back at home in Sesheke

thanks to everyone of you who prayed for us on our journey home to Sesheke...we have arrived safely and are attempting to settle back in and discover a "new" normal now

Sunday there was a gathering of three Zambians to worship under the tree out front! Given continues to lead, praise the Lord, and gave Mark a wonderful "report" of all that has been happening these past few weeks while we were in South Africa for Matthew's birth.

we have had visitors stopping by to congratulate us and meet Matthew, we are feeling loved by our Zambian family

thank you for praying for us and the Lozi people!
love mark, melynda, madylanne and matthew wint

A True Friend and Sister

This is my way of expressing love and gratitude to my dear friend and sister in Christ, Amanda.

While at their place she did all the cooking, our laundry, loved on Madylanne, let me take naps when possible, and held Matthew countless times...she offered prayers and encourging words too...Amanda, I love you and thank God for you!!

all smiles

Amanda captured these shots for us...thank you Amanda! Isn't Matthew sweet?? I'm quite partial! Madylanne adores him just as much as I do. :)
I love the bottom photo with all the kids in it. I sure hope the boys (Bradyn and Matthew) get along as well as the gals do!

having fun hunting

Here is Mark with his prize, a warthog. He had so much fun hunting with Brent!

having fun with Taylor

Here are Madylanne and Taylor having a ball in Gabs at the Turner's place...before we left Madylanne wanted to know why we couldn't live with them forever. :)

heading north soon...

Just a little note to say THANK YOU for your prayers that Matthew's passport would come quickly- we have been granted an emergency passport that allows us to travel immediately. Matthew and Melynda received medical clearance to leave today also, so as long as all goes as planned we plan to begin our trek back to Zambia Saturday, Feb. 19th.

We will stay with our friends the Turners along the way and hope to make it back to Sesheke, Zambia, toward the end of next week.

We would appreciate your prayers for a safe journey back to Zambia...hard to believe we are already preparing to go! Didn't we just get here and oh my, Matthew is here at last....

thanking God for all of you and your love and support,
mark, melynda, madylanne, and matthew wint

living in the lap of luxury

So all of you out there thinking we are suffering in Joburg let me assure you we are NOT suffering...in fact, we ordered Chinese food tonight and had it delivered!!! This is Madylanne chowing down on a HUGE spring roll.

We have enjoyed all the wonderful luxuries Johannesburg has been able to offer!!!! Like drinking from the tap, NO mosquito nets, drive thru's and McDonald's, delivery!, marvelous health care, shopping, CHURCH body to be a part of!, wonderful missionary family to fellowship with, a playground onsite for Madylanne to play on...wow do we ever have SO many things to thank the Lord for!!!

never a dull moment around here

These are pics of Madylanne having fun with friends- top is Leah and Alexus with Madylanne, middle is Madylanne decorating Valentine cookies at the Valentine's Day party a few of the missionaries coordinated for the kids, and last is Madylanne and Tyler, a surprise visitor from Zambia!!! He and his parents, Kenny and Leslie Vines, were here in Joburg for a few days on vacation and we were blessed to see them.

Melynda's doctor

This kind and wonderful man is Dr. Frohlich, who delivered Matthew. He has taken such good care of Melynda, we thank God for him!

sweet families

These are photos of families that have become dear to us! Mike and Wanda Walker are the first ones pictured with us in our guesthouse room. Wanda has adopted us and waited in the hospital waiting room while Matthew was being born. She has cooked us many meals and brownies and cupcakes and even crocheted a beautiful baby blanket for Madylanne's doll Isaac, pictured in the photo. We love you Mike and Wanda!

The next two photos are Stan Dickard with Mark, and then Nancy Dickard, his wife, with Madylanne and Matthew. Stan and Nancy are the guesthouse managers here and have been so kind to us.

family photos

Here are some family photos for you taken recently.

one more

just had to share one more photo of Madylanne and Matthew

Visitors

We were so blessed to have missionary family come visit us in the hospital and love on and care for Madylanne while Mark stayed with Matthew and Melynda during the daytime while we were in the hospital.
Here are: Larry and Dianne Randolph,
Jessica, Wanda, and Denise
We love you all and can't thank you enough!

A Doting Big Sister

Here are some great shots of Madylanne loving on her little brother. She just loves this little guy!! She loves to hug and kiss him, and always wants to hold him. She covers her ears when he cries. :)

In the bottom photo I tried to let you see the little patch of blond hair in the middle of all Matthew's dark hair. It's kind of hard to see from the photo, but in person it really stands out. So cute!

In the Hospital

While in the hospital Matthew got a little jaundiced and so they put him under the biliribin lights the last night of our stay. He is doing just fine and was able to be dismissed from the hospital (Sat. Feb. 5th) without any delays. We are so grateful to the Lord that Matthew is healthy!

The night he was under the bilirubin lights God sent Melynda 5 followers of Jesus to encourage her in person- one missionary (Denise), one fellow Mom who had also just had a baby (they named their little girl Trinity), and three nurses on staff at the hospital. Talk about feeling the presence of the Lord and knowing His peace, that everything would be ok!!! God is so good to us. His love is overwhelming!

Pictures of Matthew at last

Here is our sweet Matthew Christopher Wint, on his birthday, February 2, 2011 born at 2:40 pm in Johannesburg, South Africa. His name means Gift of God, Christ bearer. We are overjoyed that he is here!!! Thank You God for Matthew!
He is 7.5 pounds and 19.2 inches long.

Matthew Christopher Wint has arrived!

Matthew Christopher Wint arrived at 2:40pm on February 2, 2011. He weighs a healthy 7.5 pounds. Both Mommy and baby are doing well!