Sitting at team time tonight and listening to all the shared stories from the day, it was amazing how much we crammed into one day!

Six of our team members, Jamie Bollenbacher, Max, Michelle, Ali, Drew & Nick (California), along with a few of the Passion staff members took 30 of the Passion Center's young teens to Blantyre for the day. The purpose of the trip was to cast a vision for the kids, showing them that there is a life outside the village, something they can aspire to and work towards. The group went to the airport to watch a plane come in, toured the city and went to lunch. Even now just thinking about it, it's hard to wrap our heads around the fact that these children had never been to a restaurant before. Jamie even had to teach a few of the kids how to use ketchup, since they had never seen it before. We're all guilty at times of groaning and complaining when there's a lack of options for things to eat when we're home, but to these kids who literally eat the same meal every day, two, if not three times a day, going out for chicken and "chips" (fries) was quite the experience, and as Pastor Eric (California) noted during team time tonight, one they're going to keep in their memory for a long time.

While that group was in Blantyre, the rest of us were back in Zomba at the Passion Center. Those of us who had been here before were super excited about today, since we were FINALLY going to see the kids!! They didn't disappoint us at all. Most of them were still in school, so we walked over and they ran to greet us, many of them calling out our names. I wish I could really capture in words what this experience is like, but I'm going to fail miserably. For those of us who came last year, we spent just two weeks with these kids, but in the year that passed, these kids didn't forget us. They remembered our names, and asked about many of the team members who were unable to come this year. They were quick to grab and hold onto our hands, pulling us along, or take our backpacks, carrying it wherever they went. Their smiles were huge, and we were all ready to give out hugs, hi-fives and handshakes. And the kids didn't leave the new team members out! They grabbed onto them, playing games, asking for their picture to be taken, or just watching. There may be a language barrier with some of them, but hugs, smiles or a touch on the arm is part of the universal language.

While all that was going on, we still had team members, Rob along with Chris & Mike Harr (Dayton), who were in town shopping for various projects, and that in and of itself is an experience. Rob mentioned tonight that when you're here you quickly learn that you're on Malawi time... and that clock runs much, much slower than back home. We just have to learn to roll with it!

Back at the Passion Center, Andy and his crew (Jon, Tim & Mike Huber (California)) are AMAZING!!! In addition to all the picnic tables the team built during the last trip, they are putting a roof on the new kitchen and dining area that was recently built. And it is a sight to behold. It's going to be amazing when it's done... something these children have never had, since they're used to eating all of their meals outside, or in their rooms when it rains. But, you do know you're in Africa when you have to build your own ladder in order to work on the roof!!! While they were doing that, Sharon along with Jamie Harr & Sarah (Dayton) were with the children taking care of minor cuts and bruises, as well as treating their heads, since there has been an outbreak of ringworm, which causes patches of their hair to fall out. Helping them physically is just another way we can show them how much they are loved.

In the afternoon, Pilira, Pastor Eric, Chris W, Chris P, Jill & myself loaded up to visit the sight in the village where we'll hold our Vacation Bible School. It's a one room building, so most of our classes will be held outside. Please be praying for this event, since we've never done it at this location, or even with these villagers. We're not sure what to expect, but that's alright. As we've been reminded time and again on this trip, God is in control! We'll be doing VBS on Monday and Tuesday, so be praying! On the way home we stopped by a store to purchase paint for Chris & Ali Prater's art project. They're bringing color to the Passion Center... and the kids are going to LOVE it!

As I said, we crammed a lot of stuff into one day. We got a little break tonight, since our electricity went out for a few hours. That's another thing to invest in before coming here... a good flashlight! So we had a nice candlelit dinner and team time, and even made an assembly line and filled all the supplies into the widow visit bags for tomorrow all without the luxury of electricity.

It was an early night for most of us, since we'll be back at it bright and early for tomorrow. Thank you so much for all your prayers... keep them coming!

—Brooke