I could post the schedule, but it’s more personal to write a quick day by day.  

A week before is the packing party.  There were sign up lists.  There was a plan, but then the day comes and so many people bring so many things.  We used the whole basketball court at the church to pack everything.  We got a lot done, but the packing team will keep working all week to get all the boxes of supplies ready to go. 

A day before is our packing.  The kids decided to rearrange their rooms, so we were very busy.  Our biggest bag had sleeping pads, blankets, sheets, but only weighed 40 pounds.  The heaviest bag had all our clothes and was just under 50 pounds.  Then one small carry on and 3 backpacks. 

The day of: we got to sleep in.  Arrival at the church is noon.  We’re the second group to fly today.  The first had the early flight.  There are 35 in our group.  It took nearly an hour to check in all our bags and boxes.  The first flight is easy– Denver.  Just a quick layover and we’re off to London.  Day 1 ends sometime here. 

Day 2 we land in London in the morning and have 8 hours.  We go to bag check to leave carryons and backpacks.  Then we’re off to downtown on the tube.  We got the quick 3 hour walking tour before heading back.  The other hours are riding the train, waiting, checking back in.  We’re supposed to sleep going to Ethiopia.  The morning team met us in London so now the group is 70 people large. 

Day 3 is pretty blurry.  We didn’t sleep much.  There was a 3 hour layover in Ethiopia before a 3 hour flight to Malawi.  We landed in Malawi around 11AM.  We checked into the college dorms, then went out to the village.  We had a late dinner and went straight to bed. 

Day 4 came with seemed like 5 min later.  Breakfast is at 7:30 to make it to chapel by 8– our new normal schedule.  Today we went back to the village for the Grove church dedication.  Then back to the college to wait for the last group of people to arrive–30 more.  Then back to the village with another late dinner.  We’re still exhausted and went straight to bed. 

Day 5 follows the schedule, but today we get a little time at the college to relax.  The village today is fun and games with the kids.  Lots of playing on the field: soccer, tag, schoolyard games.  We came back earlier so there was a little more time to relax after dinner. 

Day 6 is Sunday to help frame the days.  We have church in the village.  It’s not where the new Grove church will be yet.  They have tents and a stage. 

Day 7-11 are the core activity days.  Each day we pick the activity we want to do.  Breakfast, chapel, village, back to college for dinner, then bed.  Day 7 is VBS since my kids have to lead.  Day 8 is the tree farm and handing out trees.  Day 8 is special since we have dinner in town at a restaurant– pizza!  Its a late night.  Day 9 is going to the girl’s school and seeing the women’s conference.  Day 10 is unique since all the activities are on the college campus with the chiefs and teens.  Day 10 is also the chapel concert.  Day 11 is a big day back at the village.  My kids want to watch the soccer final.  We went to VBS first. After the soccer game is the concert in the village.  It’s another late night. 

Day 12 is a big day.  It’s Blessings birthday.  We take our time going to the village and come back early.  At the village is the final big VBS with >1000 kids.  Then change and clean up for the concert in the city.  The birthday party is right after that.  Another late night…

Leading up the day 13, which is an early morning… and late night.  It’s Sunday again, but today we’re driving to the safari.  6 hour drive with overnight packs. We got lunch, then a sunset river safari, then dinner.  Day 14 is just as early for the jeep safari and 6 hour drive back.  

Day 15 is the last day in the village.  We stay all day.  We help the women cook for the whole village– nearly 2000 people.  Of course they know what they’re doing, not us.  Lots of playing with the kids, with games and relay races.  Then we have to say our goodbyes to the village. 

Day 16 is the last day at the college.  Our last breakfast and chapel.  Then we have to pack and say our goodbyes to the college interns and Live Love Malawi staff.  We fly to Ethiopia and spend the night at the airport there. 

Day 17-18 get really fuzzy.  We’re exhausted from waiting in Ethiopia.  Once in London we changed planes with not much of a layover.  Then a long flight to Denver and a short flight home.  We got home around 5PM and stayed up a couple hours before collapsing. 

The next day I’m not sure what time zone I’m on, but I’m pretty sure I don’t want to be awake right now. 

The next day is my sister in laws baby shower.  Aaron was still struggling and didn’t make it.  Nathan and I were present. 

Then there was the adjustment period back to US life, but that isn’t part of the schedule…If you’re interested you can also read Aaron’s day by day schedule here: https://livelovekucenski.com/aaron-malawi-diary/