Wow, what a trip! I still can't believe I was able to go on a missions trip to Malawi with Reaching the Hungry (click RtH to learn more about what we are doing). The people there are quite friendly and hospitable. While Brian and I were there we were able to install 4 water wells, show the Jesus film 5 times, preform 2 eyeglass clinics, and share the love of Christ with hundreds of Malawians. I wish I could tell you of everything we saw and did, but I think I would wear out my keyboard in the process. So I will tell you of our first day in a village.
The first village we visited was in Lilongwe. The village was about a 45 minute drive from where we were staying (Mosaic Lodge). The village was like most villages there. Homes are made of brick and concrete with thatch roofing. Homes were quite small and arranged with no rhyme or reason to me. There were several "out houses". They were very small brick and concrete inclosure with no roofing. 
The people were friendly and gracious but they did now know Jesus. They practiced a ritual called mask dancing. This is something that is well known in Malawi but is seen mainly as a old tradition and nothing more. This village however saw it more of a religion. Mask dancing takes place in the graveyard. The men wielded machetes and wore masks. They dance at night over the graves to invoke the evil spirits to enter them.
We worked on putting in the pump and the villagers built the concrete structure around the base of the pump. Things seemed to be moving a bit slowly for us "westerners". But what I learned was that they have a different concept of time. In America our view of work is about getting something done in a very quick amount of time barring any concrete connections with one another. In the rest of the world, Malawi included,
view time as unlimited and connecting with others in the group as most important. And so work is done a bit slower but it does get done.
When we were not working on the well we were able to do some ministry with the children. I kicked the soccer ball around with them. Pastor Patrick and Wonderful played the bean bag game. As the day wore on we set up an eyeglass clinic. Brian was able to fit a dozen men and women with new reading glasses. The people were very happy to be able to see close again.
Once evening came it was time to show the Jesus film. People in the villages don't have the same opportunity as us to see any films. So, This was a big deal for them and we were happy to bring it to them. The Jesus film (if you don't know about it) is about the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It also shows in brief the old testament starting from Genesis 1. When we were close to the end Wonderful paused the film and Brian spoke a message to the villagers. After the message we had an alter call where nearly the entire village raised their hands to accept Jesus Christ as their savior!! That was something to see! It nearly had me in tears of joy. We finished the film packed up and said goodby to our new friends.
What a great first day in Malawi Africa. I still can't believe I was able to be there. But now that I am home I have had time to reflect. Because of this trip we were able to positively effect thousands of people with clean water and the word of God. I know I feel that I have listened the the Lord and carried out his will. Thank you Lord for this opportunity to spread your word and your love around the world. "..."The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest send out workers into his harvest field." Matthew 9:37-38
view time as unlimited and connecting with others in the group as most important. And so work is done a bit slower but it does get done.
When we were not working on the well we were able to do some ministry with the children. I kicked the soccer ball around with them. Pastor Patrick and Wonderful played the bean bag game. As the day wore on we set up an eyeglass clinic. Brian was able to fit a dozen men and women with new reading glasses. The people were very happy to be able to see close again. Once evening came it was time to show the Jesus film. People in the villages don't have the same opportunity as us to see any films. So, This was a big deal for them and we were happy to bring it to them. The Jesus film (if you don't know about it) is about the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It also shows in brief the old testament starting from Genesis 1. When we were close to the end Wonderful paused the film and Brian spoke a message to the villagers. After the message we had an alter call where nearly the entire village raised their hands to accept Jesus Christ as their savior!! That was something to see! It nearly had me in tears of joy. We finished the film packed up and said goodby to our new friends.
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| Brian giving a message |
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| From left to right: Knocks, Wonderful, Chris, Patrick. |
