Newsletter

September 2003

Dear friends of Kondanani,

Imagine being born in a church building and then left behind, up for grabs. This is what is happening to some of the babies of Malawi.
Poverty causes women to do things, which are beyond the imagination of many of us. But then how many of us are that desperate, that we don't have any other way out.
A few weeks ago a little boy was found in a church building, the mother gave birth right there and has not been seen since. The little man got a very appropriate name, we call him Bishop. Some of you may say, poor child, why such a strange name, well in this country many children have a name which is part of the circumstances into which they where born, so it is acceptable. Bishop is doing very well and is not HIV positive.
One day we will need great wisdom, because it will never be easy for any child to know that they where just left behind. I hope that we will have found them a loving home before they need to know, it will make it so much easier. They will know that they are loved inspite of the their back ground.
We have had two more abandoned children who have been adopted by Australian missionaries, they are so delighted with their two little girls, and there are two instant brothers to play with who just love them to bits. I am so happy for them.
We have received many children lately, a lot of them abandoned and HIV positive with the results that there are quit a few of our babies in the "heavenly nursery". We usher them in as we hold them in our arms and give them love until the end.
It is so amazing to see these little eyes looking at us as we sing the last songs they will hear on earth and inspite of the pain they endure, a little smile will cross their faces. They are looking forward to being in the arms of Jesus and have no pain or sorrow any longer. This is such a comfort to us.
But inspite of that Kondanani is growing and we have over 80 children now. A few of them have turned 5 the rest are below that age group and most of them babies.

Our golden oldies (the widows) are an absolute joy to take care off. Cherie the project leader has been teaching them on giving and not only receiving, trying to reverse the dependence trend These old dears really caught the vision. At the beginning of may Cherie had to go home to Australia to raise funds for herself, the ladies where not very happy she was going, worried she would not return.
These ladies are poor but one of them decided to help Cherie with her fare, she was given the equilivant of £ 0.10 or $ 0.15.
It was like the widows mite, it was such a precious gift.
A lot for her to give we know that it was a sacrifice.
We have started work in the prison with the widows,they have become the grannies to the 80 young men in our local prison. The excitement is quite amazing it is like taking a youth group on outreach.
Between them they have decided that next week they will get food together for them and give it to them.

The first time I went to visit the prison I was quite emotional coming into such a place for the first time in my life was not a joyful experience. There are two rooms, each one about 7 x 7 meters,40 have to sleep in each room, giving each man just over one square meter. They sleep on a cement floor.
Just think about it a single bed is 2 meters long and 90 centimeters wide, almost twice the space.
They get one meal a day, seldom any protein and have only water to drink,not even a cup of black tea.
You may think, well should they have hotel service. I say,come and have a look, you will cry like me, I don't believe any human being should live in such desperate circumstances, among filth, flees and rats.
There where no chairs when I went there to address them, they where sitting on the rocks and so was I. I looked at all those sad faces and wondered what drove them to crime.
I was so very graceful for gods gift of Kondanani, because what would happened to our babies if we would not be able to give them a good home.
We are going to start income generating projects with them next year, by selling the products we can get funds to buy them food, at the same time it will bring in funds for Kondanani.
Besides that as we bring them the gospel it will change their lives.
You will notice that god is not only speaking to us about the orphans and widows, but prisoners as well I am not sure what comes next, but the poor are very much on our heart.

The clinic has come back to life, sister Chris is back from Holland. She did not only bring herself but a ¼ container full of goods given by the people of Holland. What a joy to be as blessed as we are.
At present she is training young women from the village as nannies, they will assist the qualified nursing sisters, this is not an easy task, none of them even know how to feed a baby with the bottle.
But it is great to part of the development of the people in our own area.
In about 2 weeks time we should have the cots filled with babies.
All babies admitted will first come to the clinic for observation before they go to "Caring Hands Infant Home".
We have at present 4 incubators, we should be able to cope with the prem babies.
It's all great fun, I would not want to change my life for anything. Father god is a rewarder.

Kondanani children village is a hive of activity. One thing I am so grateful for is that my prayers where answered, we have a builder for three month.
Terry is from the UK and is doing a great job, taking quite a load of my shoulders.
We are building our nursery school. We have some precious people in Holland who are sponsoring this project. It won't be long before we can move the children into the class rooms. The building is going to be very beautiful, we want our little blessings to have the best.
Our nursery school teacher Julia, her cottage is ready and we have started two more houses for staff.

My husband says he is once again "full of life". We give God the glory for his healing. He has to take medication on a daily basis, but at least I still have my husband around.
Two more grand children where born, one in August and one in September. Precious little bundles, one is in the UK and the other one in South Africa. I went to be with my daughter in South Africa, not easy to leave them behind again, she has got three little once. You can well imagine that the tears flow.
And yet I feel so happy with the task that is before me.

Last week Friday evening we had a charity dinner, my assistant Rene, had organised it and had done a splendid job. There where 200 people present who all had bought tickets.
We had an auction which was very successful indeed, we had been given some very good items to auction.
All together a lot of fun, and good for Kondanani.

We are two months away from Christmas, a very special time for all of us, a time of giving and receiving.
We are planning a few Christmas parties and it is going to be a lot of fun.
Our older children can't wait to get a present, I think that is almost more important then the party it self. We are also planning one for the prisoners this year and as always the staff. The golden oldies will not be left behind, they too will have a special time.
It is an opportunity for you to help us to bless each one of the staff, children, widows and prisoners in a special way by sending us your Christmas gift so that we are able to buy what is needed for the occasions. Thank you for doing that.

If you get this letter by post and would you please be so kind to send me your e mail address. It can take a long time for a letter to travel oversees from Malawi.
These will be posted from the UK.

I will be away in the UK and Holland from the 8th of Oct. till the 2nd of Nov.
Please pray for me during this time while I seek to promote the work he has laid on our hearts.

Yours in his service,
Lewis and Annie Chikhwaza.