‘With unflagging zeal, aglow with the Spirit, serve the Lord.’ Romans 12:11
| Unflagging zeal is what we need in these days of hunger. Pastor Ali, responsible for food distribution, had to turn people away the afternoon of January 16th. They had waited 24 hours, hoping that we would unlock some hidden supply. The maize was gone! Hundreds of unregistered families had turned up. All were thin and hungry, so hungry that they built a fire upon receiving their food, and cooked a meal. In additional to local Malawian families, some had walked from Mozambique with news of heavy rains flooding fields and destroying homes. | |
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The price of maize at the market is now ten times its original price. Fights often break out at the government maize distribution centre because no one receives enough. To make matters worse heavy rains have washed out fields twice now and destroyed many homes. Some roads have completely disappeared, leaving villages isolated without food. Reaching those who are critically hungry becomes more difficult. We recently took some food to an East Bank village. It is only about 20 km away, but it took over four hours each way, as many of the usual roads are gone. Our truck had to wait three times for floods pouring over the road to recede. Maize cobs visible in the fields rot as they stand in several feet of water.
With the rains come mosquitoes and sickness. Malaria is rampant. Diarrhea and cholera a constant threat as outhouses collapse and disease spreads. Homes are not rain proof. Old and young sleep soaking wet, and dry out during the day, if the sun is shining. Many children have nasty coughs and runny noses even though the temperature is still often in the forties. |
Boats are the only means of transport in parts of the region that have been flooded out by heavy rains. The remains of a railway line disappear under the water. |
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Harvest is still eight to ten weeks away. Jesus says to us, ‘You feed them’ as he said to Philip, and yet He knew exactly what was required. We have a ‘few loaves and a couple of fish’. We look forward to gathering the twelve baskets of leftovers, in his mercy. |
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Having the dressing changed by a nurse at CURE Hospital. |
In the midst of suffering there is mercy. Three ladies came to visit Daniel yesterday. He received his second ‘get-well’ chicken in the same week. Your prayers for Daniel were added to theirs. After a nasty case of osteomylitis, he is recovering and has a lovely exclamation mark scar on his left leg. Once again we are so thankful for our friends, the Harrisons, and their work at CURE Hospital, a place of such joy and faith, where healing is expected and the Healer greatly honoured. |
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While I stayed with Daniel at CURE, Mo, Patrick and Kalina, returned to Bangula to get Christmas gift bags ready for 600 orphans living in surrounding villages. They were willingly assisted by our 7 (at the time) children, and Lauren MacNeill (who has come to love and play with the children). This year the bags included soap, laundry soap, school supplies, candy and an item of clothing. Those who did not already have one, received a school uniform, made by local tailors. Though school is free, each student must have a uniform and a notebook and pencil. Many cannot manage even these, and so forfeit their education. |
Our Iris truck is loaded up with gifts for village children on Christmas Eve! |
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Our family Christmas took place after Daniel’s return home on January 5th. It was great to have granny here for a second visit. She was able to bring some medicines from South Africa for Daniel, and some story reading relief for me. Our first Malawian turkey was not too chewy, though the process will be refined for next year. |
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A few of our Iris Kids playing on our back porch. |
Right now, we continue to bring home children, who have no one to love and care for them. They are becoming our family. We have 50 pastors at the Bible school, thirty of whom are first year pastors. It is wonderful to have a new pastor here from Ulongwe – the village where we had a car accident and hit a little boy in 2004. Many people keep coming to know Jesus in that village. The Lord’s work of redemption is amazing. Every Friday our student pastors head into the villages taking the Good News, and hope for the hopeless. We are trusting the Lord for his provision of food as January through March are the most critical months of the year for food shortages. |
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In the midst of hunger, we are planning a women’s conference February 3-5 for women in Bangula and the surrounding region. We expect at least 500, and will need to find food for them. They are so excited to be able to come together to hear the Gospel, and fellowship with each other. Some will have to come by boat because their roads are gone. Some will walk a full day in order to participate. They will sleep on the ground, and worship with all their hearts. Pray for God’s provision and for his presence, touching and healing, bringing hope, and restoring vision. Whatever this new year brings, we are ‘joyful in hope’. Come Lord Jesus! |
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