Safari

hi mom and dad! i'm in zambia on safari right now. this morning we went on a drive and it was AMAZING! we saw 16 lions. we do another four hour drive this evening! everything is going great for me! not ready to leave the kids and pastors and everyone in a week but excited to come home and see you and everyone! i was sick for a couple of days...my stomach felt really nasty...think it disagreed with something i ate, but i'm super duper great now! we head back to malawi tomorrow then i'll resume sewing for the next 3 days...then probably sew again on monday then we leave tuesday! that's a for sure now...i guess julie hasn't contacted you yet, but in the next couple of days she should be sending you an itinerary. we took chrissy home:( she's really not doing much better. they took her to the hospital again and she somehow lost 2 lbs in the past week she was with us and her blood counts were worse...so they moved her to the 2nd level of ARV drugs...which is pretty complicated. please keep praying for her...and for wisdom for abusa phiri and karen who are trying to figure out what they should do about her. that's all i can think of for now! hope things are going great at home! miss you tons! HAPPY (LATE) FATHER'S DAY DAD! hope you got my text!
if you don't hear from julie you can call the number that you usually call me on sometime this week. love ya lots! can't wait to see you!
janel

ps...we handed out the sweaters and sweatshirts you make at chipoka! kids loved them!

Malawi update June 14

Hello everyone,
We had a chance to talk to Janel on Saturday, June 12 for about 15 minutes. Things are going very well for Janel and her sewing projects. She is amazed how quickly the women are learning the different sewing skills. Last week they began working on jumpers for the kids. The team from IWU has been busy working the past week. Soon they hope to take a break and go to see some of the wildlife that lives in Malawi.
Janel asks that week keep a little girl named Chrissy in our prayers. She is very ill and needs God's healing touch.
Janel informed us that she might be coming back to the US a week earlier than planned, possible the 29th of June.
We will continue to update you as we hear more.
Thanks for all your prayers.
God Bless

June 2 Update from Malawi

Circle of Hope International One of our key projects this summer is sewing training led by our intern Janel. Janel so far is focusing on raising the quality of
the women's skill in our program. They have made 12 shirts so far and
the women are really beginning to grow in their abilities. Janel is doing a great job.

Circle of Hope International Update on teams: Emily and Susanna have arrived in Malawi. Rachel and Tyler are wrapping up their trip in preparation for leaving tomorrow. They have had a great time including a fantastic safari where they got to see 18 lions! The team from Indiana Wesleyan University is finishing packing their bags right now and will be leaving for Malawi first thing tomorrow morning.

Circle of Hope International Another one of our key projects is play therapy for our children in Timothy's Home led by
our intern Alissa. She is working with the children as well as teaching the care giver's about play therapy. The kids love to play and are enjoying it immensely. Some of the kids are beginning to share about their emotions while others are still reserved. Alissa is doing a great job working with the kids.

Busy already!

This is the last update from the face book page. Sounds like everyone is busy working for the Lord already:-)

Circle of Hope International Just talked to our team in
Malawi. They are doing great! They are each already off to a good start
with their projects. Rachel and Karen spent the morning teaching
children and Tyler has started production on the video. Alyssa began
play therapy with the kids in Timothy's Home today while Janel has
...started sewing. They are at the market right now buying cloth for
uniforms.

Arrived safely 5/23/2010

Well, mom and dad have not gotten the phone call yet but according to the Circle of Hope face book page the Malawi team arrived safely today along with all of their luggage. Isn't that a blessing? We will continue to update as we receive information from Janel or the team. Continue to keep their mission and safety in your prayers.

ONE WEEK!

My mind cannot accept the fact that in only ONE WEEK I will be on a plane for Malawi! I feel like I have so much left to do to prepare, but I can't figure out what any of it is. So much will be figured out while I'm there as I dive into my project. I'm so glad to have such a solid group of prayer warriors for me here in the states! Without you, none of this would possible!

I am a person who likes to make lists...to do lists, packing lists, wish lists, etc. Here is a rough list of what I will be doing this summer to give you a big picture idea.

-develop relationships with the women I'll be teaching
-help those women grow in their spiritual walks with Christ through Bible studies
-teach sewing skills to these women to help them grow in their sewing abilities
-love on the kids in Timothy's home and the other children in the orphan care program
-choose a child to sponsor
-take LOTS of pictures
-continue to develop relationships with the pastors, women at our camp, and orphan caregivers
-share Christ through home visits
-witness miracles
-grow in my personal walk with Christ
-see some wild animals only known to zoos in the states on a safari
-relax at beautiful Lake Malawi

This list will not be limited to these things alone, but it is exciting for me to see all that will be accomplished this summer! God is going to do some truly amazing things in my life and the lives of my Malawian friends!

The first step..

Hello friends! I just sent out my support letters and have already started receiving your support! For that I am so grateful!! I'm so excited that I get to keep you all updated on my trip beforehand as I am planning things and a little bit while I am there! Unfortunately I won't be able to update daily, but mom and dad will post any information and updates they receive from the missionary or myself! I hope all is well with you as you are preparing for the Christmas season! I'm loving it! Lots to do, though, as I'm wrapping up the semester here at school! Please keep my trip and all the children and pastors in Malawi in your prayers!

Love you all!

Janel