The Fellowship spent the month of January in Blantyre, Malawi. Our ministry for the month was evangelizing in the villages, putting on seminars for the church leaders and children’s programs on the weekends.
Malawi is the 2nd poorest nation in the world. I saw more need, but at the same time, more joy than I’ve ever seen anywhere. When you come from such a prosperous nation like the US, people expect something from you. Because we’re Americans, we should have something special to say. It must work better if we pray the sinners prayer with their children. Our prayers hold more weight, because God actually listens to us. These false expectations were things we experienced every day. It was stressful, but mostly it just made me sad. It broke my heart that they would think i was something special, just because I come from “the land of opportunity.” It broke my heart, but it also humbled me. I was constantly trying to get the point across that I am nothing special, I’m not great, but I serve a great God. I can’t save anyone, my presence isn’t necessary for a child to be healed and God doesn’t listen to me more than someone else. i am nothing without the power of God in my life.
Because Malawi is such a poor country, it’s very rare for even a pastor to own their very own bible. God laid it on our hearts to try to do something about this, so because of the support of our friends and family back home, we were able to purchase 329 bibles to donate to the church! The bibles will be passed out to people in the different villages. I honestly can’t remember when I got my first bible, it was probably bought for me before I was even born. The thought of receiving my very first bible in my 40’s baffles me… I’d still have almost 20 years before I could read the word of God for myself! I never considered it a luxury and I’ve taken it for granted having my own bible. I have to say that experiencing that gave me even more of a hunger for the Word of God… I pray that it’s never something I take for granted again.
I can’t begin to express what good it has done for my heart to be in Africa again. To be able to experience the beautiful people and landscapes is overwhelming sometimes, because it’s all such an incredible example of God’s glory and to have it all around me is more than a blessing.
Working with Bethel Chapel Mission in Malawi challenged me in the best ways. We had to come up with sermons and messages of encouragement on the fly which required a lot of leaning on the Spirit. We spent a week in the bush and that pushed the limits of my physical comfort; squatty potties, being stared at and hundreds of cockroaches made for some interesting experiences and great stories.
As of right now I have 3 more weeks to raise $4,500 to complete The World Race (that’s about $200 per day). God is good and it’s in His hands. He’s placed me here for a reason and He is faithful to complete the work He’s begun in my life. Please be in prayer for this need. If you are interested in helping, any amount gets me closer to reaching my deadline!
I can’t begin to tell you how blessed and humbled I am to be living this life. I’m overwhelmed by God’s love, grace and faithfulness. Thank you all for your support, prayers and encouragement.
Love always!
Rachel
