I began a Bible study for the ladies from the church last Thursday. Ruth, a woman who lives nearby, is teaching me Chichewa and translates for me. I shouldn’t have been surprised that we started two hours later than we had said. We bought mats to put on the floor so there would be enough seats and the women loved to listen as they sat on the floor. Spending time with these women made me long to speak Chichewa, to pray, to worship. It is coming but slowly. As I taught the pastors today, I threw in the odd word which they enjoyed immensely. I taught about Inductive Bible Study, a new concept to most of the pastors. We studied Col.3:12-17 and talked about what it means to put on compassion, kindness, gentleness and patience in the same way we put on clothes each morning. I enjoy teaching at the Bible school once a week.

Thank you for praying for us – we are lifted up every day. We are all healthy, with just the usual adjustment to the water….our daughter twisted her ankle quite badly this week, as her foot got caught in the wheel of Mo’s bike. She is recovering but still not walking on her own. Pray especially that the cut itself would not become infected.

The kids are showing some signs of tiring of rice and beans – we had goat tonight which was greatly appreciated by all!

We are looking forward to the arrival of the containers, which are on route via Europe right now. Once they arrive here, we will need to get them approved by officials here. This can take a long time, so, once again, we are asking for grace. The vehicles will be so useful here as the Iris Toyota truck is constantly needing repair and very expensive.

The Bible School in session

The pastors are about half way through their term. Several pastors have had to go home for emergencies. One pastor had to go home because his family was starving. He went home to cut reeds to sell so that his family would have money to buy food. There are always funerals, so many of the pastors have had to go home at different times. Many of the pastors wrote their first test ever last week. The exercise of writing a test was exhausting for them, so they are quite tired this week.
As I watched their tattered rags drying in the wind earlier this week, I realized afresh how little these men have. If they have socks they are full of holes. Many are without shoes. And still they sing and laugh and share. It is awesome to see! Pray for God to pour out his blessing. ‘With your very own hands you formed [them]; now breathe your wisdom over [them] so [they] can understand you.’ Ps.119:73

Bye for now – Joanna