The Christmas Blog!

Well it's about time that I blogged, and it's taken Christmas to remind me! So much has gone on in our lives and of those that we are involved in it's hard to know where to start!

Yes the country has it's problems as always. There's no Fuel, and this has been the case for nearly 2 months now! It's really hot, which is weird considering it's Christmas and people here still struggle to find food. But having said all that we feel so settled and so a part of things here.

We have started visiting the prison now. It's tough. I can't imagine how people survive in those conditions. But 2 young men in the church have a passion for it, and we want to see people realeased and developed into what they are good at.

On the football side of life it continues to go well. A few notable goings on was an invition to take some of the kids we train to view the world cup, it was fantastic! And Lusekero and his team making the Cup Final. It was really heart breaking as they lost on penalties we were so proud of the way they all played and how Lusekero conducted himself.

It was wonderful to have my parents out with us for a couple of weeks. They did a great job with everything, and I was really pleased to see my Dad share a message of acceptance with the prisoners. While we were sad to see them go, the blow was softened by the arrival of my sister Jess yesterday. She is settling in fast and even though I'm complaining of the cold here she assures me it's very hot compared to snowy England!

Sally-Jayne continues to be a real blessing to us. She's a healthy, bouncy, smiley baby and is a complete joy to have in our lives. She has become well known amongst the community here and welcomes anyone who wants to give her attention.

Well I could go on, but I don't want to become a bore. Our newsletter is now available to download from our website:

http://www.tomandjo.org/Tom_%26_Jos_Gallagher/News/News.html

Have a fantastic Christmas

Lots of love

Theatre of Dreams

So we waved goodbye to Debbie (one of the leaders of New Gen) on Monday. It was actually a timely reminder that this is our home now, and we have no deadline or return date. Her time here was really great. We love sharing our lives with people, and to share it with someone that we have so much love and respect for is a real pleasure. She leaves her mark as the first female preacher at Flood Church, but along with that she leaves her mark as a faithful servant, a strong leader and simply a great person.

Brian and Val, also from New Gen, traveled out with Debbie, and are still here until Sunday. They are staying with Tom and Ali Husbands off the Dalitso Trust, but spent the day with us on Tuesday. They have a real gift for teaching on marriage, and they had a big impact on Flood’s adopted village: Kudoko. It was also nice for them to get a picture of the weekly life of Flood church and they got involved with a prayer meeting, and had dinner with Sean. We hope we’ll get to see them before they return on Sunday, and we’ll miss them once they’ve gone.
Along with all that fun we ran a football tournament for the various clinics we are involved with. We had 6 teams participate over a 2-day period, and it was a joy to see a lot of hard work put into action. In the end Falls Sports Academy won. Brian helped ref the tournament and really helped raise the level of respect amongst the players.

Things are moving along nicely, but we are constantly up against it with transport! We really feel it’s about time we got a decent vehicle that won’t cost an arm and a leg to keep running. Right now our truck is with a mechanic having it’s clutch replaced, but that’s actually just one of many problems with it. We would love for you to pray for us as we seek funding for a new 4x4.
All our love x

DIY

Over the last few weeks I have found myself DIY'ing like I have never done before. I have cut a door to size, installed it including the locks, sorted out a some of the electrics and 2 light fixings, changed about a zillion plugs, re-wired quite a few appliances and finished up by installing 2 smoke alarms! I have thoroughly enjoyed it!

Life is great here, I love the different challenges it brings. Our truck has had it's problems, and this week I have spent a full 3 days trying to sort them! Right now someone is leaving for South Africa to try and find us a part, that's how crazy it's been! However it's going, and someone's done a patch up job for us, so it's nice to be driving again. It's a weird thing, but I kinda enjoy the challenge. It's not like in the UK where everything is done by the mechanic and has a price. Here you have to go around the whole of town trying to find the right bit and even if you find it you've got a fight on your hands to get it at the right price!

