What we have been up to!

Hi everyone!!
We had a great sabbath on Sunday.  We went to a small church, the service was 3 hours long, with 2 sermons, lots of singing and clapping, and testimonies.  The passion and energy they had while praising and praying was very inspiring.  Then we went to a fancy hotel in order to get some consistent and reasonable internet, we also had a great lunch while there.  We then stopped by a souvenir market, and were swarmed by sellers wanting to sell what they had made.  They make very beautiful wood carvings here.  After buying a few things, we had to leave since it was getting dark.  We then came back and had dinner at Maribeth's, which was great pasta, rolls, and salad.  It was a nice and relaxing day.

On Monday we went to town to run a few errands and got to a fabric store, where we all got some more things to bring home.  Then we went out to the country to see "Miqlat", which is a "hope center" where they serve 9 surrounding villages.  They provide the children with food once a day, health check ups, HIV testing, and some tutoring for those children either struggling or excelling in school.  They have developed "farming God's way", and have been very successful in their crops compared to surrounding farms.  We also got to see a few families in the surrounding villages, which was interesting.  After our tour, we returned to town and had a great Italian dinner.

Today the OTs did a training at Feed The Children on sensory integration, it was fun to be back with cute kids and their parents.  A few therapists and rehab technicians came as well, and after lunch we met with them to go more in depth about sensory integration, NDT therapy, and pediatric therapy in general.  It was a nice time with colleagues.  The children are seen by therapists at Feed The Children and are much younger, so they are looking much better than the children at Chikondi.  We go back again tomorrow, to do some hands on therapy activities.  After Feed The Children we went to look at more souvenirs- they were done by a mom in the church Maribeth attends.  Her carvings were very nice, we were excited to buy more "cool" stuff and bless someone who would use the money well- to send her children to school.  Then we had a nice dinner at a friend's house- it was beautiful!!

For more details see:
web.me.com/jhouse/Malawi/Blog/Blog.html

We miss you all!
Cheri & Kim and the rest of the team

Hi everybody!

We are all great, a little tired.  We train all day, go to social events in the evening, and plan the next day's trainings at night.  We have internet, which has been rare around here.  On Thursday we went back for our second day at the Chikondi School.  This training had more of a focus on fun activities that can be done to help the children want to get stronger and work the muscles that don't get used like they should.  Two of the activities included using a parachute (not to jump off of the roof), and a game like hot potato.  It was so fun to watch the parents get just as excited about the games as the kids.  It was so cool to see all of the smiles. 

We had a couple of special visitors today.  A representative of the Malawi MP (Member of Parliament - we are guessing the MP is like a senator in the states) stopped by to see what we were doing and to report back to the MP.  Evidently the actual MP may be visiting us next week.  We also had a journalist from one of the four Malawi newspapers spend the day with us. We were were really surprised to be attracting this kind of attention.  

Just before we left, we were treated to an acrobatic show.  A group of 10 children started out showing some of their Karate moves then went in to building a variety of human pyramids.

Your prayers and financial support made this training the success that it was. We were able to leave balls, mats, braces, parachutes, blankets, and other equipment and supplies that will be able to be used by these children and other children who come to this center.  Before we left, it was announced that two parents will be helping other parents to continue using the skills that were taught over the last two days. They will work together, encourage each other, and help their children in whatever ways they can. It could never have happened without your help. Zikomo-Thank you!

To see a video clip of our time at Chikondi see:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsDP8hrI2-o

On Friday, Jan presented a training on evaluating and managing shoulder problems.  This was held at the Cure International Hospital, the largest research physiotherapy hospital south of the sub-Saharan Africa.  There were about 15 PTs, 3 OTs, and about 20 rehab technicians (like a COTA or PTA) from all around Malawi in attendance.  It turned out to be a very good workshop.  Those who completed the class received a certificate that can be used towards their advancement.

We were visiting with several of them about salaries and they said that the pay for a physical therapist is around $300 a month. Compared to the average Malawian salary of $50 a month, it looks pretty good.  As for the cost of living, there are many things that are somewhat inexpensive, however, a trip to the local grocery store revealed that many of the grocery store items really aren't much, if any, cheaper than our prices in the US.

