Merry Christmas!

Dear Family and Friends,

We just wanted to let you know that we will have Skype up and be signed in all day on Christmas--which in Malawi is now.


Grace and Peace,

The Carlisles

Just a few pictures

Hi All,

We just had to share a few pictures with you. What a happy little boy we have these days. We are so thankful. He's also BIG--up above 15 pounds from his original 7. Gwen and Sam are great help.

Cheese!!

Brothers

So pretty!

Reading Day: Samuel was an octopus from his  Under the Sea book and Gwen was Cinderella.

We love Saturday mornings!!!! 

Aww!!!

Thank You

Dear Family and Friends,

Thank you for your kindness and generosity! We have not received the detailed report for our support account, but based on what was deposited at the beginning of the month we can tell that you have responded to our needs. Whether it was a one time gift or an increase of regular monthly support, we are so grateful for the extra help. We have been reminded that the Lord knows our needs before we even ask and He delights to use His people as His hands and feet.


Grace and Peace,

Brian and Scharlie

Malawi Vol.8

Celebrating 12 years!

I just wanted to briefly mention the almost unbelievable fact that we have been married for 12 years. (Having been married in 2000, it’s always easy to keep track of.J) The morning of July 15^th we mentioned to the children that it was our anniversary. Gwen immediately said to Sam, “We need to go work on something.” Not too long after, as we were getting ready for church, in they came with gift bags and home-made cards. From Gwen we received a carved wooden elephant someone had given her fairly recently and from Sam a plastic crocodile, a plastic dinosaur and a small dump truck. What generosity!! The other funny thing was that Samuel (for at least a week) used our anniversary as a good reason to do any special fun thing he wanted to do. i.e. “Since yesterday was your anniversary, can we watch a movie and have popcorn?” or “Since your anniversary was last week, can we have some candy?” At least they know it is something to celebrate.

Update on Academy Staffing Needs

I just want to thank you for your prayers. The Lord has blessed on the creativity and insight side of the previous post. We are going to be filling the positions internally. Please pray for the 12 staff members involved in this change!

Also as our new staff members are arriving daily, pray for them to have a smooth transition to Malawi and ABC as well as that the returning staff will be gracious and helpful in serving and ministering to our new colleagues. There are also MANY preparations still to do before the first day, 20 August.

Please Pray for Two Teachers

Dear Pray-ers,

We have just had two teachers decide to not come for this year: 1st Grade and 2nd Grade.

I am asking everyone who reads this to do at least one of the following:

1. Pray for wisdom, humility, grace and creativity for all involved as we still seek to fill these positions with less than four weeks before the first day of class. Also, pray for God to send us teachers. He can still do it. 
2. Pass this on to all the educators and potential educators that you know. You never know who might know some one that knows some one... I am putting the Academy website here: http://africanbiblecolleges.net/seeking-academy-teachers/
3. Seriously consider if you might be a candidate to come. Unlikely maybe, but is not that just the way God often works!

I will look forward to letting you know how the Lord answers these prayers. 

Grace and Peace,

Brian Carlisle

New Arrival

Nathan and Beverly and Laura's first Sunday 

Smiley, happy and great big brother

Happy, helpful and great "double big" sister

Brian and Scharlie are now outnumbered :)

Words fail

Awww

Blessing and joy of having family around

Gwen enjoying littlest brother 

Then they were five

You know what they say about sleeping babies

To everyone who prayed or financially contributed to sending Scharlie's mom and sister here for 11 days, THANK YOU!! We cannot tell you what an incredible blessing it was to have them here especially with Nathan being born. It has been two years since we last saw them and one year since we have seen any family. We will include more about their time later.

Items for Prayer from ABC Malawi

Let me apologize for the long silence. We are trying to get some things together with a newsletter and some blog posts. Were just in one of those BUSY seasons right now--I am sure some of you can sympathize because you may be there yourself as well. The Lord has been gracious to allow us to not be too busy to pray. The Mission staff that are still around have been meeting to pray together on Wednesday nights, below is the list from tonight. Please pray as you feel lead.

Grace and Peace,

Brian

1. Sickness at the Stauffacher house
2. Michelle Clark's mother,  Pat, had a serious stroke Sunday evening--Pat, 82(?) was stateside enjoying 4th of July with family. Michelle still in Malawi
3. Shipping container to arrive soon: contains items needed to finish new classroom block
4. Larry and Carey Brown going on furlough leave July 26 and for Larry's Permanent Resident Permit to come before they leave 
5. Craig Sneed and Ann Magnus wedding 14 July then coming back to Malawi
6. Peacock family Sonia--OBGYN at Clinic delivered 104 babies, Anand--lecturer at College and Cookie 5 yr old going back home to India
7. ABC Board Meeting early August
8. Finances for College students and for common understanding and communciation on culturally difficult and sensitive issues regarding money and fees; pray for grace and wisdom for Dan Trumble--Financial Controller at College--as he deals with most of these issues
9. Safety and effective witness for nine ABC College students participating in African College student all-stars event in Namibia for the following sports: basketball, netball, soccer and tennis
10. Scott Borders's high school cousin that had come to help out with baby is travelling back home on Friday
11. Jeff and Carson White have family coming this week for three weeks
12. Recent string of thefts on campus have targeted staff and students alike
13. Still need Academy teachers: MS English, Librarian, Elementary teacher
14. New ABC missionaries coming
1. support to be raised
2. saying good byes 
3. good health
4. timely processing of paperwork
5. peace in the midst of storms and assurance of God's call
   

