Rotarian Kirk Schexnider, right, presented a program on his summer mission trip to Malawi at Tuesday’s meeting of the Rotary Club of Crowley. Thanking him for his presentation were, from left, program organizer Dr. Craig Brammer and President Mary Zaunbrecher.
Schexnider reflects on mission trip to Malawi
Jeannine LeJeune is the online editor for the Crowley Post-Signal. She can be reached at jeannine.lejeune@crowleytoday.com or 337-783-3450.
CROWLEY – Just by listening to him speak on the subject, the past two mission trips Kirk Schexnider took to Malawi have been not only fruitful for the orphanage he visited, but himself as well.
Tuesday, at the Rotary Club of Crowley’s weekly meeting, Schenxnider was happy to report that this year’s trip was another success, and he was quick to thank those who had supported him.
“I want to thank everyone again who gave financially, thought about me while I was gone,” he said. “I even got a couple of nice emails and messages on Facebook.”
Schexnider explained that when he returned this year, he wanted to make sure those who lived and worked at the orphanage took pride and ownership of the improvements and helped him do so. They did.
He added that he also promised he would do some landscaping to give the place a little life in the front. He did.
Schexnider and those who helped got painting, landscaping, roofing projects and more done along with a week-long vacation Bible school at the orphanage. They completely revamped a unit that had been left in total disarray at the orphanage as well.
Perhaps one of the more enjoyable and special moments Schexnider was able to be a part of was a very special wedding that occurred while he was there. One of the original children of the orphanage got married and Schexnider and his rented Toyota found themselves as the chauffeur and wedding car for the day.
He joked that it took an hour and a half to travel 4 miles in the car due to all the joyous singing and congratulations being bestowed upon the newlyweds.
Schexnider also showed photos from around the campus, such as new puppies and the special trees around it as well as the food served. The group also had a chance to visit an 11,000-acre reserve and got to see many wild animals.
There was a bit of a downer on the trip as misty weather caused a four-day power outage in the area.
Schexnider also explained that his church, Northside Assembly of God in Crowley, donates rice, beans and milk to the orphanage.
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