Emotional Monday

I truly don't know where to begin... There were so many high points on Monday and one extremely low point.

In the morning the team got a tour of the existing clinic with Dr. Boersma. Then we took him to the pediatric clinic and showed him around. He was so thrilled to see all the items that we had for the clinic. He kept thanking us for giving our best! When we left we got back to work on the clinic. Since the large container is still not here, we have been focusing on prep work, doing lots of cleaning and taping and organizing.

At mid morning we had an unexpected guest arrive... Adida! Her "mother" at Children of the Nations just happened to be at the clinic for a check up and had brought Adida along. God's timing is amazing. We were all so thrilled to see her. She looked so healthy and happy. We had been told to not to do anything that would overwhelm her... afterall, we all know her, but she has no idea who we are. But after just a few minutes of introductions she spotted a soccer ball that Lamar had brought to the clinic and her eyes lit up! She grabbed that ball and started tossing it up in the air. Then some of the team joined in and started throwing it back and forth to her. She was giggling and throwing the ball... really hard! A few of the team members had some gifts to give her so i ran to the dorms to get them. When i returned she was sitting on Marie's lap with Shelley right beside them trying to show her how to use her camera. It was precious!

Our emotions were so high that we worked really well for the next few hours. At lunch we got the long awaited phone call that the container was at the Mozambique/Malawi border, which is an hour away. Kari and Felicia jumped in the car to meet it. Everyone else worked for a few more hours and then went to Children of the Nations to watch a program that the children (including Adida) were performing for us. On the way to COTN we passed a van that had just been to the airport. It had all the missing pieces of luggage in it! Another huge praise! Children of the Nations was an amazing experience. To hear 36 children sing in harmony about their God that saved them and gives them hope, brought tears to everyone's eyes. Adida was so much fun to watch. Since she only moved to COTN three weeks ago, she didn't know the songs or the movements, but tried her best to sing and dance along with the others. We were only there an hour because it was time for their dinner, but I can honeslty say that hour impacted me so much, I know I will never be the same.

So here's where the bad news comes in. We left COTN and immediatley got a phone call from the man who was with Kari and Felicia at the border. Our container was not there. A container had arrived at the border for ABC, but it was not ours. Our hearts sank, tears flowed, and Monday went from being a miraculous day to a huge slap in the face (at least that's what it felt like). We've been trying to encourage eachother and be hopeful and not doubt, but we are having a tough time. So please pray for the team. We know that we are here for a reason. We know that our hearts and lives will be changed forever because of this trip, but we had such high hopes of finishing the clinic and without this container, it's not possible. Please keep praying.

We leave for our Safari tomorrow. After a heartbreaking day yesterday and another hard days work today, a safari will be a fun break for us all.

Everyone here says hello. We miss you and think of our family and church family often. As Dr. Boersma said, thank you for giving your best. Everything that you all have done to get us here and get the clinic to the point it is at right now is amazing! Thank you to those who have commented on the blog. I am going to read all of your words of encouragement to the team today at lunch!

With love from Malawi
Lindsay
for the Malawi Team

ps... Happy 4 year anniversary Dusty! Wish you could be here! I love you! :)