| A weekend away was a welcome change from bug-invaded, steamy hot Bangula! We headed up through Blantyre and on to Mulanje Mountain where we had booked a lodge on Lujeri Tea Estate with our friends, the Harrisons. In the shadow of that great mountain, how could I help but remember the greatness of God our Creator, his power and majesty. ‘I lift up my eyes to the mountains? Where does my help come from?’ Certainly not from anything on the mountain, only from God who created the mountains. This is not a road to go alone, this attempt to simply live the love of Jesus amidst suffering. |
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On Saturday morning a few of us thought we’d go for a short walk to see the waterfalls. We drove to the departure point, and picked up a guide, appropriately named Samson. It was delightful walking through bright green tea bushes, and drinking in the clean mountain air. As the path began to climb, we slowed our pace. Our legs began to feel the effects of a somewhat sedentary life in Bangula. Less than half way to the falls, the two youngest boys and I (Jo) decided to wait by the pools while the others pressed on. We climbed down through maize fields as high as Daniel, to find Mbuya Falls, completely hidden by underbrush. The cold water was the perfect remedy for sore muscles and sweaty bodies. I jumped in fully clothed, aware of a small audience of local children. We had become the afternoon entertainment. We gladly entertained, diving, swimming, collecting rocks, using a big log as a boat, balancing on the same, and finally working up the courage to slide down the waterfalls into the pool. |
| As the boys continued to play, I sat and asked God to speak to me. What do you want to say to me? I long for truth, and for revelation, that will help me walk the road. As I watched the water cascading down over the rocks, I began to notice how the rocks had been washed smooth. The currents had etched beautiful circular pockets into the sheer rock sides. How many years had this waterfall raced over these rocks? God knew its beginning and he knows its end. It was beautiful in the beginning, but I presume very different. Now, thousands of years later, it is still beautiful, still changing, still moving. |
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| I was reminded to take a long view of our work here, to recognize that we are in the middle of a journey. God was ‘in the beginning’ and he sees the end, a perfect bride prepared for the perfect groom. He knows what needs to happen and he is smoothing, etching, caressing, sharpening all the time. I sat in the middle of the rushing waters, and felt the pull and push of the river. God, wash over me, cleanse me, shape me, that I may live in you, that springs of living water may flow through me. Likewise wash over the church in Malawi, cleansing, shaping, preparing, so that many who walk aimlessly, may be drawn to the living water which flows through the church, drawn to the life of Jesus lived out by his followers. | |
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The long view is so important, especially in the midst of pressing needs. When a family has no food, we must help them find food. Thanks to many of you, we have been able to assist with food for 3200 families these last three months. The long view means that we must also consider their future, help them plan and plant, and recover. We need someone to come and develop an agricultural program to teach and train. When a widow and her grandchildren get wet every night because their roof has fallen in, we must help her, but we must also think ahead, and come up with good ways of roofing, or making a roof last longer than a year.
Mpatso came to us because he couldn’t walk and he was getting too heavy for his mother. He had club feet. We were able to get him into CURE Hospital, and under the skilled hands of Jim Harrison, he can now walk. He still needs support….shoes, breakfast when he comes to visit, clothes, transport money to get to follow up appointments, but he is on his way. In the long view, his life is forever changed! |
| When we arrived two years ago, we couldn’t imagine our children playing freely with the Malawian kids, and now they are….climbing trees, playing tag, laughing and teasing. It takes time, and God is not in a hurry. Yesterday, I dropped Kalina at a larger local children’s home, Tiyamike, to play. She had a wonderful time, making pretend ‘nsima’ and getting soaking wet in the rain. These times are a real gift of encouragement for them, and for me. Our Kids’ Club has now developed into Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs on separate days. The kids come to play, draw, sing, hear a Bible story, and eat dinner. We are building relationships which takes time. |
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On Saturday we graduated our first 3rd year class of pastors. It has been so good to see three years of teaching produce fruit in their lives. They have become good friends with each other, sharing the hard things of life. They have found better ways to express the Gospel. One pastor said that he had learned to focus less on the bad things we have done, and more on the great things that God has done. Isn’t that grace!!! It has been great to have Guy Chevreau here to bring things together before graduation. In his teaching on mercy, forgiveness, and grace, he brought much freedom, and joy. He also gave two weary teachers a much-appreciated week off! |
| I needed to sit in the river, and feel the pounding waters, to remember that God sees the end from the beginning, and appreciates the beauty of the process. All does not depend on us; in fact, God will go right on fulfilling his purposes, should Iris Africa come to an end tomorrow. He will use a different vessel, that is all. I am so grateful to be a clay jar, so that all the glory can be seen to come from Jesus. He is the Light!! What I can offer is simply what he gives me each day. | |
