Monday, March 12, 2012

Back in Malawi 2012

I finally made it back "home" to Liwonde.


My apologies for such a late P & P this month...
I was in the big city working through my VISA, auto repairs
as well as looking for fuel to get home. (*_*)

I have many Praises and Prayer requests

PRAISES


1) PRAISE, that I had some really good meetings with many friends and supporters the last couple months and some good quality time with my family before I left . The precious time I had with my grand daughter Riley will not be forgotten. She is such a beautiful blessing! ❤
I was blessed with some time with Dr Val in the Red house at Good Shepherd for a few weeks and the snowmen was her idea...but we both enjoyed creating them with what we had!
What else would two African Missionaries do in the snow? (*_*)
I was also able to get away for a few days at the Oregon coast, a couple days alone and a few days with the ladies from GSCC at the Women's Retreat....what a treat it was! Some alone time with God and then some amazing time in worship and fellowship was just what was needed before heading back to Malawi. ☺

2) PRAISE, that I made it back to Malawi healthy...and finally to my home in Liwonde.
I made it to the Johannesburg South Africa Airport with only one suitcase broken into. They sawed the lock and zipper tabs right off. They did tear through my suitcase and stole some valuables that I had no space left to squeeze in my carry ons (I had many electronics to carry on). But the other suitcase was untouched and just beaten up.

When I left through the same airport after my multi day layover till the next flight to Malawi, I wrapped my suitcases with cellophane wrap (provided at airport for a fee) to help detour more pilfering.
At check in, they allowed me extra weight in my suitcases and didn't hassle me about my carry on bag weights (as they have in past). This was a BIG relief and major blessing...as they are generally sticklers to max weight. All suitcases made it through to all locations on my way. BIG Praise! THANKS FOR YOUR PRAYERS!

3) PRAISE, that my car is now in pretty good working order and road worthy.
I was gifted 4 tires (value about $1071) by a friends NGO (non government organization) she was working with here in Malawi (BIG BLESSING!). She had borrowed my car while I was away and they didn't want her or me to drive on bald tires. Unfortunately, the roads here beat up my car...to the point of breaking the suspension and wearing out the brakes. So here...it costs a lot to repair a car with a "real" mechanic and to find "real" parts. My mechanic had already had my car there for a couple of days and charged me for the other services rendered. He had me pick it up to look for the brake pads and come back when found. My brake pads for just the front of my Rav4....were about $215. The good thing is, the mechanic put them on free of charge...GOD IS GOOD!

4) PRAISE, that my Visa was approved even though it was overdue to be finalized from original application date (it was put in to soon by the one who was helping me and should have been re started again by Malawi's laws). All I need now, is it stamped in my passport in a few weeks time when they request it. This is a BIG relief! This could have turned out bad and VERY costly to start over again...thanks for your PRAYERS!

5) PRAISE, that after 3 different days, 3 lines of waiting and 3 fuel stations (only 6 hours total though), I was able to fill my car with a full tank of gas to get home and have some to get around for a bit.

PRAYERS

1) Please PRAY as I settle back into this heat and the challenging living style. Many issues came up while I was away...as would be expected. Pray that I will handle each and every one of them with wisdom and respond in ways that will glorify God.
As for the heat....my 1st day here in my hot Liwonde home, I didn't do so well. I tried to stay low key but was cleaning all day and not going out into the sun. I still got nauseous and light headed a few times...despite the huge water intake and rest I gave myself mid day. The big city was no problem...just warm to hot....but here it is hotter and more humid. This was a big adjustment from the snow we had the day that I left Oregon and the cool weather we had most of the time I was there.

2) Please PRAY as I am having withdrawals from being with my grand daughter. This was once again very hard to leave her...especially since we were able to bond this time. I am thankful for the occasional skype...but it is so costly...that it has to be rare occasions as well as when it is working for my area of low internet quality. It is a blessing to have the technology nowadays...not sure how I could handle snail mail only, being so close to my kids!

3) PRAY that the rest of my boxes that were shipped, will make it here. Some of the boxes made it here before me....this is a huge PRAISE though...as I have never received boxes this fast (average 3 to 6 months)... 1 month is unheard of! Thanks for your PRAYERS in this as well!

4) Please PRAY for my friends and family that I have left, that they will know and feel my love with them always and the God will provide for them and fill any void they feel while I am away. ✟

5) Please PRAY as I join back with the committee from the 6 villages. That we may be able to pick up from where we left off in our relationships and go forward with the healing garden and other projects.
I am currently trying to unpack everything that I packed away for storage, unpack my belongings and ministry stuff I brought back from the States and bring this house back to life...many critters set up home here while I was away....as you can imagine. I took 2 days of just cleaning up the mess....YUCK! Once I settle the dust and dig out the ministry projects, I will be back in gear for teaching, learning, and growing!

THANKS FOR ALL YOUR PRAYERS AND ENCOURAGEMENTS!


Serving Him with Joy and Thanksgiving!


Please pray and if you feel led to help support what God is doing in
Malawi as I work on Community Health and Development projects,

please send your tax deductible donation to..

EQUIP INC.

P.O. Box 1126 Marion NC 28752

*(Tammy Tice OR #020060 in memo)*

**You can also donate on-line** @

www.equipinternational.com click "donations"

then “network for good”


~Tammy~
P.O.Box 72
Liwonde, Malawi
Southeast Africa
This is my personal post office box if you want to send anything.

011-265-99-374-0812 or 011-265-88-176-7938
If you ever want to text me words of encouragement.
THANKS!


**P.S. Please remember to reply to me at ttloveofmalawi@gmail.com
and not my daughter to whom sends this. Thanks!**