Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Update from Bryan and Keah

We spoke to Keah this morning, May 29

They have a new address:
Keah and Bryan Payne/ PCV
c/o Africare/ Malawi
Ntcheu Field Office
P.O. Box 341
Ntcheu, Malawi

This new address will allow mail to get to them faster than mail sent to the Linlongwe address. They can still recieve mail sent to the Lilongwe address, it just takes longer because they have to wait till they go into Lilongwe, or someone from there comes their way.

Keah said to tell you that she has begun to master the skill of staying awake on the 3 hour ride from their village to town. (the ride is so bumpy she can't sleep)

I ask her about shopping and prices and here is some of the information she gave me.
They use Kwatcha (spelling??) so I am just using American $ estimates
Their rent is about 14 american dollars.
She found Kelloggs Frosted Flakes and they cost over $6, Peanut Butter is about $2.68, jam is $2.86, Honey is $5.46, Bread (enough for two weeks)costs about $0.54. She was not sure about the exact amount they will recieve monthly because the amount they last recieved had extra moving money with it, but they think it will be about $250 American dollars.

They are having a food storage cabinet built and that is costing about 40 dollars, they are having a small bookshelf built for about $19. They will still need to get some type of shelves or cabinet built for their clothing. Right now they are in plastic bags on the floor. They would like to get new mattresses. (a new bed also, but the ones they have now work) They currently have 2 inch foam mattresses on small frames with the wood slats holding the mattress. They would also like to get a couch, but they are not sure about how much that will cost. They have several needs that they are trying to budget for.

They are getting settled in and adjusting to the new area. They said that just getting their water is someting they have to work for and plan each day. Every time we turn on our water we need to remember how blessed we are and pray for Keah and Bryan. Just think of how often we would be praying for them!!!

Keah will be getting her journal to us soon and we will use that to do updates. They send their love to you all and LOVE getting letters!!!!!! Please keep writing. They can read when you respond to the blog, they just not able to update it themselves right now. They are working on a way that might enable them to do it.

posted by Suzet

Saturday, May 12, 2007

Keah and Bryan are getting setteled in

We talked to Keah and Bryan May 7. They had gone to a larger town to get something to take care of ants and termites! Keah said she had placed a skirt over a chair to wear the next day. It must have had a grease spot or some food spill on it because the ants ate part of the skirt! They also discovered they have termites in their walls. The house looks new, but is actually old and recently given a face lift.

Their location does not recieve a strong enough signal to send text messages or make phone calls, but they can recieve text messages.

Keah said one of the biggest challenges at this point is fixing a lunch meal. Most people there prepare their lunches at home, but they are always out and about with their work. Malawi does not have many sack lunch items!

The rainy season is ending, they will soon be into the corn harvest season.

They are healthy and happy!
Please continue to lift them up in prayer.

poasted by Brent and Suzet Roggow