Sunday, June 04, 2006

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 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. Ren
ny 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 bracele
ts.


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
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

Thursday, June 01, 2006

Global Adventure to Kenya and Malawi

On April 29 a Global Adventure Team left for Nairobi, Kenya and Lilongwe, Malawi to visit projects that Word of Grace has invested in over the past six months.

In Nairobi we visited with Sally Mitisu and the leadership of ICAN (InterChurch Aids Network). We also spent some time with Mar
garet Kimuyu and Slum Outreach Ministries (SOM). Located in Kibera, the largest slum in Africa, SOM has ministered to orphans and vulnerable children, widows and the poor for 19 years. Using only her own resources and minimal outside funds Margaret has developed a school for young children, a feeding program for orphans and a church that ministers to families in the area.

Children in Kibera Slum

Margaret Kimuyu (SOM) and Sally Mitisu(ICAN)

One of the other ministries we have supported in Kenya is the Sophia Restoration Centre. Located about one hour outside of Nairobi, Sophia is a community-based organization that is taking care of the AIDS orphans in the town. The work was started by a retired teacher, and with the meager resources available a center has been built, AIDS orphans are being cared for, "guardians" (women who take care of the orphans) have been found for the children and a school has started. It always is amazing to see what God will do with people who are committed to Him.

Godzone at Word of Grace raised money last year to help the Sophia Restoration Centre in their ministry. The funds were used for school supplies and food for the children.


Some of the AIDS Orphans and Guardians at Sophia

Bita Adair, Sophia Restoration Centre leaders and some of the children

From Kenya the team travelled to Lilongwe, Malawi. Our purpose there was to visit some of the projects we have been involved with, meet with business leaders and plan for the future with our ministry partners.

Our team met with the leaders of the Biwi/Mchesi churches to dedicate the land that Word of Grace helped these churches purchase. The almost 10 acres of land will be used to grow food for AIDS orphans, build a small home for a widow and orphans, and provide training in agriculture for young Malawians. It was a blessing to be these committed pastors and community leaders as we saw the land and dedicated it to God.

Dedicating the land with the Biwi/Mchesi Pastors and Tribal Chiefs

The team was also able to visit two villages where Word of Grace will be involved in developing community centers and schools. These schools and centers will become the focal points of ministering to orphans, vulnerable children, HIV/AIDS patients and widows. They will also become training centers for pastors and community leaders. Word of Grace was able to purchase 3 brick machines which will enable the communities to build high quality buildings, quickly and economically. The brick machines will also be used to train young men for employment.


These children in Matanda will benefit from the community center and school that will be built in their village.


This simple brick-making machine will enable villagers to make over 200 bricks a day!

The team ended in their time in Malawi by meeting with Theresa Malila the director of Somebody Cares and Steve Bowler of VisionLedd to plan the next 18 months of ministry together.


Steve and Cathy Bowler and Family -- Word of Grace supported missionaries in Malawi.


Theresa Malila -- National Director of Somebody Cares and Hands@Work, and a Word of Grace supported missionary.