Day 4

Day 4 

In our wrap up at the end of Day 4, our wise leader noted that our day may be summed up as “15 hours of goodness.” This day was a long one and, we agreed, one of the most memorable days each of us has ever experienced in our respective lifetimes.

A theme we have discussed each night in our team debriefs of our time in Malawi is “light,” and this theme is perfectly applicable to outline our Day 4 experience. 

Ephesians 5:8: “For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light”

Here’s how we saw this verse lived out in our day: 

• We visited two preschools receiving support from the Opulence team, in part through COR’s global mission support,  to provide teacher training, educational training materials development training and community leadership training to build sustainable support for the schools over time. We were greeted at both schools with the most amazing energy of the children and staff: children with big smiles, hugs, fist bumps, and singing. We were greeted so enthusiastically it was overwhelming: from the moment our bus arrived, we heard singing and children’s greetings before we even disembarked. As we left each, the children continued to wave and sing to us until we were out of sight. We saw the light of Jesus in each of their faces and through the stories of changes in their lives and chances that are being built through their renewed opportunities to have access to higher quality education and skills building. 
• We visited a village that had received a drilled borehole that delivers fresh water for their whole community, funded through COR. Again, we heard singing before we even had parked the bus, and we were again overwhelmed by the joy of this village in this gift, shown through dancing, the enthusiastic welcome from the village chief and water committee, and a creative skit several ladies developed and presented. 
• We visited a village that has received solar light kits for homes with school age children. We visited after dark to see the impact of the lights installed in dozens of homes. We were met by the chief who thanked COR for the support for the light project, speaking to hundreds from the village who had gathered late in an evening to welcome us and engage in this ceremony. We were thrilled to enjoy more dancing, a play acted out by children on the impact of the lights to their academic  success, a masquerade show and an original poem led by a village leader on the impact of lights on their community. 

In sum, throughout the day, we witnessed our Malawi friends and evidence of our COR community living out the call to be light to the world and sharing love, gratitude and invitation to walk with them in thanks and praise to amplify this light in the world. 

John 8:12: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Here’s how we saw this lived out throughout this day:

• We saw the power of God’s love experienced through grace shown and received: Our team left the US with over 600 pounds of books packed into 13 suitcases that we presented to a library that is led by the Opulence team in the Dowa district. The staff of the library showed incredible gratitude through showering us with love and appreciation in return. We were overwhelmed with hundreds of children greeting us as we handed over the books. We were the ones truly blessed on this day. 
• We heard from 7 adults (out of dozens and dozens) who have completed vocational skills training through the Opulence-supported job training  program. The investment from COR and others is paying meaningful dividends for families, evidenced by the real life stories of the men and women we met who have moved from food and housing insecurity with little chance to improve their lives, who are able to now provide for their families through valuable work skills and are even growing this impact through their direct mentorship to peers. 

John 1:5: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

Here’s how we experienced this in action: 

• As our day was closing, our last stop was to a village that has many homes now equipped with solar lights due to COR’s generosity through Opulence. As we visited with families in their homes, we walked along dark pathways that took us to newly brightened entryways and homes where lights now cut the darkness as they are equipped with solar lights. The difference was striking. Safe access to light for cooking, reading and doing homework changed lives. The impact includes children now staying in, returning to and excelling in their studies. A member of our team described this as “8 hours of opportunity” added to each day.  

Other examples where we had the privilege of being the hands and feet of the Light and seeing our collective light in action in this part of the world: 

• Adults with new vocational skills who have an enlarged capacity to care for their families and to “think bigger” about how they can also now impact the world  
• Children are now learning from teachers with improved educational materials and training 
• Villages benefit from boreholes now making safe water accessible, improving village health, personal safety and reduced time spent in securing water every day 

This day undoubtedly holds memories we will continue to deeply cherish. We saw the call to be the Light of the world in action through our Malawi friends’ demonstration of

• Unabashed joy
• Overwhelming love
• Sincere gratitude 

The work of COR to give, build and invest in the lives and wellbeing of people across the globe is made tangible through what we experienced on this day. COR is sharing the love of Christ in big and real ways. We are so blessed to see it. 

As we wrapped the day, we reflected on the image of our Candelight Christmas Eve service, in which one candle is lit and shared, ultimately lighting the entire sanctuary through the sharing by individuals with others, who share with others, and so the light grows. We have seen firsthand how the gifts from COR made over time are continuing to show the Light and grow the community of those who live in the Light.