A Very Special Thank You the two Montessori Public Charter Schools in Antioch, Antioch Charter Academy I & II for this opportunity to train their teachers in Montessori Early Childhood Education.  It was a joyful experience!

Thank you all! It was intense & fun! Mb & Nancy sorting out the Constructive Triangles! Montessori Sensorial-Gotta love those Rhombi! Thank you Leigh for practicing with me too!

Thanks Sarah & Leigh for creating a new song! Everyone remember to sing, dance, play, create and share!

Jeannie & Michelle presenting on the role of the Montessori teacher!

Shauna is concentrating here! But I have seen her dramatic acting ability firsthand!

To the Big Cats-Cougars & Cheetahs –You made me proud!  Well done!

I hope you enjoy these pictures from the  Five Day Intensive Montessori Early Childhood Training in the foundations of Montessori education, teaching methodology, materials and lessons. These teachers worked really worked hard! Special thanks to my behind the scene team: Kim Yeager, Deb Doss, Nessirine Abdo, Joan Sexton (my mom), Cort and Christina (Tee) Wilcox, Lynn Merritt and my prayer team (No one sees you but you are the reason it rocked!). I appreciate you all for everything you provided me towards the success of this training! 

Kevin! Welcome to our Montessori World!

Angie! You were a great student & a great encouragement to me! Thank you!

A very special thank you to Debbie Hobin and Jeannie Dubitsky for this beautiful opportunity.  And Sam for videotaping the sessions!

Edna & Leigh! Where would we be without your mathematical minds!

Nancy! We threw you into this training & then we blindfolded you too! You are a brave soul! Thank you!

Lots of  sharing & shenanigans! Thanks Julie & Marianne!

 Jeannie at the Teenboard! Montessori Math

 More math! Kindergarten students introduced to the presentation tray – placevalue to the thousands!

 Annu pictures of you coming soon!

I would like to acknowledge my Malawian Teaching and Training Team for their inspiration and prayers!  They will conduct their own Leadership and Montessori Teacher Training without me this August 9^th-12^th. Please pray for them! I heard this said once by a leader in a leadership seminar and it resounded in my heart.“I am committed to a world where no one walks alone.”

May God continue to bring us together to make a difference for those in need. Love, Maribeth

We made $1509.00 for the children of Malawi in less than 7 hours, selling donated items at a garage sale.  I continue to have these garage sales because I get to see God show up and do what He does best – love people and deliver on the unexpected. Zikomo Yesu! Tata Goza!

Cleaning Up! Not much left! Yeah!

 

 

Some Highlights & Thank Yous

Iman, a 9 ½ year old neighbor, who gave me her savings and volunteered folding clothes + at our sale!

(It makes me cry over and over again, how many children approach me to offer their allowances, savings, toys and books for the children in Malawi. ~Zikomo Michelle, Christopher, Jouelle + many more!)

My mom putting pink garage sale signs up with me at 4 a.m. To our lunch deliver and money counter!

Gary, I did not run over your foot! (smile)

A sweet older man (80+) came back to our garage sale a second time on Saturday. I teased him and asked, “What did you find so irresistible that you had to come back for?” He replied, “You.” Now that guy is a keeper! I wonder if he has a son. (smile)

99% of life is showing up! (especially at 6 a.m.) Zikomo Laura & Patty! You guys encourage me soooo!

Best Organizer & Serious Mess Straightener award goes to Cindy D.

Most Enthusiastic award goes to Lynn M, who continues to win this award over and over again!

Most Energy and Can Do It in 1 Minute or Less Award- Deb D. No one will ever be more delightful! 

Best Salesperson- Betty V.  I was in the presence of the master!  

Sheila!  I know you love us! Thanks for the advertising!

Our generous neighborhood! To the Preserve!

Deb and Iman! We were too busy to take many pictures!

Prayers!

Thank you to all the people who prayed for us- too many to list! ( 2 Tee, always Annie, & Ann D!)

Donations!

Mike & Melissa- I think you got some of the stuff from Lance Armstrong! – Classy!

Diane & Mike- Thanks for the big items!

Mark & Angel- Great kids stuff

Charlotte- great fan + a whole lot more !

Janice- your past check!

Kim McV- you rock! Thank the boys for their videos!

