Malawi Update Vol. 7

Home Now

Gwen and I are safely home and she is resting in her bed. I am catching up with Scharlie over a cup of hot chocolate. Gwen and I will fill in some of the details of our adventure this weekend (I hope:)).

Gwen Update

Hey Everyone,

Most of you will have heard by now that Gwen had her surgery yesterday late afternoon. Brian said that her elbow was not only broken, but also out of joint, and there were a number of bone fragments. The surgeon put in lots of wires (I don't know what that means really) to hold all the pieces in the right places. One went into the wrist as well. Today she had it in a sling and was able to walk to where they did more ex-rays. I'm sure that was helpful. I am not sure whether they do not intend to cast it (b/c the wires hold it in place) or they are just waiting until swelling goes down. Anyway, we are most encouraged.
She will be discharged tomorrow. However,  Brian will have to take her back to have it checked, probably Monday. So, we don't know exactly when they will be home.

UPDATE within the update! Hooray! I just heard from Brian. He says the surgeon says that there is no reason for them to stay past Friday just for more x-rays that can be taken here. So they will probably come then. We can take pictures of the x-rays next week and e-mail them to him. Apparently also, taking out the wires/ pins,  whatever is not a huge deal. Give praise with me!

Some friends of ours here have also been in contact with friends there so that Brian and Gwen can stay tomorrow and tomorrow night. How nice that it won't have to be longer.

Thanks for your prayers!

Scharlie

Safe Arrival

Dear All,

Thank you so much for your prayers for our Gwen. I just  spoke with Brian and they have arrived safely after a smooth flight to Johannesburg and were on the way to the hospital. Please continue to pray for her doctor, the surgery, the trip back (we're not sure when), and her recovery (which will probably be longish). For those of you who know Gwen, she is very active. She has already mentioned no bike riding,  and no more tree climbing (she's not so anxious there), how hard school will be with it her right arm (pray for her peace there). I'm pretty sure she's not thought of no swimming yet, but that will be hard too.

We are giving praise for SO many mercies already. We know our Father is holding this whole situation. Thank you for your faithful prayers.

Scharlie

Gwen Update 2

Gwen was able to get some rest last night. We are leaving Lilongwe at 9:30 for J'burg, SA. All of the arrangements for her are made.

Thank you for your prayers.

Gwen's Broken Arm

Dear Family and Friends,

Gwen broke her arm falling out of a tree here on campus about 11am Monday. I do not have time to relay all of the details, but God has been so gracious to us!

We have been approved--by the insurance--to be air ambulanced to J'burg, South Africa. Gwen's arm is broken very badly. (I never did anything close to what she did today!) She cannot get the surgery done in Malawi, that is why we are going to SA. She is not even able to ride in a domestic flight. (Gwen has a supracondylar fracture of the humerus with none fractures. She will need an open reduction.)

You all would be so proud of her. She has been an incredible trooper through the whole time.

Pray for us as we travel to SA. Brian is going with her and Scharlie will stay home with Samuel.

Gwen is afraid, pray for peace for her.

We will update as we are able.

Grace and Peace,


Brian

Spiritual Emphasis Week at African Bible College

This week is Spiritual Emphasis Week at the college. This week they take a bit of a break from their regular academic schedule. They have their Chapel services each morning still at 7:30, but afterwards they meet in small groups in instructors' homes to continue to encourage, reflect, and pray for one another.

The speaker this year is Josh Derrinwater. Josh is a pastor from Texas and a good friend of Jeff and Carson White. ( The Whites live three doors down. Jeff is an instructor and the AD at the college and Carson is a nurse at the clinic.) The theme for the week is reconciliation. Please pray for Josh as he brings the Word each day, and a few nights as well. Pray also for the students that this will be a time for them to be refocused, renewed and refreshed. Pray also for the instructors as they have a unique time to mentor and encourage these students.

A Cup of Coffee with Gift

I just had the privilege of sharing a cup of "filter coffee" with ABC student and night watchman Gift. Gift, 23, is a first year student at the college. His home village is near Kasungu which is about about an hour and a half north of Lilongwe on the M1.

Gift heard about ABC in 2009 from a pastor who came and spoke at his church. The pastor was an ABC grad. When I asked him how I could be praying for him he mentioned a few ways. One of course was with regards to school fees. However, that was not the first point he mentioned. He asked that I pray that God would bless his instructors and give them the ability to teach the students what they need to learn. He was studying for his World History class when I brought him the cup of coffee. Gift said that he was doing fine in that class, but he had been asking God to help him not just get good grades. Gift wants to learn and understand how he can use this in the future and really be changed by what he is learning. What a blessing it was for me to hear such a view of and attitude towards learning expressed by one of the students here.