The Passion Center has always been about helping children in need. Right now they have about 40 children that sleep at the Residency Center, plus an additional 110 that they feed two meals a day. They have such an amazing reputation in the community, and whenever the local officials hear of a child in need, they contact the Passion Center to see if there is any way they could take on another child. This is the way that Talitso and Linda came to live at the Center after having their hands burned by family members, one by fire and one by boiling water. If you met the staff, you'd know that they would like nothing more than to help every needy child, but it's just not possible.

Recently they were approached to help with a program called “Child Head of Household”, and it’s title explains it all. All throughout the villages are houses comprised of just children. The group who is here for all five weeks: Andy, Jon, Drew, Max, Pastor Eric (California), Nick (California) & Jessica (California), were able to visit a couple of these homes, and Pastor Eric wanted our group to visit them also and bring a gift of food and blankets. It;s hard to describe what we saw. We visited the first home, but the girl was out. Her neighbor showed us around the outside, and told us a little about the family. Selena (18 years old) has been the head of her household since she was about 12 years old. She and her four siblings live in a home that could literally fit inside our church conference room. The roof is made of straw and ripped plastic tarp pieces. The windows have broken plastic pieces with dingy fabric serving as the only protection from the elements. The immediate concern is the fact that the rainy season will be here in two months, and her roof isn't going to protect the young family from the water. Since Selena wasn’t there, we left her gift and traveled on to Katherine’s house.

It was the same thing, only this time we were able to see inside. When we walked up to the house, we were surprised to find a padlock on the door. Our guide told us that the local humanitarian group had brought it to her in order to protect their mattresses. Up until they got the lock, each time Katherine or her brother left the house, they would drag their mattresses outside and hide them in a safe place in order to keep them from being stolen while they were away. Once she arrived to unlock the door, she allowed us to come inside. There was a very small front room that served as a kitchen of sorts with no furniture at all. There were only six or so plates and bowls on the ground for her to serve food for her brother and herself. A dirty sheet was hanging from one of the walls that served as a door into the bedroom, and I can honestly say that my closet at home was probably as big as her “bedroom.” She and her brother sleep together on a small mattress, no larger than a twin, and the mattress literally touched both sides of the wall, that's how wide the room was.

Around back was a straw lean-to with a plastic tarp piece hanging down that served as their toilet. It was simply a hole dug in the ground and nothing more. There was also a straw roof with wood pieces laid across the straw to keep it in place. Again there is the concern for when the rain starts. And still, young Katherine smiles. She’s 18 years old, and she’s been the sole caretaker of her family since she was 11. At an age when a child is normally headed to 5th or 6th grade, this girl was made an instant caretaker for her younger brothers. One of the boys was placed in foster care, but Katherine still cares for the other one. As our team met Katherine, you could tell that each of us was moved by the experience. Children are supposed to be carefree…not wondering where their next meal will come from, or worrying about predators taking advantage of them.

Conversations after that were focused on what we saw. The overall question was why these children, and why not us? And I was reminded of last year’s trip to Malawi with my dad and Pastor Mark. After seeing one particularly difficult thing, I was an emotional wreck. I’ll never forget what Pastor Mark said to me… “If this makes you cry, just think how it breaks God’s heart time and again.” So, in the midst of all the depressing sights we saw today, It made me so very grateful to know how our church has partnered with the Passion Center, knowing that this center is doing all it can to help these children.

While this was going on, the projects were still continuing back at the Multi-purpose Building and at Priscar’s house. Bricklaying and painting have become a favorite team pastime! It’s obviously tougher working conditions here in Malawi, since you’re depending on brick makers for your supplies, and it ends up the workers can’t make them fast enough for our team. For painting, mortar walls are tough to work on for clean edges, but everyone’s making it work. And it’s looking good!

Can I just take a minute to brag on Rob for a second? He has been AMAZING on this trip, keeping our eating on schedule, and even adding a little spice to our meals, since he packed dressings and barbecue sauces and brownie mixes!!! We pigged out last night on three pans of brownies with cream cheese frosting, peanut butter frosting and powdered sugar. Oh my goodness, it was amazing, and if the groans going around the table were any indicator, those of us who return are going to insist Rob comes with us!!! Anyway, Rob loaded up all of our dinner food from the mountain and brought it down to the Residency Center. After a quick meal we loaded up the Pajeros and headed to a nearby village to show the Jesus Film.

When the movie started there were about 100 people who were there to watch the film in their native language. At one point the movie was stopped so Joseph could present the gospel message. Several people came forward to pray and receive Christ as their Savior, which was the reason for us showing this film. It’s always awesome to think that the angels were in Heaven dancing as these new people came to faith in Christ!

Earlier in the day Sharon, Jon & Pastor Eric, along with Pilira and Ellen (Passion Center staff) took Talitso and Linda into Blantyre along with another local girl with knocked knees, for them to meet with a surgeon. Sharon went along for the medical part, and Jon went just because 4 year old Linda has a tough time letting him out of her sight…it is too adorable for words! A huge answer to our prayers was that they are all scheduled to have surgery in the beginning of September. They’ll report to the hospital on September 5 and find out then whether they are having surgery that Monday or Wednesday. The surgeon says that they can operate to form fingers on Linda’s hands, since the knuckles weren’t destroyed during the burning. Talitso will have his skin loosened, since during the last surgery the skin was grafted too tight, preventing him from having good movement in his fingers. The plan is to operate on both of the children’s hands at the same time, and the doctor believes both children should have good movement after recovery.

It was another great day here in Malawi. It’s hard to believe that we’re getting ready to wrap up our time here. It’s just a little bittersweet, since we’re all missing our families back home, but it feels like we’re leaving family behind here. As Chris Harr said to his church on Sunday, and our team is echoing, we’re leaving our hearts here, but that just means we’re going to have to come back to get them!

—Brooke