Rather than just give you the play-by-play, I'd like to describe 3 experiences I had which touched my heart. (for those who like play-by-play...bus, borehole, bus, hotel, bus, borehole, bus, bus, bus, mzuzu) :)
When we arrived at our first village, we were greeted in song and dance. The holy spirit was certainly moving and we could see real joy in peoples faces. We met with chiefs and saw so many changes since last year when the team visited. The borehole was still working well, and there was now a new partially completed brick church structure in front of it. LENNOX UMC donated the borehole, and AFUMC donated resources for the church. It will be amazing, and will serve the community well.
We also had a chance to go back to the "Bethel circuit" and worship at St. Johns. We were encouraged to hear that they are planning to restart all of the childrens/orphan programs which had been closed during turmoil, as well as add programs for women and youth. The elder Pastor Nkata delivered a powerful sermon on the need for salvation and his own conversion experience.
Finally, yesterday, we were able to visit a village (VERY REMOTE) where a brand-new borehole was waiting to be used. We arrived again to singing and a short presentation. With literally hundreds of people around, Len was able to "unwrap" the borehole (it had been decorated) and pump it with the project manager for the very first time. Then, along with the 16 village chiefs, we were able to drink from the well. 700 families (an estimated 6,000 people) will now have access to clean water for the first time. After the dedication, we were invited into a leader's home. We sat together with the chiefs on the floor and ate a meal of chicken/beef (mystery meat) and rice. It was delicious, and it was clear this was a HUGE offering to us as the village was very remote and poor. We then shared a word with the entire village on bore-hole maintenance and God's gift of clean water and grace. We may or may not have also been given a live chicken as I gift (which I named buster) which was then swapped out for another chicken that I was not as attached to and which will be dinner tomorrow... but I digress... lol.
Now we're in Mzuzu connecting with old friends and preparing for another day of mission and relationships. PLEASE KNOW THIS!! TELL EVERYONE YOU KNOW!!! JESUS IS REAL! GOD IS FAITHFUL!!
We need you to believe that even though we don't dig/build/hammer anything while we are here, we are building REAL relationships that change lives. We have already been changed as a team as well. When we meet people we haven't seen in 2 years, and continue conversations as if it were yesterday it gives me confidence that God has us here for a reason. We share the love of God and hope of God with each other. I heard the DS for Malawi (BIG PASTOR BOSS) say that he is so glad we come because it gives people hope that there is a God... if there wasn't a God, why would these people travel so far to tell us God loves us? We respond by saying we travel here to be reminded that God loves Ankeny. God calls us to be ENGAGED in our community in service and love.
BE ENCOURAGED AFUMC! YOUR PRAYERS AND GIFTS ARE MAKING A REAL DIFFERENCE FOR JESUS CHRIST IN MALAWI!! See you soon.
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