Camp summer #3

My 3rd summer at camp has finished! I love working at camp-- faith, kids, outdoors-- but it is exhausting (so if you talk to me now that is what you might hear). After 10.5 weeks (2 of staff training & 8.5 of camp) you can bet I'm counting the weeks/days!  Most of our camps are 1 week programs for ages 7-17 (rising 2nd grade through high school), with the older groups having some 2 week options and the last half week for a parent and young child.

My responsibilities included worship each night and driving & participating with groups at off campus activities-- hiking, rock climbing, white water canoeing, service projects and backpacking overnights-- and many other things that come up.  Again, exhausting but so fun!

This years theme is Peace of the Wild Things--taken from Wendell Berry's poem The Peace of Wild Things:

When despair for the world grows in me

and I wake in the night at the least sound

in fear of what my life and my children's lives may be,

I go and lie down where the wood drake

rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.

I come into the peace of wild things

who do not tax their lives with forethought

of grief. I come into the presence of still water.

And I feel above me the day-blind stars

waiting with their light. For a time

I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.

I picked 4 Bible stories and weaved the idea of where we can find peace through the lessons:

• Moses and the burning bush-- Finding peace in facing fears and knowing that God is with you
• Naomi and Ruth-- Finding peace in community
• Jonah-- Finding peace in listening to God (while Jonah wasn't happy with the result, I think he found peace outside the fish) and believing that God gives us multiple chances to do what's right
• Jesus in the wilderness-- Finding peace in Scripture and knowing we belong to God

I get to use the stories each week and feel that I get my point and stories out a bit better each time...guess it is good I have 8 weeks... (ok, I have help for when I'm not there and on backpacking trips--thanks Luke! and week 1 Pastor Carlton takes the lessons--thanks!

Thanksgiving

most pictures taken by Kimberly Richey

wells in pictures

 loading up

 greeting

 installation

prayer

 dedication

 demonstration 

before & after

Chifundo

Chifundo has worked at Ebenezer since I was there. He is looking to get help with more training and asked if I knew anyone who would help. I told him that I would put the request out there but he would have to write the letter...here it is:

I am Chifundo Chinsampha, aged 28. I have one some who is 3 years old. I stay in Nkhoma and have worked as an assistant teacher at Ebenezer Institute of Learning for 8 years.

I have been searching for the chance to be trained as a teacher but the grades I got my last year if secondary school have been a problem for me to he enrolled in government colleges. I have done driving training because I wanted to find a job that can support me better with the aim that I can still support myself for school and other personal needs but I have not yet gotten the driving job.

I would like to take Business Management course which has 8 subjects for the first year (Level 4). There are 4 levels -4 to 7- which can take 4 years to compete for an advanced diploma. The aim is that I can work as an accountant or human resource including other things in administration of the school or any other institution.

If I can take this course, it can help me with a number of basic needs which my family are making. I am responsible for my parents and other relatives in my village and am the only one employed full time. I earn $88 (64,000 kwacha) which is very difficult to support myself, my son and others.

I am in need of $500 (384,000 kwacha) for the tuition and examination fees. I will manage to pay for transportation (The school is 50km away from Nkhoma), registration and stationary (363,000 kwacha).

School will start in January, so in December, I need to pay for the examination and tuition fees.

Year's budget
Transport (48 weeks) --288,000k
Registration fee --50,000k
Stationary --25,000k
Tuition fee --144,000k
Examination fee --240,000k
Total --747,000k

Sponsor help --384,000k
I will pay --363,000k

I will be so thankful if I may be supported for this training.

Yours,

Chifundo Chinsampha

I have contact info for him, if you are interested in helping him directly or I am willing to be the go between. Thank you for considering this request!

The mountain

Tuesday morning Isa and I decided to climb Nkhoma Mountain. I did this many, many times when I lived there but not since. We had talked of spending the night in the hut but it was booked so we got up early to see sunrise and beat the heat...it was tougher than I remembered...5 years will do that. But the views were completely worth it...I'm already forgetting the 3 days it took to get over the muscle aches.

Nkhoma

(Pictures of grade 4 making paper briquettes for cooking, and some of my students all grown up)

Got to visit a week in Nkhoma after finishing with Marion Medical Mission. At church in Sunday I was invited to the front as a visitor (not a first timer but as someone who has been gone for a long time) and thought I would have to introduce myself but they didn't really give me a chance. I greeted the congregation (said hello) and they prayed for me to do the work that God has for me and to support the church as I am able.

I had time to visit with many dear friends and hear about what is happening in Nkhoma. And lots is happening in Nkhoma. (Always)

I toured Nkhoma University, classes in teaching and .... With 200 students during the week and about 400 taking weekend classes (long hours - Friday from 1 to 10, Saturday 7 to 10 and Sunday too).

I went to Ebenezer where they are growing so quickly! Chrissie is doing a great job but finding it tough as both Heather and Susan left earlier this year (expat volunteers who were doing lots of admin and overseeing). As I was around and didn't have other plans, Chrissie asked me to help in the kindergarten classes as her teachers were sick. Ah, it took me back to my first year...though the class this time was full (30 learners as opposed to my 12) and they understood much more English (having been in school for 2 years already).

They need and are looking for sponsors for the learners, if you are interested please let me know! (only $25 per month!)

I got to see the students I taught, now in grades 6 and 7! So tall and well poised.

Team 1

All done! That last week was a good one (for the most part). Kimberly and I both got sick on Wednesday (might have been some strawberries I bought). Dan and Don went out in separate trucks so the wells would still be installed. Thursday I went out with Don, and Friday, Kimberly did. It was hot and I figured rest was good especially as both the trucks we had were in use. I helped with a total of 88 protected water sources this year. That approximately gets clean water to 13,200 people (150 per well)!!!

We convened on Saturday in Lilongwe to check in, get some shopping (woodmarket), and prep to head home. Except I'm not headed home. Doug Kee, Tom Kage and I headed for Nkhoma. I'm here to visit those I lived and worked with and to see Ebenezer school. Doug and Tom are visiting their partner church just down the road.

Team 1 completed ~1300 + wells leaving ~1500 to be installed. Team 2 came in on Sunday. Prayers and thoughts are with them in their adventure!

Sponsor a protected water source (only $400) at www.mmmwater.org