Wongani's Hope

Coming Soon To a Church Near You!

2012-02-24T11:08:00.001-07:00

After six weeks of familiarizing myself and maneuvering my way through the Movie Maker program that is on my computer, frustration over mistakes I made, major disappointment accompanied by utter disbelief when I lost the entire video on my first attempt to save it as a permanent file, forcing me to recreate the entire thing in two days so I could get it to Beka...and a WHOLE lot of prayer...

...the story of Wongani's Hope is now on video!

My husband, Steve, also worked tirelessly to add 32 voice-overs to the project. Needless to say, there were many re-takes to get it as close to perfect as we could with a microphone at the kitchen table instead of a sound studio. As he read through the script I had created, he would often find himself shedding tears as emotions rushed over him, even though he knew the story as well as his own. I would smile, say "cut," and we would give it another go. Many prayers were uttered in the making of this video. But even more amazing were the lessons we received from the LORD as we attempted to create it. Patience and perseverance brought it to its completion. God is, indeed, good - all of the time!

The problems didn't stop there, however. We discovered more when it was finally burned onto a disc. What we thought was a flawless recording proved to be completely dependent upon my computer's mood. Although there were a couple of "digital blips" I kept trying to eliminate (regardless of the number of times I re-saved the file trying to do so, and that kept showing up in different locations), God finally gave us that flawless file. But not until He decided it was time.

Last night, after two failed attempts to get it posted onto YouTube, my third attempt was successful! The world can now watch Beka's and Anna's story in living color on YouTube and see the progress that has been made on building the toddler house.

Steven Spielberg we ain't, but we hope the video will tell their story in such a way that you get a better feel for what Beka and Anna are attempting to do in Malawi and the things they have accomplished to date. It was created to help Beka gain recognition for their work and to offer to churches and organizations who may have the heart to become involved in her fund raising efforts.

Please take 17 minutes and 52 seconds to watch it. After you do, we are hoping that you will share the video with others so that they, too, can see the amazing work the LORD is doing through these two wonderful women, and unite with us as we joyfully watch God's will completed through them.

Enjoy! And please let us know how we did!

One Man's Junk Is Another Man's Treasure!

2012-01-27T12:23:00.008-07:00

From left to right: Joey, Katy, Cole, Gracie, Mike, and Eli

I thought I would begin sharing with everyone the things that are being done to help Beka raise funds for Wongani's Hope. Each time I hear about one, I will try and post it here so you can join us in praising God for opening willing hearts. And if you will send me a photo, I'll be sure to add it so everyone can meet the Wongani's Hope fan club.

This morning, I received an email from my niece, Katy, who is also a good friend of Beka's and is working hard at coming up with creative ways to help Beka raise funds for her mission. She reports that another $100 was raised from an item she had advertised and sold for her other good friend, Andrea Waud, on Craigslist.

From left to right: Hannah, Chris, Andrea, and Payton

Way to go, Katy and Andrea!

This is just one example of how we can help get Beka back to Malawi in a timely manner. Katy and Andrea decided that those unused or unwanted items that were cluttering up their houses could be sold to raise critical funds for Wongani's Hope. You know, we have all heard the old adage, "one man's junk is another man's treasure." Well, they proved that there is always someone out there wanting what you no longer have a use for and they will actually pay you to take it off your hands!

I might add that there is also a bonus by advertising on Craigslist: it's free! Plus, Craigslist breaks their website down to individual cities, so you are actually advertising locally! And if you need any help getting your item (or items) listed, I'm sure Katy would be more than happy to lend you a hand.

So, how about it? Are you tripping over things in your house you wish were gone? Or is your garage in need of a good cleaning and reorganization, but you just can't get the hubby to do it?

Katy and Andrea have the solution! If your unused or outdated items have Beka's name on them, we hope you will consider doing what they have done and then gift the money to Beka. By doing so, you will not only be getting rid of unwanted things. You will be helping Beka reach her goal quicker and rejoice as we watch Wongani's Hope unfold and the fundraising thermometer climb to the top!

Thanks again, Katy and Andrea!!

(UPDATE! By midnight, Katy reported another $125 worth of items sold! Today (Saturday), Katy sold another item for $20, bringing the total sold in the last 24 hours to $245! God is SO good!)

No Rest For the Weary!

2012-01-18T15:19:00.006-07:00


"Let your work be shown to your servants, and your glorious power to their children. Let the favorof the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands." Psalm 90:16-17

It has been a while since you have been updated on Beka's and Anna's progress, but it hasn't been from lack of interest. Because I live 400 miles from Beka, and Beka is half a world away from Anna and they are only able to talk to each other once a week, communication between the three of us takes a while to reach my desk. I have been as anxious as the rest of you to hear about any progress that is being made and have kept busy gathering as much information to pass onto you as I can.

Exciting things are happening for Beka and Anna. As you know, Beka is back at home in Benton City where she is enjoying the time she has there to catch up with family and friends. However, her thoughts are consumed with Malawi and the welfare of the people who are waiting for her to return.

While working part time, Beka has been busy searching for innovative ways to raise funds for the building of the toddler house. A couple of weeks ago, she and her Mom, Valerie, traveled to Bremerton, Washington to give Beka's presentation to Summit Avenue Presbyterian Church. They had created business cards with her contact information and a link to this blog and her Wongani's Hope Facebook page to hand out to interested donors. Beka said that a lot of people showed interest by asking questions and that a love offering of $280 was given to her from families at the church.

Another creative tool they came up with is a form that includes the story borrowed from her Facebook page on how she and Anna got started. At the bottom is a tear-off with information directing tax deductible donations to Mabton Grace Brethren Church and a choice of either a one-time donation or a commitment to monthly support.

On the 17th, Beka visited with the mission committee at Benton City Methodist Church to discuss fund raising ideas. She indicates that they are very interested in establishing a community fund raiser to help pay for electricity at the farm and would also like to enlist the help of the schools there to see it happen.

Beka's friends are also showing tremendous support for the project. One of them opened her heart and donated $400 towards its success. Also, my niece, Katy Isley, continues to advertise items for sale on Craig's List, directing shoppers to this blog.

If you have read Beka's story, you know that she must have yearly check-ups with her doctor to insure that her cancer has not returned. On the 25th, Beka has an appointment with her regular physician for a full physical and blood work-up. Then on the 14th of February, she will meet with her dermatologist to make sure that there are no suspicious moles or spots that need attention. We are all praying that both appointments will have positive results, eliminating any concern we have for Beka's health.

Now on to Anna!

On the December 31st, Anna, Chifu, and Wongani moved into the new house on the farm. Beka reports that they are "very happy to be there" and have settled right in to their new lives, but because they are in the middle of the growing season, they are "VERY busy on the farm."

With the exception of one room that needed iron sheeting installed, the permanent chicken coop is nearly completed. The second group of broilers they raised has been sold and a profit was made. Beka and Anna have decided to wait another month or so to raise more broilers because "people generally don't have money to purchase them right after Christmas."

Also, the layers they have been raising are now beginning to lay eggs which, according to Beka "is so exciting!!" They are having a slow start because the move from Mzuzu to the farm upset the hens and it will take a few days for them to settle down. Anna told Beka that she is currently gathering 13 eggs each day, but I am confident that it won't be long before the rest of the 50 hens begin producing and the bounty will be taken to the market or sold off the farm.

Some new occupants will also be moving onto the farm. When Sandy and his brother, Jeremiah, build the new "houses" next month for the goats and cow, Beka and Anna will be purchasing their first dairy cow. Beka's expression in her note to me says it all: "We are excited!!"

The crops that have been planted are also thriving. Maize, soy, sweet potatoes, ground nuts, beans, and cassava are "growing well," and once again, Beka and Anna "are so excited!!" Both women are anticipating a "big harvest next year!"

See? I told you there were "exciting" things happening on the farm! And we share in their excitement as we watch God prove Himself with Beka and Anna time and time again. However, I am sure that Anna would appreciate an occasional break in the rain clouds. She told Beka that "the rains are very heavy now and...it is just mud everywhere." If you have taken the time to Google Malawi's rainy season and look at the images, you will agree that we don't know mud like the people of Malawi know mud!

The heavens pouring out rain to water the crops unfortunately doesn't address their need for potable water at the house. Anna has finally gotten quotes on what it will take to establish a well on the property. Digging a "bore hole" on the farm will cost the two women $1300 and they plan on making that their next project. In the meantime, Anna is drawing water from another location and having to pay multiple fees in order to get it. Apparently, the owners of the property have been taking advantage of Anna and keep increasing their fee each time she needs the water. Beka accurately describes this method of doing business as "corruption," stating, "it would be much better if we had our own well."

I am in full agreement with her.

As is common everywhere, water tables vary during certain seasons of the year. In order for Beka and Anna to drill a well on their property, it would have to be accomplished no later than the end of February to ensure they find the "right water table, which is 25 meters deep." At this stage in their finances, they don't have the money but are clinging to hope. Beka states, "We're hoping the funds come in!"

Chifuniru and Wongani are now back in school. However, because of the distance from the city to the farm, Anna had to place them in one that is closer. The typical rural school is very poor, and Anna has told Beka the boys aren't learning anything.

"Anna says they don't even have lessons, they just go and play and then come back home. We are hoping to find a private school nearby so that they can get a better education (or education in general)."

As was revealed in the first post on this blog, a primary education is compulsory and free in Malawi. Although there are many private schools available, to attend one may be an expensive endeavor Beka and Anna can't afford. Let's keep this matter lifted in prayer, asking the LORD to provide them with a solution for the boys that won't place another burden on them.

As you can see, Beka and Anna haven't slowed down one bit. Everything they are doing, whether it's in Malawi or here in the United States, is a step towards seeing the toddler house completed and operating. There is no shortage of energy and drive, as is evident in their hard work. However, what is obvious from this latest report is that there are still challenges they are facing because of the lack of funds to accomplish them.

You can help Beka and Anna meet them by doing some very simple things:

Pray. Just look at how affective our prayers have been to date!

Spread the word among your families and friends. Don't be afraid to ask them to give, regardless of how little or how much. Every penny counts.

Invite others to read this blog and encourage them to also share it with others.

Come up with innovative ways to help Beka raise the funds she and Anna need for specific projects. For example, we all see donation cans on store countertops that address certain needs. Even a handful of change can turn into much-needed dollars.

More important is this: don't wait for Beka to come to your church and request a few minutes of your time. Be a representative for her and talk to your church leadership about scheduling a visit to hear her presentation.

Within each of us, there is something we could be doing to help get Wongani's Hope built. If you have the heart to help, all you have to do is dig down deep and search for it. I recently had a conversation with another missionary friend of mine that is attempting to gather support for his devotion to the LORD. Regardless of the responses missionaries receive as they travel from town to town and church to church, God has already established those who will give their time, talents, and money to the work He has placed upon them. As my friend said, they are out there. They just need to be found.

Help Beka and Anna find those that God has already positioned to assist Him. With our help, Beka and Anna can refocus their attention where it should be - building Wongani's Hope for the children of Malawi.

Thanks for taking the time to keep up on Beka's and Anna's work. Please keep praying that funds for specific needs will be met in a timely manner. If you have any ideas or would like to let Beka and Anna know you are behind them, leave them a comment. And for those of you who would like to schedule a time for Beka to visit your church or organization, you can contact her at 509-551-7204. I know she would be grateful to hear from you.

Keep watching for updates!

Beka's, and Anna's Cheerleader,

Karen

Standing Up and Stepping Out

2011-12-14T12:40:00.000-07:00

When God lays upon the heart of a person to step up and answer His call to go out into the mission field, their work becomes more than just addressing the needs of the people they are sent to serve. It would be wonderful to know that their full concentration and energy could be put to use where it matters the most. But that is usually not the case.

Most, if not all missionaries, rely on the good will of others to provide the necessary funds that are required to fulfill their mission. We all know and have heard of charitable organizations that are well-funded. Some even to the point of exaggeration, where most of the money that is given goes to extravagant administration costs. If you are like me, you avoid this type, merely for the reason that you have no idea where your money is actually going. I prefer those that assure me 100% of what I am giving is going to the need I have designated it for and not to line someone's pocket.

Seventy percent of American missionaries must raise their own money to serve. Needless to say, this can be a daunting task and one that many are either afraid to approach, or do not have the knowledge to even begin. It is said that when the want-to-be missionary realizes the difficulty, they rarely even start the process because the idea of having to stand before others and ask for money scares them off.

There are many different ways to gather support. A website I found listed a few. One such method, the "Mueller approach," is to pray, and only pray, believing that God will send others to you to offer what you need. The effectiveness of prayer should never be questioned. It should always be to God that we first go, especially when we believe that He is the one Who is sending us to do His work. And when we ask others to pray, the word is spread abroad and our need for support is heard. Prayer also draws others whose hearts have been prepared by God in advance and who never question - they just do. They become willing partners because He set them aside long before the need was realized. However, in the meantime while we are waiting for answers to our prayers, the work God is asking us to do is stuck in idle.

When Wycliffe Bible Translators was asked how their missionaries garner support, the details had to be pulled from them. Their work around the world has been amazing, to say the least. The Word of God has been tirelessly translated by this worthy organization into more than 700 languages in order for the nations to know the Gospel of Jesus Christ. But it requires that the missionary live among the people for decades in order to understand their form of communication, which often does not include a written language. Wycliffe missionaries ask for prayer but do not share the financial need unless asked. Rather than putting the missionaries into an uncomfortable position of requesting a certain amount, the donor is left to determine how much his heart is willing to give. However, most of us want to know how much is needed so that we can be sure the goal is reached.

The "D.L. Moody approach" is to "share the financial needs and appeal for action." This is a much more direct approach, but can often be viewed as too forceful. Of course, there is also what is called the "Campus Crusade approach:" sit down at a business lunch, present your proposal with colorful pamphlets or booklets, and use a more direct, logical, "spell out the vision, the need and that God is calling you to be part of the answer" spiel. Unfortunately, this may be great for a businessman or top executive, but it has the possibility of being seen as a good tax write-off, or something to ensure the board their money is protected, rather than answering God's call to help. Also, it is probably the least favorable and desirable approach because of the appearance it gives of being a business rather than a demonstration of a heart's desire to honor God. The world is full of businesses of this nature who showcase their charities like a badge of honor.

You are probably asking yourself where I am going with this. Since this is Beka's and Anna's blog, and if you have been following it, the answer is obvious. Although they are profoundly grateful for all that has been done, they have chosen to remain humble in their approach to secure funding. They have not asked for anything, but it is clear that Beka and Anna need our continued help.

