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As I regained consciousness on Thursday morning in my bed...I distinctly remember thinking, "Why is there a very loud Cockerel shouting its head off in my back garden?" As I opened my eyes - I remembered. I wasn't in England any more - this was Malawi, Africa.

We'd survived a very long journey the day before to our base camp at Tuchila Farm Institute, a residential farming college in Mulanje district. Brilliant location for us to live in that week - there was even hot water to wash with! Though not thru taps, of course. Some kind soul lights a fire every morning under a big oil drum. And voila - hot water.

We were in Malawi for a week to work with Charles Mithowa, the national leader of Kingfisher Church in Malawi. Charles is a wonderful man - full of energy and excitement about what God is doing to help and encourage people through the various Kingfisher Churches in Malawi.

Our mission for Thursday was to visit Kingfisher Church Center in Kidote region. This is out in the countryside...about 45 mins drive from our base camp. So our 4x4 vehicle was really a must.

Church leaders from all over that region of Malawi and Mozambique were travelling to be with us that day. Our mission was to encourage them. To teach them some stuff that we at Kingfisher in the UK have learned about God's amazing community - the Church, and how to lead it forward.

But before any of that happened throughout the day, we were treated to the experience of African singing worship songs to God. What an awe inspiring experience it is. Why is it that they all sing and dance so well?! I was left feeling very inadequate...particularly on the dancing front.

We met a very kind Assemblies of God pastor who ate lunch with us that day. He was struck by our humility, which was a surprise to me. While many high profile Christian Leaders visit Malawi, none of them venture out of the big cities. And so the folks in the outlying regions and countryside just can't travel to hear them. Its too expensive to get the bus, its too far to walk, etc. He thanked us for being willing to live in "less than ideal" conditions so that local Church leaders could be encouraged and strengthened by God through us.

One talk I gave that day was about the importance of, with God's help, growing Godly Character rather than worry about your reputation in the community. We always have our critics - and Malawi Kingfisher church is no exception. BUT...God is able to use the hard and sometimes harsh times of misrepresentation by our critics to grow us in character. When we trust him through the storm, he leads us safely through and grows us in our faith and stature as leaders. This talk seemed particularly powerful to them and many people spoke about how encouraging it was.

The evening was spent with them talking about the important of becoming a Christian...of accepting God's free offer of love and forgiveness for their lives. Andy Collis gave his own personal story of how he became a Christian himself. We also reminded them of the importance of holding out this offer of God's love to their own communities when they return to their own churches. A number of people responded to this call and became followers of Jesus Christ that night.

Full of excitement, we headed for bed knowing that our adventure in Malawi had only just begun.

Up early again!

I can't remember if it was today we had cold shower. Usual crispy eggs and chips for breakfast accompanied by extra hot chilli sauce!

After breakfast I shared my testimony (I prepared the night before) with Elaine & Tanya, they were both encouraging and then they shared their testimonies too (very moving!). Andy and Stuart returned from a trip into town with Charles then we set off to the Kingfisher Centre for the day.

We were greeted by the local women with vibrant song and dance, we spent some time greeting the locals then headed into the centre. Bishop Stuart gave a leadership sermon and paused halfway through for me to give my testimony, he gave me a five minute warning to prepare me, it was at this point the nerves kicked in, and then a bigger fear crept in (that I may need to visit the choo for a No. 2)

I was relieved to have delivered my talk without passing out! Stuart finished his sermon then we had more awesome praise and worship, song and dance African style (they really know how to rock!) after lunch Stuart and Andy watched football (apparently it involved another talk and ceremony!)

We girls got together with the kids to have fun with the parachutes, Tanya told the story of Jonah and the whale with some fab pictures, Elaine did the story of the Samaritan woman with some good actions, and I sang "My God is so big" and "Who's the king of the jungle?" songs with them; these were all interpreted which made it even more fun!

During the day we met Joseph, a boy with down syndrome. It was great to see him loved by his community just like we do at Kingfisher Gloucester.

We headed back to base after a long goodbye. Stuart and Andy then commenced the challenge of how many men, women and children can you fit in a 4x4 and then taxied them to the other Kingfisher centre ready for the next day's conference!

