This morning I received an email from Melissa and I thought I would share it here.

I wake up each morning to the sound of children playing outside my window.  They love us being here, and want to play all day long.  The girls are spending all their time with the children and they love it.  It feels like all I do is ask questions and listen to the stories, I am taking lots of pictures.  there are two of the older girls who follow me everywhere. They want to be nurses or doctors and watch everything I do.

This morning was Sunday Church and it was wonderful. We sang then everyone fell to their knees and began to pray out loud, then they all hopped back on their feet and sang some more in their native tongue. It was beautiful.  West preached through an interpreter and did a great job.  The poverty here is extreme and many of the orphan's stories are sad. some of the children have AIDS or other ailments. They do have something that we don't, a slow and peaceful pace of life that does not rob the joy from their hearts. That looks very appealing.  I'll write you again soon.

Melissa

Some news from the Team today.  Several are getting acclimated to the time and weather change today.    Melissa said she is taking lots of pictures and has enjoyed getting to know some of the older girls who are very interested in nursing and a couple have said they want to study to become nurses.  She seems very excited about sharing her passion for nursing with these young ladies.

I learned several things about Malawi from Ben's "lonely Planet, Malawi" book that he dropped by.  It seems Malawi was explored in the 1800s by the famous Missionary Explorer Dr. David Livingston.  There is a Missionary School there that was founded by him and even a village that bears his name.  Several bays and harbors an Lake Malawi were named by Dr. Livingston and he left his mark across the country.  To me this is very exciting, to follow the trails and rivers that were opened up and explored by such a giant of the faith, that is amazing.  I'm sure I get much more inspired by such things than the girls.

They are all doing well and have a very busy week ahead.
I have included a couple of links on this blog page that will give you more information about where the Team is serving. check them out.

The team has arrived at the Orphanage in Malawi. A short message read that God answered all prayers and they are all doing well. Keep the Medical Team in your prayers as they seek permission from village chiefs to enter the villages to vist and treat sick and injured villagers in there homes.
The local witch-doctors are usually very resistent to allowing outsiders in. put on your spiritual armor and get in the battle that will be raging in the unseen realm.

Good Morning,
The Africa Team is about 10 min. away from landing in South Africa.  I found a real cool website that lets you track air flights live.  It is called Flight Aware if anyone likes to track flights.
Pray for a easy pass through customs and a good nights sleep. it is 4:30pm in South Africa so they will eat dinner and stay in Johannesburg overnight.
Pray that all the items they checked through in baggage will get past the normal theft that goes on there and will arrive with them in Malawi.

They Are Off !!!!!!!
Wheels up from Shreveport, 2:00pm
Wheels up from Atlanta, 7:00pm
Should land in Johanasburg South Africa, tomorrow morning around 9:00am, our time it will be around 5:00pm in Johanasburg.
They will spend the night in South Africa then continue on to Malawi.

It has been a crazy week leading up to today's departure for Africa.
Last night Hannah and Abby came home and it was a packing frenzy until an intense thunderstorm killed our power around 7:00pm.
Silas and I were on a run into town to get some fried chicken and braved the storm to return to a dark house.
We all sat around the table and feasted on chicken by oil lamp light. We laughed and relaxed, while the storm raged outside.  It turned out to be a very special gift from the Lord.  Everyone turned in early and the house was dark and still.  I sat in the rocking chair and listened to the soft sounds of my family that I love so much. Sisters talking in low voices in the darkness, the sound of muffled laughter and giggles drift from there room. I sat and enjoyed the stillness. Praying quietly to the Lord, thanking him for the incredible gift of children. Thanking Him for the wonderful wife He had blessed me with. It was the kind of evening only God can make happen.

Summer Missions 2013

It has been a while since I've fired up the Blog Page.  There is a lot of activity around the Schroeder house this Spring. Four of our crew will be traveling to Africa this summer to work at Orphanages and Schools.  Melissa, Hannah and Abby will leave for Malawi in May. Silas will leave for Uganda in June.  The girls trip came up rather suddenly and they are rushing to get things in order to leave. Silas has been planning his trip since last November and is excited and ready to go.  I thought this would be a good way to keep folks updated and share any prayer needs with friends and family members.

Immediate Prayer Needs:
1. Silas is still trying to get his Passport.  The State Dept. is asking for more I.D.  We are learning several valuable character traits through this process; patience, endurance, self control, perseverance. Pray for Us.

2. Melissa is trying to put together medical supplies and training material.  Pray for her.

3. Abby is a bit nervous about the 20 hours in a plane. Pray for all of them on this one.

There is a huge "unknown" element to this trip. One thing we do know is that God is has opened the doors and placed the call on each of their hearts. I'm sure there faith will be tested in many ways as they embark on this incredible journey, We thank you for all your prayers.