Global Adventure to Malawi
On April 28 a Global Adventure team of 14 people travelled to Lilongwe, Malawi for 10 days of ministry alongside Hands@Work, one of our ministry partners. The African country of Malawi is a beautiful nation of about 12.5 million people. It has been called the "warm heart" of Africa, a nickname we all found to be true. The people are so open and warm. Malawi is also one of the poorest countries in the world. 20% of the population lives on less than $75 a year, and more than half the people have an annual income of less than $120. Despite the fact that a famine caused by drought had put nearly 5 million Malawians on the brink of starvation in 2005, we were welcomed with open heart and arms. I left another piece of my heart there.
The team went to Malawi with the idea of working with women, orphans and vulnerable children, and home based care workers who minister to those infected by HIV/AIDS. But when we arrived, God had so much more in mind than we had planned.
Womens Ministry
Some of the women on our team did women's ministry. We helped the Malawian women make small memory books emphasizing through Scripture that children are a blessing and that God has a hope and future for them. We had a portable photo printer that worked magic. Renny Mitchell our historian, worked feverishly to make sure every woman had at least one photo. This was such a joy as many of these women do not own a mirror and have never seen themselves, let alone have a picture of themselves. These small books will become a treasure for their whole families.
Brenda Tady working with two women making memory books.
The Global Adventure Team to Malawi
The team went to Malawi with the idea of working with women, orphans and vulnerable children, and home based care workers who minister to those infected by HIV/AIDS. But when we arrived, God had so much more in mind than we had planned.
Womens Ministry
Some of the women on our team did women's ministry. We helped the Malawian women make small memory books emphasizing through Scripture that children are a blessing and that God has a hope and future for them. We had a portable photo printer that worked magic. Renny Mitchell our historian, worked feverishly to make sure every woman had at least one photo. This was such a joy as many of these women do not own a mirror and have never seen themselves, let alone have a picture of themselves. These small books will become a treasure for their whole families.
Brenda Tady working with two women making memory books.
Childrens Ministry
While some of the women on our team were working with the women, other team members minister to children -- many who were orphans. We came prepared to work with 80-100 children but in reality over 300 children came to be part of our activities. The team was a bit overwhelmed but did not miss a beat and simply began to play with and teach the children simple hand games and songs about Jesus. The children in turn taught us some songs but more importantly taught us how to be content with what they had. It is amazing to see the true joy these little ones have, the mere fact that we came to visit and play with them was more than enough. We were able to share the gospel with them using wordless bracelets.
Meghan Mitchell playing with some of the hundreds of children
While some of the women on our team were working with the women, other team members minister to children -- many who were orphans. We came prepared to work with 80-100 children but in reality over 300 children came to be part of our activities. The team was a bit overwhelmed but did not miss a beat and simply began to play with and teach the children simple hand games and songs about Jesus. The children in turn taught us some songs but more importantly taught us how to be content with what they had. It is amazing to see the true joy these little ones have, the mere fact that we came to visit and play with them was more than enough. We were able to share the gospel with them using wordless bracelets.
Meghan Mitchell playing with some of the hundreds of children
Dave Tady was one of the men ministering to the children. As he was playing "patty-cake" with one of the kids the Lord clearly spoke to him. As Dave looked into the face of the child he was playing with God said "When I was hungry, you gave me something to eat, when I was thirsty, you gave me something to drink, when I needed someone to play with me, you played with me." Dave told us that as he looked into the face of this child, he could see the face of Jesus.
Dave Tady playing with one of the children
Pastoral Leadership Training
Some of the pastors outside the building where Jack and Herb were doing the training and teaching
Two of our team members, Jack Tesch and Herb Selby spent 4 days teaching and training more than 70 pastors -- primarily from the rural areas on the outskirts of the city of Lilongwe. What we discovered was that 80% of these pastors did not even own a Bible! So, we promptly purchased them. It was an exciting day when we were able to give these pastors their very own Bibles. They received them with such joy, you would have thought they had won the lottery! Giving them the Bibles was better than any Christmas our team had experienced. As Jack and Herb taught, the beautiful sound of flipping pages as pastors quickly followed along was music to their ears. In addition to spending four days with these wonderful men, Jack and Herb had the great privilege of leading 2 Jehovah Witness to the Lord. The men had been attending hoping to disrupt the proceedings -- but instead, gave their lives to Jesus!
