End of the Year and Going Home

I'm 16 weeks pregnant and have been sick. The blog was ignored these past 4 months as was my camera. Here are a few photos from the end of the school year and a few from these past few weeks in the US.

 G's First Ballet Recital

 Final Choir Concert

 Last Day of Kindergarten

First Stop in America!

 Cousins!

PA Grandparents!

Liwonde

Before we leave Africa, we wanted JJ and Georgia to see the wildlife. Last week we spent four days in Liwonde National Park, which is located about three hours south of Lilongwe.

Encouragement

It was incredibly encouraging to have our friend, Todd Naille visit us in Africa. We are thankful for his courage to hop on Ethiopian Airlines(sleep in the Addis airport!) and make the long journey to Malawi. True friendship is a joy!

Snails and Bugs

Christmas 2011

A week or so before Christmas, Jonathan's younger sister Julie and her husband Michael were in a terrible car accident. We had our Christmas early and then Jonathan spent three weeks in the US with his family. Julie is alive and for that we are grateful to God. Please continue to pray for her as this is a long and tedious recovery process.
Here are some pictures from this past month.

 The pre-opening presents shot. Georgia was still sleeping. JJ waiting patiently. : )

 Building a lego car

 Georgia making her "Christmas Snakes" (how contextual!)

Homemade Peppermint Patties. (Can't get them in Malawi)

 JJ's wire truck made and designed by a student

 Waiting for Daddy chain. A link came off each day.

Celebrating at Kamuzu Airport. Welcome home!

Christmas Concert 2011

Wednesday night was the ABC Christmas Music Concert. I want to change our name to the ABC MASS Choir. We are now 120 members loud! The highlight of this semester has been working with Lackson and Linda. I believe they are two of the most naturally talented choral conductors in the country and both serve at ABC. We are blessed. We sang Silent Night, Use Me Lord by Daryl Logan, and an original, Chisomo Chake by Linda.

ABC Choral Department

Pre-concert photos

Crisis Nursery

The Lilongwe Crisis Nursery is a place where babies can transition from hunger to health. Many of the babies have been orphaned and their extended families cannot afford to feed or care for them during infancy. After a couple years of care at the nursery, they are transitioned back to their families and home villages, well fed and in better health.

As you may notice from the photos, our Georgia Mae loves visiting(as she calls it)"Cwisis Nurswee."

Special note: In Malawi for every 100, 000 births, approximately 877 mothers die.