Josephy carved these nativities for World Nativity.  World Nativity is operated by a very good friend, Garrick Hyde, and his family.

Josephy's Mahogany Nativity

Josephy's Ebony Nativity

Click on the links above for description of the works above.  Click here to see the great work of World Nativity.

Josephy sells his art at a morning market that happens monthly.  During the summer his work is sought after by tourists on the shores of Lake Malawi.  This Marketplace painting is very popular.  While the theme and elements are similar each painting is an original. 

 Below are close ups of some of these elements on a different version.

 Notice the bicycle taxi. Wonderful foods laid out huts and trees of the village and people on their way The baobab tree, chickens, and vegetables

The Tree of Life represents the love of God and the fruit thereof is the most desirable above all things.

Here is the same painting with the bamboo tube in came in.  I'd like to find a way to display the two together.  Any suggestions?

Brother Banda's bamboo was a very pleasant surprise.  One of the paintings we have is of "The Tree of Life".  I'll post that one later.  When my daughter arrived with it in this bamboo tube I was fascinated and it was quite some time before I even looked at the painting.

And here is what it looks like on the inside.  I think this tube was a beautiful way to transport the paintings, and a piece of art in its own right.

Beads have been used for all kinds of things from ornamentation to money.  And they are made from all sorts of material like bones, shells, glass, and rock.  But paper?  You betcha!  The larger beads in this colorful necklace are made from tightly wound paper.

These cards are beautiful and make great Christmas cards.  These are gifts that bring a smile to the person who receives them and also blesses the life of a good family a world away.  Check out World Nativity.  It is an amazing and remarkable story of one family trying to do some good in the world.

Click this link to get more info or to buy these lovely Banana Fiber Cards

Lake Malawi is by far the most prominent geographical feature in Malawi.  It is the 3rd largest and 2nd deepest lake in Africa and the 9th largest in the world.  It boarders Mozambique and Tanzania.  Of course it is a major food and water source.  But it also has many great beaches and resorts for water fun.  African fish eagles, hippopotamus, monkeys, and crocodiles are among the wildlife in and around the lake.