One of Maribeth's friends invited us over to her place for supper, by candlelight since the power was off, and no internet as a result. It was a great meal and very interesting to visit with the other invited guests, some good networking was done.  Malawi people have been so amazingly friendly, and the food has been great whether in homes, restaurants, or at our lodge where we are staying.

Today Kim, Melynda, and Cheri presented a stroke course training at CURE International Hospital.  We were very worried about the training content being pertinent and at the appropriate level for the therapists and rehab techs in attendance.  It went very well, KIm did great with adding in a lot of personal experience.  We met some great therapists, and went over to a fellow Californian's home for cupcakes and tea.  We were hoping to get internet but it wasn't working.  So we went out for great burgers, pizza, and ice cream.  Tomorrow we are looking forward to church and some relaxation. 

Jim has been able to keep his blog updated. You can see it by going to:

http://web.me.com/jhouse/Malawi/Blog/Blog.html

He has a computer and internet access so it tends to get updated more often.  

We miss all of our families, but it is amazing to see God working in so many ways.

Keep praying!

Cheri, Jim, and the Malawi team

God is doing amazing things

WOW!!! Today was an amazing and busy day.  Parent training began today at Chikondi Center with families of children with special needs.  About 60 people attended, and we were met with everyone dancing and singing.  We started with a Bible message, followed with a parent to parent discussion by me. I was amazed that although most parents feel so alone when they are raising a child with special needs, in Africa I have found mothers experiencing the same emotions and struggles that I have.  Therapy balls were inflated, and we moved on to various trainings in positioning and communication issues.  God was with us for sure, and the parents thanked us over and over again for caring for their children.  Josaphina the director of Chikondi said that although people have come to help the orphans before, we are the first people to ever come to help the children with disabilities.  She said that God has done an amazing thing that she believed would never happen.  Tomorrow we are going back to Chickondi to complete our training with these families.

Kim for the Malawi Team 2010

We are here!!

Hi Everyone!  We've finally arrived!  After temporarily leaving Jim House in JFK (no passport...ooops! but he'll arrive today\) and after a Malawi Air "detour" through Harare Zimbabwe and Liliongue Malawi, we arrived at Blantyre with 8 out of 10 of our bags.  Mary Beth and Ann were already here and were wildly waving at us from the balcony in the waiting area outdoors.  We collected all we had and loaded it into a van accompanied by Pastor Kalima and several friends.  Settled into the hotel near Chikondi center, had a wonderful barbecue dinner, and hit the hay around 9:00 PM here.

Today, were have visited the Chikondi Center for the Malawi Montessori Project, went out to the Chikondi Center where we will teach on Wednesday and Thursday,and visited several disabled kids and their families at their homes in Ndirande, a poor suburb in Blantyre...an eye opener - Ann got a lot of pictures

Right now just finishing up with lunch at Mary O'Neill's (beautiful estate), and will be out to see CURE International Hospital and Feed the Children where we will teach in the upcoming days. 

Thank you SO much for your prayers for us all - God is answering mightily!
In Jesus' love,
Jan, for the Malawi 2010 team
PS: Jim will arrive around 6PM today with the other 2 bags :-)

Save the Date

Thanks to so many of you for being part of our team- financially, prayerfully, and practically.  We would love to share how you helped make a difference in Malawi.  Even if you weren't involved this time, come see what we did, how God worked, and how you can contribute or take part in the future.

We will be presenting about our trip and having dessert, Friday, April 23rd at 7:00pm, at Lakeside Church, in room 216.  Come enjoy!!

We are off tomorrow! Here is our plan-

Here is our plan at this point, so you can be following along and praying for us.  We will be a day ahead in Malawi.  The media/tech team of Jim House and Ann Delagnes will be recording our trainings, and will also be doing some video recording for CURE hospital.  I am sure they will be busy!