Bob and Ann- To see your beautiful faces! Thanks for 4^th of July things!

Salwa & Friends!- prayers and donations

Joyce- beautiful art pieces

Kelly- more kids stuff

Kelsey- for donations & prayers

Truck Driver with great patience and style- Jim (Zikomo Janine for loaning him out!)

Thanks for the tables Brandon!

And a whole lot more people who helped in small and big ways! Zikomo to all!  Love, Maribeth

Maribeth and Tisu Mwanza, Director of School and Teacher Training Center

Tisu Mwanza, the Director of the Malawi Montessori Christian School and Teacher Training Center, has a habit of reminding me, “Don’t despite small beginnings. God is going to do great things.” And He has. Thank you all for your support these last five months as I was in Malawi. My role has changed from an individual missionary called to Malawi to start a school (2008)  to an Executive Director of  a Malawian Ministry (2010), that oversees two educational projects, one economic development project, and one adult Christian leadership project. We have 11 Malawian staff members as part of MWAY Ministries and a Malawian registered NGO- Zikomo Yesu Enterprises. What God has done is beautiful. The specific measurable results are a testamony to His grace and provision, but most importantly the relationships that have formed and leadership that has developed are inspiring and life giving! Below are His results from the first five months of 2010 and our goals. Peace and love to all! Thank you for investing in the future leaders of Malawi! God is multiplying your investment! Love, Maribeth

Big God-Big Game

His Accomplishments

First Five Months of 2010

Established Malawian NGO -Zikomo Yesu Enterprises

Established Malawian Ministry- Malawi Wa Yesu

Moved School & Teacher Train Center

Expansion of Africa ABC Project & School

Addition of Five New Malawian Staff Members

34 Teachers Trained -February Leadership & Montessori Formal Teacher Training

11 Teachers Trained in Practical Internship Week

Malawian Income Generating Activities Net 850.00 US

March 2010 Special OT/PT/Media Team Results

Partnerships formed with Strategic Malawian Orgs

(Feed the Children, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Cure International,

 Malawi Preschool Assoc & Chikondi Center for Children with Disabilities) 

Future Goals

Expansion of School & ABC Project Sept 2010

Internship Program Sept 2010

MB Return to Malawi Sept 2010

Community Wide Literacy Project Launch by Oct 2010 

Financial Self-Sustainability by Dec 2010

Second Malawian Missionary Jan 2011

Credentialing of Two Staff Members Dec 2011

Expansion of Services to Queen Elizabeth Hospital 2011

“Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible,

to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory

forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Timothy 2:17

Thank you all for your love and support!  It really makes a difference!  Love, Maribeth

Watching young people lead fills my heart with great love and my mind with a powerful vision for the future. The Director and staff of the ABC Project are all under the age of 30, two of them under 20 and they are getting a real experience of Christian leadership. Here they present an update and Project Outline for 2010 for the directors of the Community Based Child Care Centers (CBCCCs). We are in partnership with seven centers that serve orphaned and vulnerable children 2 ½ to 6.  Each center serves 45-150 children daily.

Great job Abgail! Our newest member to Africa ABC! Our 19 yr old leader!

You can never get Malawians to smile during serious events!

Community Based Child Care Center Directors plus

Our staff trains teachers on site, paints educational artwork on the walls, and now we have a Children’s Outreach Ministry Teacher, Simon Nkhambala that visits the centers weekly to give Bible lessons and teach the children the Word of God. Simon also teaches our children at the school two times a week. He and Jane Kaonjezere are designing our Bible curriculum for 2010-2011! Zikomo!

Simon teaching our kids about God! Simon was voted Best English Speaker this week by the staff, which earned him a candy bar!

Simon is a gentle and committed leader, dedicated to our children's faith development.

Since our kids in Guava are developing strong reading and writing skills in English and Chichewa, we are starting a earn your own kid’s Bible program.  Once they memorize 25 verses, they are going to receive an illustrated children’s Bible at their reading level!  Way to go Simon and Jane! We would like to expand this program to the CBCCCs but each Bible costs 8$ so we are starting small.

Hilda Mandota and some of our Paw Paw kids and their volcano!

Jane Kabambe and her Mango class and their volcano!

Omega and Ian making an Earth!

