What It Means to Be Seen: Visiting Sponsored Students in Malawi with Giving Basics

A huge part of our mission trip to Malawi with Giving Basics  was about visiting sponsored students, forming real relationships, and sharing the love of Jesus through faith-based student sponsorship.

We loved meeting and spending time with the students in the Giving Basics sponsorship program. 

We wanted them to know they are deeply loved—not just by us, but by their sponsors in America and Jesus. 

We delivered letters and gifts, and one of the most treasured items we presented was a Bible. For many of the students, it was their very first one.

During their exam break, we had the joy of welcoming them to the mill—a rare opportunity in most Christian mission trips to Malawi. 

We hosted one-on-one Bible studies where we shared our favorite scriptures and they shared theirs. These quiet moments opened the door to deep spiritual conversations and forged genuine bonds.

 It was incredible to see their passions and personalities: some read quietly, some sang, others drew or kicked around a football (soccer ball), and a few eagerly learned guitar. 

These interactions reminded us we’re all just people—children of God—despite different cultures and needs.

Some students even got to FaceTime with their sponsors back home, creating an emotional, joy-filled connection.

For many on our team, it was a family reunion, the joy was unmistakable.

Traveling to visit these Malawi student sponsorship schools was both challenging and unforgettable. Because the schools were so spread out, our team had to split up. 

We knew it would be a special day when everything started going wrong—waking at 4 AM but not getting picked up until 6, followed by our truck breaking down.

Still, God provided. 

We were picked up in a bigger truck and everyone had their own seat for the long, bumpy drive. 

Vehicles have been a constant issue for us on this journey. The roads in Malawi are extremely rough, causing frequent breakdowns, and it's difficult to find the right parts for repairs.

Please pray for wisdom and provision—our Malawian team needs reliable vehicles to effectively do their work in Mzimba and surrounding areas. 

Meanwhile, another team’s car faced far more intense obstacles—a fight broke out near their vehicle, and they were pulled over by police. 

Their driver, who is also their Malawian son, almost had his license revoked, which would have been devastating since he’s a taxi driver. Thankfully, they were only fined 20,000 Kwacha (about $12 USD). 

They almost turned around, but Chisomo, our wonderful social worker, encouraged them to press on.

We love how Malawians face adversity. Cars break down, fines happen, and the government fails them again and again—but they keep smiling, keep going. It’s just a speed bump in their day (and by the way, those literal speed bumps are massive—we bottomed out more than once!).

What often derails us Americans is just a detour to our Malawian friends.

Seeing the different schools was powerful. Primary school in Malawi is free, but high school is not. That’s why the Giving Basics sponsorship program is so crucial. 

It helps the most vulnerable children—often identified by our team in Malawi—get access to school, boarding, and meals. 

Some schools were clean and well-maintained; others had heartbreaking living conditions. Being there firsthand showed us how to better serve these students.

One school that stood out was a school for the deaf. In Malawi, deafness is often seen as a curse, which leads to abandonment and isolation. These children are sometimes shamed or neglected in their villages. But this school is a sanctuary. Even when sponsorships don’t come through, they do everything they can to keep children enrolled. 

They struggle financially but God continues to provide.

Here, the students are seen, heard, and known. They can communicate. They can learn. They have hope. I know very little sign language, but I tried my best. 

They were so happy to engage, even when I struggled to keep up. This lit a fire in me to learn ASL so I can return and connect more deeply next time.

Education in Malawi looks very different from what many in the U.S. know. During our time on this Malawi mission trip, we learned how exam-based systems impact students emotionally and spiritually.

Kids don’t move on unless they pass. That means a teenager might be sitting in a second-grade classroom, embarrassed and discouraged.

As a homeschool mom, this kind of system is heartbreaking. 

One of our students shared her anxiety before exams. She asked for prayer because she felt demons were attacking her. Her description sounded exactly like an anxiety attack. One of our teens reminded her that Jesus loves her whether she passes or fails, and that we do too. 

Her worth is not based on test scores.

Speaking that kind of truth and love into these students’ lives—truth many had never heard before—was a gift for us and for them.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NLT)

“So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.” 

Prayer

Lord, thank You for the students we met and the light they carry. Thank You for letting us see them, know them, and love them. May they know Your presence, Your provision, and their worth in You. In Jesus' name, Amen.