Malawi

 

 

Malawi

The Bridge Church is delighted to be working with Newfrontiers-related churches in Malawi, Southern Africa.Les & Alison Howard provide our link, and seek to visit regularly.

This page contains their diary from their trip in August & September 2011 along with the rest of the ‘UK Team’, John, Andrew and Peter from Beacon Church, Camberley.

 

Saturday 20th August

Joined up with the three Camberley guys at Heathrow Airport. Overnight flight to Joburg, then on to Blantyre, Malawi, arriving 12 noon today. Met at the airport by Robert & Eunice and Jon Moss (Hope Church, Ipswich). Temperature 24 degrees Celsius on arrival. First stop @ Jon & Sam’s house, on the outskirts of Blantyre. Jon has been working with Robert to plan the trip.  (Blantyre and Limbe form the largest urban area in Malawi; around 1million people, of a total population of around 13million.)

Then drove to Luchenza, where R&E live, just over1 hour’s drive. Since we were last here (14 months ago), they have extended their house, so that several visitors can stay. It was deeply moving, as we arrived, that several of Robert’s team gathered with us, and we briefly worshipped and prayed. Rest of the day resting!

Sunday 21st August

All slept well! It is dark at 6pm here, and there is no twilight. Hot water and tea is available in the morning; great! John preached at Luchenza – he did well, speaking of God’s calling, by which we are made children of God.

The afternoon and evening were taken up with lots of talk. We had a tour around the orphanage, to look at the work that needs to be done. We are trusting to do some of this while we are here. There is money available, from the sale of the Malawi calendar, but we do want to act wisely in how we spend it. Around 7pm some of Robert’s folk left for the Lower Shire Valley, where we will be going on Tuesday.

Monday 22nd August

Spent most of the day on orphanage matters. Bought some lime (whitewash); Andrew and Peter started painting the orphans’ bedrooms with two of the older lads. Hopefully they will finish this off when we are gone.

I went shopping with Alison, Eunice, Lignette; bought cups, plates, dishes, washing bowls.

The two schools, here in Luchenza and a few km away at Chintuli start the new term when we have gone. Such is the local need, and the growing reputation of these schools, that they will be over-subscribed immediately. But no-one gets turned away!

Started to prepare the programme for our trip this week. Friday to Sunday we will have a conference with sessions for leaders, men and women, and children and youth. We have tried to plan content that is helpful and relevant. We closed with some powerful prayer and prophecy.

Tuesday 23rd August

Today we drove, and drove, and drove. Numerous stops for provisions, coca cola, notebooks, change a wheel, coca cola, buy replacement tyre, etc. Around 200km down to Ngabu, on the way to the southern tip of Malawi. It is noticeably hotter here; dusty roads, more cattle and goats, and poorer than in the Luchenza area.

Around 7pm, arrived at the location for the conference later in the week. Chamboko is the key leader in this area. He does a great job in setting things up. He, and 100 others, greeted us noisily!

Overnight accommodation at Elephant Lodge – not an elephant in sight! Alison and I have stayed here before, so we know our way around.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday 24th August

Started with breakfast at a café in Ngabu village; eggs and sausage and chips; with tea served with condensed milk – too sweet! In spite of the waitress’ promise, that ‘your food with be ready in 10 minutes,’ we waited nearly an hour for it. We drove south for about 30 minutes on the main (and only) road. It is in pretty poor condition, corrugated in places. (By the way, it is hot here, prob 25-30c, and very dusty. There is no rain here, April through to October.) Visited Sorgin village, to the south-west of Ngabu. John and I spoke on the gospel – enjoying teaming it with John, and plan to do the same tomorrow.

Jon & Sam arrived today as well. They are staying with us for the rest of the conference, effectively serving as part of the UK Team.

Thursday 25th August

Day in Nyamithuthu, 1½ hours drive south. Three vehicles in convoy. Hot and dusty with brief stop for coca cola! Robert likes us to visit churches ahead of doing conferences. It is not a great use of our time, but it does expose us to village life, which the majority of Malawians experience every day.

