Christmas 2019

We spent a week in Lusaka taking care of our humanitarian projects and helping with new and transferring missionaries.  Then traveled back to Malawi to hold Sunday services in Kasungu and spend Christmas in Blantyre with the Rowans and young missionaries there.  After Christmas traveled back to Kasungu for church and moving into the new leased house.

Some beautiful countryside on our 6 hour drive from Kasungu to Blantyre.
 It is rainy season and all have their maize coming up.  

On Christmas Eve day, we visited an English tea plantation and
 had "high tea" with apple juice.  It was delicious.

Grandma at the "Hamilton House" plantation.

Tea pickers harvesting tea.  They cut the leaves with something like a hedge clipper
 with a bag underneath to catch the leaves, then throw them in the big bags
 that they carry on their backs.  Paid by the weight.  

The tea plants in the rolling hills.  Sorry it is so washed out.
 The color is really vivid green.

Grandpa won the croquet game at the plantation.

But these ladies won the beauty poses.  Grandma and Sister Rowan.

We had a nice Christmas Eve program back at the Rowans.
  Grandpa showing off his new ties and a game he got for Christmas.

 Christmas day was spent with the missionaries in Blantyre.
Having dinner, playing games, watching the new "Christ Child" video and calling families.

White elephant exchange.  We had to take one missionary at a time to call their parents
 because we only had one computer and Google hangout line. 

While in Blantyre we checked on a desk project that has been done through
 our humanitarian work.  The church has provided 575 new desks and
 100 repaired desks to two schools.  Now grades 4-8 can sit at desks (3 kids at a desk).
  Grades 1-3 still have to sit on the floor.  Progress, a little at a time!