Light slowly crept into the dark sky over the bamboo hut, as a symphony of Chichewa prayers filled the morning air.
Every morning its the same: my alarm goes off at 4:25 am, I drag myself out of the bed that I share with three girls on my team, and stumble through the dark to the little hut where the family greets the day with prayer and worship. While my mind fumbles to form coherent thoughts that early, I have grown to believe wholeheartedly in the importance of this practice, as well as the entire lifestyle of Pastor and Mama Manjandima.
They are radical. Their daily life is the closest I’ve ever encountered to that which the early church modeled in Acts. Throughout this first week in Malawi I have been increasingly humbled by their zealous faith and discipline. Simply by being a part of the way of life, I am being stretched and challenged like never before.
From 4:30 am until 9 pm, each day is drenched in prayer and worship. Three times a week the church meets together in the bamboo hut for ‘fellowship’ which involves several hours of singing and dancing and an hour-long message. They have asked us to be in charge of preaching the services as well. During the rest of the week we meander throughout the village huts, visiting church members, praying over the sick, encouraging the weary-hearted, inviting strangers to join the fellowship, and sharing the Gospel with all whom we meet. Even when we are at home, people are constantly stopping by to ask for prayer or encouragement.
While we are serving with Mama, Pastor is working a separate full-time job in order to provide for his four children because pastors here rarely receive pay for their service. On Sundays we help lead the church service which lasts a minimum of five hours, then afterwards we have dinner in the home of one of the church elders. On Saturdays Mama climbs the ‘prayer mountain,’ spending the day in prayer and fasting at the peak huge mountain, while we go into town to buy groceries and find internet. No matter how long the day is, before going to bed our team of six meets with our hosts to read Scripture, practice Chichewa worship songs and close the evening in intercession.
Two weeks ago I thought I was done learning. I felt full, as if I had learned so much from the past six months that there couldn’t possibly be more out there to take in. And then I came here and encountered people that take every verse of Scripture at face value, carefully replicating the example set before them.
At home I’ve sometimes wondered at the discrepancies between the American church and the example portrayed in the Bible. I read through Acts and questioned why our lives did not resemble those of early Christians. While there are many logical explanations and excuses, something remained unsettled in my soul. And here, after tasting rich Biblical community and sweet fellowship, I’m beginning to understand why.
My soul craves this kind of living.
It’s crazy, and yet it’s real.
It disciplined, and yet unabashedly free.
It’s wild, but completely serene.
It’s refreshing, energizing, exciting,
and most of all, it’s powerful.
Every day, countless are being added to the church.
The joy these people carry is almost tangible, and the presence of the Holy Spirit is overpowering.
Despite minimal sleep, my body is deeply energized
and my spirit alert.
Something outside of myself is carrying me: preaching 45-min sermons, leading devotions in front of roomfuls of people, walking a Muslim man into the Kingdom, and connecting with the deep places of individuals’ souls.
Throughout it all, I know that this is not me.
It’s funny to me that as soon as I tell God that I am willing to do anything, He brings me here and much is asked.
Strangely it is not exhausting as one would expect, but rather it is energizing. The Lord seems to multiply the hours throughout the day and supply just the right amount of time and energy for what is before me. He is carrying me, pulling me into this radical life, and providing all that is needed in each moment. I simply have to continue saying yes every moment of every day. It’s the life He offers to each of us if we are simply willing to say yes.
