WHERE IS HE GOING ANY WAY?

Map of Africa (excluding Madagascar)

WHERE IS HE GOING ANY WAY?

A lot of people have been asking me "Is Malawi in Asia?", others have said "he is going to Maui", but I am not going there either.

Malawi is a southern African nation. The map I have here shows where it is.

Malawi is in-between Mozambique, Zambia and Tanzania.  It is a country and a half above South Africa, and a couple below Kenya. It is in the same hemisphere as Madagascar.

Malawi is split up into 3 regions: Northern, Central, and Southern. The country is furthermore divided into 28 districts. I will be living in Lilongwe, which is the capital of capitals! Its a district headquarters, the Central Region headquarters, and the countries capital. Its the largest city in the county as well.

Regional map of Malawi, featuring all 28 districts, and headquarters

I will be living in the city. However most of Malawi isn't city like at all. Over 80% of the population live in rural areas and work in agriculture.

Now all of you who did not know where I am going know where I will be spending the next half year. I also Have a TAB 'page' on the blog which explains a little bit more about Malawi. please check it out! Better yet google it your self. I did the smallest blurb, which in no way does this country or its people justice in the explanation! Especially since I have yet to go to Malawi.

Thank you again for reading everyone. Please stay in touch, comment and continue to follow in this journey to Malawi with me.

A GREAT-BYE PARTY

Good bye party with 40+ friends 

Thank you, everyone for coming out on Sunday.  It was a wonderful farewell shin-dig! Sorry for those who couldn't make it - it was a really swell time. And thanks for all the good food, especially the BBQ! (thanks Maryann) HUGE THANKS to Charlie for organizing the whole thing and making this happen!

It's been a crazy busy few days with a friend (Peter Trotter!!!) spending the weekend while in town, Sarah and Josh's incredible wedding, getting ready for the party, experiencing the party, getting out donation letters, studying for my final training session with my MTM trainer, Skyping with same trainer, Irislee, for a two-hour session (learning so much yet again about how much I DON'T know). Who knew that leaving your home culture to embrace a new host culture with a new language, customs, social contexts, authority structures, conflict resolutions, and being vs. doing work ethics... and all of them the opposite of your home country could be slightly challenging? Well, now you know! And that hint of Canadian sarcasm I just used there... yah, that's a Canadian thing. No one else but us Canucks gets that sense of humour. 

As well, the reality of good-byes is really setting in. There have been touching emails from friends of old encouraging me and committing to pray for me - so very up-lifting. Yesterday I had a chance to swing by my old Taekwon-Do club and reunite with good friends, mentors, and life coaches! There is nothing quite like a Mike Blum flying dropkick air hug - long time no see!!!

The past twenty-four hours have been particularly emotional as I needed to face the possibility of "what if not enough funds come in? What if I can't go, or have to come home early?"  That seed of doubt can sure grow quickly if allowed to. Amazing though how quickly doubt sets in.  Was this all worth it, just to have it not happen?  But here's the thing: YE OF LITTLE FAITH!  I have had two moments now where I've completely doubted this thing will ever really happen, and on both occasions God blew me away with provision beyond expectation.  As of this afternoon, I am now at 38% of my needed finances!  A donation came in that is and was completely undeserved but God is ever so gracious.  There's nothing more humbling then seeing the generosity of God through others, directed towards you.

Tomorrow is my second last day of work at good ol' G.F. Strong. As of this posting, there are some 334 hours left on Canadian soil.  Still got lots to do.

Thanks for checking in! 

Preparing to Go

Ken Lum's - East Van Cross
Great Northern Way and Clark Drive, Vancouver

Well this crazy adventure is under way! Hi and welcome to Lilongwe From Home. Like it says in the description above this is the place where I will be sharing my story of how God has called me to Lilongwe, Malawi to Work with Children of Blessing Trust (COBT).

This is the place to be if you want to know what is happening on the other side of the world, in a different hemisphere, 10 hours into the future (that is if your on PDTime)!

Please come along with me on this trip to Malawi and see what's happening there, here! Do not hesitate to participate by posting in the comments section. When I am in Lilongwe my internet connectivity will not be as consistent as it is here in East Van. I will do my best to get back to you as soon as i can. If I'm late in replying its because I'm out working, or resting from the working, or there is an outage. Outages are apparently common and to be expected, but I will get back to you.

Right now I am in the middle of fundraising for the trip! So far we have about 26% raised (about $3000.00). The total Cost for this Missions rip is >$11,000.00 and that is if my car (Did you know they drive on the other side of the road there?) doesn't need repairs! In which case... add a thousand or two. Please feel free to help in fundraising and donating. Be a part of this venture for God's Kingdom work.

I will be flying out of YVR Wednesday, October the 9th and will arrive in Lilongwe, Malawi on the 13th. Please pray for safe travel.

I will be posting more in the weeks leading up to the trip and all through out the six months I will be in Malawi.

Stay tuned!