Fears for Fun

So welcome to our Malawi blog. I must say I am really, really excited about this trip and we are going with a great organization called Y-Malawi.

Now you must know that Y-Malawi is actually breaking the trip into two major teams, the "His Hands" team and the "His Feet" team. (His being the person of Christ) Officially our team is the "His Feet" team, but in reality we are probably more like the His Spleen team. I am not even sure what His Spleen would do, but it would probably involve something like trip digesting what God is doing in our lives.


This trip is not without it's dangers and I must confess that some fears have risen.

A. Malaria or Scurvy – Now Malaria is curable and highly preventable, however mosquito’s love pasty white people and you can never be too careful. At the same the very thought I am going somewhere so exotic that Malaria is a threat produces a highly adventurous feeling inside of me. I feel a bit like Indiana Jones, but without the Nazi’s, crazy adventures, dumb aliens or Shia Lebouf.

As for Scurvy, I know, Scurvy isn’t really an issue, and there are plenty of mangos to go around, but it just seems like it adds a lot to the trip to view it as a possibility.

B. Marriage – Let’s be honest, most guys have this fear as well but mine is different. It’s not so much marriage I fear as much as the prospect of an accidental marriage. You see, it could be entirely possible that I accidentally accept a marriage proposal from some young Malawi native and not realize it. Perhaps there is a big party, with a bonfire and dancing and food, and some girl comes up to me and puts a wreath around my neck. Of course, I am flattered and accept the wreath, thinking that it only a kind gift, or possibly they are making me their leader, when in all actuality it is a marriage proposal and I now find myself engaged. (At this point I would like to say that my parents would probably be thrilled.)

I then try to get out of the marriage but realize I can’t do so without eternally shaming the poor girl. She would then be scorned by her family, cast out of her village and forced to live in the wild where she would eventually be eaten by a lion and I don’t know about you, but I just don’t want that on my conscience.

So you see, there is a lot more going on here then meets the eye. The perils and pitfalls are numerous and the stakes are high. I can only ask for your fervent prayers.

I hope to continue to write more adventures here as we go and to be sure, for those who read my real blog, there are bound to be some Great Moments in OCD History that will transpire. I shudder to think of the possibilities.

Jerseys for Joy

Our team will be delivering soccer jerseys to the many children we'll be meeting in Malawi. How did we get these jerseys? It's all because of one woman's vision to make a difference with a very simple idea to collect jerseys from schools kids in Orange County. Here's a message from our friend, Jenn:

Jerseys for Joy: A Priceless Endeavor
One idea, two collection days, and a few emails later, we have a gift for Malawi kids that is 130 times better than when we first began. Jerseys for Joy was a simple idea that didn't cost a cent but became a priceless endeavor. Our family's idea to donate our daughter's "retired" soccer jersey to our sponsor child in Nkhoma, Malawi, turned into a collaboration with kids from Newsong, Costa Mesa Vineyard, Crossroads Community Church, Rock Harbor South County, and a soccer commissioner for AYSO. We collected 130 gently used and new soccer jerseys, but more importantly have forged and strengthened relationships between believing communities throughout Orange County. It was not only a great opportunity to share our possessions but also to allow our kids to talk about world view with friends and classmates in a non-religious setting. This was, indeed, an opportunity to unleash beauty.


Thank you, Jenn!

An Inspiring Story!

Was sent this video the other day about this Malawian determined to change the road his family was traveling...totally INSPIRING!!

The 6 - The Story

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See the Story.
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Unleashing Beauty in Malawi

Nkhoma, Malawi is one of the 7 initiatives in our church's "Unleash Campaign" which is our effort to help sustain the work and leaders that are caring for the community both locally and globally. Newsong has a long term commitment in Malawi and hopes to continue to send people and resources to provide holistic care and see a generation of leaders developed, poverty and HIV/AIDS eradicated and clean water accesible to all. Read more on the Unleash Campaign and how Newsong plans to make an impact this year: unleashingbeauty.net.

Already, over 1500 World Vision children are sponsored in Malawi through Newsong (1104 were sponsored in just one day!). Our team will get to see some of the sponsor kids. What a privilege! We hope to see more people go out whether short or long term to connect with the children.

Our Team

Here is our team, its the best I could do with MS Paint. Where did she find those garlic fries?! They look just like the ones they sell at Angel Stadium.