Last week I did manage to get along to a football clinic, and out to Kudoko village, and tomorrow I'm visiting the local prison and out in Kudoko again, so things are up and running again and I can't wait to get completely into the swing of things.

It rained today, about a month early. I don't know the implications of early rain for farms, but it's really cooled things down temperature wise - which is lovely!

Sally-Jayne is now sitting up and eating solids, it's absolutely crazy how fast she's growing up, and tomorrow Brian, Val and Debbie arrive from Sidcup and are staying for a few weeks, it's really exciting to share what life's like here with them.

Lots and lots of love x

1st trip to the airport

Sally-Jayne and her beloved Oscar!

Nahlia (Our neighbor) and her Beloved Sally-Jayne

Sally-Jayne’s first trip to the airport

We made it! We are settling in to life in Malawi. But the last few days in the UK seemed to fly by, and were a little bit hairy at times!

We were really counting the cost of leaving. It hit home that it’s not just a cost that we pay, but one that our family, friends and church pays too. I have to say that it felt like I was being ripped in two. Then, on Sunday night, I got a call from my Dad. My mum, while walking in the Lake District tripped and fell of a ledge. She had to be air lifted of the mountain to hospital. At that point we weren’t too sure how serious it was. After a bad night, I managed to speak to my Dad and my sister, and the really serious damage was to her knee. It’s actually incredible nothing worse happened. It was so great to get the church praying for her, and then I got to talk to her and then we decided we should still fly out to Malawi.

Thank you Jesus.

Debbie gave us a lift in the church mini bus. The logistics of 9 cases and bags, and a pram were absolutely mind blowing! We got to terminal 4 at the right time, and then realised it was the wrong terminal! There was traffic all the way round to terminal 3. We were now pushed for time. Debbie was helping us at the drop of point, when literally behind her back she got a parking ticket!! I couldn’t believe it. God bless the traffic warden, and I pray she does well in her job. It’s the kind of thing you know you should complain about, but that just puts the fine up, and makes things worse for you.

Inside the terminal was carnage. There was arguing everywhere about luggage weight, people we pushing and I dropped the cases numerous times. But once we were on the plane, we had a great journey. Sally-Jayne didn’t cry once, she was so content, and seemed to find the whole thing fascinating and funny. She’s the only person on the plane that squealed with delight as we landed each time (a total of 3 times!).

Well now we are back. The Husbands had got our car running and filled the fridge with supplies, Guise, who lives in our house with us, had cleaned and got our bed ready, and our friends were round for dinner! We felt we were home, and had a great nights sleep.

News, Shows and Feeding of the 250

We just got back from running the youth camp for the city farms annual show, and we loved it as ever! A big thanks to Jo's parents for helping with pretty much everything, and even lending us their caravan! I was asked to be a judge for the animal show (See pictures above) which meant I got the VIP lunch while Jo made lunch for all 250 of the kids! (Sorry!!).

A big well done to Vauxhall City Farm, who won shield for the show! I must admit to torn loyalties after being heavily involved with 4 of the farms over the years, and a growing love for the rest of them!

On other news, our latest newsletter is available, click here

Lots of love x


Our latest Newsletter is available

Sunsets and goodbyes

Jo and her mum Julie

My Mum and Sally-Jayne

Returning to Malawi is becoming a serious reality now!

Our flight leaves on the 5th of October, and for the first time we don't have a date to come back to the UK. However, we've agreed with our church here to come back for a short period of time soon after 12 months. It will be a good "health" check for us, and something we are very keen to keep up. We don't want to become a "closed book" or an "island", which is always a possibility when you are away from the people who really know you.

Going back can sometimes be a bit of a pressure. There's lots to get done, the uncertainties of what leaving people you love does to you and more importantly; to them, financial uncertainties, health issues etc. I have to say though that leaving is also extremely exciting. I had the privilege of working a 9 - 5 in London for a few months over the summer and was reminded of all the very different pressures that come with it. I have such respect for commuters who have commuted into work every day for 40 years. Wow. It also makes me so thankful for the incredibly varied life I lead, that no day is the same and that I'm often excited about getting up to go to "work".

