These past few weeks have probably been the most important since we’ve been here. It’s said that after a month most missionaries think they know everything about the culture they are living in. After three or four months they realize they know nothing. Welcome to our world. Certainly if you were to spend no more than a week or even a month in one place you could retain all of your presumptions about the people and their culture, and return home blissfully ignorant. As the days go by, there is an exciting reality that is dawning and growing in our hearts.
I’m thinking of a popular song I know: “Jesus I believe in you, and I would go to the ends of the Earth for you…” Go for what? To conquer people? There is only one conquerer, and his name is Jesus. He’s already been here for a while. To be a hero and save people? There is only one hero, and His name is Jesus. To show people how they should live? Ha! Welcome to a beautiful, intricate, and brilliant culture which has been developing for thousands of years without your help. We do believe in Jesus, and we do go for Him - but when we go, we should follow his example. He came asking questions, not answering them. He came as the poorest, not as the richest. He showed respect for even the least; not treating them like ignorant heathen, but serving them and teaching them the words of the Father.
I openly admit that we probably made a mistake in our preparation and arrival here. We came thinking we were wearing the badges of, ‘teacher’, and ‘provider’. Aren’t those Jesus’ jobs? We’ve finally learned that we are simply, ‘student’ and ‘servant’. If God is willing, He can use us to do any work He wants - great or small. Even so that would be Him working, not us. Our commitment to the beautiful and intelligent people of Malawi is that we will learn and serve with all our hearts until the day we leave.
A few of the things that we’ve been honored to do lately: I (Jeremy) was invited to speak to 800+ youth at the national Cross Life youth convention in Nchalo. It was a great experience teaching youth who seemed hungry to hear the Word of God. The same day Rachel travelled with several ladies from Blantyre to the small village of Chiradzulu for a special women’s service there. We’ve added some pictures and video from both of these events.
I’m still preaching Sundays and Wednesdays, and Rachel and I are having a great time with the kid’s ministry on Fridays. Two of our good friends from Texas are coming for a month to help with the many, many activities that will be going on in December. We are hosting two Christmas bashes for orphans and the poorest of the poor; one in Blantyre and the other in Lilongwe. We’ll have fun painting faces, jumping in the moon-jump, singing...Along with a small gift, each child will also get an incredible Christmas meal -unlike anything they would dream of having at home. We’re also hosting a special event for the ladies of the HIV support center here in town. From there we are traveling out to two remote villages for additional children’s programs around Christmastime. These are places where the little kids still cry and run away if they see a white person. So - there is a lot going on this next month! All of these projects are being sponsored by Palm Valley Church in Mission, Texas. If, during this Christmas season you and your family would like to participate by giving toward these events you can do so at http://palmvalleychurch.com just click on the ‘online giving’ link.
Besides all of this we also need to get down south and check up on a well which was just completed. There are also three additional wells which are not functioning at the moment. Deep water wells require a lot of maintenance!
Aisha is growing like a weed - and she’s talking too! Let’s see...I think the official vocabulary list would be: Hi, Bye-bye, please, no, yeah, blue, purple, mommy, daddy, bird, dog, ball, cheese, juice, paw-paw (the word they use for papaya here), agogo (means grandma in Chichewa - it’s what she calls Joyce), amen, more, I’m fine, I’m one, up, shoes, dirty, poo-poo...I’m sure there are others I just can’t think of any right now. She understands so much. Joyce can even tell her in Chichewa - ‘go and get my bag from the room’ and she will go get it! She’s such a good girl.
Ok - I’ll stop writing for now - If you’ve made it this far it means you must really love us! Enjoy the pictures and videos!I’m thinking of a popular song I know: “Jesus I believe in you, and I would go to the ends of the Earth for you…” Go for what? To conquer people? There is only one conquerer, and his name is Jesus. He’s already been here for a while. To be a hero and save people? There is only one hero, and His name is Jesus. To show people how they should live? Ha! Welcome to a beautiful, intricate, and brilliant culture which has been developing for thousands of years without your help. We do believe in Jesus, and we do go for Him - but when we go, we should follow his example. He came asking questions, not answering them. He came as the poorest, not as the richest. He showed respect for even the least; not treating them like ignorant heathen, but serving them and teaching them the words of the Father.
I openly admit that we probably made a mistake in our preparation and arrival here. We came thinking we were wearing the badges of, ‘teacher’, and ‘provider’. Aren’t those Jesus’ jobs? We’ve finally learned that we are simply, ‘student’ and ‘servant’. If God is willing, He can use us to do any work He wants - great or small. Even so that would be Him working, not us. Our commitment to the beautiful and intelligent people of Malawi is that we will learn and serve with all our hearts until the day we leave.
A few of the things that we’ve been honored to do lately: I (Jeremy) was invited to speak to 800+ youth at the national Cross Life youth convention in Nchalo. It was a great experience teaching youth who seemed hungry to hear the Word of God. The same day Rachel travelled with several ladies from Blantyre to the small village of Chiradzulu for a special women’s service there. We’ve added some pictures and video from both of these events.
I’m still preaching Sundays and Wednesdays, and Rachel and I are having a great time with the kid’s ministry on Fridays. Two of our good friends from Texas are coming for a month to help with the many, many activities that will be going on in December. We are hosting two Christmas bashes for orphans and the poorest of the poor; one in Blantyre and the other in Lilongwe. We’ll have fun painting faces, jumping in the moon-jump, singing...Along with a small gift, each child will also get an incredible Christmas meal -unlike anything they would dream of having at home. We’re also hosting a special event for the ladies of the HIV support center here in town. From there we are traveling out to two remote villages for additional children’s programs around Christmastime. These are places where the little kids still cry and run away if they see a white person. So - there is a lot going on this next month! All of these projects are being sponsored by Palm Valley Church in Mission, Texas. If, during this Christmas season you and your family would like to participate by giving toward these events you can do so at http://palmvalleychurch.com just click on the ‘online giving’ link.
Besides all of this we also need to get down south and check up on a well which was just completed. There are also three additional wells which are not functioning at the moment. Deep water wells require a lot of maintenance!
Aisha is growing like a weed - and she’s talking too! Let’s see...I think the official vocabulary list would be: Hi, Bye-bye, please, no, yeah, blue, purple, mommy, daddy, bird, dog, ball, cheese, juice, paw-paw (the word they use for papaya here), agogo (means grandma in Chichewa - it’s what she calls Joyce), amen, more, I’m fine, I’m one, up, shoes, dirty, poo-poo...I’m sure there are others I just can’t think of any right now. She understands so much. Joyce can even tell her in Chichewa - ‘go and get my bag from the room’ and she will go get it! She’s such a good girl.
Rachel's Womens meeting in Chiradzulu
Aisha having fun at home
Jeremy at the youth conference
Aisha Grace - our little ballerina!
Daddy and Aisha having Dinner on Thanksgiving
After dinner on Thanksgiving - Mommy and Aisha admire the Christmas Tree
A crazy bug Rachel found...for those who don't believe in God!