Friday 26th August

Arrived at Saeni, location for the Conference. Around 200 at the first session. Andrew, John and I shared the ministry on Acts 1.1-11, to demonstrate teamwork. Over the whole trip we did this 6 times (‘and so we teach in all the churches,’ 1 Cor 7.17; 14.33). In the afternoon we split into seminars; Alison and Eunice spoke to the women; John and I to the male leaders, 100 in all; I covered the first 6 chapters of Acts, drawing attention to key leadership principles.

Returned to overnight accommodation early evening giving time for a helpful discussion about where things are going.

Saturday 27th August

Second day at Saeni. Robert asked John and I to preach in the morning session. The afternoon took the same format as yesterday. John and I spent some time talking about Elders, their character and roles. We are planning to teach more about Biblical leadership while at Luchenza next week. A good number of these leaders should travel to Luchenza. Session followed by Q&A and ended with prayer.

In the evening, we erected a projector screen, and showed a film about Foundations for Farming, filmed in Malawi, which was well received.

 

Sunday 28th August

Final session of conference; Sunday service, where we each gave our ‘goodbye greetings.’ John preached, and then lots of prayer. Weather

significantly cooler from yesterday evening; even a few spots of rain (rare for August here).

Drove back to J&S’s in Blantyre. Long discussion about the development of the UK team, so J&S fully up to date with how we got where we are. Their first 7 years in Malawi have been something of a trial, but they are great folk; three small children – Malachi, Reuben, and Eliana. Jon works at a nearby International School. They have worked hard to support R&E.

 

Comment on the Team

It is a ‘first’ for us coming with folk from another Newfrontiers church. We have developed a healthy relationship with Andrew and John from the Beacon Church.

John and I have done a few meetings together. Generally I have started with a (hopefully) methodical teaching,

and John preaches with much encouragement and exhortation. Our gifts and styles are complimentary, so the partnership has worked well. (Andrew has done less ‘ministry,’ and has worked with the children and young people in the village, which he thoroughly enjoyed.)

Monday 29th August

Rest day @ J&S’s. a couple of trips into town, principally to get cash, and look at bicycles. Eventually arrived at Luchenza around 6pm. We spent some time with Robert discussing finance.

Tuesday 30th August

Visited Kachingwe and Chibwana churches; repeated Acts 1.1-11 as a threesome. Passionate worship in both churches. Thoroughly enjoyable day.

Discussed plan for Wednesday & Thursday Conference sessions. John and Andrew keen for me to ‘set the scene,’ Biblically, for them to develop. Main theme is ‘Leadership.’ We will highlight Christ’s servant leadership; necessity of love and godly character in leadership; and the twin responsibilities to pray and plan.

 

Wednesday 31st August

In morning, visited Chimasoira church (postponed from Monday). Numbers a little lower than expected as a funeral in the village. Enjoyable time. Peter and Kome went to Blantyre to buy the bicycles.

Returned to Luchenza in afternoon, to start Conference. John and I started on servant leadership in the afternoon; I did John 13, ending with washing the Malawians’ hands, and kneeling in prayer together – very moving. John did Phil 2. In the evening, Andrew led some thoughts in love from 1 Cor 13, in a leadership context. Finished late at night – all tired.

Thursday 1st September

John and I worked through Romans 12, – ‘the kingdom way.’ Andrew did Nehemiah, ‘Praying and Planning’ in the afternoon. Brief evening meeting; I spoke on Luke 11.28, with 10 minutes’ notice!

Edward & Fridah arrived in the evening; warm welcome from the locals, singing and dancing.

Friday 2nd September

Brilliant day! Edward preached in the morning to the gathered pastors and other folk. He warmly commended the work done by the UK team; he even quoted me in his message! Afternoon session with Robert’s senior leaders. Edward set out the framework for developing the work. Lots of references to the content we have been bringing throughout our time here – again very encouraging. Some Q&A, and discussion re finance. Finished with bread and wine.

Saturday 3rd September

E&F left 5am for their flight to Kenya. UK team left Luchenza 10am, for 24 hour journey to home.