“Good morning, my name is Mateyu (as per usual, I found a Bible in the local language and figured out what the book of Matthew was called) and I am from Canada. I come from far away and I’m excited to be here in Malawi. I enjoy Geography and Sports, so that’s where I’ll be helping out.”
The whole classroom clapped and cheered.
And that’s where it all begins with our school “ministry”. We took a few days to get used to the Malawi way of doing things. I was deeply blessed by the opportunity to teach a few classes about Extensive Commercial Farming and the Canadian Wheat Board (That’s exactly what they were learning, so why not learn it from a Canadian farmboy like myself.)
The days that followed I participated in SCOM (Student Christian Organization of Malawi) events, helped the school football (the one where you actually use the skills of your feet) team practice for their Coca Cola Cup game the next weekend, started up a lunch hour Bible Study, helped students work through Geography problems, typed up exams for the teachers, and also had the opportunity to share the Gospel at a school assembly.
My whole self became ALIVE once again. I was to finally getting my hands dirty in ministry. This is the World Race, and I started to experience the program in which I signed up for. It was actually a challenge at first trying to figure out where I could serve; to truly get involved. Helping out in the classrooms turned out to be a small role and soon I found myself going headlong into youth ministry.
Back in good ol’ Manitoba I was heavily involved with teenagers. I love them. And the next two weeks would bring a lot of joy to my heart as youth work was what I seeked out.
It all started at a Saturday night SCOM event where I met Moses. Moses was the chair person for SCOM in this particular school. I found out that he was a recent convert and had been living with Jesus as his Lord and personal Saviour for a little more than three months. Moses was a pationate young man in Form 4, his last year of secondary school. He had big dreams to make the most of his life and excel. He cames from a poor family and has always had to work hard to make it. He believes in himself as he puts his trust in God to guide him. Moses is a bright young lad with a big heart.
Everyday during lunch hour I was able to promote and have a group gather to come and explore the Bible with me. I more or less led a small youth ministry; but I had an agenda in mind as I served these young men and women. My plan was to guide them in a model for a self run program. They have their SCOM services and this was another place to keep fueling that fire that I saw there. My prayer was for them to not only be preached to. Rather I was guiding them to be self exploring the scriptures and learning more about how to follow Christ as a body of believers.
When I left Magowi I was excited for what lay ahead for my new friends. The last service I did before I left was on communion. The past two weeks I shared what It means to be disciples, what being a child of God looks like, what our true identities are, how to read and study the Bible, the realm of spiritual warfare, and unity in the body of Christ. That last night I spent time reflecting on what it is that we put our hope and faith in. Who was Jesus and what does his death actually mean to us. All but 3 had never experienced communion before, so it was a wonderful new experience.
We had a turnout of 70 plus students and 3 teachers come out. I ran the service and then after communion we said our goodbyes, shared some encouragement, and then started up the dance party. I tell you that the most beautiful thing about Africa is the voice of Africa. I requested one last song and that set everyone off. We exchanged addresses and goodbyes and then proceeded to let the spirit move through us. The students I met these two weeks have a place in my heart. I will miss them.
