Graduation
Four years ago, Children of the Nations (COTN) decided that in order to properly educate the children in their program, they would need to start their own secondary school. It began with a handful of students learning in a dormitory-converted-into-a-classroom. The teachers were COTN staff members and anyone else who could
volunteer their time. Now, four years later, that original class has
become International Christian Academy’s firstgraduating class! The school campus is being built one building at a time and a staff of professional, full-time teachers is working hard to provide the children with quality secondary education. There is still a long way to go, but it was great to be here to be a part of this important milestone for COTN Malawi.
Sadly, one of these graduates, Isaac Zgambo, recently passed away. It's not known what exactly he died of which makes it harder on the other children and the COTN staff members. He was a great guy with a heart to serve and was one of the best players in the COTN Football Club. He had a bright future. In times like these we don't always have answers, but simply are here to support each other and share the love of God.
A big project that I have worked on this year is helping the school to develop a 5-year business plan as they are now opening up enrollment to private, fee-paying students from Lilongwe. This extra income will help to subsidize the cost of educating the children in our program as well as meets a need for families inLilongwe to have a good private school to send their children to.
Interns
Every year the Children of the Nations U.S. office recruits interns to come and serve in the COTN countries. They do everything from leading mentorship groups and Bible studies to setting up soccer tournaments and school tutoring but most importantly, they create lasting relationships with the children in our program. For the last two summers I have had the privilege of working with the interns who come to Malawi. I facilitate their cultural orientation session and village-life immersion, their introduction to Chichewa language lesson, work closely with the intern leaders to help them navigate the Malawi national office, and the best part-I get to take
them to Lake Malawi for a debrief retreat at the end of their internship. It’s one of the favorite parts of my job during the summer months (though it’s actually cold
season here in Malawi!). If you know of any college-aged students who would be interested in serving orphaned or vulnerable children with COTN in Africa or the Caribbean next summer, let me know or have them visit the Intern Programpage on our website!
Dad’s Visit
Another blessing this year was my dad’s second visit to Malawi! He had a great opportunity to teach a class on leadership at Uganda Christian University and he was able to stop by Malawi for a few days beforehand. In typical African fashion we
experienced a car breakdown and were stranded on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere for three hours while trying to get to my old Peace Corps village! But as we say here in Malawi: Zimachitika! (Things always happen!) Either way, it was great to have my dad here and spend time with him!
Anniversary
As I write this, Madalo and I are just six days away from our one-year wedding anniversary! It’s amazing how quickly this first year has gone by. We are so blessed to be together, living where we are living and serving in the way God has called us. We are so thankful to all of our friends and family who continue to support us through love, prayer, and finances; we could not do it without you! We thank God that he has called us and our partners to serve Him in this way.
Prayer Requests
The recent Secondary School Graduates as they wait for their government exam results and plan what will be next for their lives.
Jeremy and Madalo as we finalize and start raising our 2014 budget.
Malawi as the country enters presidential campaign season. Elections are in May 2014.
