Refugee Camp & God

On Saturday, November 20, we took a trip to Dzaleka, a refugee camp about an hour drive outside of Lilongwe. Kelly Dehnert, a music professor from Wyoming, set the trip up and about 35 students went on the trip with about 20 missionaries. In the morning, we met with a church who had people to translate for us. We split into 8 different groups to spread out across the refugee camp and listen to people’s stories about fleeing their countries and ending up in a camp in Malawi. Our group had 6 students, Carson and me. Our translator spoke Swahili and was from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), so we went to the area of the camp with people from DRC. We first listened to the story of the translator while sitting in his home. His wife left him recently because she could not handle the hardships of living in a refugee camp. He was left with 3 children to take care of. In the corner of the room we were sitting in was a bag of maize with the label “a gift of Spain” written on it. We found out that the people in the camp cannot grow gardens but are dependent on UN aid for all of their food. It is also very difficult for them to have jobs since they are not Malawian citizens.

We moved on from the translator’s home to the home of 2 more families. Their stories were similar. They fled DRC because they supported the presidential candidate who lost. The president who won started killing people of the opposing party. They ended up in Malawi because it was the closest refugee camp. They are totally dependent on God to provide all of their needs through other people and do not have much in terms of material possessions. This camp is probably the worst form of poverty I have ever seen but one thing stuck out to me even in the midst of suffering. Each time we asked what we could pray for and the response of the people showed me what true faith looks like. They simply said to pray that God continues to provide and protect them as they are in the refugee camp.

What?! No prayer to get out of that place? No whining because they are in a difficult situation? This is the faith that I believe we are all called to but I know I do not live daily in that kind of faith. I am American. My needs are provided. I am always safe. I do not have to rely on God for those things, right? Well, I am starting to view things in a different light. God can take it all away in an instant and would I say, “God please provide what I need today and keep me safe?” That is my new prayer that I would live in such a way that God is my All in All and my Sovereign. I want to rely on Him for everything and not depend on myself.

I am completely and totally thankful that I was born in the States and that God has blessed our nation so tremendously. I do not take that for granted, but I do not want that blessing to be something that I replace God with. I will go back to the refugee camp to continue to minister and share the gospel with non-believers and encourage the believers while being ministered to and encouraged at the same time.

After we had lunch, a group of students who are part of our college band, Mingoli, performed a concert. Jonathan Robson, a professor, shared the Word of God with the crowd and more music followed. As the music resumed, people started dancing and singing with the band and overall having a great time.

Thank you for supporting us and praying for us as we have the opportunity to minister with the ABC students in places that change us as much (or more) than it changes those we went to minister to.