I think it would be safe to say that, so far, the two women have relied on the first approach: prayer, both from their end and from those of us who have joined them. And the things that they have been able to accomplish through this approach have been truly amazing. God has heard them and us and has responded by greatly blessing their endeavor, not only with a little money, but with providence and protection. He is mighty and worthy of our praise, isn't He?

Over the last couple of days, a question/answer conversation I had with Beka has revealed a great deal. We have all known what they were aiming for, and we have watched with joy as some of it has come to fruition. But it is only a beginning, a scratching of the surface, so to speak. The work that lies ahead for Beka and Anna has just started, and what they will face in the coming year will determine whether or not Wongani's Hope is built and the children they have been sent to serve come pouring in. Therefore, I would like to share a few things with you that will give a clearer picture of what it is going to take, both emotionally and physically, to see this happen.

As you all know, in one week Beka will be back home in Benton City. However, Wongani will not be with her. The adoption process has proven to be a complicated and lengthy one and she was unable to get it completed in time for her departure. He will be staying behind with Anna and Chifu on the farm until Beka is able to return to Malawi. When I read Beka's words about having to leave him behind, my heart was overcome with sadness for them. She has indicated that communication will be virtually cut off - no phone service, no internet, email or Skyping. A final kiss and a long hug before she boards her plane will have to carry them through her lengthy stay back home until she can return to them and the farm.

Some of you may wonder why Beka is making this trip in the middle of so much unsettledness, and how she can leave part of herself behind. It is true that she is homesick and misses her family and friends, but I want you to know that this will not be easy for her. Although she appears to be putting on a good front, I read the tears between the lines in her response to my questions. She is torn between staying behind with Wongani or coming back to the states. As a missionary, her reasons are obvious: the necessity to accomplish exactly what this blog post began with - fund raising. Beka knows that she must come home and spend whatever time it takes to secure support for her mission, even if it means being away from Wongani and Anna for a long period of time.

I am going to go out on a limb and share with you in her own words how important this is to Beka. My questions to her were about the length of time she would be gone and if she would need to work at home to earn money to return:

"To be honest, I have no idea how long I will be home this time. It all depends on fund raising...my job is to speak with churches and people and see what doors God opens. I could be home for as little as 4 months or it could be a year. I hope sooner rather than later, but I'm just not sure. Right now, I don't have any money to my name to call my own, which makes me feel uncomfortable, so I will probably work at least part time once I get home. My job is really to focus on fund raising but I think it would be difficult not to work. I haven't secured a job yet but I will see once I get home."

Beka also told me that she and Anna do not yet have full support from any one church. The money they have received has come from individuals who are passing their donations through Mabton Grace Brethren, or that which is given to her sister, Mandy, who is graciously handling her meager bank account.

That about sums it up, doesn't it? It also reveals how truly humble Beka is when it comes to asking others for help. The problem is that Beka and Anna need to ask us for help and I think they have finally realized that. Beka is willing to sacrifice being away from Wongani for up to a year to secure that assistance. She is willing to employ a few of the approaches mentioned above, one being to stand before strangers and present the work God has given her and Anna to do in Malawi. She will face rejection, apathy, or silence at times, I am sure. But she knows the task that has been set in front of her and is willing to face it with boldness and a praying heart that others will be drawn to offer what she and Anna need to build the toddler house.

However, as my daughter-in-law, Rachel, pointed out, Beka and Anna should not have to do it on their own. It is time to roll up our sleeves and get to work. If you believe that God was the author of Wongani's Hope and that He wrote upon their hearts to serve Him this way, it is time for us to also step forward and assist. The sooner we yoke ourselves with Beka and Anna and put our backs to the plow, the quicker Beka can return to Wongani and continue her work in Malawi.

I know this is a long post, but I would like to share some priorities I asked Beka and Anna to give me in order to fully understand their financial situation and their immediate needs. Their desire is to be as openly transparent as they can possibly be so that it is understood by their donors exactly where their money will be going. These are things that are seen as the most vital or urgent in building the toddler house and securing the farm's success, including the funds that are needed for specific projects. As you will see, they are not limited to mere monthly support or what we may see as normal necessities to answer inconveniences. So, I am listing them in the order of priority as Beka and Anna see it.

Current General Monthly Expenses - $700

Although this wasn't at the top of their list, I am placing it here in order for you to understand their monthly living expenses. This includes rent, electricity, water, food, communication, soap, cleaning supplies, medical expenses, and transportation for the five people in the household (Beka, Wongani, Anna, and Anna's two sons, Chifuniro and Keith). They have indicated that once they are living in the house at the farm, they will save approximately $200 per month because they will no longer have to pay electricity, water, or rent. And during Beka's absence, the communication and food cost will also decrease.

Complete Land Registration Process - $400

Beka and Anna have started this process but it has had to be sidelined because they lack the fees required to complete it. These fees need to be paid to two separate agencies: the Land Office and City office. This is crucial. Although they have paid for the official house plans and they are ready to record them, in order for the building of the toddler house to begin these fees must first be paid. Beka and Anna have said this will be the first thing they do once they get the necessary funds.

Garden and Farming - $438

Because their funds are running low and the cost of supplies continues to rise, Beka and Anna have only been able to plant a small portion of their farm ground. A small amount of maize, beans, pumpkin, and a few vegetables are currently planted, with plans to plant soy beans, ground nuts, sweet potatoes, more beans, and cassava as soon as they have the funds to do so. They are trying to take advantage of the rainy season and what little they do have to plant. The following is a break down of their current farm and garden needs:

To clear and prepare the rest of the land - $110
Pest chemicals for all 3 acres and sprayer - $200
Funds for seeds: soy beans $18; ground nuts $25; beans $15; maize $70

Water and Power - $200-$1200

As some of you know through a recent FB message, $200 is needed for a connection fee to electricity, yet does not include wiring the house. However, Beka and Anna have stated that there are cases of people waiting as long as three (yes, that's 3) years after paying before electricity is brought to them. Because of this, they have also considered another option: solar power. It is a much larger investment - $1200 for the panels, the batteries, and to wire the house - but certainly worth considering. Over time, the savings they would realize not having to pay an electric bill would be substantial, plus they wouldn't have to worry about the continual blackouts that occur everywhere in Malawi.

Beka and Anna are in the process of learning what it will cost to dig a well on the property and have promised to get me the information as soon as they know it.

The house and almost-completed chicken coop. Look at the view God has given them!

Livestock - $515

Funds have been designated to purchase certain animals, but money to build pens and barns is still needed:

The chicken house is completed, but an additional 20 sheets of tin is needed for the pig, cow, and goat "houses." - $400
Wood planks have been secured, but they are needing 15 kgs of nails to build the animal "houses." - $75
10 meters of mesh wire to cover the windows - $40

Anna and Keith

Finish House Surface Plaster - $160

Although the house appears to be finished and liveable (other than plumbing and power), it is common practice in Malawi to plaster over the brick. Beka and Anna have placed this on the lowest priority, but it would be a blessing to have it completed.

A 3-Ton Truck - $13,000

I have placed this down at the bottom of the list, but only because I was uncertain where it should go in relation to the importance of other things, and because it may appear to many as a startling amount of money. Beka and Anna learned that to have all their supplies and building materials delivered to their property was not cheap. In fact, they told me that "thousands of dollars" went towards transportation costs that could have gone to other needs. They have expressed dismay that the building of the toddler house, which will be a much bigger building, may have to be put on hold until they can come up with a better solution to alleviate this problem.

However, Beka and Anna see this problem as of great importance and have researched the price of a 3-ton truck. The cost to them would be tremendous, but I can see it benefiting them in the long run. Not only would they be able to use it to bring building materials and supplies onto the property, but eventually they would also employ it to deliver animals and produce to local markets, including providing them with vital transportation, if needed. The thought of starting a small transportation business has also been on their minds, which would supplement their income and ease their reliance on donations.

Beka's Round-Trip Plane Fare - $2200

I wasn't surprised at the amount Beka gave me. What's troubling, though, is that the same amount will be needed for Wongani's ticket when he is finally able to travel with her. This is a huge expense for her and dramatically cuts into her finances that could be used for other things.

Non-Governmental Organization Status (NGO) - Cost Unknown

Wikipedia defines a NGO as "a legally constituted organization created by natural or legal persons that operates independently from any government." They are generally non-profit organizations with no political affiliation that aim to address social conditions. Although they will definitely be working on it and know they will need to eventually establish status as a NGO, at this time they see it as just another fee they can't afford. Because the project is "underground" at the moment, it would also mean that the process would complicate what they are currently doing. The requirement is one that they will address after Beka returns, but only if she is able to secure more support while she is in the U.S and only until everything they are trying to do is in place.

Once they are able to secure their NGO, the time and energy it takes to keep Beka's visa in good standing will lessen. At present, Beka is able to apply for a 9-month stay. But when the NGO status is established, she will be able to apply for what is called a "Temporary Employment Permit" (TEP) that will allow her to remain in the country for two years at a time. Beka has also stated that there is no requirement regarding the amount of time she must stay out of the country before she can reenter. With the ability to extend her stay that long, the pressure Beka feels over all that needs to be accomplished before she leaves each time will be eased.

I am sure that the information you have just read appears overwhelming. There may even be some of you who feel that the challenge is just too great and the result impossible to achieve for two women seemingly on their own. However, when I consider the great things that God has been able to see His servants accomplish, why should these daunting numbers cause us to doubt that He will complete what He has begun in Malawi?

Beka and Anna have the necessary faith and trust to keep on tirelessly working to see Wongani's Hope built. And they will do it with or without our help by relying on what little they are receiving. Up to this point, they haven't asked for much, and what they have received has been used to glorify the LORD through their faithful service to Him. They will continue to build using one brick, one plank, one nail, and one seed at a time until what they have committed themselves to doing is accomplished.

Trusting them to continue to do so by using our donations wisely is something each of us will have to individually consider. Personally, it only took a brief presentation back in May for my husband, Steve, and myself to give our hearts, our trust, and our time and money to this project. We didn't know Beka Feth, but we recognized her heart. And that was enough for us.

Please consider the needs Beka and Anna have. When Beka returns home, she has a huge task ahead of her, one that I'm sure is causing her anxiety. I know I would be dreading it. But Beka is determined and if there is anything we have learned from her it is that she doesn't give up. She may even show up at your church and tell you about all the wonderful things God has done through her and Anna to bring about hope for Malawi's children. If she does, I am praying that there will be others who will stand up and step out in service to assist them, as so many have already done.

I love writing these blog posts. As I add the pictures to the words, they bring greater meaning to the project. The small reward of just seeing the progress they have made here on the blog fills my heart with joy. It's not my intent to bully or pressure anyone into making donations. I only want to share the thrill and excitement I feel each time I see how my gifts are being used to bring Christ honor and glory. If you decide that you would like to help, as you watch your donations bring God's work to its conclusion, I know that your heart will also respond with joy, filling you with gratitude to the LORD for also allowing you the privilege of having a part in it.

The more work we do for Beka and Anna here, the less the burden is that they will have to carry. Lets all start brainstorming about ways to help secure these funds. Sharing this blog and the work they are doing with our church and community is a first step in letting others know that there is a very worthy project waiting to be recognized. Foremost in my mind, however, is a little boy who will be waiting anxiously for her in Malawi and depending on us to make sure she gets back there soon.

Thank you, everyone, for your generous contributions and for the love you have demonstrated to Beka and Anna. Continue to employ the first and best approach - prayer - not only for them, but also for our success in garnering ideas and support, and for those the LORD will send to join us as we work together to build Wongani's Hope.

In Christ's, Beka's, and Anna's service,

Karen

Part 7: One Brick and One Seed At a Time

2011-11-26T17:10:00.005-07:00

Beka at their new house.

In the last post, you learned that Beka will be hopping aboard a jet on December 21st to make the long journey back home to Benton City, Washington.

We are fervently praying that the adoption process has progressed to the point that Wongani will be able to take his first plane ride and come home with Beka. She has informed me that certain papers have been signed and delivered to the court, but she has not received any news, to date.

If what Beka is praying for becomes a reality, Christmas for the Feth family will be unlike any they have experienced in the past as they embrace their daughter and the grandson she is bringing home with her. What a celebration of joy it will be!

But until that day comes, Beka and Anna are not letting any grass grow under their feet. There is a lot of work yet to be done to see their dream of the toddler house realized and the women are working hard to make sure it happens.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

At the end of September, Beka wrote that they enlisted the aid of a land surveyor to set the boundary markers on the land they purchased and register the property with the Ministry of Lands. Because the Malawi government has strict guidelines pertaining to non-citizens and the purchase of land, his services were required.

As was mentioned in a prior post, because Beka is not a native to Malawi and had not purchased the land prior to January 17th, 2002, the Malawi government which, at that time, froze "freehold estates" to non-citizens, requires a foreigner to form a "partnership" or "joint venture" with a Malawi citizen, unless they owned the land prior to the the cut-off date. Beka and Anna formed this required partnership prior to the purchase of the land in order to secure it for the building of the toddler house. I am assuming (and hopefully, I'm correct) that when the surveyor registered the land, the documentation assured the government that all requirements were met, the title deed to the property was secured, and all rights of conveyance and use as prescribed by the Malawi's Land Use Registry were granted to the new owners.

There was an added benefit that came with the surveyor they employed. He is also an architect and drew up the building plans for the orphanage, advising Beka and Anna where he thought the best placement for the structures should be. This has enabled the two women to roughly estimate the costs for the building project. It didn't take Beka and Anna long to round up help and start gathering the necessary materials to get started on their new house.

Johtham Munthali (in red shirt)

"Boy's Quarters"

A good friend of Beka's, Jotham Munthali, was an employee with the Ministry of Hope until his recent resignation. With his help, Beka and Anna employed other villagers to gather bricks, haul them to their property, and stack them where what is referred to in Malawi as "Boy's Quarters" is being built.

Sturdy brick walls going up!

When completed, the brick house will have a concrete floor, two bedrooms, a small kitchen, a dining room, sitting room, and what will eventually be a bathroom. Certain "comforts" we take for granted will come at a later date. Beka and Anna will have to wait until they have the money to dig a well which will supply water to the house. Until then, a pit has been dug with the expectations of making mad dashes to the outhouse.

The privy that's not so privy!

Electricity is another extravagance that will be on hold for a while. Beka understands that it will take more time and money to reach their goals. While she has been in Malawi, she has quickly become accustomed to living without the things that those of us see as life necessities. Watching everything transpire in Malawi has certainly made me appreciate more of what I have been blessed with.