We are just putting the finishing touches to our latest newsletter, and I'll post a link here as soon as it's ready. We've also put together some partnership opportunities, and I'll post them here too.

Quite a few people are coming to visit us this year, and we are especially excited about our parents coming out. We would really value your prayers for them. My parents are due out in November and Jo's April. Pray for their health, for enjoyment and that they'll be safe traveling.

Loads is going on in our lives right now, this weekend we are running the youth camp for the City Harvest Festival. Thanks to Jo's parents we have a caravan for the weekend though! Next weekend we are off to Northumberland to spend the weekend with a church, and then the following weekend is our last one in the UK!

Love and every blessing

Tom & Jo

Wow, I can't believe I missed doing a blog in August - the month flew by!

It was a whiz of Lark In The Park, holidays, weddings, working at Vauxhall City Farm, Sally-Jayne growing, Sean Visiting and problems with my knee and foot. So much went on that I don't really know where to start.

Good news from Malawi first. Last week Humphrey's started his degree at African Bible College, so he moved into his accommodation there and is getting used to life as a freshman! We are so pleased for him! We'll miss him, he lived in our home and worked very closely with me in Kudoko, but I'll continue to mentor him and he will continue to be a vital part of our church.

Lusekero got good news from the doctors about his broken arm - it's healing well and he can start playing football again in a few weeks.

This months highlights have to include Sean's visit to help at Lark In The Park and speak at the Dedication of Sally-Jayne, our beautiful little girl. It was all very last minute due to VISA issues, but he made it and was thrown in the deep end. He did so well, his time here spoke directly into the hearts of many people and we just can't wait to get back to Malawi to help him run our church there.

Lark In The Park came and went in a blur. Jo did a cracking job as the stewarding team leader, the whole time having Sally-Jayne either strapped to her front or one of the many helping hands keeping her entertained. A big thank you goes to my Sister Jess for all her help! We also had my brother in law Mike staying with us, and Jo managed to cook and look after him too! Add to that the fact for one whole week of Lark In The Park I was on crutches and not much help, Jo becomes supper Mum/Wife/Sister in my eyes. I was involved in the evening events as I was working full time at the farm during the event, but it was great as ever, although I did miss being a part of the daytime team.

We then went on holiday with Jo's parents. Center Parks is a lovely place, we find it so nice to amongst the trees and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, the week went by very quickly, but are grateful for the time we got.

I finished as the education coordinator last week, and now I'm just doing the odd day here and there for Vauxhall City Farm. What a blessing it's been to have work during this time.

We visited our group of friends in Romford who support us so well and shared whats been going on and what we plan for the future. It was lovely to introduce them all to Sally-Jayne.

We've also been to lots of weddings and parties recently, most notably my cousin James and Tiffanie's wedding in the New Forest, which was a cracker!

We are now planning to return to Malawi in about 4 or 5 weeks, please pray for us as we tie up all our loose ends, raise funds and get ourselves focused.

Lastly, my left leg has been giving me lots of problems over the past month. I'm having an MRI scan on Friday. Please pray we get to the bottom of what causing me the problems.

Loads of love

Have a Lark In The Park!

New Generation Churches big event: Lark In The Park (www.larkinthepark.com) gets underway on Saturday - and set up is already going strong.

Lark In The Park has been a big part of our lives over the years, and I've been involved with it since 1999! This year is the first time I won't be involved in the daytime programme (due to the need to work) and it's a really weird feeling. Jo however, always willing to help, has decided to run the stewarding even with our little baby needing her every couple of hours for feeding! The event is wonderfull sight, with the church coming out of it's comfort zone to really give a brilliant free gift to the community. What an example of Jesus' love for us, the length he's willing to go and the value he places on our lives. It's such a pleasure to be around again, and our babies arrival has meant we are back here just when the event takes place- Fantastic!

