I am not finished writing this blog, but who knows when the next time we will have internet access is? Besides, as I sit here I am paying for internet by the minute, and I write my blogs offline to keep the cost down, so I will continue to write this blog offline and finish posting it next time I have internet. But I want to post what I have now so that you will know what comes next and have an idea of the work being done here.
Village to Village in Malawi
Our ministry here in Lwadzi, Malawi consists of “door to door” evangelism, which is more like “village to village.” We set off around 9am and walk a kilometer or few to a village, where we have always been warmly greeted by the villagers, who number anywhere between two- to four-dozen. Hardly before saying a word, they bring out chairs and bamboo mats for everyone to sit on, and we wait until the chief arrives. We give our greeting and state our purpose: to share the word of God. Purpose stated, we ask the chief if he would like us to share the word. Every time, they say that they gladly welcome the word of God, and invite us to continue.
The villages here are probably not as one would think for African bush. Think early colonial America where an estate consisted of a few log cabins over about an acre, only now they are made of hand-made and sun-dried brick with straw roofs and dirt or rock floors. They wear clothes like anyone else, only by American standards we would say they look homeless by their dress standards. Yet they are warm and cordial and very welcoming. They do not have some tribal religion either, but some practice a form of witchcraft. They believe in a form of Christianity according to what they’ve been taught, but not true Christianity.
What I mean is this: they have heard the name of Jesus, and they believe that he is the son of God. They know he died on a cross for the sins of the world. They are not wrong, but even demons believe these things. The problem is that they have not been taught to have faith in Christ. They are taught that baptism brings salvation, and without baptism we can not know Jesus. They are taught that remaining active in the church brings salvation, and that they go to heaven because of their good works associated with the church. These teachings are false. You see, they are taught these things by preachers who have their own good in mind, keeping people chained to their church so that they can reap the harvest of tithes and offerings. You see, if their congregation understands that when they are saved that Jesus comes to live inside them then they will not be so strongly tied to the church and they will be free to move around because Jesus will always be with them, not just when they are in church. These are the kinds of things that Satan uses to discredit Christianity, because although they are called Christians, what they are taught is anything but biblical faith in Jesus Christ.
To be continued…
Thank you to those who have been obedient to the call to support this ministry! You’re not just supporting me, you’re also supporting the many ministries we work with and sharing in the work being done in all these countries. As far as support goes, our final deadline to have all of our support in is January 4th! I still need $4,203 to be fully funded so pray about supporting me and do whatever seems best to you, because God’s will will be done no matter what! Nonetheless, the holidays are coming and the best way to bless me would be to support me, if you feel called to do so; I can’t receive packages anyways! I barely made it to the last support deadline of $10,000, so now it really is going to be in God’s hands to bring in support. In all things, though, may name the name of the Lord be praised!