Work Ethics

Everyone lends a hand, regardless of age.

As I look at the pictures Beka has shared with me, one thing that leaps from the images is the number of children that are usually present. Even more telling is that they rarely look as if they are merely spectators. It is clear that some of them have a purpose for being there: to work. And they appear to be very good at it.

Most of the children in Malawi only know one way of life and that life is driven by poverty. They understand that to work means you get to eat. There are no luxuries in their lives, no comforts that children of other more developed nations take for granted. They live a mean existence and when someone offers them the chance to help their families bring bread to the table, they step up without complaint. Ignoring their empty and grumbling stomachs, the children will take a shovel in hand or stack bricks so that they will be filled later.

I think our own children could learn a valuable lesson by seeing what the children of Malawi must do in order to simply survive.

Temporary Workers' Quarters

Workers' Temporary Quarters

In order for the house to be finished in a timely manner, Beka and Anna provided their builders with temporary housing so that they could remain on the property until the job was completed.

The new house with the bonus of a shade tree!

As you can see, the builders wasted no time getting the house structure up. At the time this picture was taken, they were waiting on glass for the windows. It won't be long before Beka, Anna, and their little family can move in.

A permanent brick chicken coop is also under construction next to the house. As of last week, the foundation was finished and walls were going up. The new coop will sport four small rooms so that its occupants can be divided into four different stages of growth. This will ensure Beka and Anna that the newly hatched chicks will have a better chance of survival and also increase their profit margin when they are fully developed and ready for the market.

On November 19th, Beka informed me they sold all but 12 of the first batch of fryers they raised at the temporary chicken coop in Mzuzu. She and Anna butchered the remaining fryers and froze them to make room for 100 new chicks that were arriving that day. The new fryers will be ready to sell just in time for Christmas.

... And the Farm Is Growing!

The new garden property!

Although Beka and Anna are the proud owners of 3 and 1/2 acres of land, they had their eyes set on an adjoining piece that Beka informed me was only a seven minute walk from their own. Mango, guava, and banana trees scattered its landscape. But what was most appealing to them was the natural spring and pond that sat on the property.

Because their original land parcel had no available natural water source without digging a costly well, the two women would have to rely upon the rainy season alone to grow their crops. If they could secure the new property, they would be able to plant maize and vegetables all year long by utilizing the water that was available there. With the bonus of having the established fruit trees already producing, the possibilities for a more successful farm grew.

The two industrious and business savvy women were able to purchase the property for MK60,000, with a down-payment of MK10,000. That sounds like a lot of money, doesn't it? But to help you better understand Malawi currency, one US dollar is equal to 152.2933 "kwacha." (I thought it was interesting that the name of the currency is derived from the Nyanja and Bemba word for "dawn.")

When the math is done, Beka and Anna paid approximately $390.00 for the property with a down-payment of about $65.00! They chose not to pay the total price in full because of budgetary reasons, namely finishing the house and permanent chicken coop. But because they purchased the additional land prior to the growing season, they will be able to plant crops this year and use the proceeds from their harvest towards paying off their obligation.

Beka is especially looking forward to harvesting the bananas that are close, if not already so, to picking. I can only imagine how they will taste straight from the tree!

On the 20th of November, Beka wrote to tell me about some of the things that will be happening while she is gone. One thing is for certain: Anna and Sandy will be busy tending to both parcels of land.

While Beka is still in Malawi, she and Anna have been preparing their land for crops that will be planted once the rainy season begins. This is typically between November and April when the warm equatorial rains and thunderstorms move across the fertile ground. On another blog about Malawi that I discovered, the blog owner, a Peace Corp volunteer, wrote that by merely casting seeds on the ground one can grow a garden. However, it is highly recommended that one keep the chickens penned up if you want anything to succeed!

The rain in Malawi is much different than what most of us are accustomed to. It usually comes in with purpose, sending torrential water from the heavens. The above blog owner writes about the occasional thundering roar of the rain, creating a decibel level that is nearly intolerable and impossible to muffle as it cascades down upon the corrugated tin rooftops. But, she writes, the milder rain that softly patters upon the roofs between the occasional onslaughts can be soothing and comforting, including the welcome relief that comes with them following the sweltering summer heat that accompanies the wet season.

Because most of Malawi's infrastructure includes unpaved roads, mud caused by the rains can also create huge problems. But the people have grown used to these temporary inconveniences and are usually pretty adept at rescuing a bogged down vehicle.

Beka will be leaving for home in the middle of the farming season, which means that Anna and those who are helping her will be busy in the fields tending to the crops they have planted. The maize and vegetables the two women have lovingly sown will be aided by the life-giving forces God showers down upon Malawi.

The hot, humid days and the warm nights are a perfect recipe for success. The fruit of their hard labor will be realized when Beka returns to continue her work alongside Anna as they labor for the LORD to build Wongani's Hope.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In light of the current economic situation in Malawi, God has truly blessed Beka and Anna as they move forward with His plans. A recent post on the Ministry of Hope News (MOH) website entitled "God is God in times of want and plenty" gives a bleak glimpse into the struggles they are facing.

According to Ministry of Hope Director, John Mandere, Malawi has enough food reserves to last only to the next growing season. Gas prices have risen 34%, and President Mutharika's irresponsible governance has forced a $500 million cut in budgetary aid, directly affecting farmers and their ability to get fertilizer for their crops.

The result of this economic downturn has caused MOH to consider drastic cuts in its staffing and outreach to the people of Malawi. However, the most tragic victims of this dire news are the babies that are brought to the orphanage. MOH fears they will not be able to take in as many orphans as they once did. You can read all of Mr. Mandere's report to MOH US here. I hope you will and that you will keep them in your prayers.

As I read John Mandere's report, it struck me how much of a contrast there was between what he was writing and what I hear from Beka. While considering this, I was once again reminded of God's omniscience and providence. There is nothing of which He is unaware. And because He does know all things that are occurring, we should also believe that He has a reserve plan to deal with the things He also knows will come.

Beka Feth may have just been placed where she is for the purpose of that reserve plan. When you think about all that has happened in such a short time and the bounty that awaits Beka and Anna while others are struggling, it seems more plausible, doesn't it? It certainly is something worth pondering.

Beka has only a few weeks left before she comes back home to her family. As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, we are praying that Wongani will be able to make that trip with her. I hope you will pray with us.

While Beka is away from Malawi, please keep Anna, Sandy, and all of the others who are helping on the farm lifted up in prayer. The work that awaits them will be hard and back-breaking, but they believe their labor is for the LORD.

As Beka and Anna watch the reality of the toddler house and the farm take shape, rest from all they have worked for will one day come. But for now, they are faithfully placing the bricks and planting the seeds that will bring hope to the people of Malawi - one brick and one seed at a time.

Until next time, I remain...

In Christ's and Beka's Service,

Karen

Part 6: Cluck, Cluck...Mooooooo...and a Cockadoodle Dooooo!

2011-11-15T14:55:00.002-07:00

Before I explain the title of this long-awaited post, I would like to give you all a quick update on Beka and what's been happening since she revealed to us the adoption problems she was facing.

After securing her attorney and initiating the adoption process in Lilongwe, Beka and Wongani spent a few more days at the Crisis Nursery there, enjoying the company of good friends. The night before she returned home to Mzuzu, Beka stayed up late baking frosted sugar cookies in order to take advantage of the electricity that had been off all day, and typically fluctuates off and on almost every day in Lilongwe.

"This will be everyone's first experience with sugar cookies and I am excited to see their reaction," Beka wrote. I am sure they all really enjoyed the treat!

In spite of what may appear as a healthy and energized Beka, at the time she wrote me she was continuing to suffer the residual effects of her latest bout with malaria. The first treatment failed to completely rid her of the disease, so she was put on another form of treatment and felt confident that it would do the trick. She has also reported that she developed an infection and the doctors have her on a antibiotic regimen to combat it.

However, I have learned over the last seven months that nothing can keep Beka down. She spent a couple of days bedridden but she hasn't let it deter her from continuing her plans and getting back to work.

Because Beka has been occupied with trying to get well, there is nothing new to report on the adoption process. She has promised to let me know what she hears from the attorney and I promise to keep you up-to-date with any new developments.

Beka's faith remains strong that God will complete His plans for the toddler house, regardless of what is thrown in her path to overcome. As I demonstrated in the last post, the outpouring of support and encouragement from others has been tremendous and Beka once again expressed her deep appreciation to everyone that responded when they heard of her need.

Now...on to those chickens and cows!

When charitable institutions are established, the common practice is for their organizers to rely heavily upon donations to see them realized. It is no different in Malawi. Most, if not all, of the orphanages there operate solely upon the good will of their donors through mission agencies or churches to continue their operation and ensure their doors remain open.

When Beka first arrived in Malawi, she relied upon the money she had earned while in the states to cover her travel and living costs during her short stays at the Crisis Nurseries. She worked strictly as a volunteer. However, as her plans began to take shape and become a reality and after presenting them to her church, friends, and family, donations started coming in.

When Anna resigned from her position at the Crisis Nursery, many of her friends and family thought she was foolish for doing so. Jobs are a rare commodity in Malawi and to give one up to chase what some thought was a pipe dream didn't bode well with them. But like Beka, Anna's faith and determination is just as strong, and she believes that the toddler house is meant to be. Although most of the citizens of Malawi live on less than $1.00 per day, Anna saw the necessity of leaving behind what was probably seen as a very good job. Doing so would mean losing the security it provided her. But to step out in faith and allow the LORD to lead her to something far bigger and much more rewarding, even if it meant risking the loss of a few comforts to which she had grown accustomed, or the respect of friends and family, meant so much more. Beka sums it up quite well:

"She took a huge risk to leave her job with MOH to work on this project and she has to hear that she is crazy all of the time from people. We are moving forward together in faith. We both believe that this is what God has called us to do and no matter what discouragement we get from others or what obstacles we meet, we will continue moving forward by the grace of God."

Their determination to succeed drove Beka and Anna to make the choice not to rely solely upon donations to realize their dream of building the toddler house. In order for that to happen, they would need to devise ways to create an income that would not only help provide for themselves, but also fund the building of Wongani's Hope.

"Cluck Cluck!"...and a Man Named Sandy

When Beka, Anna, and their two boys, Wongani and Chifuniro, moved into their house in Mzuzu, a family friend of Anna's also moved in with them. His name is Sandy and his story is sadly typical for Malawi and the tragedy that so often strikes its people.

Sandy is the oldest of five children and is around 28 years of age. He was married and he and his wife were expecting their first child. But in January of this year, Sandy's wife and baby died while she was giving birth, leaving him heartbroken and alone.

Sandy!

When Sandy heard that Anna was leaving Lilongwe and moving to Mzuzu with Beka, he asked if he could come with her. He had grown tired of the village, and the constant reminder of the family he lost kept him in grief. Anna and Beka welcomed him into their little family, and Sandy settled in to his new life.

Beka has written that Sandy has been a tremendous help to them. "He helps with anything we ask for," Beka said. "He also helps with the boys by taking them to school and picking them up after school when Anna and I are busy with other things."

Sandy doesn't speak English, but has a desire to learn and to also get an education to better himself.

"As I said, he doesn't speak much English but he tries very hard. We chat a little bit sometimes and he is always so nice. We were just talking yesterday and he told me that he hopes to go back to school someday so that he can learn English so that we can talk to each other. School fees are too much for him, especially because he helps take care of his siblings. He was saying that he wished he could find a church or scholarship or something to sponsor his school," Beka wrote.

Chicken coop in Mzuzu

The greatest help Sandy has provided, however, has been in assisting the women in establishing an income for themselves. Beka and Anna decided that one of the best ways to earn money was to create a farm on the property they purchased. Plans for the farm include both livestock and growing vegetables which could be sold in the public marketplace. To make this a reality, Sandy built most of the new chicken coop that sits behind their house in Mzuzu. It was wisely decided to build the brooding house for the chicks that would soon arrive next to their house, rather than on the property, so that they could be closely watched and cared for.

Sandy gladly assumed the official role of feeding and tending to 200 one-day old chicks. A constant supply of food, fresh water, and clean living conditions would be required to ensure their success. Half of the chicks are fryers, or broilers, and the other half are laying hens. Beka reports that the layers cost $4.00 per chick, and the fryers $1.00 each. She also stated that chicken feed in Malawi is very expensive. With an investment this high, the women are happy to have Sandy there to help them keep the chicks well and safe.

Almost ready for market and laying eggs!

As anyone who has raised chickens knows, they grow quickly! Sandy proved his worth by doing an excellent job taking care of the chicks. Beka reports they only lost six out of their original investment. Considering their temperaments and their penchant for pecking at each other, those are pretty good odds!

At the end of October, Beka wrote to say they have begun to sell the fryers. And it won't be long before Sandy sees the fruits of his labor gathering the eggs every morning.

Considering the ups and downs that have accompanied Beka on this latest trip, the decision to raise chickens and the end result is a welcome success story. But chickens aren't the only critter planned for the farm!

Holy Cow! It's a Yard Sale!

Mandy, her husband, Zac, and their 4 boys

In spite of Beka's and Anna's valiant efforts to try and do everything on their own, Beka's sister, Mandy Carpenter, decided that they needed some additional outside help.

Beka and Anna agreed that another good way to fund their project and provide some support was to purchase a dairy cow and sell the milk and resulting calves that would be required to keep the cow "fresh" (the term used to describe a bred cow who has just calved, which is also a necessity to keep a constant "flow" of milk.) The plan was to eventually have two cows but, for now, one would give them a good start.

Having been in the livestock industry most of my life, I knew the cost of a good dairy cow here in the United States, and this new endeavor would be a much bigger challenge to the two women than raising chickens. The original estimate for one cow in Malawi would cost them approximately $750.00 (compared to $1000 to $1500 for a good dairy cow in the US, depending upon the age of the animal - the age of the heifer or cow they are planning to purchase hasn't been revealed to me). But Mandy made sure that the burden to come up with the money was placed upon her shoulders, rather than Beka's.

On Saturday, October 15th, with the help of her Mom, Valerie, and friends, Katy and others, Mandy held a "Holy Cow" yard sale.

Valerie, a school teacher, created a wonderful collage of photos and information about Beka and her dream of building Wongani's Hope for treasure hunters to read while "shopping."

The turnout was great and the kids had a ball helping out.

The generosity that many showed was encouraging. One woman approached my grand-niece, Gracie, to pay for a $2.00 item, handed her a $50.00 bill and told her to keep the change.