Things are great for us at the moment. We go on holiday with Jo's parents in a couple of weeks as it's her Mum's birthday (I won't say how old) and I can't wait. After that I finish working full time and we'll be focusing on fundraising and our return, as well as being involved in the London Farm and Gardens flagship event: The City Harvest Festival. We had a planning meeting with these guys a couple of weeks back, and again feel so privileged to be involved with a brilliant group of people.

I'll blog again soon, lots and lots of love x

2 weeks of growing nicely!

As a farmer it's nice to know that my little daughter: Sally-Jayne is putting on weight nicely! She's put on a 4 or 5 ounces a week a now weighs 8 Lbs 8oz's! At 2 weeks old now she's starting to develop her character already, and it's scary how fast they change at this age. It's so nice that things have been smooth and positive so far, and I know Jo is thoroughly enjoying being a Mum.

Things are going well on other fronts. I've mentioned on our website: www.tomandjo.org that the leaders in Kudoko village have all graduated from the 1st stage and it's going so well there. Flood church sounds like it's still going from strength to strength and Sean Kampondeni (Floods Pastor) should be here in the UK during the 1st 2 weeks of August to be involved with Lark In The Park (www.larkinthepark.com). It's really exciting for us and we can't wait to get him over here.

Some bad news was had last week when Lusekero informed me that he's broken his arm! It's a shame for our football academies as he can't drive out there at the moment to take them, but also for him personally. He was the top scorer in pre-season and then he broke his arm just days before the 1st game of the season in training ground accident. Obviously our thoughts and prayers are with him for a speady recovery!



I've been back working at Vauxhall City Farm for just over a week now, it's really great fun! At the weekend we attended the Streatham Festival with ducks and activities from the farm. It was a great day in the Sun with loads of people, fun, water and festivities.

We are already turning our attentions back to Malawi, and can't wait to get back there however. It's looking like we'll return late September after Sally-Jayne has had her vaccinations.

Lots of love x

Sally-Jayne Gallagher arrives!

It was 4.15am on the 20th June 09 when Sally-Jayne let out her first shreik, was put on Jo's chest, opened her eyes to stare in Jo's for just a moment before she was promptly whisked away to be examined!

Everything was fine, so equally as promptly she was given back to Jo for some mother-daughter bonding. Jo did really well, delivering in under 6 hours with no pain relief!

Sally-Jayne is now settling in well and the center of everyones attention. She's already playing and she already knows what she wants! She's had nearly 30 visitors, and absolutely adores being held.

Thanks for all your support and prayer, we know Jesus was with us in the delivery ward.

Appearing on TV!

On the 17th June 2009 I will be on Revelation TV! I'm being interviewed on the programme that runs from 2-3pm about my faith, the work Jo and I do in Malawi and there may even be a live phone in!

Pray for me as this is very new territory!

Tom

Webby News

We are so excited to have finished our first newsletter, and got our website going! If you would like a copy of the news letter, please get in contact with me and I'll email you one. If you would like to check out the website go to: www.tomandjo.org .

Today is finally the day that Jo's baby is due! Right now no signs, so don't expect anything soon, but hopefully it won't take too long. She is well, and out having coffee (decaf. I hope!) with a couple of friends at the moment.

My work on the farm has come to a brief halt. The new farm manager has started now, but it turns out the educational coordinator is leaving in three weeks, and so I'll be covering her role until they find someone permanent! I've also got the odd days work here and there taking animals out to shows and things for them.

Today Tom and Ali husbands, along with their kids, should be landing in England. They run the Dalitso trust in Malawi, who we work very closely with, and are great friends of ours. They are back for a holiday and it will be so nice to have them around when we have our baby!