Brian and Gwen

Hi All,

There they are, two of my best helpers--laid up. Many thanks to all who prayed and/or gave to help Momma and Beverly come. As you can see, their coming will be very helpful. I am 38 weeks today, so any time for me.
For Brian, a fracture was discovered in his wrist. Had it been in a slightly different place, he would have needed surgery--he was in trouble with the doctor for not coming sooner, but he maintains that it was for the best. "How would I have tied a tie or done my job before?' he said. As it is, it will make a few projects a bit difficult. He has several reports he needs to write and his typing will be very slow. Please pray. He's frustrated--4-6 weeks in that stiff plaster cast.
Gwen's ankle is NOT broken. There are ligament and tendon injuries . For now it is immobilized further and she has crutches. She sees the doctor again next week. Pray for quick healing. The bottom line and huge praise for both of them is NO SURGERY NEEDED! We are so thankful for this.
Do pray for us, though. We're feeling a little low. School was just out yesterday, we have two injured people, I'm having a baby soon, and I am NOT feeling ready. Brian and I both have school things to tie up. He has various responsibilities all break. So, again, we're okay, but your prayers, as always, are most welcome. We love you and pray for you too.

Under His Mercy,
Scharlie

Gwen's Broken Ankle

Dear Family and Friends,

About 1:45 PM Malawi time (Saturday), Gwen and I were jumping on the trampoline. She jumped up and came down "wrong" on her ankle and started screaming pretty hard right away. Within 10 minutes of the injury, we had a doctor and a nurse looking at her and they helped us get her into the car and drive her down to the clinic.

They put a back slab on her left leg and she and I will go to Partners in Hope clinic on Monday to get x-rays together. (My wrist has gotten worse and I think I will need to have something done with it as well.)

Thanks for praying. We give thanks for Dr. Jerry Koleski and nurses Becky Epperson and Carson White that treated Gwen so well and helped her out. She is calm now and on the couch getting ready to watch a movie.

Malaria, Please Pray

About a month and a half ago, I mentioned to someone that it seemed that this Malaria season had been quite light. Well, I was wrong! Since then we have had numerous people associated with the Mission or one of its ministries come done with Malaria. The most recent one is Mike Ammentorp. Mike is finishing up his two year commitment this year at the Academy and he is from my parent's home church. Please pray for Mike. He was admitted to the ward yesterday with 4+ Malaria (the highest level) to receive quinine drip through IV. He will be there for at least 24 hours and with no visitors. He will be out from work for at least the rest of this week. Pray that he responds quickly to the medicine and does not have any relapses.

ABCU Liberia

Below is an email from our Pastor's brother, Chuck McArthtur. Chuck was with the work in Liberia before the civil war and he is back working in Liberia again, but in a different capacity. In addition to the matters that Chuck mentions for prayer, I would add that you please pray for Reverend and Mrs. Chinchen. This has been--and will be--a very difficult road for them to travel as well. 