With items collected from multiple families, including baked goods, the total sales came to a whopping $473.31. After the offerings of $250.00 from Pastor Caleb's Youth Group, the total amount needed to purchase one cow was nearly reached.

That night following the yard sale, my niece Katy advertised some of the leftover items on Craig's List, adding within minutes another $40.00 to the grand total, giving Beka and Anna what they needed to purchase their first dairy cow.

"God is an amazing provider!! Ask in His name and you shall receive!!" Katy wrote me later.

Amen to that, Katy! Indeed, God IS an amazing provider. This has been demonstrated by Him directing the hearts of others to work alongside Beka and Anna, and for many others to offer encouragement and much needed financial support to accomplish His goals.

"And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened." ~ Luke 11:9-10 ESV

For those of us who have chosen to become a part of building Wongani's Hope, there is never doubt that the LORD has and will continue to provide for every one of Beka's and Anna's needs as they arise. He hears our requests on behalf of the two women and quickly responds to meet them. It is just another example of His overwhelming love and devotion to His faithful servants who are willing to perform His work which will bring glory and honor to His Name.

What Beka and Anna sought was found and, through the persistent "knocking" of prayers by family, friends, and the church, God's blessings have been received and doors have been opened.

Amen, again, Katy. Our God is truly amazing and worthy of ALL our worship and praise.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

As I work to keep all of you updated on the things being done to build Wongani's Hope, I sometimes worry that I may run out of things to report. However, I have discovered so far that my worry is a waste of energy! I have learned that each day brings something new that is happening to further reinforce the reality that the toddler house will be built and, more importantly, will succeed.

Yesterday, Beka wrote on Facebook that she will be homeward bound in exactly five weeks. She has been away from her family and friends here in the states for a long time and is definitely homesick and wanting to see everyone. We are all earnestly praying that Wongani is able to make that trip home with her. His new family are anxious to meet him and begin establishing long-lasting relationships. Please join us in our prayers that the adoption process will be escalated and make this possible.

Although Beka may be thousands of miles away from Malawi and the people she loves there, I know her heart and mind will occasionally be occupied with what's being done during her absence. The next post will reveal what's happening "down on the farm" and what Beka and Wongani can expect to find when they once again return.

I hope you will come back and watch the future of Wongani's Hope take shape. It's a journey you won't want to miss.

In Christ's and Beka's Service,

Karen

From a Mountain To a Molehill

2011-11-07T14:31:00.003-07:00

"There is not a flower that blooms but its very sweetness lies in its shedding its fragrance on the air. All the rivers run into the sea, the sea feeds the clouds, the clouds empty out their treasures, the earth gives back the rain in fertility, and so it is an endless chain of giving generosity. Generosity reigns supreme in nature. There is nothing in this world but lives by giving, except a covetous man, and such a man is a piece of grit in the machinery; he is out of gear with the universe. Man is a wheel running in the opposite direction to the wheels of God’s great engine. He is a jibbing horse in the team. He is one that will not do what all the forces of the world beside are doing. He is a monster; he is not fit for this world at all. He has not realized the motion of the spheres. He keeps not step with the march of the ages. He is out of date; he is out of place; he is out of God’s order altogether. But the cheerful giver is marching to the music of the spheres. He is in order with God’s great natural laws, and God therefore loveth him, since He sees His own work in him." ~ Charles H. Spurgeon

The day I wrote about the latest hurdle Beka was facing in securing Wongani's adoption, it wasn't immediately clear how much she needed to retain the attorney that was required to argue her case before the Malawi courts. Most of us know that to hire an attorney in the United States can be a daunting challenge that quickly empties our bank accounts. I speak from personal experience. What we think is a simple matter that can be resolved quickly is a false notion.

The American justice system has become a tangled web of legalities that can drag even simple issues on for years, draining us both financially and emotionally. All of us had ideas that what Beka needed would be more than what we could provide her in the little time she had left during this latest stay in Malawi.

Because there is a nine hour time difference between Malawi and the west coast of America, I had to wait a few hours to get a response from Beka regarding the amount she needed. But when she was finally able to reply, I was truly amazed at what that amount was. All the attorney asked for was a mere $350.00.

To Beka, it might as well have been $3500.00. After all, she lives off of her own hard earnings and what may come from others who are graciously helping to support her work there. Each penny Beka is given has a purpose. None are ever wasted or spent frivolously. There is never any loose change in her pocket, or extra dollars she feels free to use for her own pleasures. So that $350.00 retainer made the hurdle look like a looming mountain. And because she is humble, for Beka to ask for additional help was difficult for her.

But to us, the amount was minuscule and VERY doable. Because of the response my posts here and on my other blog have received, and conversations with her supporters who are spreading the word, I am confident that it was reached within hours. It is evident that the "covetous" or miserly man Charles Spurgeon wrote about in the above quote is not present in those who heard the call for help and responded. Rather, they are "cheerful givers marching to the music of the spheres," in order that others' needs are met. Even more encouraging are the plans being made to assure Beka that future funds will also be there when the need arises.

Mabton Grace Brethren's Youth Pastor, Caleb Schlegel, has energized his youth group to become some of Beka's greatest fans. Before this need became evident, they expressed their desire to help at a recent yard sale to raise funds for a milk cow (this story will be told in the next post). Although they were disappointed they weren't able to attend it, their collection added a great deal of money to the final tally. And when they heard about Beka's lack of funds for an attorney, the kids began coming up with other ideas to assist her with that, too. There aren't enough words or adequate space to express how amazing Caleb and his youth group are! It would require another blog!

My sister, Dana, who is a contributor (Mama Mimi) on my other blog, has also come up with tentative plans to secure future funds for Wongani's Hope. For decades, she and a couple of good friends have been involved in small theater groups. Between them, they are making preparations to organize a Christian theater group and donate all of the proceeds from future performances to the toddler house.

Other friends of Beka, Mark Archambault and Kevin Skinner, held a benefit on November 5th at the Aldea Spiritual Community in Arizona to help with the purchase of a second milk cow (yep, you'll be able to read about it on the next post!).

My niece, Katy, has been listing items for sale on Craig's List on behalf of Beka, directing those who see the ads to this website. (For a long time, I wondered why I was getting hits on my traffic counter from Craig's List. Now I know!)

These are only a few examples of people opening up their hearts to Beka and Wongani. I am sure there are others that I'm unaware of who are doing the same. If you or your church are making plans for a way to help, I would love to hear about them and share it here. Just leave me a comment and I will make sure everyone knows about it.

It is encouraging to see that the Spirit of giving is still alive and well in the church. Although you may not receive a direct and personal "thank you" from Beka, I know she is also encouraged and grateful for your generosity. She has expressed it to me, many times.

Beka is confident that the attorney she is hiring is a good one. I'm sure that without the help and guidance of her friends in Malawi, it would have been a difficult struggle to find one she could trust. The small price she had to pay only secures the services required by law. There will be additional fees, court costs, and time the attorney spends on the case. I am trusting the LORD, however, to also meet future needs as quickly as He met the retainer fee.

But the best part is how God has once again revealed Himself and His presence in all of this to Beka - and to us. He turned the mountain she was facing into a molehill. And while she was in Lilongwe confronting what she thought were giants, He comforted her with good friends who loved and doted on her, the rest she needed to overcome her latest bout with malaria, and precious time spent with her son, Wongani.

"I have gotten to do some really special things with Wongani since being here, like taking him to a wildlife sanctuary, walking around the "big" stores (there aren't any real big stores in Mzuzu), and taking him out to lunch a couple of times - something we never do in Mzuzu. He is having a great time and he said that he doesn't want to go back to Mzuzu. :o)" Beka wrote.

The "smile" at the end of Beka's statement speaks a volume of words. It is a glimpse into a mother's heart and the overwhelming love and affection she has for Wongani.

If something as simple as seeing "big" stores excites the mind of a child, and doing the things we and our children take for granted, I can only imagine his reaction when Wongani is finally able to come home with Beka and meet his new family. The love, attention, and experiences he will have then may make it hard to convince him to get back on a plane for their return trip to Malawi!

Please help insure the reunion becomes a reality for them by continuing to pray and assist in any way you can. Your prayers and your gifts are a "fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God" (Phil. 4:10-20), and the reward for remaining faithful to Him and His work will be beyond compare.

"Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen."

Thank you, everyone...and thank You, LORD, for Your faithful provision.

In Christ's and Beka's Service,

Karen

Your Help Is Urgently Needed

2011-10-31T16:27:00.001-06:00

I originally intended to continue to update you on the progress Beka and Anna have been making on the toddler house and their creative ways to support their work. You were expecting to hear about chickens and "Holy cows," which certainly play a vital role in reaching their goal. However, it has been revealed to me that there are more urgent needs pressing to the forefront, needs that concern Wongani and the future that awaits him and the family back in Washington who are anxious to meet him.

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

In the last post, you learned that Wongani was brought out of conditions that promised him no hope. If he had been left there, the best he could expect would be a life of abject poverty, untreated illness, hunger, and despair. But it is clear to all of us who have heard and read Beka Feth's story that God had other plans, and they would be plans to prosper Wongani and to give him hope for a bright future. Through this child, the LORD would bring His light to other children in Malawi who are born into the same dark conditions in which Wongani found himself.

God does not make empty promises. He never starts something He does not finish. Man may try and throw irons into the cogs of his efficiency, but God's will is always fulfilled and completed to perfection. He also never toys with our emotions, expecting us to put away the love He has given us for others and the things He would have us do. Beka intimately knows that kind of love. She found it in Malawi, it deepened with the discovery of Wongani, and grew into the dream of building Wongani's Hope.

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." ~ James 1:2-3

Two more trials have been thrown into Beka's path and one threatens the relationship she has already established with Wongani. He never knew his real mother, but Beka has joyfully stepped into that role and provided everything he would never have gotten from the family that was raising him. When they agreed to allow Beka to adopt Wongani and signed the foster papers that would let him go home with her, it was only the first step of a long and arduous process that none of them completely understood.

To Wongani's uneducated and traditional-driven family, it was simple: say "yes" and relinquish him into Beka's care. And to Beka it also seemed simple: take him home, give him the love and attention he needed, and put the adoption wheels into motion. The logical and reasonable side of our thinking made it look simple to us, too. But within just a few weeks, barriers were being erected to divert and discourage Beka. Instead of moving closer to being able to finally and officially call Wongani her son, Beka discovered the difficulty of the process when a maze of bureaucracy and foreign legalities overrides any compassion, sensibility, and reason.

To make matters worse, Beka has once again been stricken with malaria and has been on a quinine regimen to combat the disease. However, her determination and resolve to see the adoption process completed has not stopped her, no more than it did the last time when she met Titus. Beka reports that she is feeling better, but that she is tired most of the time. She is praying she will soon be "100%" - and hoping she never has to deal with malaria again.

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." ~ Romans 8:28

These are the trials Beka is facing today. Last week, she was told by the Social Welfare office that she would be required to travel to Lilongwe to continue the adoption process. Because of the distance, the long bus ride, her illness, and the time she would be away from him, Beka decided to take Wongani with her. At this time, they are still in Lilongwe meeting with the officials who have the power to determine Wongani's future with her.

What Beka has been told by those in charge has not been good news. A number of possible disqualifications has been presented to her:

1. She doesn't meet the age requirement that specifies she must be 21 years older than the child she wishes to adopt. Beka is 22 and only 18 years older than Wongani.

2. She is a single woman.

3. It is uncommon for Malawi courts to award custody of a male child to a person of the opposite sex.

4. She must hire an attorney to represent her and petition the court for adoption, but has been told the outcome may be difficult because of the reasons listed above.

Beka accepts and respects the laws that have been established in Malawi, knowing that they have been put in place to protect children from being harmed or exploited. She also understands the difficulty the court would have deciding against these laws. However, the biggest obstacle at this moment is that Beka cannot afford the high cost of an attorney. It has become an unplanned extravagance that has placed her in a position of having to make choices she did not expect or want to be forced to make.

Should she spend the money she does not have and continue to pursue Wongani's adoption before coming back home to the United States?

Or should she try and find a person to leave Wongani with, come back home and try to earn enough money to hire the attorney when she returns to Malawi?

One would think that if she has to come home without Wongani, she could leave him with Anna. But there are legalities that could possibly prevent that, too. Beka has been legally designated his foster parent and with that come great responsibilities. Even if the law allowed it, leaving him with Anna may not bode well with the courts.

It also seems unnecessary to mention how devastating it would be for Wongani to suddenly have Beka gone from his life, even for just a few months. As my niece, Katy (a registered nurse and mother of four young children), said, "he's not an infant." He is four years old, and to find himself once again abandoned could have lasting consequences. The bond that has been created between Beka and Wongani is no less intimate than if he were her biological child. Beka is his mother and Wongani Beka's son, even if it has not legally been established, and to separate them at this point would not be logical or healthy for either one of them.

Beka is clinging to her faith and trusting that the LORD will intervene. But it has been difficult for her. I reminded her the other day to think about all that He has already done for her, and to rest in the truth that He will continue with His plans and bring them to completion. Who of you that has read her story are in disagreement over His tender care and providence with which He has poured out upon her? Who would question or doubt God's presence in their lives and His purpose for them? Who of us would not wonder why He is allowing these things to occur just when she thought she had broken through the last barrier?

Beka is no different than we would be if it were happening to us. What Beka needs to remember is how much God has worked in her life. And so do we. As I mentioned above, God always finishes what He starts, regardless of man's efforts to thwart His will. And He's not done with Beka, Wongani, or Wongani's Hope.

"Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work." ~ 2Cor 9:7-8

This is where you come into God's plans. We know that He can accomplish anything He sets out to do, with or without our help. But He prefers that our hearts show a willingness to be a part of His work. For some of us, there is no wavering or second guessing, and we immediately dive into the task set before us. For others, they may overlook the possibilities and benefits and see the necessity to sit back and wait until God has proven He is in it. There is nothing wrong with being cautious with the gifts we have to give, but I am forced to ask how much more proof does He need to give us that Beka is in His will?

If the first part of her story was not enough, was the second? The third? Or, how about God sending Titus?

To me, there is no clearer and convincing evidence that God meant for Beka Feth to meet Wongani and that Wongani was to become her son in order that, together, they could establish Wongani's Hope which would also bring hope to the children of Malawi.

Beka looked forward with desire and confidence that God would bring all of it to fruition. She has been a faithful and willing player, unmindful of her own needs, and trusting Him with every step she has taken.