That's all for now - check out our website and give me some feedback

Tom

Big bumps, good times and praying like a madman

On the farm with "Alternative therapy students, realigning the cows spines!!


This week our church here in the UK has been doing 24/7 prayer. (24-7prayer.com) What an amazing thing to see, the commitment from people to make that pilgrimage to the prayer room, maybe even at 2 in the morning is a sight to behold. It makes me realise what a whole hearted commitment it takes to be part of this church. I've enjoyed it so much, and even though at times it's been a little hard to go work after being there most of the night, it's totally worth it! The time actually flies by while you are in there!

Jo's bump has stayed relatively the same over the last few weeks, although she ensures me that the baby is heavier! I simply can't wait to see our baby now. It's already been described by one Mid-Wife as a "tinker", and another one as a "little blighter" due to the amount it moves around, so I'm hoping it will save the activity for day time and sleep well during the night.

This current part of our life generally feels to me like a good time. Work is enjoyable, church is enjoyable, home is enjoyable and living in England is certainly enjoyable! Jo has even been known to say her pregnancy has been enjoyable! (Although I'm not sure she's saying that right now!)

Today on the farm has been lovely. We had 8 chicks born and 8 ducklings! It's always so nice, and it brings special enjoyment to the kids and the adult volunteers. It's only just over a week until the new manger starts, who's position I've been covering the last 3 weeks. The 2 weeks after that I have 3 days worth of work, which will just about cover our rent - and then I cover the educational coordinators role here too! She's handed in her notice, so that gets me another month or so's work! Amazing!

Tonight I'm going to the F.A Youth cup final between Arsenal and Liverpool. I'm hoping Arsenal will at least win something this year!

Well, keep smiling, enjoying spring and praying!

x x x

Farms in the city

It's been so interesting returning to the city farm scene! I've got some temporary work at Vauxhall City Farm (www.vauxhallcityfarm.org). The place is lovely, and I knew them while I ran Brooks City Farm. Their farmyard manager left after 9 years here and I agreed to come in and help keep the ship steady while they recruit, and I think they want to keep me on in a part time capacity over the summer as a session worker! It's a wonderful answer to our prayers as we really needed some extra income to pay the bills, but were faced with a country in economic crisis!

Jo is doing fantastic as ever. We went to baby and you classes at the hospital last night and they were actually really helpful. It was a bit weird as I was sitting next to a kid and his girlfriend who I used to look after at our churches youth club! He's only 18 and it was a strange thing to be learning how to have a baby together with him. Next week we get to watch a video of someone giving birth! Lucky us!!

Things seem to be going great with the boys back in Malawi. I spoke to the guys on Friday and it was a real faith builder. The leaders in Kudoko are well, they are hungry in the right way and they are learning! There's still massive issues with witchcraft, but it seems like the weekly programme and the one on one follow ups during the week are making such a difference. I had a great chat with Humphreys and I'm so excited for how he's risen to the challenge of leading it through.

Working in the city has made me realise what a contrast we have in the Western world to places like Malawi. Here the cities are where the majority of people live, it's where things happen. If you think of England you probably think of London. However in Malawi the majority of people (90%) live rurally. That means peoples mentality is very rurally focused. It's also means that it's the few who are governing the masses. It's just interesting really. 13million people live in Malawi, under 800,k of those live in Lilongwe, the capital. 7.5 million live in London, with lots of other Major cities around England which has a population of 60 million. I wonder if this is a contributing factor when the world looks at a country: England is a country driven by the city, Malawi is a country driven by the village.

Please pray for George, Humphreys and Lusekero as they continue our work while we are not there! I would also like you to pray for Oscar. He's a young student I mentor and his Uncle died a few weeks ago. This not only left him as the head of his family, it also left him without his funder for University.

Anyway, with that lingering thought in my mind I bid you farewell!

Tom

friends, family and settling in.

Mum, Dad, Sister Jess and Aunty Atha (Soon to be our babies great, great Aunt!)