Day 3 Saturday: Awesome!

While the rest of the team tucked into their chips for breakfast, Stuart dined out with Charles in Limbe. We struggled to believe his explanation that this had resulted in a substantial time saving and had prevented further delay to our departure to Mulanje and that he too had had chips! Stuart had driven in to change some more Pounds sterling to Kwacha in order to settle the bill for our stay at the agricultural centre and to purchase bottled water for the day and while he was out the team took the chance to do some washing and share a spot of fellowship. Elaine ran through her talk while I acted as Charles and 'translated' to time the talk and to familiarise Elaine with working with an interpreter. The translation was necessarily punctuated with the requisite "Jesu ndi Wabwino : Nthawi zowise" (Jesus is good : All the time) and the off-topic remarks that were a feature of Charles' style!

The drive to Mulanje was great, albeit a bit bumpy in the back at times, with the very final stretch to the Centre a drive through 4 foot high grass with palm fronds brushing over the windscreen: would be a super challenge in the rainy season! We were once again greeted and accompanied by songs and dancing for the last quarter of a mile with children running and laughing alongside the vehicle, good-naturedly shouting "Asungu, Asungu" (the colloquialism for European). Word soon got around that the team had arrived and the service got underway with amazing worship and dancing interspersed by the powerful and moving testimonies of those about to be baptised.

Much singing and clapping accompanied our short walk to the tributary of the Chilunguni river where we gathered for the baptisms; families lined the shore and children clambered up the fallen bridge for the best views. Elaine helped Charles with the ladies and girls while I helped with the boys: what an incredible privilege for us to be invited to take part. Charles told me later that the community had been astounded that we were prepared to go in the river and to take part in the baptisms and that this had demonstrated how much Kingfisher UK valued and loved its sister churches in Malawi. I still reckon that Elaine and I were blessed even more by this and I will never forget the experience: incredible!

Back to the Centre for our dinner of fish and rice before the evening service and more praise and worship during which time I had the opportunity to share my testimony again: praise God for answered prayer in that I felt only mild nerves and a positive level of stress. The team presented Charles with the cymbal and drumsticks and he wouldn't put them down all through the singing and drumming! Stuart gave an excellent talk followed by a call to respond and step to the front for those who wanted to commit their lives to Jesus Christ. The team prayed for approximately 20 individuals, some of whom were seeking prayer for healing from various ailments.

We finished at the Centre about 9 pm and drove back to 'the farm' for the now ritual washing of feet and spent the remainder of the evening discussing the highlights of the day, tumbling into our beds after midnight: bliss. A truly amazing day that overwhelmed me with blessings!

Today was an important day. Kingfisher Church in Mulanje was being commissioned, so after breakfast (yes, bread and chips!) and after the men got back from town with fresh bottled water, we set off to the church. We arrived there really early, which was a 1st as no-one was there to great us with their singing and dancing but when word got around that we were already at the church the people soon gathered around and warmly greeted us.

There were 2 pieces of ribbon/ripped material across both doorways to the church Bishop Stuart was asked to say a prayer to commission the church building and cut the ribbon. When we arrived us girlies needed the toilet this was a brick hut with a square hole in the ground a good aim was needed!!

When we were all inside the church Charles talked about the history of Kingfisher Church and we did some worship and then Charles gave out the baptism certificates from yesterday. Stuart did some teaching and we worshiped some more. During prayer time about 15 people came to the front for us to pray for them,. I was asked to pray for a baby with Malaria which i did but I became upset and lost it completely with my emotions. They probably thought i was a right freak!

Later on, Tanya gave her testimony which was brilliant. She was so brave and I was proud of her but it started me off again! Just before we stopped for lunch we were presented with gifts at the front of church which consisted of Okra (baby aubergines), monkey nuts, mangos, eggs, tomatoes and a live chicken which we named Lottie (R.I.P). When they placed it all on the table in front of Stuart he casually came and stood by us. He was worried the bird (Lottie) might jump on him!

After lunch I gave my talk which was as long as what i thought it would be and Andy followed by reading the love letter from God. Stuart started more teaching so we girls took the children outside and Tanya talked about Jonah and the whale and I gave the Samaritan Story which went well.

