I have been living in Lilongwe, Malawi for six days now. Never before have I experienced anything like this. This is only my first week here and I have already seen God move in a multitude of ways.
The first thing you notice in Malawi is the people. The people are beautiful. The way they carry themselves and the way they smile display their joyful hearts. It seems as if they do not care about having ripped clothes and no shoes. Then you notice the world around them, the world they call home. Being the second poorest country in the world, everything looks very different. Mud and brick houses line the road, some with tin roofs some with straw. You only see a handful of trees due to the high number of farms. You see people moving everywhere: selling, working, walking. You see cars driving recklessly though the street. You see the small markets and the flies that swarm them. You see women with large buckets on their heads and a baby in their arms.
You see Malawi.
Upon our first day arriving we drove into a village in the mountains. We were greeted by the children, about 15 of them. At first, they were very shy and scared to approach us. They quickly warmed up to us and began playing and singing with us. They ran with us up a mountain behind the village then sang to us. Their voices were absolutely beautiful. We danced as we looked out over the village and the fields that surround it. Truly a surreal moment. It was like our official, “Welcome to Africa”.
After this wonderful welcome, we headed back into the village. We walked throughout the village with out host and stopped at one of the houses. An elderly man walked out, this was the chief. He greeted us politely then began shouting to his village. People started wondering over and taking a seat. I was unaware of what was to happen. I was just expecting the chief to let us meet a bunch of the villagers; however, when everyone was gathered they turned their eyes to us as if we had called the meeting. I was a quick moment of awkward silence then our host turns to us and says, “Who will be telling them of the Gospel?”
Now this was very new for me. I was surrounded by a group pf people who had never heard the name of Jesus.
Growing up I have always been around people who, at the very least, have heard about Jesus. Even in Central America, most of the people grew up catholic and know of Jesus. But these people had never heard the incredible news of the Gospel.
We proceeded to preach throughout the village to all who would listen.
Harvesters Ministries, the organization we are working with, plants churches. They go into a village, tell them of the good news, make disciples, train a pastor, and establish a church. It is a beautiful, beautiful ministry.
Let me tell you of the wonderful works the Lord is doing. Just a few day ago we entered a village. This was a village where Harvesters had already built a church. We met a man in the village who stopped going to church because he could no longer make the walk, for he had a bad leg and back. Now know that the church is the only place for this man to hear from the Bible. We first talked with him about the importance of the Word and christian community. Then Ryann challenged the man to have faith and the Lord and stand up and walk. I’ll be honest, at first I was skeptical but at that moment the man arose from he seat and began walking! My mind was blown! Never in my life had I witnessed a healing such as this. What a beautiful testament to the love and power of our Lord! There is truly none like Him.
God has been teaching me many things in just this short amount of time here I am I sure their are many more lessons and experiences to come.
Continue to pray over us as it is very, very dark here. The enemy has many strongholds in this country and spiritual warfare is evident.
Pray that we will rely ONLY on Him as we spread His name.
Pray will we act ONLY in the power of the Holy Spirit and not in our own power.
Pray that we will let the light of the Father shine through to the darkness around us.
Also pray for my team as this is our last month together.
Thank you so much for following my journey this far, your prayers and support are greatly appreciated.
GOD IS GOOD