She hasn't asked for our financial help, only our prayers. Beka believes that God is in control of every minute detail, even over the laws and courts of men. The attorney she has been talking to gave her a glimmer of hope the other day. Because of the "special circumstances" regarding Wongani, he told her there is a chance the courts will decide in her favor. But in order for her argument to be presented to them, she needs the funds to secure legal representation - money she does not have.

So, I will ask the difficult question for Beka: would you please help? Will you pray about her situation and consider making a donation? The amount isn't important - whatever your heart compels you to give - because I believe the LORD will increase whatever comes and it will meet exactly what she is needing.

All donations can be made by check to Mabton Grace Brethren Church, P.O. Box 216, Mabton, Wash., 98935. Simply write "Beka" on the "For" line at the bottom of your check to insure that it goes to her. Beka's sister, Mandy, has established an account for her and every dime is placed in it to further Beka's work in Malawi.

Also, if you are drawn to encourage others to help, share this website with your church, family, and friends so that the world will come to know and love Beka Feth as we do. I know they won't be disappointed.

I understand that times are tough and our money is being stretched thin. So if you are unable to give a gift at this time, please continue to pray for Beka and Wongani. Your prayers are what they covet the most.

And for Beka and Wongani, I will also extend a heartfelt and sincere "THANK YOU!" for your gift and your prayers.

"But just as you abound in everything, in faith and utterance and knowledge and in all earnestness and in the love we inspired in you, see that you abound in this gracious work also. I am not speaking this as a command, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity of your love also. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich. I give my opinion in this matter, for this is to your advantage, who were the first to begin a year ago not only to do this, but also to desire to do it. But now finish doing it also, so that just as there was the readiness to desire it, so there may be also the completion of it by your ability. For if the readiness is present, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. For this is not for the ease of others and for your affliction, but by way of equality— at this present time your abundance being a supply for their need, so that their abundance also may become a supply for your need, that there may be equality; as it is written, 'HE WHO gathered MUCH DID NOT HAVE TOO MUCH, AND HE WHO gathered LITTLE HAD NO LACK.' " ~ 2Cor 8:7-15 NASB

In Christ's and Beka's Service,

Karen

Beka's Story: Part 5: Hope For Wongani

2011-10-19T11:26:00.004-06:00

Once God's servant, Titus, saw Beka safely back to the Ministry of Hope Crisis Nursery (MOH) in Mzuzu, Beka stayed there until Anna reunited with her. After Anna resigned from her position with MOH, they traveled to Lilongwe and spent the last week of July through August 20th there, then returned to Mzuzu to search for a place to live. Having secured a house that had electricity and water (the first house they chose didn't have these amenities), Beka, Anna, and Anna's five-year old son, Chifuniro, began to settle into their new lives together and coordinate the necessary steps to begin Wongani's Hope.

First Things First...

Although her time was consumed with planning the future toddler house, the most pressing thing on Beka's heart was reestablishing connections with Wongani, the toddler she had met and grown to love during her second six-week trip to Malawi. Just before he turned two, Wongani was returned to his family in their village, Jumbo, which is approximately 50 miles north of Mzuzu.

On April 24, 2007, Wongani entered this world. He was the eighth child born to his parents and joined five brothers and two sisters. But, shortly after his birth, his mother died. Beka has said that it is fairly common in Malawi for women to die from complications giving birth and other factors. "Almost every baby that goes to the Crisis Nursery has lost their mother," she stated. It was after his mother died that Wongani was placed the first time in the Crisis Nursery. When he reached 14 months, he was returned to his family. As previously noted, a check-up on him a few months later brought him back to the Nursery where he stayed until he was 20 months old.

Two months had passed since Beka's arrival back into Malawi, and over two years since she first found Wongani. On her previous trips, she would reconnect with him for short visits, but this time Beka felt driven to know how he was faring. She found transportation and traveled the 45-minute drive to his village, hoping that what she did discover would put her mind at ease. What she found, however, would compel Beka to begin the necessary steps in bringing Wongani home with her, once and for all.

Beka, Wongani, and siblings

"It was so good to go and see Wongani, but also very heartbreaking. I was hoping to find him thriving but instead I found him weak, malnourished, sick with Malaria (but not being treated because the local clinic was out of medicine), and not able to smile. It [was] so painful to see him like this. He [hadn't] grown at all in the year since I last saw him and he was wearing the same clothes that I brought for him last year, but now they are filthy and torn."

"Wongani was living in a small mud hut with a thatched roof that isn't complete with his entire family. He was sleeping on a thin grass mat without any blankets. He often went without food and [was] extremely malnourished. Due to this, his growth and development have been stunted. His family struggles very much (nobody has a job) so food and medical care are very limited. His father is a drunk, so any money that does make it's way into the family's hand is wasted by him on alcohol. Also clothing is very limited."

Beka convinced Wongani's family to allow her to take him back to Mzuzu with her for a couple of weeks so that he could be treated for malaria. On September 6th, Wongani found himself back in Beka's arms and receiving the love and care he so desperately needed. But it wasn't enough for Beka. She knew that if he went back home into the conditions she had taken him from there would be no hope for Wongani, only a future of despair and abject poverty. As far as Beka was concerned, her only option was to attempt to secure his family's consent to adopt him.

Deep Love and Determination

According to Malawian culture, the men have the final say regarding important decisions made within the extended family. When a decision such as the one Beka would present to them had to be made it did not rely solely upon Wongani's father. All of the males within the family - brothers, grandfathers and uncles - must be in total agreement. If one of them disagrees then the others are forced to base their decision upon the one dissenter. Beka was warned that she would be facing the possibility that one of the men would prevent what her heart yearned for. As was told in a prior post, Wongani's father had been approached by MOH to place Wongani in adoption, and had originally agreed. However, after he thought about it, he attempted to extort money from them. Because of his past demonstration of greed or reluctance, no one knew what the outcome would be with this second attempt to get Wongani out of the situation he was in.

When it was time for Wongani to be returned to his family, Beka gathered her resolve and presented her offer to them. The men who were present included his grandfather, his brothers, and an uncle. His father was no where to be seen. They gathered outside the mud brick hut they called home to hear what Beka had to say. But what would come within minutes of making her plea would leave Beka stunned. All of the men who were present agreed that Wongani would be better off with her. They could see that he was getting the attention he needed and, with one less mouth to feed, perhaps they could also see the necessity of it because of their own poverty. Whatever it was that compelled them to fulfill Beka's wishes isn't really known. But even more amazing is that Wongani's father had also been convinced and, obviously, had cast his lot in support of his son's adoption.

As Beka stood in amazement before Wongani's family, his absent father finally came back home. I am sure that a sudden wave of fear entered Beka's mind, thinking that he would stop what was going on and bring an end to her dreams. All it would take from him would be to utter one word: "no." But Beka said that he walked by the group and never stopped to speak, even to his little son that had been gone for weeks. If Wongani's father had ever felt any love for him, what little there may have been was gone.

Wongani Is Finally Home

Once back in Mzuzu with her precious little boy, Beka began taking steps to become officially recognized as Wongani's foster parent. However, this did not guarantee that the adoption would actually take place. Wongani's family first had to sign the paperwork that would hand over their parental rights and release him into Beka's care as his foster mother and, so far, she had only received their word.

Beka met with a social worker from the Social Welfare office and made plans to go back to Jumbo and complete this process. One more trip to face the possibility of changed minds kept Beka on pins and needles. She asked us for prayer that God would remove any doubt from the family's minds that may have arisen and that everything would run smoothly. But if there had been any fear or doubt, it was quickly dispelled as Beka watched Wongani's family willingly and gratefully hand him over to her.

Top L: Chifuniro is only 10 mo. older than Wongani. Note the difference in size.

"His family signed papers and thanked me for taking care of him. They all said that they noticed a big difference in him after just 3 weeks," Beka wrote.

The icing on the cake for Beka, though, was the assurance the social worker gave her about the adoption. "The social worker that is helping me assured me that it is possible for the adoption process to be complete by December. I sure hope so!"

...and so do we, Beka! All of her friends and family back in the United States are anxiously waiting for her to come back home. Only this time, she will return with what sent her back to Malawi time and time again - Wongani.

The LORD had more than one thing in mind when he sent Beka to Malawi. At the center of His plans was a child who was born into hopelessness, despair, and poverty, and He made sure that Beka and Wongani were united to bring about the rest of His work. The future He has already written for them holds bright and lasting hope for the children in Malawi who have been born into the same conditions Wongani was brought out of. And the evidence that God is continuing to fulfill these plans is overwhelming and inspirational.

To date, Beka has been able to secure the extension on her visa without going back and forth to Lilongwe and Blantyre (a 24-hour bus trip each time) to renew it every thirty days. Because of this, Beka can now concentrate all of her attention on Wongani, who has become a happy and content little boy under the shower of love and affection Beka has poured over him, and continue with her plans for the toddler house.

Wongani's First Day of School!

On October 3, Wongani got himself all spiffed up and proudly marched off to his first day of Pre-School. Beka reports that he is "loving it!" His "best friend" he attends school with lives only a few doors down and Wongani spends a good deal of time playing with him and Chifuniro. Beka also reports that he is a typical "snips and snails and puppy dog tails" little boy who loves to get dirty, is eating well, and growing at a rapid rate. In other words, Wongani is becoming the little boy he was intended to be - happy, content, hopeful, and loved. The bleak future he was facing before Beka came into his life has now been replaced with one of security, stability, and the assurance of better things to come.

Beka and Wongani will board a plane on December 21st to make their long journey home to meet his new family. And the best part? They will be here for Christmas and I can't think of a better gift to give her family than what God had gift-wrapped and presented to her.

Although my husband and I live almost 400 miles from Benton City, we wouldn't miss meeting Wongani for anything! I truly hope I can draw him away from all the attention and affection he will be receiving from his new grandparents and BIG extended family for just one moment. I want to wrap my arms around him and introduce myself. I want to let him know how much he and his Mama, and the work she and Anna are doing for his people in Malawi, means to me and others.

Because of him, Wongani's Hope is becoming a reality and will soon bring hope to others.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Beka's story has truly been an inspiration to us. Although it was written before the beginning of time, it has been unread by us, until now. We wait with great anticipation to hear what God will do next through her.

With each new step Beka and Anna take, steps that draw them closer to realizing their dream of building Wongani's Hope, those of us who are watching are filled with tremendous awe over their willingness to allow God to lead them. The rewards for their faithfulness have been great, as is evident in the little boy Beka now has by her side. Although it's not yet built, the toddler house already bears his name. That's enough to tell me that it won't be long before other children are given the same hope Wongani has received.

Beka and Anna have been very busy making preparations, but there is a lot of work left to be done. The next post will reveal to you what the women have accomplished to date and give you a glimpse of the speed with which it is happening. As hinted before, it involves chickens, cows (and a yard sale!) that are intended to help support them and fund their dreams.

If your heart is telling you that Wongani's Hope is worthy of your support, please consider making a donation. The amount isn't important because God has already proven His promise to increase the gifts that have already been given. Beka and Anna will be eternally grateful for whatever you are able to do for them. All donations can be securely made through Mabton Grace Brethren Church (see RH side of page for the address and instructions), with the promise that every dime will go towards this worthy cause.

Beka and Anna especially covet your prayers. Please keep them lifted up to the One who is leading them to bring about His will and purpose - for His honor and glory.

Until next time...

In Christ's Service, and grateful to be there,

Karen

Riot Update

2011-10-14T16:57:00.002-06:00

Because of the unrest Beka experienced as she reentered Malawi, I feel it is important that we are kept apprised of the political, social, and economical conditions currently being played out there. However, my intention in giving this to you is not to cause fear for Beka's well-being, but to encourage you to always be in prayer for her, Wongani, and Anna.

The LORD is proving to us through these two wonderful women that He has plans for the people of Malawi. He has removed every obstacle to insure that Beka and Anna are fulfilling them and we must trust Him to protect them. After all, time and time again He has demonstrated to us that He is. We must hold onto our faith that He will continue to jealously guard them until His work is done (Jer. 29: 11-12; John 14:27)

Although I keep searching for updates on the political unrest that developed in Malawi and what may be now occurring, the news is sparse and unreported in the Western media. Undaunted, I have been able to glean tidbits through African news sources, United Nations sponsored media, the BBC, and, unfortunately, The Huffington Post, of all places.

Malawi Agriculture

One of the most recent articles I found reported that there has been a dramatic decrease in Malawi's Farm Input Subsidy Programme (FISP). President Mutharika introduced the FISP in 2005 to assist "smallholder farms" through a season of severe drought. More than 80% of the population earn a living from subsistence farming and the cutbacks on subsidized maize seed and fertilizer has greatly affected their livelihood. Beka has indicated that fertilizer is extremely expensive to purchase and has prevented many Malawians from improving their lives by growing their own food. As the growing season approaches and the people prepare their land, the threat of not having the fertilizer necessary to feed their crops looms over their heads. Foreign aid has decreased dramatically over Mutharika's obstinate behavior and the poverty ridden nation's inability to provide income for its people.

Perhaps the most disturbing article I read was the announcement that the Mutharika administration welcomed the Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir to Malawi for a regional trade summit. The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) is comprised of 19 member states. Their agenda is to "form a single 26-nation free trade blog stretching from Cape Town to Cairo, by joining with the East African Community and the Southern African Development Community" and have given themselves three years to remove tariffs on trade.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued warrants for al-Bashir's arrest for war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Darfur region of Sudan. It has been estimated that almost 500,000 people have died from the violence that has permeated that region for decades, either directly from war and ethnic cleansing, or the result of starvation and disease - all under the direct orders of the Sudanese President.

The ICC relies upon its members that signed the UN statute which established it to bring war criminals like al-Bashir to justice. Malawi is a member. However, Mutharika "has complained the court targets Africans" and that Malawi's allegiance lies with the African Union, rather than the ICC. This suggests that the Malawi President is making moves to align himself with dangerous factions, further threatening what little peace and prosperity the people of Malawi enjoy, and has raised the ire of the international community.

Eight Malawi civil organizations have petitioned the ICC for an investigation into the police action against demonstrators that took place on July 20th. Although the number of dead is still in question, the fact remains that the police "arbitrarily" opened fire upon its citizenry, which is in direct violation of Section 16 of Malawi's constitution. There have also been accusations made by the organizers of the demonstration that they are being targeted for further reprisal by the Commander in Chief of the Malawi Police and the Democratic Progressive Party youth militia. These threats have forced the protesters "to hide in fear of their lives."