• Saturday, March 20th: Leave San Francisco at 10:00 at night.
• Sunday, March 21st: Arrive in New York, fly to South Africa.
• Monday, March 22nd: Arrive in South Africa and fly to Blantyre, Malawi- get settled, and review what we will be doing.
• Tuesday, March 23rd: Tours of where we will be teaching, schools, and homes to know how activities can be followed through in “real” life, then make any last minute changes to presentations/trainings based on what is seen or heard during the tours.
• Wednesday, March 24th: At Chikondi school for children with disabilities, working with about 20 children and their parents on activities to help improve their skills.  We will be teaching about communication strategies, sensory activities, UE activities, prone/supine skills, sitting, standing, and walking skills.
• Thursday, March 25th: At Chikondi school, working with the children and parents, finishing up teaching of skills.  In the afternoon, spending time with the parents- letting them know God loves them and that God loves and values their children.  Spending some time with the teachers on classroom strategies, and goal setting suggestions.
• Friday, March 26th: Jan Cookson, PT, DPT, teaching a Shoulder Course at CURE International Hospital- a “country-wide” training of therapists and rehab techs (similar to OT/PT assistants).
• Saturday, March 27th: Kim McVean, OTR/L, Melynda Adragna, OTR/L, and Cheri Wieland, PT, C/NDT teaching a Stroke Rehabilitation course at CURE International Hospital- for therapists and rehab techs from all over Malawi.
• Sunday, March 28th: Church and relaxation
• Monday, March 29th: Fair Oaks Presbyterian has a “hope center” in a city close to Blantyre, we will see what they are doing there, how they are helping with water, farming techniques, education, economic development.
• Tuesday, March 30th:  Jan Cookson, PT, DPT and Cheri Wieland, PT, C/NDT- Sharing some NDT information, handling techniques, and positioning strategies with kids, parents, and therapists at Feed The Children- a children’s rehabilitation facility (I think)
• Wednesday, March 31st: Kim McVean, OTR/L and Melynda Adragna, OTR/L- Teaching a sensory course with kids, parents, and therapists at Feed The Children
• Thursday, April 1st: Going on Safari
• Friday, April 2nd: Return from Safari
• Saturday, April 3rd: Fly from Blantyre, Malawi to South Africa to New York
• Sunday, April 4th: Fly from New York to San Francisco

Keep us in your prayers!  We pray for safety, health, and that our luggage and supplies all arrive intact and on time.  We also pray that we are helpful and relevant in our trainings.  Most importantly, pray that we can share God's love to everyone we meet and wherever we go, especially to the children, people, and families affected by disability as they often feel cursed, shamed, and ostracized.  Pray that we are all open to God's leading, and what his plans are for us in Malawi.  We will try to keep you all as updated as possible!!

Countdown to Take-off!

Only 5 days left until we leave- wow, yeah, yikes!  So many conflicting emotions.  Leaving family and friends will be so hard, going to Malawi is so exciting, and planning the trainings is so overwhelming.  God is good, and has been faithful.  We are very appreciative of all the support we have received.  Many wonderful people have been very generous in their giving, prayers, and support in so many ways.  Thanks for joining our team and helping to make a difference in Malawi. 

More trainings!  About a week ago we were asked to do a couple more morning trainings at a rehabilitation center that works with children, called Feed The Children. They asked for a morning of NDT training which Jan and I will be doing, and another morning of Sensory Integration training which is what Melynda and Kim will do.  Since this is what we do every day at work, we decided we could put something together fairly easily.  It will be working with children, their parents, and some of their therapists.  It is a fairly well equipped facility (unlike the school for children with disabilities which has absolutely nothing)so should  be fun, and hopefully we can be helpful.

Continue to pray for us as we continue to work on the trainings, that we put together information that will be applicable, useful, and meaningful to those in Malawi.  Pray for us and our families as we prepare to leave, we are all so appreciative of our supportive spouses.  Pray for all of us as we leave our children, we know they are in capable hands, but they will be missed.  Pray also for our kids that they have peace, understanding, and a great time while we are gone. 

Our Awesome Team!

Here is a picture of the amazing team God has put together to serve him in Malawi.

Top row is Ann, Jim, and Kim

Bottom row is Cheri, Melynda, and Jan