We've been back almost a month now, and often Malawi feels like a long time ago! It's just that life is so fast here, and weeks fly by, and before you know it a month has passed!

We are having such a ball though. Seeing friends and family has been wonderful, and adding to that our great church life, it makes for a fast passed, enjoyable and even challenging ride!

We had a scan a couple of weeks back, and that was pretty incredible! It looked like a baby, moved like a baby and really bought home the reality of our little baby living in Jo's belly. She told me the other day that she's enjoyed her pregnancy so much, and got so used to her current situation she's not sure about it coming out! Having said that I can tell she can't wait, and I can also tell what a great mum she's going to be. Personally, I'm becoming really excited about the day. Children are a gift from God, something that Malawians get right in their attitudes and something our culture often gets wrong.

New Generation Church Football club are in the cup final on Saturday! They are making the wonderful gesture of taking a collection for a youth team myself and Lusekero are getting started in Malawi, and donating an old kit. It's something I'm really looking forward to starting when we return to Malawi, and I know Lusekero is absolutely buzzing with the idea.

Tomorrow I'm at Vauxhal city farm to talk about working as their interim farmyard manager while they advertise and interview for the permanent post. I could do with your prayers about this, and if I get the job I'll be really excited about helping there as best I can.

Well, signing off now - missing Malawi and our friends there, but enjoying the UK so much. All our love x

Safe, sound and freezing!

Various leaders that we are training in Kudoko

The football Academy at Kudoko

Lusekero teaching them how to jump at kudoko!

My 27th Birthday cake!

My 27th Birthday meal!

The kids at Kudoko

One of the small group sessions at Kudoko

Humphreys, Me and George the guys who lead the work in Kuodoko!

Drink time in Kudoko!

Growth group, a group of young guys who get together at our house on Fridays

We got back to England on Wednesday and have been staying with Jo's sis until yesterday when we returned to our home and church in Sidcup!  So we are officially back now!  Boy it's cold!  We had a great journey back, we have a few tips for long stays in transit in Nairobi if you ever find yourself there!!

I thought I'd post up some pictures now that we have a connection that can handle it.  

It's Been A While!

Sorry it’s been a while!  We’ve been back from Chitedse for a week now, where we house sat for some friends.  It was fun being out of town again, and they had a lovely house with great big dogs and some lovely night guards that we got on really well with. We are now less than a week away from returning to the UK to have our baby, and it’s really exciting we will be entering this new phase of our lives.

Firstly I have some really sad news.  A great friend called Felix died on Wednesday morning.  He was 50 years old, and leaves behind his widow and 4 children, 2 of which are still at school.  It’s been a hard one for me and the church community to swallow.  About a year ago I met Felix at CHE training.  We got on really well, and watched football together.  He told me he would come to a Flood church meeting.  When we returned from the UK in November there he was playing bass at the front of the meeting!  Since then we have been great friends.  He even left 50 years of Catholicism behind him and became a member of Flood, bringing his family with him.  He invested his life in young people.  When his daughter text me early Wednesday morning to say he had died suddenly it came as such a blow.  The funeral was very sad, and as is Malawi culture none of the men cried.   All I can say is I’m so glad for his final few months, and he has had a massive impact on Jo and I. 

Apart from the sadness of Felix’s death things have gone incredibly well over the past few weeks.  Firstly Kudoko.  The team I take there consists of Lusekero: a professional footballer who teaches an academy there, Humphreys: a wonderful young man who helps with teaching the leaders and translating the material, and George: Who has a bible studies degree, helps with the teaching and follows up during the week with one to one sessions. (He also drives, which gives me a break when needed!)  Oh, I must mention Jo who makes lunch for us all to take!  This time has been so good. Firstly the team has been coming on so well, in our relationships with each other and with Jesus and also with how we are relating in Kudoko.  It’s hard to describe, but it’s like a weight has been lifted there.  People are happy, and even the Chief is expressing such a desire to get over things like his alcoholism. 