The world is becoming an increasingly unstable place. What has been dubbed "The Arab Spring" has done nothing more than disrupt what little stability the nations involved have enjoyed. In spite of dictators with absolute control running these Muslim nations, they did at least have a certain amount of diplomatic relationships with the Western nations and were able to rein in the most fanatical of their groups. However, at this point in time, peace has not been reestablished in these nations, it is uncertain what form of rule will take their place, and it could be worse than what they originally had.

The people of Malawi covet your prayers. They fear that what has happened in other nations may come to their nation. As Beka has said, they are a peaceful people looking for a way to better their lives. With Mutharika making moves to align himself with a genocidal criminal is not good news for Malawians. Only time will tell why their President has welcomed this man and the violence that follows him into their nation.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

As promised, the next post will be on Beka's journey to bring Wongani back home with her. You will see the dramatic changes that have taken place and how a once sad and hopeless little boy is given the love he so desperately wants and needs. There is no doubt that God has placed Wongani where He wants him to be.

And don't forget about the chickens and the cows! They play a pretty special role in building Wongani's Hope, too!

Until next time...

May the LORD continue to bless you all!

Beka's Story: Part 4: Titus

2011-10-06T13:20:00.003-06:00

Lilongwe Airport

When Beka completed her 28-hour flight across the Atlantic Ocean and landed in Lilongwe in early June, her plans were like those of her previous trips. Total travel time usually amounts to almost 40 hours between her flight and road travel to her final destination. But as Beka has expressed, every moment of the long trip is worth it. She was anxious to rejoin Anna and get back to work on their plans for the toddler house. This time, however, she would stop for a short visit at the Ministry of Hope's (MOH) Crisis Nursery in Lilongwe, rather than continue on to the Nursery in Mzuzu.

It wasn't uncommon for Beka to stay in Lilongwe. During her other visits, she balanced her time spent in Malawi between the two Nurseries. However, on this trip, her stay would be a little longer, and it wouldn't be by choice. She would contract malaria there just one week after arriving in Malawi.

Beka's Trials Continue

Beka's first experience with malaria would take its toll. The symptoms of the disease are similar to that of the flu: fever, muscle pain, nausea, fatigue, headache and chills. Treatment also varies. According to the Center for Disease Prevention, "no one drug acts on all stages of the disease, and different species of parasites show different responses." The first treatment for Beka's illness, which involved a modern pharmaceutical drug, was unsuccessful, so she was put on a quinine regimen. Quinine has been used since the 17th century to combat the parasite. Although it's an old method of treating malaria, it's still used when modern drugs fail. But Beka said that the quinine treatment was very unpleasant and added to her discomfort. For two and a half weeks, Beka remained very ill and under the close scrutiny of her friends and physician.

It wasn't long before Beka once again felt the call to continue on with her mission. Most likely against the advice of everyone who surrounded her in Lilongwe, she boarded a bus and endured a 9-hour drive to the Mzuzu Nursery. Once there, she stayed for one and a half weeks with friends, Augustine and Taonga and their baby daughter, Olivia. Although she had not fully recovered and was still feeling unwell, Beka decided to join Anna, who was on holiday at her home village, Chololo, and stay the remainder of her two-week sabbatical. But only six days after completing her treatment for malaria, Beka decided to leave Chololo and return alone to Mzuzu.

Still weak from the effects of malaria but determined to reach her destination in spite of no transportation being available, Beka began walking the long distance toward the city. After covering 20 kilometers (about 12-1/2 miles) and exhausted from the long walk, she reached Bwengu, a village in northern Malawi. She was able to catch a mini-bus from there that would have usually taken her to the bus depot in Mzuzu where a friend would pick her up and take her to the Nursery. But this time, the mini-bus driver wouldn't be so willing and he had good reason not to be.

Political Unrest


Pres. Mutharika and Riots

On July 20th, frustration over Malawi's President Bingu wa Mutharika began to boil over into the streets of its major cities. A peaceful demonstration had been planned by many civil groups to address the rising fuel prices, the shortage of foreign exchange reserves, and also the accusations of bad governance and poor international relationships. Both the United States and Britain had recently withdrawn critical aid over diplomatic spats and accusations that Malawi was violating human rights. With over 75 percent of the population living on less than $1.00 per day, emotions and anger were running high.

The protesters believed that President Mutharika was becoming more of a dictator than a democratically elected official. Because the nation had enjoyed freedom of speech, they felt empowered to peacefully express their grievances. However, Mutharika passed the blame from himself and squarely onto the British government's aid policies and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) "for Malawi's failure to stabilize its economy since [its] independence in 1964." The IMF had previously counseled Malawi to devalue its currency in order to attract more foreign investors and reduce the cost of goods bought and sold in Malawi. Mutharika insists that Malawi can do better through foreign aid and wants to keep Malawi's currency in their own banks, instead of foreign institutions.

The final straw on the proverbial camel's back further aggravated Malawi's financial and social woes. In 2010, Mutharika purchased a luxurious Presidential jet that cost the people of the poverty-ridden nation $13.6 million. This incident is what compelled the British to withdraw aid, and it also infuriated Mutharika's opposition. One critic, Billy Banda, executive director of the "political and economic watchdog, Malawi Watch," expressed his frustration:

“Against this backdrop, our president has a tax-payer-sponsored jet, a hefty salary, a salaried wife and listens to no one. Even his own cabinet can’t advise him on anything contrary, even if heavily criticized."

As the organizers of the planned protest gathered, so did those who were supporters of the Mutharika presidency. And when two opposing forces come together, trouble is not far from rearing its ugly head, especially when one party is more militant than the other. When Mutharika learned of the protests that would be taking place, he ordered an injunction that declared them illegal and stationed police forces around the two cities. He eventually ordered the Malawi army into the fray to reestablish order.

Although the organizers had planned a peaceful demonstration, Mutharika's heavy hand caused it to become violent with drastic results.

Riots and An Unlikely Escort

As Beka boarded the mini-bus that would take her to Mzuzu, she was fully aware that protests had been planned for that day. What she didn't know was that the protest had turned violent. The bus driver stopped in Luwinga, 10 kilometers (6 miles) outside the city of Mzuzu, refusing to go any further. Beka got off the bus, not knowing what her next step would be.

"I was alone and I had no idea what to do. It was too dangerous to walk through the city, which is the only way that I knew to get where I was going. I started heading that way, anyway, but everyone was telling me that I shouldn’t go there - it was dangerous and people were being violent. I could hear gunshots about every 30 seconds," Beka recalled.

Gathering her resolve and determination to get back to Mzuzu, Beka nervously struck out alone toward the violence that had erupted there. As she left Luwinga, people continued to attempt to stop her and warn that it was unsafe, asking her to turn around. More than likely, she considered their warnings, causing her thoughts to be consumed with how she would make it back to the Nursery. She knew there would be a chance she would be caught up in what many were saying was a bad situation. But Beka continued on, praying that God would get her to her destination without incident.

As she walked away from the safety of Luwinga, a man who was also on the road saw her making her way toward the troubled city and approached her. He offered to escort her the rest of the way. Introducing himself as Titus, he told Beka that he knew of a back way around the location of the riots, he knew where the Nursery was, and that he would protect her until she reached it.

One can only imagine the thoughts that may have rushed through Beka's mind at that moment. Should she trust a total stranger who was willing to take her into the midst of the rioting? Did he have other motives for making the offer, motives that may have threatened her well-being? If she did have these thoughts, they were quickly removed as she handed over her luggage to him. Maybe his face and the light in his eyes revealed his true nature, or perhaps she knew the meaning of his name that compelled her to trust him. I haven't asked Beka why she did, but I have learned that the name "Titus" means "honorable." Beka was now no longer alone and apparently with someone she could trust.

As Beka and Titus quickly walked for two hours and moved closer to her destination, she learned a little about him. He worked for the fire brigade and Beka felt comforted that "it was his job to help people." There must have been a point in their conversation when she asked him how he had ended up where they met. After all, their destination was a good distance from his home and his willingness to make the journey had overwhelmed her.

"He said that he was at home washing clothes and he didn’t know what made him leave his house. He told me that he believed that it was the Holy Spirit leading him to help me."

Beka had to completely agree, and so do I. When one considers that a complete stranger, who was minding his own business amidst the turmoil in the city and tending to his daily chores, found himself with a strong desire to go out on the road and look for someone he had never met and help them - and to actually DO it - leaves me in utter awe of our all-omniscient God. Without a shred of doubt, the road God paved for Titus was intended to intersect with Beka's. Titus was a willing servant who was so acutely tuned into the Holy Spirit's urgings that he obediently set his own chores aside to perform one of more importance for the LORD - even if he didn't know what it might be.

Once Beka and Titus made it to the city's edge, he led her around its outskirts and through back streets which enabled them to avoid the trouble that was escalating. Gunshots continued to ring out in the distance and the air was thick with fear. When they got far enough into the city that she was familiar with her surroundings, Beka expressed her gratitude and told him that she would walk the rest of the way by herself. But Titus insisted that he take her to the Crisis Nursery's doorstep. When they finally reached the gate to the Nursery's grounds, Beka offered to give him some money for his extraordinary efforts.

"He told me that he couldn’t accept anything and that I shouldn’t even be thanking him. He said that I was his sister and it was his duty to help me. I don’t know what would’ve happened to me without his help. The Lord truly does watch over and protect us at all times!"

With Beka safe and secure inside the confines of the Crisis Nursery, Titus turned back the way they had come, disappearing behind the walls of the troubled city.

"I will never forget that day or the way that God so obviously protected me," Beka said.

When I asked Beka if she has ever seen Titus again, this is what she told me:

"I haven’t met with Titus since the riots on the 20th of July, nor have I heard from him. I have been so busy, so I actually haven’t called him, but I have sent him several text messages without any response. I hope to meet with him again someday. I will try to call him soon and see if we can meet. I was thinking that I would like to take him out to lunch or something as a thank you."

Needless to say, it caused many of us to wonder about Titus and our imaginations brought us to wonderful conclusions. Was he merely a good Samaritan willing to help Beka in a desperate situation, or was he a divinely placed angelic servant? However, we know the answer to that question because Beka recently had another encounter with Titus during an errand she had to perform in town. As she describes it, she simply "ran into him" and that he was doing well. They chatted for a few minutes, then Beka agreed to visit him when she has a free moment.

These two brief encounters, however, do cause me to wonder if their first meeting was the extent of God's purpose for Titus. Or does He have future plans for him and Wongani's Hope, as well? There is no such thing as "chance encounters," and their second meeting may have had as much significance as the first. Only time will tell. But, one thing I am certain of is that God had foreknown Beka's need at that point in her journey, and He made sure that the man He named "honorable" would be there to meet her needs.

Outcomes - Tragic and Unreported

When I learned of the rioting in Mzuzu and Lilongwe, I immediately went to the web looking for news articles. There was a very brief mention of it on FoxNews, but the truth was not being told in its entirety. I had to search a great deal to find details, mostly gleaned from foreign news sources, and put the pieces of the puzzle together myself. After speaking with Beka about it and learning what did happen, I promised to make sure that this post included the truth.

What media coverage that was available reported that only one person had died and 45 had been injured in Mzuzu. The truth of the matter is that in Mzuzu alone, 25 people had died as a result of the rioting when police forces opened fire upon them, not counting any deaths that may have occurred in Lilongwe. This was glaringly contrary to the government's statement that only 18 people had died in the entire country. Government buildings were torched, as well as radio stations. Mithurika ordered a complete media blackout on the riots, although some were able to snap photos and quickly get them posted online. Banks shut down and businesses were looted. The people living in these cities hid behind closed doors, fearful that the riots would escalate as they recently have in other nations.

Beka has been in Malawi long enough to gain a sense of the political unrest that's building there. In a recent reply to a query I sent her regarding the riots, she wrote:

"If he [Mutharika] had just let the people demonstrate everything would have been fine. Malawian people are gentle and peaceful by nature. People are very unhappy with Bingu. He is becoming more of a dictator than a President these days. He has the majority under his party in Parliament which means that anything that he wants to happen he can make happen. Because of his poor decisions, fuel is scarce throughout the country (people wait in line for more than 24 hours sometimes for not even a full tank), it is nearly impossible to find foreign currency for those leaving the country, freedom of speech has been taken away, and now foreign aid is also being taken away, among many other problems."

Ministry of Hope (MOH) recently created a blog for its Malawian employees to write from their perspective about the wonderful things being done there. But the most recent post gives a glimpse into the tension and fear that many Malawians are experiencing. It is entitled, "We are Safe!" A "vigil" was planned by the organizers of the first demonstration for the 21st of September with the intent to continue to renounce Mutharika's administration. The writer of the blog post describes the wide range of emotions and the current state of Malawi. I would urge everyone to visit the blog and leave a word of encouragement. They need to know that we are praying for them.

I would be a liar if I told you that for a moment I didn't fear for Beka's, Anna's, and Wongani's safety. When I learned of the truth behind the severity of the riots, I instantly felt drawn to pray for them. But it only took once for the LORD to quell all my concern and restore me to peace.

God continues to replay in my mind and heart Beka's experience in meeting another of His servants, Titus. That's one story I, along with Beka, will never forget. He reminds me of all that He's done for her so far, and it further cements my belief that He has bigger plans that need to be completed. Nothing will get in His way. He has proven that time and time again, and He will continue to prove it, regardless of my little faith.

