...as for activities I am hoping to have some games for the kids to play and some arts and crafts (Thanks to the Davis Family for the construction paper, crayons, and frisbees!) Please be praying that this won't totally backfire as the kids can be very aggressive when special things happen and there is food!

July 6-10th is our Joy to the World Mission Conference...so we will be traveling to a conference center 20 minutes from Lilongwe and meeting up with a bunch of youth to hear from some great speakers. This years theme is "Thy Will Be Done". If you want to read more about the planned program and speakers click here. Please be praying for last minute preparations and that God would move in big ways through the hearts of the youth who attend. After the conference there will be a mission team made up of Malawians and Americans travelling to Mozambique for 5 days on a mission trip. So also be praying for this team, their anticipated travels, and there work in Mozambique.

As for me...after the missions conference I will be heading back to Dzuwa to spend my last week in the village preparing for my departure and soaking up my last week with Gloria, Chico, and the new baby. I know these last 3 weeks are going to fly by...as of right now I am a mix of sooo super excited to go home and see my family and hesitant because I know I am really going to miss everyone here...please start praying for my return and for a smooth transition full of God's presence...

Oh and as for what is next for me when I return home to the states...

Arrive home: July 20th
High School Counselor for New Wilmington Mission Conference: July 22-30
Family time + 2 weddings: August
Moving to Greenville, SC to live and work while applying to grad school: September-??
I want to get a masters in Public Health Nutrition :-)

Prayer Requests:
-for perseverance and strength in my last week of testing at school
-that I would really be present here to finish the work God has set before me and to soak up every last minute of my time in Dzuwa
-for our JTW Missions Conference
-for my job search...that God would be preparing the perfect job for me upon my return to Greenville...

Thanks for all of your prayers and support!!!!