In terms of mentorship, I’ve been spending time with Humphreys, Lusekero, and Guise (Floods worship leader).  Jo and I have added a couple called Oscar and Chisomo to our list as well!  They are both studying at the African Bible College and show so much potential, especially in the area of kids work.  When we come back Guise and Humphreys are moving in with us, and it’s a time that we feel will be very challenging for us, but is also very exciting.  It’s the hardest thing to do, for us to leave when we are so fresh in our relationships with these people, but it is also a great opportunity for them to take on the responsibility and do things on their own for a while.  Please pray for them.

Flood Church is going well.  It’s been a challenge since we changed the service time.  It had the desired effect in terms of helping the core of young people make a decision, but a side effect was an abundance of white families coming along too! So it makes for a different feel to the morning meeting.  I think the fact that Jo has been running a kid’s programme also adds to this phenomenon.  Flood kids are going great from what I can see, and she’s developed a team to run it in our absence.

I just wanted to also mention my “growth group”.  It’s a small group for young men who are all single, except me!  Lusekero runs the group, and it has been absolutely fantastic.  People have been sharing at such a deep level, and it’s been great to observe and help Lusekero.  It’s also been really helpful that I have been to college and had a girlfriend and can offer advice from my experience.

For Dalitso I have been running CHE (Community Health Evangelism).  A guy called Chippo has been employed since February to actually head up CHE, so I have been more working with him since then.  He is a top guy, and it’s timely that he is here and already working efficiently while we are back in the UK.  I also just finished a 2-month look at the fellowship of the believers with the Dalitso team, so again I feel very comfortable leaving.

I don’t want to make this too long or too boring so I’m going to rap up here.  We are sad to be leaving as things have really got going.  My week is so packed full that I often need to create time to stop and think, but I love it like that.  We have been working at full pace for the last 3 months, so I am excited about sitting on a plane for 24 hours, but then I’m already thinking about what we are going to be leaving behind!  Wow this work is emotional sometimes.  It’s a real rollercoaster.  All 3 of us of us are in good health and good spirits and really can’t wait to see our friends and family.

Loads of love x

Ticks and Cobras, Chiefs and Princes and one kicking baby take 2!

I'm sorry, but the first time I posted this for some reason only half the blog loaded!  (We don't have an internet connection anymore, so I didn't realise)

I can honestly say this was one of the most frightening moments of my life!  But firstly the tick. Both of these events came about while walking the dog.  The tick someone else saw on my leg, I hadn't noticed.  Man they are hard to get out.  In the end I burned it with a match before pulling it out head and all - which was a relief as the head often gets left and goes septic.

Now, on the the Cobra!  While walking Chippy in the Maize field, he jumped into some grass about 5ft ahead of me, up reared a black Cobra that was my chest height!  Upon research I found this means it was at least 8 ft long!  I was so grateful to find it more interested in the fight it had on it hands with the dog.  This gave me the time to gather myself and run.  Incredibly, even though I saw the snake lunge at the dog, Chippy came after me unscathed.  What a close thing!

Well, on top of that excitement things have been going so well.  One day particularly stands out for me.  It was a day when I go to Kudoko village (Flood Church work side of life), and the Chief who has been attending the course was there.  At the end I always give a chance for people to chat through stuff and pray and he hanged around.  Chiefs are very high and mighty here, and even this could have been a bit embarrassing for him.  Anyway, he asked us to pray with him as he's struggling with alcohol (a big issue here) and also with feeling really bitter towards people.  It was quite a small event, but one that really sticks out as significant for me.  Later that evening, Prince (a friend of Lusekero - a footballer I'm mentoring) was round our house for dinner.  Prince plays for a rival team, he's not a Christian.  Anyway, I was chatting outside with him and he just opened up about his Mums death, how devastated he was that his Dad hadn't looked after him or supported his dream of playing football, and how his career hadn't fulfilled it's potential.  When he was 19 he was signed for a large amount of money, for the biggest club here.  He is really famous in Malawi - but 2 years later he was let go as he hadn't lived up to the hype.  He now plays for a mediocre team, but still has the fact that everyone knows him in Malawi.  He also talked about the girls, the drugs and the drink! He's not a Christian, so it was weird when he started asking me about being one.  I ended up praying with him, and really hope the future holds something for him.