RestoreLiberia.org Hi Chip,     Rarely do the depths of grief and the heights of joy so violently collide. On Wednesday, May2,  we were all running around getting everything set for the first Senior Banquet since the reopening of ABC University. We wanted it to be just right for those 20 trailblazers-some who were actually finishing their degree that they had begun before the African Bible College closed its doors during the 14 yr civil war. It was a beautiful evening in the gym with round tables uniquely covered with bright African tie dye. The food was delicious and the singing was exceptional. Thursday began with preparations for Saturday's graduation along with meetings with the other deans who were busy orientating me on my responsibilities as Dean of the College of Biblical Studies. Then early Friday the staff and faculty were asked to come to an emergency meeting at the home of the university president. Sheree and I worked with Del and Becky 26 years ago and considered it a privilege to be reunited. They were the ones who moved back to Liberia in order to rebuild the campus that the war had destroyed. I have enjoyed a deep admiration for their faith and willingness to make extreme sacrifices. They have poured their lives into building this university for the past 6 years. Sitting in the circle were also his mother and father, the founders of African Bible Colleges who had come to celebrate graduation. Del and Becky then joined the circle and he proceeded to confess sexual indiscretions with two students over the last year. He then announced that had resigned his position and would not be attending graduation. An hour later he did the same before the student body in the chapel-all this only 24 hours before the start of the graduation ceremony. Utter shock. Deep grief. Shared shame. It felt like the sudden death of one's beloved and highly respected father who tells you with his last breath that he had been unfaithful to your mother--with two of your sisters. To make matters worse, he had been  denying the rumors over the last several months--all the while preaching the importance of integrity. We were all devastated--and still are. And yet the show had to go on. Those seniors deserved a celebration regardless of no one feeling like doing anything but crawling in a hole and weeping. The students and staff did what they had to do and on Saturday at 11am an estimated 1,000 people gathered to celebrate 20 graduates. It was indeed a beautiful celebration accompanied by great joy-and yet with an undeniable hole in all of our hearts. In just over a week the students will return for five weeks of classes. Nathan Mulba, the Vice President (a graduate of ABC and a former student of mine-am I boasting?) is in charge until the board appoints a new president for the university. It is my joy to serve under him. He is highly respected by students and staff alike. He is a great example of Del's vision of turning more and more of the leadership over to African leaders--a vision all of the faculty here believes in. Please pray for a deep work of the Spirit upon the student's return. Pray that the gospel will be understood and applied at the deepest level possible evoking deep repentance and exuberant joy with a confident hope in an unknown future. And pray for Del and Becky; we  love and appreciate them and want them to experience God's healing deep in their souls. Pray for soft hearts and gospel confidence. With humble hearts and God's power they will come through this more beautiful than ever. And pray for the board as they decide the future of ABCU Liberia. Pray that they will have the humility and wisdom to observe and appreciate the unique aspects of this campus in preparing leaders in every sector to advance the Kingdom of God. So many have invested so much and there is so much at stake in their decisions. We have a great and gracious God and so we worship and serve Him. No one loves us like he loves us. Thank you for your prayers and support! He reigns, Chuck How You Can Help    If you want to partner with us financially please email me at chuck929@gmail.com  to tell me the good news. Make your checks payable to Equipping Leaders International with "McArthur" in the memo and send it to Equipping Leaders InternationaI c/o Jenn Page at 7566 Cliff Cottage Court, Jacksonville, FL 32244. Gifts are of course tax deductable. Thank you for your partnership!!

Forward email

Missions Conference Video

Dear Family and Friends, Olivet PCA had its annual World Missions Comference last weekend. Jeff Fairfax on the Missions Committee had asked Scharlie and I to put together a video presentation that could be shown. We had a lot of fun putting this together. The link to it is below. We would love to hear what you think about it. Is there something about our time here that you would like to know more or "see" more about? Let us know Grace and Peace, Brian and Scharlie http://dl.dropbox.com/u/76020834/Olivet%20Missions%20Conference%202012.m4v

Malawi's Vice-President Sworn-in as President

Give thanks that Malawi's Vice-Presdient was sworn in as president, thus averting a potentially difficult constitutional crisis. Continue to pray for the country as they mourn their departed leader and pray for grace and peace to continue a smooth and orderly transfer of power.

May you know the power of the Ressurrction this day!

Please Pray for Malawi

Please pray for the country of Malawi. Her President the Honourable Bingu wa Mutharika has died of cardiac arrest. Pray for the country and its people as they work through this difficulty.

You can read more about it here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17636393

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.

Hotmail Account Back Up

Just wanted to notify everyone that we have gotten back into our Hotmail account (brianandscharlie@hotmail.com) and are able to use it again. You can still use the brian.carlisle1@gmail.com or scharlie.carlisle@gmail.com, but the Hotmail is our primary one and we are thankful to have it back online.

A Full Tank!

This may seem like a strange thing to mention, but I assure you it is no small matter! Yesterday, I received my car back with likely not enough fuel to make it home from the repair shop. (When I had dropped it off it had a 1/4 tank???) The first gas station I came to had petrol and I only had to wait about 40 minutes to get it! They also were allowing people to "top up" or get as much as there vehicle could hold. Some stations had been only selling a certain number of litres or MK10,000 for each customer. We are very thankful to have our car back and have fuel in it!

Malawi Update Vol. 6

Notice of Hotmail Account Down

We just want to let folks know that we are still alive and ok! Something happened to our personal email account(the Hotmail one) that has blocked us out of it. We have not had access to it since New Years Eve. If anyone knows of a way that I can email MSN/Windows Live/Hotmail to explain my situation, please let me know. I have not been able to successfully comply with anything they have asked due to my limitations here.

We have had many days where the power is only on long enough to cook meals and keep food in the refrigerator from going bad. Thankfully we got a gas/electric stove installed over the break. We had bought it in July bite things take a while sometimes:) The oven is electric but the range is gas. That has definitely been a big help recently.

We are trying to get a new letter out and hope to do it before we go back to school on Tuesday.

One thing that you can pray for us about is that we have been quite discouraged as of late. We have been longing for home and the familiar and the financial, political and social scene in Malawi is getting more tense and difficult. So, please pray for encouragement as the busyness is about to begin and we do not feel at all ready for it!

We appreciate your prayers and know that the Lord works through them.

If you would like to email us you can reach us here at brian.carlisle1@gmail.com or Scharlie at scharlie.carlisle@gmail.com .

We will give notice when our Hotmail account is back and running.