Adziwa Means God Knows
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This past summer , US students in The Institute for Cultural Engagement ( TICE ) served alongside Capital City Baptist Church ( CCBC ) in Lilongwe , Malawi . Students and other team members worked with CCBC to bring VBS-style activities to children attending grades K-12 at Adziwa Christian School . Additionally , the nurses on the team brought supplies to the school nurse and assisted her throughout the trip .
The travelers included Mackinlay Purdy (’ 22 ), Mary Grace Stewart (’ 22 ), Kenzie Edwards , Mary Margaret Carter , Parker Wright , Debby Oluwale , and Emily McAdams . Other members included Chris and John Mark McDougal , Emily Wright , Maddie Ross (’ 18 ), Rob Dublin , and Kevin Mosley .
The team facilitated activities , including crafts , music , and outdoor games , working closely with the principal of Adziwa Christian School . CPA student Mckenzie Edwards shared that she felt an immediate sense of camaraderie with the youth group at CCBS . She explained how special it was to serve with the local church ’ s youth group and that both teams immediately felt connected to one another through their faith in Christ . The two teams even keep in touch today , sharing back and forth online their daily lives and encouraging one another towards a gospel-centered mentality .
In the village of Lilongwe , the group met and prayed with some of the Guardians of the children at the school . CPA Nurse Chris McDougal recalled that during this special time , she noticed the people of Lilongwe ’ s incredible hope , not in their circumstances , but in God ’ s plan for their lives . In the local dialect , Adziwa means “ God knows ,” and McDougal noted that the teachers , staff , students , and families embody this ethos from the tops of their heads to the soles of their feet – a community spiritually and socially aligned by the divine omniscience and sovereignty of God . The group unanimously noted the powerful gratitude and graciousness of the Adziwa community , mentioning how they wish to carry this spirit into the CPA community .
McDougal reflected on reciting the Lord ’ s Prayer alongside the students , a deeply meaningful moment . She shared , “ There is something profoundly unifying about the Lord ’ s Prayer ; it transcends language and culture , reminding us that we are all connected by our faith .” She shared another impactful moment from her time with these young students . McDougal was playing field games with a group of first grade students when they decided to sit under a tree to rest . Upon accidentally sitting down on top of a large ant colony , the students immediately rushed to McDougal , brushing off the ants from her before even thinking about the ants crawling on themselves .
24 PURPLE & GOLD 2023-24