LORD, You are good...You are good ALL of the time. Beka knows that because she is living it.

~~~~~~

We are finally caught up to Beka's recent return to Malawi. Next time, you will hear about how she traveled to the village of Jumbo to search for Wongani and how she was able to bring him home with her. Once I fully catch you up to what has proven to be divinely inspired, you'll also learn of the things she and Anna are doing to make Wongani's Hope a reality. It involves chickens and cows and the role they will play in building Beka's and Anna's dream.

Thank you for coming back to read Beka's wonderful story. And a BIG thank you from Beka for the support she is receiving from Mabton Grace Brethren Church and others. As she has expressed many times, without it there would be no Wongani's Hope. She is truly grateful for all that you have done.

I hope you return!

(Just a quick note for those who are unfamiliar with blogs and the photos that are posted. To enlarge them, simply click in the photo and another page will open where you can easily view them. It makes it easier to see the images within the collages. Also, any words that are highlighted in a different color have been linked to separate web pages I have provided for educational or additional information purposes. Feel free to visit them.)

In Christ,

Karen

Beka's Story: Part 3: A Divine Partnership

2011-09-28T12:12:00.003-06:00


(For better viewing, click on all photos in this post to enlarge.)

As Beka returned home following her third mission trip to Malawi in 2010, the time spent traveling the great distance was filled with thoughts of her previous trips and the people she had met and the events that had transpired there. It was during that long plane ride back home that Beka began to understand the direction God was leading her. All of the where, how, and what questions were being clearly and quickly answered and, as was revealed in the previous post, obstacles that threatened to discourage or stop her were being cleared from the path He had paved for Beka.

But Beka would not have to accomplish everything on her own. God placed a very special person before her that would also give her heart to the plans He had for Malawi.

Anna

During Beka's first trip to Malawi, she met Anna Kamanga who worked as a nurse at the Ministry of Hope (MOH) orphanage. She and Beka quickly became friends and began sharing with each other their stories, hopes, and dreams. What neither of them knew at the onset of their friendship was that God had also directed Anna's path to intersect with Beka's. She would play a vital role in His plans for the children she and Beka both loved.

Anna Kamanga

Anna, a native of Malawi, had been married for more than twenty years to the same man and had three biological children with him - twins, Hazel and Humphries, now twenty years old, and Keith, who is eighteen. She also adopted Chifuniro at the MOH orphanage, and he is now five years old. However, approximately one and a half years ago, Anna's husband chose to end their marriage because he had "found a new woman." Eventually, he forced Anna and the children to leave their home in Mzuzu. She moved to Lilongwe where she stayed until Beka's recent return.

Following each successive trip to Malawi, Beka and Anna continued to communicate through emails. As time went on, their mutual plans began to take root and grow until, during Beka's third trip, a dramatic decision was made between the two of them.

Both women held the same desire to solve the problem the babies in Malawi found themselves back in when MOH could no longer keep them. As has been mentioned before, MOH only provides a safety net for children from infancy to two years old. After that, they are thrust back into the poverty and the poor living conditions into which they were born. Because of this, one in eight children under the age of five are dying, and the main cause, malnutrition, contributes to approximately half of all child deaths.

During the presentation Beka gave in May of this year at Mabton Grace Brethren Church, she explained that not only were the babies lives threatened, but also the well-being of their older siblings who had beaten the odds. Although a primary education in Malawi is compulsory and free, according to the link that's been provided, in 1995 only 34% of the children in public schools reached the fifth grade. Because of the poor quality of their living standards, parents pull the older children (six years and older) out of school to tend to their younger siblings. Beka recalled five and six year old children with babies strapped to their backs during the entire time their parents were working.

United In a Common Goal

Anna in her home village of Chololo

During each trip, Beka was witnessing these things, and Anna had lived her entire life among them. Both of them were being compelled to try and help solve the crisis that the children of Malawi were suffering through. With two willing hearts, Beka and Anna began to devise a plan that would offer a solution, one that would continue to provide the children with nurturing and care beyond MOH's two-year age limit. Beka explains:

"Through this experience (and many stories similar to this since then), God put an idea on my mind and heart which is what I am working on now along with some of my Malawian friends. We are working on opening a toddler house, which will be a place for the babies to go once they leave the nursery. We won’t take all of the babies from the nursery, but only those whose families do not want to take care of them and also won’t allow fostering and adoption. We will start with children 2 to 5 years and then, depending on funding and space, we would like to expand the age even more, depending on the needs of the families and children."

Anna's home village, Chololo.

It is Beka's and Anna's desire to assist the toddlers to the age of five because, once they are in school, they are at least receiving one meal a day and a modicum of attention. The toddler house would help insure their survival up to that point and also give the children greater hope for a brighter future. By limiting the house to children whose parents are unwilling to place them in a foster parent home or adopt them out also guarantees they would continue to receive quality care, in spite of their parents unwillingness to accept the alternative.

While Beka was in Malawi in 2010, she and Anna began looking for land. Neither woman had the means to do it alone, much less together, but with much prayer and a strong mutual faith that God was guiding them in this, they started looking, anyway. Some people would call them foolish dreamers. Two women with hardly two nickles to rub together wanting to purchase land in Africa, of all places, build a refuge for children, and expecting to succeed? It would be natural to think they had their heads in the clouds. But none of what they were wanting to accomplish was "natural." It was all supernatural and divinely inspired. Their plans were being orchestrated by a Force greater than man and his ability to see it completed. However, while Beka was in Malawi, she and Anna would have to wait a little while to reach that milestone:

"We had been searching for land during my third trip but never found the right place (plus buying land can be tricky and usually takes a long time)," Beka explained.

It wasn't until Beka had returned home to Benton City just a few months later that Anna discovered the "right place" God intended for the project and further blessed their efforts with the right price and a quick sale.

"Anna emailed me that she had found land and sent me pictures. We prayed about it and decided that we should go ahead and buy it. We don't know the exact measurements, but it is close to 3 acres and we purchased the land for about $1000." (Beka recently told me that a surveyor they hired determined it is approximately 3 and 1/2 acres.)

The decision to allow Anna to make the arrangements to purchase the property was based upon Beka being a foreigner. It was also a very wise decision. According to Beka, if she had initiated the transaction, the purchase price would have been considerably more because she would have been viewed by the owner as a "wealthy American." Anna and Beka were able to secure the small amount of money through donations made by others and, with deed in hand, Wongani's Hope was moving closer to becoming a reality.

Trust

Many would question Beka's judgment in trusting someone she had only known for a short time. Their concern would be legitimate, especially knowing that Beka is so far from home and the help of her family and friends, if she needed it. But Beka's trust is in her God, and in Him alone. She knows beyond any doubt that Anna, the woman she has grown to know and love, also has a deep and abiding faith in Him. When that knowledge is evident, what is there not to trust? After all, He brought them together with a common love and a common compassion for a common purpose. It's as if their hearts are entwined and beating in unison with the LORD'S. And both Anna and Beka have proven they are willing to yield to His gentle hand as He guides them in bringing about His purpose for uniting them.

Beka recently confirmed her trust in Anna in a reply to a message I sent her asking if Anna was a partner in her work:

"Anna is definitely a partner in the plans for the toddler house. We make all decisions together. We sit down and discuss different ideas, talk things through, pray, and then move forward with whatever we agree on. She is amazing and I trust her wholeheartedly."

In order to focus all of her attention and energy on the project, at the end of July and after more than five years employment, Anna resigned from her nursing position at MOH. She is now happily back in Mzuzu where she and Beka share a house with their two children and work together on the plans for Wongani's Hope toddler house.

Beka and Anna are partners with each other but, more importantly, they are partners with God. When a decision needs to be made, they ask Him and, so far, He hasn't failed to provide them with the answers they need. A friend of Beka's, Augustine Harawa, an administrative assistant at the Mzuzu Crisis Nursery, has also provided valuable information to help them succeed. Considering that the partnership was built and is being led by the LORD, what more is required?

With the land purchase completed and much-needed financial support secured, in June of this year Beka once again found herself leaving Benton City behind and traveling halfway around the world. This time as the plane crossed the Atlantic, Beka's thoughts were more focused and specific. A small piece of land that will require a great deal of work and two very special people waited for her return to Malawi. Wongani, a hungry and sad little boy in need of love and attention, and Anna, a trusted friend and partner who also is willing to give all of herself to a shared dream, would meet her there, once again.

Beka's mission had finally begun in earnest.

~~~~~~

I'm getting closer to catching everyone up to recent developments with Beka's and Anna's dreams of building Wongani's Hope. But, I hope I haven't bounced the time line around so much that you are confused. Trying to tell Beka's story with what she can provide me in the limited time she has to spend on it has been a challenge. However, it's far from the end of the story!

As you will see in the next segment, Beka's recent return to Malawi will fill you with more amazement over God's divine intervention. Another trial comes her way, once again threatening her mission. However, to insure that His plans are fulfilled, God placed others in critical locations on the road back into Mzuzu.

Come back next time and read about one such man Beka met. His name was "Titus" and his role will astound you and remove any doubt you may have had that the LORD has preplanned every step Beka is taking.

Until next time!

In Christ,

Karen

Beka's Story - Part 2: Trials and Pitfalls

2011-09-20T15:13:00.003-06:00

There will always be trials that are thrown in the paths of those who choose to faithfully follow after God. If our faith is strong enough, when they are we will know and accept that they are placed there for purposes unknown to us at the time. Sometimes they are intended to test us. Other times, they are means to further strengthen our faith in Him, to draw us nearer so that there is never any question or doubt what His intended purpose entails. We just trust Him when we are faced with challenges that threaten to discourage us. And when they end, our belief in a all-merciful God is magnified.

Beka has met many trials during her back and forth trips to Malawi. She has suffered twice from Malaria. She came home once with Dengue Fever , a debilitating virus which is also transmitted by mosquitoes. Beka has been stung by scorpions and attacked by fire ants. When others hear Beka recall these things, their natural reaction is to question her decision to return. But if you understand her love for the LORD and her willingness to yield to His call, that question is never asked, even when she is presented with what could be considered the worst trial she could ever face.

After another three-month trip to Malawi where she continued to work in the Ministry of Hope (MOH) orphanage, Beka found herself back in Benton City, WA and half a world away from Malawi. She had originally planned on returning there in March of this year. However, this time her stay in Benton City would be longer than she had hoped for and would bring challenges that would forever threaten her return to Malawi and the child she had grown to love, Wongani.

Because Beka relied solely upon her income as a nanny to secure her return trip, she quickly discovered that caring for one baby wasn't enough. Beka began to pray for a second family to work for. The additional income would secure her an extended stay in Malawi. But she discovered that she wouldn't have to wait long for her prayers to be answered:

"A family that I had never met contacted me and asked me to take care of their 5 ½ month old twins. They were both teachers, which would mean that I couldn’t leave for Malawi until June. I prayed about it and decided that it was the right job, though I was very disappointed about delaying my trip."

But there was a good reason why God delayed Beka's fourth trip to Malawi. During her third trip, a doctor working at a mobile clinic in Malawi noticed a mole on Beka's neck and advised her to have it looked at when she got back home. In March, Beka took the advice of the doctor and made that appointment. The results were devastating and something no one wanted to hear, especially someone whose life had just begun:

"I found out that I had cancer - a Stage Two Malignant Melanoma on the right side of my neck. Because of the depth and growth rate, the doctors were worried that it had spread. They also told me that if it had spread there was nothing that could be done. There is no effective treatment for melanoma once it metastases—only a survival rate of 12%. Everything happened so suddenly and I was scared."

As is so often the case, those who discover they have cancer usually have to wait for days, if not weeks, before treatment begins. But God had plans for Beka that didn't include waiting on man's scheduling, and it appears that He placed her in the right doctors' hands:

"My case was marked as urgent and I was rushed in for surgery just one week after finding out that I had cancer. They also removed a lymph node to check if the cancer had spread. It was agony waiting, but I finally got the word that the cancer hadn’t spread and that the surgery was successful! Praise God!"

The natural reaction of any family would be to try and discourage their loved one from continuing to venture so far from home and the medical care and support she would need. Beka's family was no different. But Beka would not be deterred. The strength of her faith and trust compelled her to put God's plans above any fears she, or anyone else, may have had. "I think that a lot of people thought that the cancer would keep me away from Malawi, but it didn’t. I proceeded with my plans to return," she said.

It was in late May during a trip to our old hometown of Prosser, only 15 miles from Benton City, that my husband and I heard Beka's presentation at our home church, Mabton Grace Brethren. She was seeking support for her next trip to Malawi and the church had graciously given her the time she needed to tell her story. As we watched the slide show and listened to this soft-spoken young woman express the needs of the people there, her plans, and how God had greatly worked in her life, our hearts were immediately moved. Not only did we commit to Beka's work, but eventually Mabton Grace Brethren also committed to supporting her mission. "I am so very grateful for all of the support--there is no way that I could stay for so long if it wasn't for everyone's support and prayers."

With God's guidance, Beka found the funds she needed to continue the mission He has begun.

On June 21, at the completion of the school year and her employment with the teachers, Beka boarded another plane bound for Malawi. Although her doctors instructed her to have three-month checkups to insure the melanoma had not returned, Beka will be skipping one of them. Instead of fear keeping her home, she has chosen to believe that God has healed her completely because He has work for her to do in the place where she left pieces of her heart behind.