Great lesson Jane! And when did you learn to draw like that? Monart!

The children at our school learned about the layers of the Earth and volcanoes this week!  It was an exciting week! We thank Folsom Art Association for donating money for art supplies.  We bought clay and you can see that the children made their own Earths and then cut them to see the layers. We created volcanoes the Montessori way outside.  A big hit and great learning experience!  Then the children drew volcanoes and labeled the parts.  Art is a vital part of self-expression and learning at our school. We weave art into cultural studies.

We love our school, but have to pack it up each week and store it on Saturdays and Sundays because we only rent the space during the week.  It is a lot of work, but the kids have started helping us on Fridays and they help with set up on Mondays.

Girl power!

Zikomo Olive!

Prayer Requests: 

Please pray for our children that they will grow in faith, love, and learning. Please pray  the staff of Malawi Wa Yesu will grow in Christian leadership, maturity, love and unity.  Please pray for us as we take actions to become self-sustainable.  Please pray for our wisdom and administration! And please pray for our ministry partners that they will be empowered to serve the children with great care and intelligence.  Zikomo!  See you all soon!

 Love, Maribeth

Our children are preparing to welcome 15-20 new students to our school this June! We are working with our community partners to receiving referrals for identified needy children within the town of Ndirande. We are going to be adding children from a single parent home or children who are with a guardian because of the loss of both parents.  These are the most vulnerable of the children here, though so many children are in need.

Our Malawian team and I are encouraged by your prayers and support as we seek to develop leaders through love, truth, and a dynamic Montessori Christian education!  Some pictures of our amazing kids this week! 

Kids with our two interns completing practical teaching experience!

Kids reviewing planets with Tisu! They love cultural studies!

Our beautiful hall! We rent this space weekly and pack up the entire school each Friday! But God has given us room to expand!

We serve 15 2 1/2 to 5 year olds at our school and 295 through our Africa ABC Project weekly!

Welcome Zikomo Yesu Enterprises Limited Corporation! (This means “Thank you Jesus”)

(This is for all you Malawian garage sale volunteers who will remember the only rule during our big sales: Saying Thank you Jesus as we placed the money in the African basket.) Annie & Mark Holt, can you believe it!!!

Yesterday (Friday) we became a legal entity! Unbelievable! So many breakthroughs this week! Nothing happens here within the government in 2 ½ days without God expediting it. With our business consultant and advocate, Wilson fasting for seven days, and the power of the Holy Spirit, we registered and launched our income generation corporation that will fund the ministry of Malawi Wa Yesu. Rock on Jesus! We pray to become self-supporting (“Malawi to Malawi”, as I like to say) by December of this year. A special thank you to all who have supported this mission financially. Your investment is multiplying! Multiplying in the lives of children and adults.

Seems like a crazy dream, but God can do anything He wants, whenever He wants, so we have asked for His wisdom and territory!  We are going to sell books and present workshops on parenting, teaching, leadership and business as a way to fund the ministry.  Our school will expand next month taking in 15 more children, who would never have access to a great Christian education. We have a process in place to find the kids in the greatest need in Ndirande.

Our School and Staff At Work!

Jane Kabambe and Mango Kids (grades 2 & 3) We are committed to having three of our teachers Montessori credentialed in 2011! Jane is one them!

Learning with joy and velocity! A beautiful Montessori education powered by God's Holy Spirit!

I am inspired by these children! Their learning, peacefulness and leadership is unusual here in Malawi! They can think creatively and solve problems. They know God's word and they love Him. Welcome our young, great leaders of Malawi. And remember what I say right now, They will impact the future of Malawi by their love and leadership!

Tisu training a new staff member, Abigail, on Montessori math. Tisu is committed to earning her Montessori credential in 2011! And we are committed to this amazing and humble leader! We love you Tisu!

Africa ABC Project! 

Jesus loves Outreach!

James Machila with teachers from Malawi Preschool Association. We trained two of their teachers in our February workshop. Two more to start our internship week! James is committed to earning his Montessori Teaching Credential in 2011.

Five pediatric assistants at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital pediatric who serve on the children's wards attended our February training & we are committed to continue to support their program at the hospital through our Africa ABC Project. I am standing in the room designed by Mary O'Neill and I to serve the children diagnosed with terminal illnesses. Due to these children's conditions, we will not be showing their photos. But I welcome you to come to Malawi and have Jesus break your heart. Kelsey Zeigler, we need you!

