Malawi Matters Newsletter: June 2010

Expect the Unexpected

If there is anything that I have learned while living in Africa, it is to expect the unexpected.  The most consistent element of life here is its inconsistency.  I have come to realize that that is not a bad thing.  It is just the way it is. 

Today’s events provided yet another example of this reality.  We arrived at church with the intention to conclude a three-day set of revival services that had already been revised and altered to accommodate the changing needs of the church and village.  We were greeted by the pastor, who advised us that rather than having church, we would be preaching the funeral of the two-year-old daughter of a church member.  A minister here knows that he must be prepared for whatever ministry need dictates at the moment, so we assisted with those needing a lift and navigated the rough terrain to the neighboring village for the service.

 

An explanation of a Malawi funeral would fail to adequately relate the event.  Men and women sit in separate locations.  The body of the deceased is housed in a casket in a room filled with female mourners who are singing and attempting to bring comfort to the bereaved.  Women outside are busy cooking over open fires, enough food to feed all those in attendance.  The menu usually consists of nsima, rice, meat, and cooked vegetables of some sort.  Other than the chairs provided for those of honor, seating for the group is on the ground.  There are pockets of people scattered among the houses and structures.  Great respect is shown in a solemn atmosphere while friends and family share conversation and necessary activities.

Once the meal is prepared and served, the service begins.  Men form a circle around the casket and sit on the ground in a cleared, open area designated for the service.  Women and children sit on the ground in an outer area. Most of the service is conducted in Chichewa.  I am told that the sermons have less to do with the person’s life and more to do with Christian teaching.  There may be more than one person who shares during the memorial.  A list of those giving donations for the funeral is read.  A prayer concludes this part of the ceremony, and the casket is then carried or transported by vehicle to the burial site.

Attendees by the hundreds walk behind the casket to the gravesite with singing and the wailing of mourners. Once there, men sit closest to the body, while the women sit on the parameter of the area.  More thoughts are shared, prayer is offered, then the casket is lowered into the ground, and the grave is covered by men from the village as a last means of respect and duty.  Final comments and prayer are shared, and then the crowd walks back to the village area.

As you can surmise, this process is not concise. Funerals here consume much of the day.  The process offers an opportunity for those in attendance to actively or passively express acts of kindness to the family of the departed.  Though it may sound odd, I enjoy the sense of community and camaraderie expressed at a Malawi funeral.  For a brief moment in time, I am part of a shared experience.  Easing the sting of death becomes a common goal of all.

Though unexpected, I expect that ministry today was performed by more than just the preacher and that the message was heard by all.  My continued thoughts and prayers are with this mother and her family.

(Please note that all photos were not taken today but were taken with permission of participants.  No photos were taken at the burial site.)

Malawi Matters Newsletter: March 2010

Our God Is Mighty to Save

Thanks to all of you who faithfully support us in finances and in prayer. Truly, our God is mighty to save those who come to Him with repentant hearts. This clip highlights some of our ministry in Malawi, Africa.

Honk if …..

I had a panic moment today when I went to use my horn, and it wouldn’t honk.  I knew that my horn had been very weak since my return from the USA, but today it was not weak; it was dead.  Tap – nothing; tap again – still nothing.

I suddenly was struck with the question of why this disturbed me so.  I actually felt unsafe.  I began to think that in my whole life until two years ago, I possibly honked the horn on my cars a total of, maybe, ten times.  In stark contrast, I probably honk my horn at least that many times in a week here in Malawi. 

In a country where traffic signals and laws are regarded as  suggestions and not requirements, I have come to depend on the ability to honk.  Honk for the security guard to open the gate; honk for the pedestrian to discontinue his game of frogger across the roadway; honk for the bicycle to realize that car trumps bicycle; honk for the driver who creates a third lane of traffic where there are barely two; honk for the friend whose attention you want to get.  I suddenly acknowledged and valued an object I had taken for granted.

So tonight I bid adieu to my old horn and welcome my new. Ah, I feel better already!

Field of Souls

This is the video presentation that we use as part of our services while in the USA. We have not had a full itineration since departing for the field in January 2005, so there has not been a chance to show it to many of you in person.