Beka is now back in Malawi with Wongani, and this time she will be there for six months.

~~~~~~

What will finally be revealed in the next post is God's intended purpose for Beka and the people of Malawi. Her latest journey back into Africa will promise to be one of amazement and awe over God's divine intervention as more trials are thrown her way. But the bigger picture is in the bounty of His mercy and His blessings that are poured out upon her and the people of Malawi that He aligned her with and who were awaiting her return.

My husband and I have been extremely blessed to be a small part in God's work, and we thank Him daily for crossing our paths with hers. After hearing so much of her story, it's our belief that the LORD will allow nothing to get in Beka's way of seeing His will fulfilled. As long as she has Him by her side, Wongani's Hope will become a reality.

I hope you will also pray about supporting Beka's mission so that you, too, can share in the excitement of watching it happen.

In Christ's and Beka's service,

Karen

Beka's Story - Part 1: Discovering God's Will

2011-09-14T13:04:00.000-06:00

Beka (R) and classmate

In the small eastern Washington town of Benton City, there is excitement in the air. The Class of 2007 is preparing to participate in the completion of twelve successful years of education and looking forward to the lives that await them outside their town's (and parents') confines. White caps and gowns adorn the graduates' young and fresh faces as they're handed the document that confirms their hard work. The band plays the school song as cheers from family and friends fill the air.

Following the ceremony, partyers gather in the backyards and homes in celebration and to hear the graduates' future plans. Some tell of scholarships and enrollment in universities. Others express more humble aspirations. But one thing they all have in common is the innocent certainty that the life they have planned for themselves will come to fulfillment, their dreams and desires reached and, at this point in their lives, nothing would get in their way.

Beka Feth's dream was no different than those of her classmates. She wanted to become a doctor and had been accepted at the University of Idaho. Like some of her friends, Beka anticipated going off to college and furthering her education. Because of her love for children, her road was paved with good intentions. But she quickly discovered that there was a different road that had been paved for her, and the direction it traveled wouldn't lead her to Moscow, Idaho. In fact, it would take Beka on a 9,600 mile journey that would forever change her plans and her life.

Beka's Journey Begins

Shortly after graduating from High School, and to prepare for her acceptance into the University of Idaho, Beka enrolled at Columbia Basin College in Pasco, WA, which was a half-hour drive from her hometown, and secured an Associate Degree. It was during that time that she first heard of the tiny nation of Malawi, Africa, and it was then that her heart was being tugged to go there.

"I heard the name Malawi and immediately felt as though that was where I was supposed to go, even though I had never heard of it before," Beka recalled. "I had always had a desire to go to Africa and volunteer in an orphanage, but I didn't think it was possible for just anyone to do it, and I also didn't know which country. Anyway, I started telling people that I was going to Malawi in the summer of 2008. At that time, I had no idea which organization I would go with or how I would get there, but I knew that I was going."

God quickly began opening doors for Beka. She learned that an uncle, who is a pastor in northern New York and whose church supported several mission projects there, had applied for and received a grant to take a 10-week sabbatical to the country with his family. Seizing upon the opportunity, Beka asked him if she could tag along, hoping that this was the answer to the "how" and "where" questions that plagued her. As Beka explained, "He then told me that if I paid my own way I could stay with them in Malawi and participate in the different programs that they were involved with. I was so amazed and thankful for the opportunity." With the help of family and friends, Beka secured the money she needed to make her first trip to Africa.

When Beka arrived in Malawi, she fell in love with the nation and its people. Her six-week stay would be spent mostly at the Ministry of Hope Crisis Nursery, a 15-minute walk from where she and her uncle's family were staying in Mzuzu. Beka had learned of the nursery through missionaries who were serving in Malawi and spent every free moment she had "taking care of the babies and chatting with the nannies." When it came time to leave, Beka left a piece of her heart behind, knowing that Malawi was where God wanted her to be.

Upon returning home to Benton City, all Beka could think about was getting back to Malawi and the children she had met there. After only five short months, she was invited back by a missionary couple she had met during her first trip. Their offer included a place to stay and a volunteer position at the nursery alongside them. Naturally, her family and friends were concerned and expressed it, but Beka would not be deterred.

Beka worked as a nanny at home and saved the money she made to buy her return ticket. Although she never asked for monetary help, a few people were moved to donate more to help her get there. When she had what she needed, Beka returned to Mzuzu and spent another six weeks at the Crisis Nursery, tending to and caring for the needs of the children she had grown to love.

"It was such an amazing trip! If I thought that my first trip was life changing, it was nothing compared to the second. The second trip was when my eyes were opened to other needs concerning the babies from the Crisis Nursery," Beka told me.

It would be during this second trip that God would reveal answers to the "why" and "what" questions Beka had and the "true path" He was guiding her towards.

God Reveals His Purpose

When Beka arrived for her second six-week stay at the Crisis Nursery, she began to establish relationships with the staff, offering her help in any capacity that would assist them in running the nursery. But because of her love for children, most of her attention was drawn to them. Ministry of Hope Crisis Nursery (MOH) was established to tend to the needs of infants from birth to two-years old. Because of the extreme poverty and poor health conditions that plagues Malawi, many of these children are neglected and malnourished and their chances for survival beyond birth are slim. The nursery provides a clean, safe, and wholesome environment where the babies are given a better chance of survival. However, the policy of MOH is to return the children to their families at the age of two and the results are usually devastating. The children are handed back into poverty and a lack of care and any progress made towards their development was wasted. One such case caught Beka's attention.

Prior to Beka's return to the Crisis Nursery, among the babies and toddlers was a little boy named Wongani who had been placed there after his mother died shortly after giving birth to him. Because of the nurturing he had received at MOH during the first 14-months of his life, he had become a "healthy, happy, and thriving little boy," so he was sent back home to live with his alcohol-addicted father and his eight other siblings. Beka describes the conditions MOH found during a visit just a short time after his return home:

"Just four months later when the staff went to check on Wongani, they were shocked at what they found. He was so weak from malnourishment that he could no longer walk, he had stopped talking, he was afraid of everything (as though he was being abused in some way), and his 10 year old sister had been pulled out of school to take care of him during the day because she was the eldest girl."

Because Wongani had not yet reached the age of two and a space was available at MOH, he was returned there. It's at this juncture that Beka arrived for her second stay and Wongani became her primary focus.

"We had an immediate connection and I spent every day working with him. Because he was the oldest baby by far at the nursery, I decided that he should get outside and go for walks. The first few times that I took him out he screamed, cried, and wouldn’t walk on his own (because he was so afraid, I had to carry him). I was persistent though, and continued taking him out each day. Little by little he became brave and would walk holding my hand. By the end of my 6 weeks stay, he would grab my hand, get his shoes, and take me to the door for walks. He also started speaking again, both Tumbuka and English."

It is apparent that MOH had deep concerns about Wongani's survivability if he was returned to his father. They approached him about the possibility of adoption, to which he initially agreed. However, Beka explains that "at the last minute, he changed his mind and said that someone could adopt Wongani only if they paid money for him (bought him)."

The most heart-breaking part of Beka's short stay occurred on her last day there:

"Of course, that [selling babies] is illegal, so unfortunately on my last day in Malawi I had to take Wongani back to his family. It was by far the hardest thing that I’ve ever done. The nursery staff checked up on him again a few months later, and again, things were not okay. Wongani had stopped talking again, was filthy, and sad. Unfortunately he was too old to be at the nursery."

As Beka left Malawi for the second time, another piece of her heart was left behind. What Beka didn't fully understand, however, was that God had set the stage for greater things to come. When He made Beka's and Wongani's paths cross, He also united their hearts for a common purpose, one that would forever change their lives and give hope to the lives of the other children of Malawi.

On her long plane ride back home to Benton City, WA, God began forming plans in Beka's heart and mind. He knew He had chosen the right servant because, like Isaiah, Beka was saying, "Here am I! Send me!", and her willingness to yield to His guidance overwhelmed anything she had planned after graduating from High School.

In the coming posts, you will learn of that plan and how God moved obstacles out of the way in order for it to be accomplished. There will be trials that force Beka to make life-changing choices, and illnesses and concern from family and friends that threatens to discourage her. But every step she takes has been divinely planned from before the beginning and the servant He chose will see it to its completion.

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Beka's story deserves to be told with as much accuracy and detail as I can possibly give it. Because the LORD is moving so quickly to see His will and purpose met with her and Wongani, each day I receive new information from Beka to write about. It's become a challenge, albeit a very welcome one, to get her story written and caught up to recent developments. So, I hope you will bear with me as I give it to you in small increments. There are exciting and encouraging things to tell you, some that can only be attributed to divine placement and intervention, and I wouldn't want you to miss one of them.

I hope you'll come back to share in Beka's journey.

In Christ,

Karen

Malawi: "The Warm Heart of Africa"

2011-09-08T10:41:00.000-06:00

Welcome to Beka's blog!

After what seemed to be a difficult task getting this blog up and running and the little snags that kept popping up (no thanks to Blogger!), it became apparent there was an urgency being pressed upon me to start it. This blog needed to become public so that we could introduce Beka and share with the world the LORD'S work she has taken on for Him in Malawi, Africa.

Things are happening quickly for Beka. So quickly, in fact, that any doubt that this is the LORD'S will for her has vanished and has been replaced with tremendous hope and excitement as we watch our prayers for her and Wongani answered. The speed with which God is moving has left many of us in awe, further cementing that He has a plan for Beka and for the people of Malawi.

Beka's journey has a story that needs to be told. How she first traveled to Malawi: her first experience there; the desire the LORD gave her to return; and what has transpired on her most recent six-month visit. But before I do that, I would like to introduce you to the nation He chose for her. By doing so, it will give you a deeper perspective into the demographics of Malawi (its history, the people, the geographic climate, culture, politics, and religion, etc.) - all challenges that Beka faces so far from home as she ministers to the children God has placed before her.

So, if you will be patient with me and wait for her wonderful testimony, let's first take a look at what is called "The Warm Heart of Africa."

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Geography

The Republic of Malawi is a land-locked nation in southeast Africa and is bordered by Zambia on the northwest, Tanzania on the northeast, and Mozambique on the east, south, and west. Over 45, 560 miles encompasses its area, and almost one-third of the tiny nation is covered by Africa's 3rd largest and the world's 7th largest natural lake, Lake Malawi, which is 365 miles long and 52 miles wide.

The Great Rift Valley

Zumba Mountain

The impressive Great Rift Valley runs through the country from north to south. In the Shire Highlands stand the Zomba and Mulanje mountain peaks, their elevations reaching 7,000 and 10,000 feet, respectively.

Mulanje Mountain

The current population is estimated at more than 13,900,000 people. Three major cities rest in Malawi: Lilongwe, the capital, Blantyre, its second largest city, and Mzuzu, the third largest and Beka's current residence.

Agriculture, which represents one-third of its GDP and 90% of its export revenues, is its most principal occupation, followed by sawmill products, cement, and consumer goods.

The climate varies, depending upon the location. The low lying areas in the south are hot and dry, but the climate in the upper elevations is temperate. Warm equatorial rains and thunderstorms occur between November and April. During the months of May to September, wet mists float down from the highlands onto the plateaus below.

History and Politics

Around the 10th century, the Bantu began emigrating from the north, joining the very small population of hunter-gatherers that lived there. By 1500, the Bantu, who had formed tribal communities based upon ancestry, formed a kingdom that remained until 1700. "Nyasaland" came under British rule during the 1800's until 1953 when a move was made by the Central African Federation (CAF) to join the nation with Northern and Southern Rhodesia. The Nyasaland African Congress, headed by its President, Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda (a European-trained doctor), opposed the union. In 1959, Banda was arrested by colonial authorities, then released in 1960. He helped draft Nyasaland's first constitution which granted Africans the majority in the colony's Legislative Counsel.

On July 6, 1964, Nyasaland broke free of British rule and renamed itself "Malawi." However, in 1970, Malawi became a single party state through Banda's party, the Malawi Congress Party. Banda declared himself "president for life" and ruled with an iron fist, making sure that no one opposed him, either politically or personally. In 1993, the people voted for a multi-party democracy, annulling the life-time presidency and rewriting its constitution. In 1994, the first multi-party elections were held, seating Bakili Muluzi who remained in power until 2004 when Dr. Bingu wa Mutharika was elected in his place.. Mutharika was reelected in 2009.

Flag of Malawi, Africa

The current political climate of Malawi has become less motivated by democracy and more dominated by greed. Mutharika recently used $20,000,000 of its $12.8 billion purchasing power to buy a private presidential jet. A nationwide fuel shortage ensued shortly thereafter and was blamed on the economy, but which has been blamed by some on the purchase of the jet. Also, in 2005, Mutharika established his own political party, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPA), fracturing ties with The United Democratic Front. By shifting parties, Mutharika gave himself the ability to remove those who were in opposition to him.

Malawi has been the recipient of international grants and monies, until recently. Britain cut off budgetary aid following the release of a document in which their Ambassador criticized Mutharika. The Ambassador was expelled and Britain froze its aid. On July 26, 2011, the United States also froze a $350 million grant citing human rights issues, restriction of the press, and police violence. Not to be deterred, Mutharika developed relationships with China, encouraging Chinese investment in the country and competition of Chinese business with struggling local companies.

In spite of the abject poverty that many of Malawi's citizens endure, Malawi is a member of the United Nations and some of its child agencies. It also enjoys membership in the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the African Development Bank. As a member in good standing, it causes one to wonder why allegations of excessive use of force by the police, harsh prison conditions, limits on free speech and the press, arbitrary arrests and detentions, violence against women, and human trafficking and child labor are brought against Malawi by many watch groups. These accusations compels one to wonder about the political aspirations of Malawi's President, Mutharika, and the direction the nation is heading.

Health and Human Resources

Probably the most destructive problem that Malawi faces is the spread of HIV/AIDS among its populace. As of 2007, it is estimated that 930,000 adults (11.9% of the population) are living with the disease, resulting in 68,000 deaths per year. A recent report put the number of infected adults at over 14%. Approximately 250 people are infected each day, and at least 70% of Malawi's hospital beds are occupied by HIV/AIDS patients. Infant mortality rates are extremely high and orphaned children scatter the countryside. The average life expectancy of a Malawian is 50.03 years. Superstition, a lack of education, and other reasons contribute to the problem of HIV/AIDS. When a government spends $120,000 each year on funerals for its civil servants who die of the disease, the problem should be viewed as epidemic.

Malawi Orphans

The most tragic victims of Malawi's HIV/AIDS crisis are infants and children. The disease is primarily transmitted by unprotected heterosexual sex. But the secondary and most heart-breaking mode of transmission is from mother-to-child. Approximately 83,000 pediatric infections were reported for 2005 alone. An unprecedented increase in secondary diseases, such as tuberculosis (which rose to 27,000 cases annually in recent years), and endemic malaria (which affects up to 4 million people annually, the majority of whom are women and children) has further exacerbated the situation.

The Southern region of Malawi, which is the most densely populated, is the most stricken by HIV/AIDS and has the highest prevalence rate among pregnant women (21.7 percent). Poverty, which limits access to medical care, an inefficient supply of drugs and other medical supplies and personnel, and a multitude of other reasons compounds the ability to effectively educate and treat those suffering with the disease. HIV/AIDS has also greatly impacted the economy and the challenges the government faces in attempting to establish a market economy to sustain itself.

Religion

According to a 2007 survey, 80% of the population are Christian, with the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of Central Africa, Presbyterian making up the majority, including smaller numbers of Anglicans, Baptists, Seventh Day Adventists, and evangelicals. Thirteen percent of the population is Muslim, most adhering to the Sunni sect and of the Qadriya or Sukkutu sub-groups. Although they have lived in relative peace with each other, recent news reports indicate that unrest is beginning to develop between the Christians and the Muslims. As the spread of Islam slowly creeps into central and southern Africa, any news of intolerance or persecution in Malawi shouldn't surprise us. To date, however, the government has been able to appease the Muslim community who may view Christians as their enemy and to suppress any serious situations.

Enter Beka Feth and a little boy named Wongani...

How does a vibrant, young girl, fresh out of High School with the world waiting at her finger tips, factor into all you have just read? That's a good question, in light of what is going on in Malawi, not to mention the rest of the world. But after coming to know Beka and watching her work in Malawi unfold, I know the answer to that question.

Before Beka was born, God had a plan for her. And He knew she would hear Him call her and faithfully follow after Him all the way to Malawi, Africa. It's there that she would find someone very special waiting for her to arrive, someone for whom God also had a plan. And between the two of them with the LORD by their side, prayers are being heard and miracles are starting to happen.

I sure hope you'll continue to come back. Next time, I want Beka to tell her story, and I think you would regret not reading it. It's a story of faith and trust; a story of hope, love, and compassion; a story of obedience and no second-guessing - straight from God's heart and into hers. I have been greatly blessed by it, and I know you will, too.

Malawi may bear the nickname "The Warm Heart of Africa," but Beka Feth's heart is on fire for the people there, as you will soon see.

In Christ's Service,

Karen