*almost* settling in

We are so close to being done with our house on the hill we can hardly wait. The carpenters have finished 90% of the deck. The mohogany floors inside the house and outside have now been varnished, the concrete counters have been polished and sealed and the shelves & cupboards are being installed this week in the kitchen! We should also have our bed frame made for our next visit too.

Figuring out our solar system and the water pump have been quite a challenge. We are constantly having to send our electrician out to the village to work on the solar panels and to do this and that. Thankfully he is super willing to go, and is always so helpful.

I walked through the house recently and couldn’t imagine the house in it’s prior states this year; having been built from a rock into a house. It’s so incredible, and its been so fun to be able to spend time in the house through the different stages of being built.

We’ve had issues with our builders and carpenters getting tired of spending so much time away from their families in the city. All the carpenters and builders left the project to return to Blantyre except Geoffry, our foreman, and one builder. While it is disappointing, it has created an opportunity for Geoffry to train and work with local carpenters. At our last visit, everyone’s spirits seemed quite low as the weather is getting hot and everyone is ready to be done.

To cheer them up and to celebrate their hard work, I made a chocolate cake and David, Kossi’s brother made them a local dish from Togo. We affirmed them and encouraged them and let them know how appreciative we are of them.

With our deck basically finished, I spend a lot of time there watching the kids swim. While I am there I am able to look out onto the horizon and and always drawn to pray. To pray for the nation of Malawi, but more specifically to pray for the surrounding villages of Extending Hope Organization. I am filled with so much hope for how God is going to use this house to serve these communities.

We are so grateful for your generosity in helping us build this. While the name fortress sounds so archaic, every time I read psalms and God’s fortress of refuge, I think of this house, and pray that it is a refuge for many. We already have so many visitors and are able to welcome them in to escape the heat and to drink some tea.

May God continue to bless you as you have blessed us and this community.