I counted about 40 children so we decided to give them all a lolly each it was sort of in a controlled environment although we ended up giving out about 90 lollys. We threw the balloons, balls and clackers to the children and there was a bit of a riot between them but saved us from being in the middle of it all.

Whilst Stuart was preaching Lottie the bird started "heckling" him so he had her removed and after the time at the church had finished she travelled in the car back with us unbeknown to her what was in store for her (or us for that matter)Bless Her!

While Lottie was being cooked we decided as a team that the money we had raised would be divided £150 on Chechewa Bibles, £130 to buy thick winter blankets for the families of Kingfisher Church who have adopted orphans who have lost their parents to HIV/AIDS, £50 for the ladies to buy more cooking utensils so they can cook produce and then sell it on. £25 for Charles to buy a teaching bible.

Just before bedtime there was a tiny frog in our room so Andy caught it and got rid of it and I did my usual thing of checking everywhere for creepy crawlies, sorted everyone out and we went back to our rooms and I got into bed. Suddenly, Tanya started freaking out because there was a creature staring at her next to her pillow! FUNNY!! Paula had to come around though and get rid of it. Sorted! Back to bed then I let out a scream because the roof had started leaking and as it was raining...it had started dripping on me and the bed. So I ended up sleeping the other end of the bed.

Day 5 Monday. Last Day :-(

After a good nights sleep, despite the wind and rain, we ladies had our wash and waited for Andy and Stuart to turn up after getting some more water to get us through the day. The instruction from Stuart was to go ahead with breakfast if Brown knocked on our door. They didn't mind missing it. Brown did call on us and said. it wasn't good for us to not have breakfast all together, so waited until Andy and Stuart got back. So they didn't get away with having to have CHIPS AGAIN for breakfast!!

At one time during this meal, curiosity got the better of me and so investigated the creature that was on its back...it was a 2" long cockroach. As Paula and I were taking photos, Andy decided to creep up on me and drop a bottle lid down the back of my top. He didn't get a very welcome response from me when I realised what he had done - SLAP!!! That was after the scream!

This was the day where we were visiting two schools. Both were very noticeably different from each other. The first school 'Thawale' had over a 1000 students or 'learners' as they called them and only 8 teachers. The school provided breakfast and lunch for the children which was Seema and/or porridge, this was to encourage them to come to school. We were showed around the whole school and talked through the different lessons the children had. All the classrooms were very basic with blackboards and seating and surprisingly the children each had biros! There were new buildings being built which was funded by an organisation and this was going to provide a dining area for the children to eat in and a kitchen for the women to prepare the food in ....meanwhile this was all done outside under a makeshift shelter.

After visiting this school, we made our way to the next and passing a group of children playing football with a ball made of what looked like plastic bags and string, we had said wasn't it a shame that they didn't have a proper football. A suggestion was made that there was actually a spare football in the boot, so Andy jumped out of the car with the ball and kicked it towards the children; as he did this there was a school on the opposite side and all the children from there started to run towards Andy with the ball and the noise from them was loud. We are then starting to panic and urging Andy to run as fast as he can (whilst Stuart is revving the car) to get back in the car asap! Which he did!

We got to the second school and was very noticeable the difference from the one we had just visited. They had 400 'learners' and only two buildings to teach in and some of this had to be done outside. Gifts were given to both schools and Elaine had given them parachutes and demonstrated with them how to use them which brought smiles to their faces!

Later that day, another meal to be had and we were given 'Jambo' fish, but this time had the heads on. Stuart started to squirm at the site and asked if someone could pull the head off before it went on his plate...which I did!!!!!!

Testimonies were given by Charles, Brown and Duncan, which were amazing at how God had brought them into his fold!

After the meal, we went back to the Kingfisher Centre to drop off our gifts of food that were given the previous day at Mulanje. We took the opportunity to buy some sugar cane on the way here and tried to eat this when we got there without much success!! The rest of the cane we gave away and were shown by the local women how to do it properly. Elaine indicated to one of the ladies to try and carry the bucket of water on her head...Elaine's face said it all!!!

Bed time soon came around ... our last night in Africa!