This highlights some of the ministry that we have done while in Namibia and Malawi, Africa. We are involved in preaching, teaching, constructing, and sharing the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ by whatever means needed by our national church leadership.

If you listen to the words of this song as you watch the clip, you will hear our philosophy of ministry. We agree with the words of our Lord that the fields are "white unto harvest". We work our corner of the Master's harvest field, as we trust that you work yours. We each have a vital role to play in sharing the message of the cross. May we each be granted much fruit for our labor.

God bless you as we work the field of souls together.

We Love Sundays

We had another great day of ministry today in the town of Nkhamenya.  Four students from the Bible school went with us and participated in teaching Sunday school, interpreting, and assisting as needed.  We had a great time singing and praying in the car on the two-hour journey to the church location. 

 

God was so very gracious to spare the life of a small child who ran out in front of our fast-moving vehicle.  It was truly miraculous that we did not hit her.  We always pray for traveling safety as we travel the very-dangerous roads in this country.

The pastor, his family, and church were very warm and receptive to our ministry.  A young man in the congregation was wearing a “Dont’ Mess With Texas” t-shirt.  I had him assist me in welcoming the congregation with the Texas greeting "howdy”.  Believe it or not, this is not an easy word for most, since they have never heard it before.

Knowing that Bible school students sacrifice so much to attend school and have very little money for personal items, the church did a very considerate thing and gave our guests toiletry items.  That is no small gesture for one in need!

It is always a joy to shake hands with the people at the conclusion of the service.  And, of course, there is always time for photographs or jambula.  Thanks, Pastor and Family, for such a great day of ministry.

Live Offering

I can honestly say that we received an offering today unlike any that we have received before.  At the conclusion of today’s service, the pastor announced that the church would like to bless us with a special gift.  At that, a man entered with a live goat with feet tied.  How interesting!

   As he brought him near us, I was just about getting over the marvel of it all when the animal bleated loudly – sending us into shock and laughter.  The random, harsh cry was a bit unnerving, but we couldn’t help but laugh.  The church really enjoyed our reaction.  We were so humbled and thankful and shocked, all at the same time.

A frustrated goat sounds very much like a frustrated human being or baby.  I must be honest, all the way home the random bleating of this creature elicited reactions from all of us.  What a hoot!

Fishy Business

On the way back from Mkaika Sunday, I couldn’t resist the urge to stop and shop for fish for our ANTS students’ lunch on Monday.  We fried up some local potatoes, added some cabbage slaw, and had a great meal of fish and chips.  Did I mention that the vendors tied them to the side mirror and front cattle guard for transport home?

Ministry in Mkaika

This weekend we ministered in the trading center of Mkaika in the Nkhotakota District of Malawi.  We began on Friday night by showing the first half of the “Jesus” film with Gaylord closing the service. 

 

Saturday consisted of a morning teaching session on the Holy Spirit, lunch, and an afternoon session on marriage and family – with the men sitting on one side of the church and the women on the other.  Gaylord shared, and then he and I conducted a question and answer segment.  Very interesting!  That night we showed the last half of the “Jesus” film, again followed by Gaylord ministering.  Sunday morning service concluded the weekend before the two-hour trip trip home.

We were accompanied by three Bible school students from Assemblies of God School of Theology (AGST): Kenneth, Roland, and John.  All three were instrumental in assisting with ministry functions from praise and worship to interpreting to children’s ministry to setting up and tearing down.  What a great time we had!

  

We were privileged on Saturday afternoon to make a trip to the fishing village of Matumbi, where we conducted a crusade last year.  We were greeted warmly by adults and children alike.  It was great to see many of the church and village people who had attended. We brought a present to the village chief who converted from Islam to Christianity last year.  Unfortunately, he had taken his wife to the hospital with health complications.

 

As usual we were treated to very nice food.  Being on the lakeshore this included delicious fish.  What a blessing these ladies and this ministry are.

 

At the conclusion of the weekend, the church expressed their appreciation by giving us clay pots, ground nuts, and chitinji cloth, wrapped around my head and body in traditional Malawi fashion.  

We thank God for every opportunity we have to share the gospel at home and abroad.