“The kingdom of God is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough. A small spoonful of yeast can cause bread dough to double in size.”

–Luke 13:20-21

The Bike Malawi trip all began with the little bit of yeast, which was Deb saying, “Alright, okay, let’s do it,” after many months of hearing different reasoning and ways that it could work for us both and for important organizations and causes within Malawi.

This little humble bit of a beginning began to ferment when three gentlemen from Nkhoma said they wanted very much to be a part of the Cause. Mr. Chifundo is the Director of Alinafe Communities of Hope which helps 1700 elderly and disable women and men in 18 groups around Nkhoma–he volunteered to drive us to the Northern tip of Malawi and his co-director, Mr. Killion, who has suffered from Polio since he was a child, has a brother who donated a truck for us to use for the 14 day project. Mr Hamilton, a 2nd year Pastoral Student at the Seminary, heard about the bike hike, discussed it with his wife, and led the trek most of the eleven-day-pedal. Mr. Voice, a 5th year Pastoral student joined us on Day 6. These three gentlemen made all the difference in the world/Malawi! They were tireless in interpreting, directing, being merciful towards me and my shortcomings, allowing me to draft behind them, repairing the bikes, finding gas in a nation experiencing a fuel shortage, packing the truck each night and repacking the truck each morning and in so many more ways.

Rev. Nase Chunga was the person through whom this dream really began to multiply due to his vision, energy, encouragement, and countless phone calls to Synod Execs, and Pastors and Media outlets. Rev. contacted the Synods, Pastors and other VIPs in order to set up all of our accommodations–we are so grateful to Rev. and all those who offered us shelter, meals, prayer support, publicity, welcome, all Christlike hospitality.

Fourteen days, 1000kms, two flat tires, pounds of little fried potatoes, called “chips,” that were part of our daily lunch break; and the safety, strength, provisions, grace, and multiplying blessings and purposes of God carried us to the humble border crossing that marks the boundary line between Malawi and Mozambique (see pic below).

Now comes the part when the dough produced by these bits of yeast begins to produce gracious generous donations by the people of Malawi for the people of Malawi–for the hospitals of the Synod of Livingstonia in the Northern region, for the Seminary of Nkhoma in the Central region and for the victims of Cyclone Freddy in the Southern region. May God’s Spirit spark great gratitude by those who have more than most in their second-mile generous giving to their neighbors who have precious little.

Thank you all for caring for Deb and me during this special adventure in Malawi–for your prayers, encouraging comments, and donations. We are so very humbled and grateful.

(We are now being refreshed by seeing some sights of interest in the Southern region of Malawi that began with a tea plantation yesterday and a non-demanding hike to a waterfall and freezing pool at a Synod Guest House today. Other pics are of the border, our celebration meal of goat cooked over coals, and, of course, some pictures of our biking and scenery of the last two days.)