Written by Joanna Morrison

I drove to Dyeratu with Chrissy, Aisa, and Dorothy, faithful women and courageous friends.  As we turned off the main road we found the pastor waiting for us.  His crisp clean shirt and smile gave him away.  He climbed in and led us to his church.  When we arrived, crowds of women were around the car in seconds, singing and laughing.  As I had assured the pastor that I did not need to rest, we went right in and taught for a couple of hours.  Every space was filled up, the floor, the mud benches, even the space behind me.  I was literally hemmed in by hungry faces.  I felt like I had fine delicacies to offer starving people.  ‘I am the bread of life’ assures me that Jesus is the ordinary food of life.

I taught and the women received.  The more I do this, the easier the language becomes.  I find I am comfortable in front of these women, filled with compassion for their trials and especially their fears.  Fear of retribution, fear of witchcraft, fear of darkness, fear of being left alone with no support, fear of death, fear of a second wife, and yet the Bible teaches that perfect love casts out fear.  And so we began to dismantle some of their fear, with the help of the Holy Spirit.

It was wonderful to hear Aisa, my friend of 9 years now, testify about waiting nine years to become pregnant, trusting God.   Chrissy shared that after waiting a long time, she too conceived and has had 8 children, with no ‘medicine’ from the witchdoctor.  These two women, with very basic reading skills, know the Word and teach with passion about the things that have helped them become free.  They can give the same message I offer with so much more depth because of their life experience.  The joy they carry is so noticeable in the village as they shine like stars in the universe.

That night we gathered with about 40 women to continue our conversation about families.  Unbeknownst to us, the pastors of the church building we were using, sat outside and marveled at our frank teaching about gender and marriage.  They asked our pastor how much it would cost for us to return to their church.  I chuckled when I heard this.  How exciting!

Monday was Mothers’ Day here in Malawi.  I urged all the men at church to get up and thank their wives.  Nobody moved.  After urging and pleading, a few brave men moved from their seats to thank their wives.  I talked about how a simple ‘thank you’ gives value to those who work hard among us.  How easy it is for us to become consumed with the daily chores, and forget what is important and valuable.  I love Jesus’ words to Martha.  ‘Martha you are fretting and fussing about so many things; only one thing is necessary.  Mary has chosen what is best; it shall not be taken away from her.’

When we get that one thing in place, gratitude and grace flow to those around us.  Here we are Jesus, sitting at your feet.  What is important to you?