More Updates!

This Thursday, we had our fifth board meeting for Malawi Wa Yesu (MWAY, which means opportunity in Chichewa). I can see the hand of God moving among us bringing unprecedented communication, maturity, and unity.  We addressed difficult issues with humility and God delivered beautiful surprises, including a leader for our business development piece. Our meeting was so clearly led by the Holy Spirit that my heart was overflowing with gratitude to God for being with us.

Our staff meeting on Friday was again in the same spirit! I love my team! Our team (of 11 now) laughed and cried so hard and discussed tense issues. Tisu Mwanza, our director of the Malawi Montessori Christian School and Training Center is an amazing leader and woman of God and praise for James Machila, the Director of the ABC Project. These two are like brother and sister supporting each other and sharing each other’s burdens. The staff members have begun discipleship meetings weekly with Aubrey Kalima our lead pastor and they are so encouraged by him.  How did I get so blessed! I promise you pictures of the staff this week. It is my honor to serve here in Malawi with these people.  

There are very tough times here and heart expanding times too, and through them all, what makes a difference for me is being with the staff and kids at the school and seeing the work God is doing. When the kids run up to me and hug my knees, all the adult problems seem unimportant.  In a moment they slip away.

Thank you all for your support! I run up to you and hug you in my mind when I pray. Hope you feel it! Love, Maribeth 

“Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6

Bring it on Jesus! Our arms are wide open!

  Acknowledging Team Leader Cheri Wieland!

Zikomo to my Friends & Family! Thank you for making this happen!

The March Impact Team came and contributed in mighty ways to our work here in Malawi. On behalf of myself, our Malawian staff, our Malawian partners, and MWAY Ministries here in Malawi, I want to thank the March Impact Team prayer supporters and financial sponsors for sending this amazing team to me! You sent a Special OPs team and they accomplished real results and a new future for children with physical challenges in two intense weeks.

 They demonstrated God’s love in words and action. If you haven’t seen the first in a series of videos regarding their impact, please click on this YouTube address:    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsDP8hrI2-o

Again and again Jesus Christ spoke about the Kingdom of God (i.e. Kingdom of Heaven). “Kingdom” is a word formed from the word “King” and the word “dominion”.  “Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”~Matthew 6:10

This is how God’s Son, Jesus Christ, taught His followers to pray.

God’s kingdom exists on earth, among the people of God, much like an embassy within a foreign country. This embassy contains the operating principles, culture, and people of that country within a foreign land.  For Christians we know this earth is not our home. We are simply ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20) sharing about our King and our country with others in the form of love in action.

Many people question, “If this God exists and He is good, where is He in the midst of the injustice, violence, and tragedy that happens to people in the world? Where is He as we face a personal crisis or challenge?”  He is here to provide solutions, strength, peace and wisdom for all who seek Him through His Spirit and through those who truly know Him.

When God’s children do God’s will in spirit and truth, then God’s kingdom resides among us in real time and space. Thank you Malawi March Team! You took it up a notch! We are committed to continuing what you have begun. We were blessed by you all!

XXOO Love, Maribeth

P.S. A special acknowledgement to my family,  I  am able to serve here in Malawi because of them. Mike, Melissa, Mark, Angel, Maya, Chandi, Sage, Luke, Cort, Tee and Mom! I love you and am so blessed by you all!  Tee and Mom thanks for all the goodies and books and organizing all the details in U.S. 

Malawi March 2010 Team Results

Team: Cheri Wieland, Jan Cookson, Melynda Adragna, Kim McVean,

(Occupational & Physical Therapists) Jim House & Ann Delagnes (Media Team) 

Jan in action!

Items Transported by the Team to Malawi: (Can’t believe they made the weight limit!)

• School Materials:

200 children’s books (K-4^th), 1 Litnet Early Literacy Program, & tons of practical life materials, pencils, colored pencils, stickers, ziplock bags (for our book IGA), and construction paper (and so much more!) for our school.  And special teas and sugar and chocolate for our Malawian staff and ministry partners! They are really crazy about tea here!

