On the shores of Lake Malawi

We have 30 very excited health workers gathered for training at the shores of Lake Malawi. Very few of them have ever been this far from their villages so it is a BIG deal! We gave them the little paper bead-making kits that the women at the California Retreat prepared. They were very excited and are all proudly wearing their creations today. It took us 2 hours for each one to make 4 beads but we finally made it. We have one man Sinkhani, Brown. Interestingly, he was one of our best bead makers.

At church yesterday the pastor told the story of Moses calling the 70 men to help him. He said, the job is too big in Malawi for Jac and Sherri to do alone. That's why they are training the Sinkhani to help. One of the women said she was hoping to live a long time so she could be a Sinkhani for a long time. One of the Sinkhani brought her baby along and he began vomiting last night. I was eager to find her this morning to see how he was doing. He is an adorable 6 months old! I started talking to him and he cooed and smiled and babbled some more. I was relieved to find him bright eyed and alert.

The lesson today was on pre-natal care. They shared lots of beliefs that we discussed as to their validity. Examples were, "If a woman eats 2 bananas that grew together, will she have twins?" "If a woman eats an egg when she is pregnant will she have a bald headed baby." And my favorite, "If a husband is unfaithful while the wife is pregnant, will she have trouble with her delivery?" I told them the mother's happiness during her pregnancy is very important for the baby. Tell that husband to not mess around!!