Some of the pastors outside the building where Jack and Herb were doing the training and teaching
Home-Based Care for HIV/AIDS Patients
One of our key ministry partners in Malawi is Hands@Work. This ministry is led by Theresa Malila, a woman who has not only become an inspiration to us, but a wonderful friend. One of the key ministries of Hands@Work is providing care for HIV/AIDS patients right in their homes. Theresa has a dedicated team of more than 80 volunteer workers who minister to the needs of the patients with the meager resources they have.
Our team was able to help the workers in a number of ways. First, we brought with us medical supplies that these workers need. Secondly Omana Kalingara was able to provide some training for the volunteer workers. These workers go from house-to-house in communities and villages helping home-bound patients with basic needs. They will do first-aid, check on the mental and emotional health of the patient, pray with them and their family, and even clean their house if they need it. These workers are truly servant leaders in the true Biblical sense.
Team members had opportunities to visit with the HIV/AIDS patients of many of the Home Based Care Workers and pray with them. It was so powerful to see God at work. In one home we prayed for a young woman who was recently widowed and had been kicked out of her home along with her 2 small children. We prayed for physical healing (all three are HIV positive) and emotional healing. Though we prayed in English it was so evident that the Holy Spirit was at work as she had a sense of peace and hope come over her. It was most evident as Meghan Mitchell prayed for one of her children. This child was absolutely terrified of us, but Meghan simply began to pray for peace and against fear and the baby immediately calmed down. How incredible it is to see the power of prayer.
Ruth praying with one of the Home Based Care patients
The team's time in Malawi was short, but we all had a sense that this was just the beginning of God using Word of Grace to walk alongside our friends in Malawi doing what Jesus asked us to do -- minister to the poor, the sick and the oppressed. We know that as we minister to the "least of these", we are ministering to Jesus.
Why don't you consider joining us in what God is doing in Malawi?
Ruth Mitchell
Team Leader
Ephesians 2:10
One of our key ministry partners in Malawi is Hands@Work. This ministry is led by Theresa Malila, a woman who has not only become an inspiration to us, but a wonderful friend. One of the key ministries of Hands@Work is providing care for HIV/AIDS patients right in their homes. Theresa has a dedicated team of more than 80 volunteer workers who minister to the needs of the patients with the meager resources they have.
Our team was able to help the workers in a number of ways. First, we brought with us medical supplies that these workers need. Secondly Omana Kalingara was able to provide some training for the volunteer workers. These workers go from house-to-house in communities and villages helping home-bound patients with basic needs. They will do first-aid, check on the mental and emotional health of the patient, pray with them and their family, and even clean their house if they need it. These workers are truly servant leaders in the true Biblical sense.
Team members had opportunities to visit with the HIV/AIDS patients of many of the Home Based Care Workers and pray with them. It was so powerful to see God at work. In one home we prayed for a young woman who was recently widowed and had been kicked out of her home along with her 2 small children. We prayed for physical healing (all three are HIV positive) and emotional healing. Though we prayed in English it was so evident that the Holy Spirit was at work as she had a sense of peace and hope come over her. It was most evident as Meghan Mitchell prayed for one of her children. This child was absolutely terrified of us, but Meghan simply began to pray for peace and against fear and the baby immediately calmed down. How incredible it is to see the power of prayer.
Ruth praying with one of the Home Based Care patients
Why don't you consider joining us in what God is doing in Malawi?
Ruth Mitchell
Team Leader
Ephesians 2:10
posted by Global Outreach at Word of Grace at 7:53 AM
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