• Teaching Materials:

1 Portable DVD Training Player, 11 Teaching Resource Books (Love & Logic, Conservation, etc), 30 Christian Resource Books & Study Guides, etc.

• Specialized Materials & Resources:

OT/PT therapy equipment (4 therapy balls, 2 peanut balls, 7 beach balls, 5 mats, 1 wedge, 1 seat cushion, 2 splints, 20 blankets (Thanks Brenda!!!), 1 foot brace, 1 parachute, 1 pack bubbles & plastic silverware, 1 swing, 20 notebooks, pens, stickers, balloons, and 3 trunk supports), 4 Copies of Disabled Children Village Guide and one extra purchased in Chichewa!, etc.

Team Accomplishments:(They hit the ground running! No slackers on this team!)

Presenting 3 Different Two-Day, Hands-on Trainings! 3 DVD Training Videos in the works!

Kim in action!

• Chikondi Orphan Care & Disability Center: 20 parents trained & 20 Children assisted with practical hands on training in physical therapy. Four teachers (one of our staff members) and 1 director trained in physical therapy. Two parent coordinators chosen, who will be evaluated by and paid a small stipend by MWAY to continue coordinating therapy. We are praying to find and pay the salary of a half-time pediatric physical or occupational therapist to assist Chikondi and Feed the Children. Special therapy equipment donated to Chikondi as well. (Thank you to the Director of Chikondi-Josephina Mussa)

Parents & Children at Chikondi (Chikondi means Love in Chichewa)

Our new parent coordinator-Christina!

Vusi, volunteer at center, trained to provide on-going leadership

• Cure International Orthopedic Hospital (a hospital providing free surgeries to children with orthopedic issues): 45 rehab specialists/techs trained in two specialty areas. (Strokes, Shoulder Lesions) Specialists like our team members and special trainings are rare here.  They were a complete inspiration and blessing to these hardworking specialists/techs from the surrounding area. CURE International is a Christian hospital preaching the gospel by their care and sharing. They are the largest orthopedic research hospital in Sub-Saharan Africa. This team was celebrated and many great relationships established. Thank you Carla Palmer & Stewart Palmer! It is our honor to serve with you. Training video will be forth coming!

Training at Cure Hospital

Our Team at Cure!

• Feed the Children-Malawi (serving as a rehabilitation center for children with physical and cognitive challenges): The team trained 26 parents and assisted 26 children and trained approximately 15 teachers and tecs(including three of our staff members and the rehab director of FTC) in Sensory Integration and Neurological Development. (Thank you to the director of Rehab at Feed the Children-Joyce Kasamba) A special spontaneous small group training for parents of children with autism by Kim McVean, who identified and met the need!(You better be working on that book!-Hee! Hee!)  Rock on all of you! Training video will be forthcoming!

Parents learning how to help their children! Amen!

Training Malawian Rehabilitation Techs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jane Kabambe, our staff member, practicing new skills.

 

What they Left Behind:

• Three Training Videos: Ann Delagnes and Jim House spent most of their trip filming and editing! Ann is spending one more week here in Malawi to finish the editing of these videos which will be used for ongoing training! Yahoo!

Annie in action!

Jim in action! Media guy takes a break to love on the kids!

• Kwacha! : This team saved money and donated it to MWAY Ministries in support on the on-going programs: Malawi Montessori Christian School, Christian Leadership Development, Africa ABC Project (including our Outreach to Children with Physical Disabilities and on-going coordination of trainings and investment in parent leaders.) Jim House, our financial guy, will give you the final number, but it is between 300-500 dollars. Zikomo!

• Trained parents and professionals to continue the work the team began.

• A new reality of acceptance and love- a hope and a future- for the children with special needs! You broke through the myths, prejudices and stereotypes by modeling love and acceptance. You trained, educated, inspired and encouraged parents, children and professionals here in Malawi. Your impact has just begun! Thank you for being the hands and feet of Jesus and being willing to say, “Yes” when Jesus called your name.

Melynda in action!

• Great relationships & a future of working again with those who are interceding for the children of Malawi!

I am proud to call you my friends!  May God be glorified in all you said and did and we pray that He will continue to send people to stand in the gap for the least of these, both in the U.S. and Malawi. Love, Maribeth