Because of Jesus,

Jeff

Rescued

Chisomo in August 2010 prior to his placement back in the village

2 months later

Jeff and Chisomo napping

At ABC Clinic

Same chair, same pose, only 2 months later

"Malawian baby stroller" He was exhausted and I was tired of holding him

This past Saturday I had the privilege of going to do a village assessment with Mwawi (the director of Ministry of Hope Crisis Nursery) for a child that was recently placed back in his village for the 3^rd time.  Chisomo was first placed in the Crisis Nursery at age 1 month due to his mother’s inability to care for him.  She has mental issues and is in and out of the mental hospital. His father has never been in the picture. When Chisomo was placed back in his village at one and a half years old he deteriorated because his family neglected him, and three weeks later he was back at Crisis Nursery. In August, walking, talking, independent Chisomo was placed back in his village again because his great uncle wanted him back. In Malawi, even though it doesn’t seem right, if a family member wants or shows interest in caring for a child of a family member who’s parents are not around or able to care for the child, then he or she must live with that family member. So, even though Mwawi knew he would not thrive well, he was placed back in his village. When we arrived at Chisomo’s village he was nowhere to be seen. We saw a hut about as big as some people’s pantry and Mwawi said the first time she rescued Chisomo was in that hut, where he slept with 7 other people. The hut was sad, and the thatched roof was so bare it wouldn’t have held up in the rainy season. Mwawi asked the great uncle that had originally wanted Chisomo back where he was, and he pointed to another hut. We walked to the hut (which was tiny) where Chisomo’s grandmother had him strapped to her back. His hair was discolored, his feet were extremely swollen and he was very lethargic. His hands had dirt caked on them (and he sucks his thumb a lot, so no telling what kind of bacteria was on his fingers), flies swarmed around his mouth, nose and eyes, and he had nothing on his bottom to catch urine or feces. I buried my face in my hands and cried. He had a high fever, and his grandmother said he’d had fevers for about 3 weeks. Mwawi told the village chief and the great uncle she was taking Chisomo and they would never see him again. She told them they were killing the child and she would not stand idly by and allow that to happen. Chisomo also has an older brother, but the village will not release him because he can work in the fields, and they don’t want to lose manual labor. After some harsh persuasion from Mwawi (which was interesting to witness because culturally a Malawian woman is not allowed to talk to a man in that manner or tone) the village chief and great uncle released Chisomo to Mwawi. The grandmother strapped Chisomo to Mwawi’s back and we headed for the car. When we arrived back to Crisis Nursery Mwawi did a full assessment on him while Becky and I helped and watched. Chisomo had been on malaria medicine and some antibiotics, but he was extremely sick. We went to Dae Young Luke (Korean mission hospital) and he was diagnosed with pneumonia, 1+malaria, severe malnutrition, and septicemia. He was 10.2 kgs prior to being placed back in his village he now weighs 8.7kgs. We took him to our clinic where Becky and I attempted to start an IV literally 15 times. He was so frail and wasted we couldn’t find veins on him. After some time we finally were able to start an IV and we started him on IV antibiotics as well as IV quinine for his malaria. We also started the formula feedings for his malnutrition. The first 24 hours were scary. His respirations were about 90 per minute, and he was so weak he couldn’t cough up the phlegm that was packed into his lungs. Becky and I gave him around the clock feedings, IV antibiotics, and care. He stayed mostly at Becky’s house because she and her family were attempting to adopt him before he went back to his village. We’re now on day 3 of his rescue and Chisomo’s looking great. His fevers have subsided; he’s drinking his formula (when Becky and I hold him down and force feed him) and starting to talk. He smiled at Becky and I yesterday and we were excited to see that sweet smile again. Oh, and he still loves chips like you see in the picture. He loves Cheetohs. He still has a long road ahead of him as far as recovering from the malnutrition, but between Becky and me I think we’ll get him healthy in no time. He’s staying with us (Becky and me) until he can feed on a regular basis. On Saturday when we rescued him Mwawi only gave him a 50/50 chance of survival. He’s responded so well that we think he’s going to make it. Thank you everyone for the prayers. I posted a few pictures on facebook and asked for prayers, and this little guy has felt your prayers.  I’ve included some pictures of Chisomo in August before he was placed back in his village. I will keep everyone updated on his condition as we continue to care for this little guy.

It's ALL about You, Jesus.

Carson

2nd place...

the ONLY time I saw all the Malawians during the race

The start

The finish!!!

Lucy and I after the race. We usually run together but she decided to whoop me this day

Danie and I in front of the Half sign

By second place I mean I was the second azungu (white person) girl to cross the finish line. When the race started I saw tons of Malawians in worn out shoes with their tattered clothes and stick skinny legs, and I never saw them again. They took off in a dead sprint and I knew then I was going to come in dead last. I’ve never ran a half in this kind of heat before (approx. 90 degrees), and never have I tried to run that many hills. I stopped counting the hills after 21. The winner’s time (of course he is Malawian) was 1hr 7 minutes. He competed in the common wealth games this past October and came in fourth place. The first Malawian woman to cross the finish line finished in 1 hr 24 minutes, second Malawian woman finished in 1hr 27 minutes. Of course the Malawians were all of five feet tall, maybe. I finished the race in 1hr 59 minutes. The first azungu girl to cross the finish line finished in 1 hr 55 minutes. Usually the girl that finished first and I run together, but she proved to be the better runner that day. All in all it was a great time. Danie, another ABC missionary ran it as well. Peter Bartlett, the audiologist from Australia was the first azungu male to cross the finish line in 1hr 32 minutes. We had a great time, and I was able to cross off one of the items on my bucket list. I will definitely run this race again next year!!