Video that Snoden sent us of the kids enjoying bananas that have ripened on our trees and showing off their sanitation skills as they throw away the peels into a trash box.
We planned to be in the States for exactly one month. It’s a far distance and a lot of planning for just thirty days, but we came to celebrate Jonah’s high school graduation and to host a fund-raiser in Texas, so it was worth the rigor. Besides, we hadn’t been home in over a year.
Jonah’s celebration went well. It was a joyful reunion for our family and we all sensed that God had worked in mighty ways through the separation. The fundraiser was also a great time of fellowship. Unfortunately, we didn’t raise enough to replace our dilapidated work truck or to build a wall around the school in the village—two priorities for the mission. We decided, however, not to let that overshadow the blessing that comes when so many people pull together towards a common goal. Thanks to those of you who worked hard to make the evening a wonderful experience.
Somewhere along the course of our trip, that pesky virus became a global pandemic. Our quick jaunt to the States has become a long-term stay, as South Africa has banned entry from the United States. We are essentially displaced, but staying with family for now, which we realize makes us better off than many. We are thankful to have plenty of food and basic necessities to stay home and ride this out.
In the midst of this chaos, there are seventy children in Malawi who depend on us for their daily needs. We left enough grain to feed them for the time we would be away—and a little extra in case of an emergency—and we have chickens that supply them with eggs. Snoden, our Malawian liaison, recently sent word that someone is stealing our eggs. Then a couple of days later he told us some men jumped out of the tall maize and grabbed two of our preschoolers in an attempt to kidnap them. Thankfully, there was a parent close by who was able to save the kids. You can imagine our dismay. It’s terribly painful to know of the atrocities going on and not be able to do anything about it.
I want encourage everyone reading this to not lose heart. We are determined to stay positive through this worldwide ordeal. Malawi just declared a state of emergency and closed its schools. We need to do our best to take care of the children in our preschool and feeding program from this long distance. You can’t do anything about the coronavirus, but you can do something to help the kids in Malawi. Don’t let the craziness of our current situation turn your heart from God. We need Him now more than ever, and there’s no better way to get His attention than to take care of the people who cannot take care of themselves. Let’s work together to keep feeding those kids and let God do His job.
Please consider making a tax deductible donation to https://www.paypal.me/MalawiWestworth or a donation to our personal account at paypal.me/JewellsinAfrica. Thank you!
