From One Chapter to Another (Lanecia Rouse)

Friday night our new friends/family of the UMC of Malawi joined us for our last meal at La Hostoria. It was a wonderful way for our team to say “thank you” and celebrate the Malawi Connection we are all apart of.

Kaunda and Esther

Friends, Heather and Kara

Daniel and Moty

It was fabulous!

Daniel and Moty

We laughed, shared stories, reminisced, ate well, prayed together, offered annoucements (parting words) and delighted in fellowship with one another.

When we arrived home, there was a bag a treats waiting for us that were left by Lucy and Tereza of the Tiswasunge Community. They had carved each of our names into wooden rings.

Saturday morning came sooner than I thought it would on March 9. We shared our last cup of coffee with the Olivers, packed, Janet got her Malawi tea and coffee, Heather watched some cartoons with Jeff, Carter and Claire Marin, I played a bit with Christina, and had time for prayerful reflection. It was nice.

We arrived at the airport in good time, so we had less than an hour to wait on the outside deck before boarding our flight. One by one, friends of ours (pastors, women, men, and youth of the UMC of Malawi) can to bid us farewell. It was nice to have one more chance to laugh together and continue getting to know each other.

I was overwhelmed, to be honest. Most of these faces were the same ones who met us at airport when we arrived, to greet us and pray with us in the parking lot over a week ago and had joined us for dinner the night before. Yet, there they were one last time to bid us farewell and warm our spirits once again before we left Malawi.

I am so thankful for the pages of our story that were written over the past couple of weeks. The people, places and experiences will remain with us always. We each look forward to sharing the story of what God has done and is doing in Malawi with those who are willing to hear. Thank you for sharing the journey with us, each and every step.

Peace of Christ.

lanecia

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