The Auburn Church of Christ in Auburn, Alabama has been increasing their involvement in Malawi during the past two years and the children in the congregation are not to be outdone by the adults. Terri Monks and her husband Dale have three daughters, Maggie (14), Molly (7), and Lilly (2). Maggie and Molly are participating in a pen pal project with some of the children at Mtendere Village in Lumbadzi, and recently attended a cookout at the church building that focused on a presentation of videos and stories about Malawi with a special emphasis on the children of Mtendere.
A few days later Terri reports that Molly came into the den at their home to retrieve a small dollhouse. “She said they were playing Malawi,” Terri advises. “I went to her room a short time later to see what she meant. On the floor in front of me was the dollhouse with pallets on the floor. Molly explained this was done for the missionaries to sleep on the floor. They had their small dolls (Polly Pockets) lined up to represent the members of the Auburn Team that were going to Malawi. One dark-skinned doll represented the Malawian. They were playing out their version of the mission team going to Malawi to help the people there.”
Terri concludes from her observation of the girls, “Never underestimate the impact of what little ears hear and little hearts feel”