Who are we???

So, you want to know about the six of us right? Who are we all and what are we like? To tell you the truth, we all have much to learn about eachother as we've only had a few days together but I've gathered some basic and interesting facts about the team. Firstly, here's a picture of us all during team orientation in October. I know first impressions count... hmm...  

Ben, Laurie, Nia, Lois, Jonny and David (the dream team!)

Ben (team leader)

Hello! My name's Ben and I'm in my second gap year. In September I'll be studying theology at Nottingham (90% sure it'll be there - I'm in the midst of praying about it!). I've been working part-time for Lidl for the last few months as well as helping run a year 10 cell group and doing PA for the church. I enjoy going road cycling and playing with technology, and I spend far too much time chatting to people and saturating my body with caffeine in the coffee shop next to church. An odd fact about me is that I have two false teeth!

Laurie (first aider)

I live in Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire, having a gap year after A levels and next year I'm going to Birmingham uni to study education. I love helping with the children's/youth work at my church, i have a brown belt in karate and i'm a closet dancaholic. Musical theater is a bit of a guilty pleasure of mine and I love dancing to reggae/hip hop mix's.

Nia (communication captain)

Hi! I'm a gap year student for Mold in North Wales who has a place at the university of Bath to study Pharmacy next September. During this gap year I've been pro check out girl in Iceland supermarket and have been volunteering in the community with the local Foodbank, various church programs and helping with primary school assemblies. A cool fact is that my first language is Welsh and will most likely end up speaking it in my sleep whilst I'm away!! I have a big love for peanut butter and mashed banana on toast so I'll be taking a few jars of PB with me to keep me sane when things get tough! Music is a passion of mine: I play the piano and love singing and could spend hours and hours exploring new music on Spotify. I have never broken a bone in my body and I'm a massive wimp when it comes to spiders.

Lois (team leader)

Hi I'm Lois. I'm currently taking a year out after uni and before I go into teaching. I studied history at Nottingham university and loved it, was pretty sad to leave! Since then I've had two part time jobs but also have been a voluntary youth work intern at my home church which has been a challenge and a joy at the same time. I don't really have any proper hobbies but i try to go jogging as regularly as possible and love then treating myself with coffee and cake at nice coffee shops! My quirky fact is I've been to Malawi twice before so it must be good!

Jonathan (the money man)

Hi I'm Jonathan. Currently on a gap year, before I head off to uni to study engineering. This year I've been working at a small local engineering firm, before we go out to Malawi! I enjoy rock climbing, camping and other outdoor activities, and my interesting fact is that I've managed to fall off a trampoline, with a net on it!

David (doc)

Hi I'm 18 years old and will be starting university in Leeds in September where I'll be studying medicine. An interesting fact about me is I am a fully qualified PADI advanced open water diver. I am a proud owner of a kilt and enjoy a good strip the willow at any ceilidh (scottish dance party!!) On new years day I also went swimming in the north sea!

Team bonding sesh in Birmingham's Christmas market

So there we go- ta da! We have been introduced!

Speak to you soon
Team Malawi x

Not far off 2 weeks till we set off!!

Hello world! This is our Team Malawi blogging page! Hurrah! Through this blog, we will keep in touch with all you lovely people and keep you posted on what infact it is we are doing!

It's all very surreal now: it's not far off 2 weeks till the 6 of us leave for Malawi, over 12000km away from home! It's strange to think that we'll be entering such an alien environment that has a completely different take on food, culture, weather, language, and that's to name a few. But, despite being extremely scared (I won't deny it), I can't help but (quite often) brake out into a very embarrassingly awful dance because I'M SO EXCITED! 

I think I speak on behalf of everyone in the team when I say that fundraising has gone extremely well. So much better than any of us imagined. We've all been so blessed by people's kindness, support, and most of all, by God's provision. To me, the thought of raising £3,500 was a jaw dropping "that's not gonna happen" task, but, alas, it's been done! I still question myself .. where has all this money come from?? I'm constantly reminded of these awesome verses in Matthew 7:
Ask, and God will give to you. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will open for you. Yes, everyone who asks will receive. Everyone who searches will find. And everyone who knocks will have the door opened." v7-8

In our next team blog, I will introduce every member of the team so that you're familiar with everyone, what they're like and which roles they'll be taking whilst we're away. Hopefully, you'll enjoy reading these blogs: I'm only a novice and hardly the wittiest of people, but I will endeavor to keep you interested and keen to know more about our whereabouts, whatabouts and doabouts.

Till next time!

Nia & team :-)