Month Two on the World Race in Malawi is already quickly coming to a close! Before I find myself in Zambia, I wanted to share about what life has been like here in Malawi with my team. Specifically, what work we are involved in and how the Lord has been moving.
In Malawi we are working at African Bible College (ABC), which is much more than a college. The ABC Campus houses a Christian Academy, medical clinic, sports/recreation facilities, and housing for the many missionaries working here.
Our main responsibility is serving in the Academy. The past two weeks I have been an aid in a Kindergarten classroom- which is very similar to how it functions in the States. I help students with worksheets, reading, writing, spelling, and teach. I have been able to teach Bible, which I really enjoy, and lead some games.
A couple afternoons a week Bethany and I lead swim lessons at the pool on ABC’s campus. I know, I didn’t expect to find an in-ground pool in the heart of Africa either. There are a lot of perks to being on the campus here, and one of them is enjoying the pool which serves their growing swim program.
Although, my favorite part of ministry this month has been visiting and helping at Outreaches in the Lilongwe, Malawi area. Many of these ministries were started by former ABC teachers.
Every week we go to a Baby Crisis Center through a Christian ministry that provides a home for infants 0-2 years old. These baby’s mothers may have died in childbirth or be unable physically or financially to care for their baby. We go in the afternoon and just hold the babies, feed them, and give the workers a break. The babies are in need of physical touch because they are without a mother, so we can meet a basic and critical need of physical affection.
We have also been able to partner with a couple of village ministries. Every Friday afternoon we join the college students of ABC for ‘Live Love’. This is a ministry that goes to the village every Friday and the college students teach a Bible lesson and then play games with the kids. Hundreds of kids come every week to hear God’s word, play games, and learn.
My first experience two weeks ago was incredible. We pulled up in our van and it was instantly swarmed with kids. The kids fight to be the one to hold your hand, sit next to you, or join in with the random game you made up with a ball. These sweet kids quickly steal your heart.
These children have so little- many of them may only get one small bowl of maize a day- yet they have so much joy. Malawi is actually experiencing a maize shortage, so starvation is a serious problem throughout the country. I am begining to understand the wide-scope of poverty in this world, yet I know I am only scratching the surface.
Another ministry we have been able to partner with is a preschool in another village. We went one morning to help with activities and games in small groups. It quickly turned into a dance party with the sixty, four-year-old Malawian kids: definitely one of my favorite memories from this month.
One afternoon a week this same preschool hosts teaching to all the kids in the village. Between 600 and 1000 kids come every Thursday afternoon for Bible class, activities, and bread. Last week Bethany and I taught the kids the chicken dance after the Bible teaching. They really got a kick out of it, and so did we.
This week we had the chance to visit an orphanage called ‘Village of Hope’, where we shared in their chapel and played net ball- which is basically ultimate Frisbee- and a variety of circle games. Some of the teenage girls quickly drew me into games and singing worship songs together.
This month of ministry has been filled with so many different experiences. Even as I sit down to summarize the happenings of the work I’ve been involved in, I am just scratching the surface.
I am astounded by the multitude of ministries, churches, outreaches, orphanages, and youth programs in the Lilongwe, Malawi area. I have been so blessed to meet numerous missionaries through ABC who have founded and work for these ministries, mostly because their kids go to school there. ABC is able to provide good education to the many missionary families that live in this area- that is a ministry in and of itself.
So even though there have been moments of confusion, because ABC is like a ‘mini America’, this place serves those who serve here in Malawi. It keeps long-term missionaries on the field because their kids can go to a outstanding school and keep many of this ministries up and running. Life out on the mission field is not easy, but if you can give your children a solid education, that is a game changer.
God has given me eyes for this country through this eclectic month of work. The kindness and joy I see in the people here has taught me that joy is a choice and not based on circumstances. The circumstances of life are hard for so many people here, yet they place their hope in something greater. It is grounded in the victory that Jesus has already won for us on the cross and the joy we have through this. Also, His promise of redemption and restoration to this broken world.
So as I finish up my last week here in Malawi, pray that my team will finish well- as we are pulled in a lot of directions and have a busy schedule. Pray that we will see fruit in the work we have been a part of this month. Pray that we won’t forget this place, but still be ready to receive what God has for us next month in Zambia. Pray for the people of Malawi, that God will continue to give them joy amidst the poverty here.
Until next time….
Em