It's not like these conversations were huge life changing events - but they were steps towards these guys doing something life changing.  The chief is actually really significant for the whole village, and maybe his actions will end up causing changes across the whole of Kudoko.

Loads of other things have been going on.  One big event is the sudden growth of our baby!  About 3 weeks ago Jo started to seriously feel it kick.  So much so that the baby gave her a good kick in the ribs!  In terms of health Jo is doing really well still.  We really appreciate your prayers for her and the baby.

2 weeks ago we moved out of town to house sit for some friends.  It's weird being out of the city again.  You realise again how lucky we are to live near shops, lights, other Westerners, etc etc.  We are there until the 9th of March.  

I could go on and on with the various things we are doing, it's really so exciting at the moment.  The really sad thing is that we only have 4 weeks until we come back to the uk!  Oh how time has flied!  We are already organising things for while we are away.  It only just feels like we got things started.  But we can't wait to have our baby and see everyone again.

Lots of love x x x

Ticks and Cobras, Chiefs and Princes and one kicking baby!

I can honestly say this was one of the most frightening moments of my life!  But firstly the tick. Both of these events came about while walking the dog.  The tick someone else saw on my leg, I hadn't noticed.  Man they are hard to get out.  In the end I burned it with a match before pulling it out head and all - which was a relief as the head often gets left and goes septic.

Now, on the the Cobra!  While walking Chippy in the Maize field, he jumped into some grass about 5ft ahead of me, up reared a black Cobra that was my chest height!  Upon research I found this means it was at least 8 ft long!  I was so grateful to find it more interested in the fight it had on it hands with the dog.  This gave me the time to gather myself and run.  Incredibly, even though I saw the snake lunge at the dog, Chippy came after me unscathed.  What a close thing!

Well, on top of that excitement things have been really going so well.

Jo's Big Birthday!

We celebrated Jo's Birthday on Friday in Style, 

Here are some of the photos:

Our very own Boys2men get down to some Karaoke

Here's one I made earlier!  (Not really, the very good Baker we know made it!)

The guys hang ouside

And the girls (and 1 guy) pose inside!

We had a great time on Friday.  It was such a contrast to last years birthday.  Last year we were here, but only in our 2nd week.  We had a quiet meal on our own, and wondered what the future held!  This year we had more people that could fit in the house come over!  We cooked sausages, sang songs and Jo got a stack of cards and presents!

We are both 26 now, but we are only the same age for 6 weeks - then I'm officially older than Jo again!

Hooray!  After a couple of days of trying I've managed to upload a picture of our house!  We share with an American called Danny, and we live in a Duplex.  Our Neighbor is Father Christopher and his large family, who run the Anglican college that we live on.  Opposite is the student dorm, behind the house is the carpenter work shop and some fields of Maize.  Behind the camera are the class rooms and chapel.  You can also see the nice fence that I built with James, meaning Chippy can go out and we can sit out at night. We also have 16 watch dogs out at night! (Due to the fact we have no fence, and only one night watchman for the whole college)Here's our front room.  Other than the rocking chair and the table and lamp everything else is Danny's. and very nice!  So it will be a shame when he's gone in July, and will probably look a bit bare!  But we have 2 2 seater chairs stored, so we do have some furniture.

This is the kitchen, it's nicely kitted out.  Chippy's enjoying his dinner!

Ok, so I've been trying to upload a picture of our bedroom for a while now, and I'm giving up.  I hope this gives you a feel of our lovely home - you are most welcome!