Gratitude. My heart overflows. The more our family grows it gets harder for us to all get together at the same time. I am thankful to Gabriel who started the Redding Formal tradition. This last weekend was the Second Annual Redding Formal. Solar Punk was the theme. I am not sure I really understood the theme but I did dress a little more colorful than usual.
What mom doesn’t like to have all of her children together for a beautiful event? I am thankful that each of our children, their mates, and children were all able to be there.
We had before dinner speeches, and strange (non-alcoholic) drink combinations, ate crickets, told stories, and shared our year. We had a delicious catered dinner of baked chicken, red potatoes, green beans, caesar salad, and rolls. Dipping dots and ice cream with peanut butter was our offerings for dessert.
This time of year I think brings our hearts closer to family and a great sense of gratitude for all God has done in our lives. I especially have so much to be thankful for and in reality, we all do.
I want to do better about expressing gratitude even after the immediate events have passed.
Today I tried a new online company source for cards and invitations. I have used several of these sources through the years and was thrilled to be invited to try this one. I explored the website and found several useful products. It was easy to use and to personalize. I love the little envelopes you can choose for your cards too! So check out: https://www.paperlesspost.com/
My heart is so full! How could I begin to put on paper what my heart has experienced this last couple of months?
When I returned after being in Malawi for a month, I hit the road. My overflowing heart shared news and greetings from our Christian family in Malawi. I hope to express my deep appreciation for all who shared in our work. My heart is still so full of the beautiful people, Bible studies, new Christians and great needs that I witnessed. I thought I would be able to put into words my second trip to Malawi but I know they will not convey what I have experienced. I must try. Be patient with me.
This year we spent a month in Malawi.
Below lists some of the things we did. I am sure it cannot possibly be all that we did while there. There is just too much nor can it convey the joy that I experienced among people who have so little of this world’s possessions.
Prison Ministry
We visited prisons at Ntcheu, Domasi, Mzimba, Maula, and Kachere. It was wonderful to get a report from the chaplains that our people are doing a great work. They are always there. The inmates who studied WBS were not repeat offenders. Not the case with others. When we give them hygiene gifts, the inmates know they are not forgotten.
It was nice to be remembered by those we met before and those who had become Christians last year. It was great to see them active in their faith. They were excited to receive more teaching. Many obeyed the Gospel. We met some new students and signed up new ones. We did teaching and preaching in the prisons as well as delivering soap and toothbrushes.
Ntcheu
We were able to teach men and women at Ntcheu again this year. There was only one female inmate. Last year two female inmates and two female guards obeyed the gospel, as well as seven men. This one remaining female was very excited to see us again and receive a Bible. She and the guards were doing well. She is learning to sew with instruction from the guards. We gave her a piece of fabric to help her along.
There were 21 baptisms at Ntcheu. Because of the lack of water, the inmates have to go outside the gate to haul some in.
Mzimba
Our new sister Cecilia and the Chaplain Peter wanted to provide a meal for us so we spent one evening visiting them at Cecilia’s home. The Chaplain escorted us to theofficers quarters and on our return. We also found out Cecilia has adopted her niece. Many have adopted orphans in Malawi. Her son is away at University.
We made two trips to Mzimba
Soap and toothbrushes distributed.
Bible teaching to the men and women two days.
Baptisms 18. Mzimba has over 100 members of the church in this prison. I was happy to see the spirit among the members with their new brothers. It was also a bit easier to do baptisms in that there are two wells on the prison grounds.
We did a sewing lesson with Mzimba prison ladies and gave them small sewing kits to repair their own clothing. These $1 kits were greatly prized.
Visiting Muya Tembo
We went to Muya Tembo’s (one of our prison ministers) new place and spent some time waiting in his neighborhood while our tire was repaired. His living conditions are very simple. There is no indoor plumbing, and cooking is done outside over an open fire. There is a well in the area. We only heard great things about Muya’s work. We also witnessed first hand how he went and talked with the neighbors as they gathered around to see the drone as we waited for the tire to be repaired. He also gave them some Bible materials and over heard questions being asked. We were able to give Muya’s daughters and friends hygiene bags as well.
Cecilia attended church with us at Makari where my husband, Lawrence preached and after church my daughter Esther and I both taught the ladies. There was one baptism. It was nice to see that they also have teaching for children at this congregation. This was our first visit to Makari but somehow a bookmark made by the ladies day group at church last year found it’s way all the way out to this far out village and was hung from the ceiling as a decoration.
Domasi
The OC Officer in Charge, Eunice wanted to meet with us. She was pleased to receive a Bible and surprised to find out she was mentioned in the Bible. We were able to share the story of Eunice in the Bible, and she encouraged us to continue the great work with this prison.
We gave hygiene bags to Domasi prison which had all new female inmates but one. They had heard that there was a lady there last year who brought these and they were really hoping I would come again. Unfortunately, the first visit I did not have any with me. I was not scheduled for a second visit so I told them they must pray. And it became necessary to make a return trip to that area for a totally separate reason. They were very happy that God allowed the second visit. We were also able to give our one remaining student from last year a Bible. We taught them and also started them on WBS courses. Two visits to Domasi.
We gave soap and toothbrushes.
Lawrence preached to over 300 male inmates,Penjoni a local WBS worker and preacher also gave a message and then while we were waiting for them to fetch water for the baptisms one of the christian brothers who is an inmate gave a lesson. There is a baptistry on the grounds but it’s water had been used by someone doing laundry. So 14 guys took 5 gallon buckets down the road for water to fill the baptistry. There were 24 baptisms at Domasi our first day visiting there. Peter Masters one of the Orrs Sellers preaching school students went with us and did the baptisms.
Ntaja Village
We made a long trek to Ntaja Village. We followed up with some who had requested to be baptized before their release from Domasi prison and had not been allowed. 5 obeyed the gospel. They are in a village surrounded by Muslims. They have been followed up with, given Bibles, and introduced to the local church which is 6 km away. We had a series of car problems and this was one of those trips we broke down. I thought we might have to stay in the village that night. But alas we were on our way and broke down again. We eventually reached our lodging very late. Our hosts said they had been praying for us.
Kachere
Kachere is the juvenile prison in Lilongwe, with 18-22 year old males. We met with the officer in charge Mary. We had met her last year and she had wanted a pink Bible like mine so I was able to give her one. Our friend and minister Watson has been taking care of this prison and their WBS lessons. There is much work to do here.
Bibles
Everywhere we go people long for Bibles. This really touched my heart; I was embarrassed to own 26+ Bibles. We spent $738 on Bibles to give to our students. We were able to give some English Bibles we brought with us as well. After some searching we were able to purchase a Shona Bible and delivered it to a sister (I taught last year). She will be released to go home to Kenya soon. She was beyond happy to receive a Bible and a visit. It was wonderful to see her looking healthy. Last year she was very ill when I was here. I met her at Mzimba prison but this year I visited her at the Maula prison.
TWO Sewing Co-ops Established
We were able to purchase three sewing machines and set up two sewing co-ops. One in Biriwiri and one in Ntcheu. We set them up with enough supplies to get them started and encouraged them to reinvest in their business. They are working together several days a week to further their sewing skills. Some seem to be doing well from the reports we get and some are taking longer to catch on to the skill of sewing. The Ntcheu Co-ophas two sisters teaching them. The Biriwiri Co-op has a local tailor teaching them. These ladies are all very excited about the new skills they are learning. We hope to set up more in the future and also to hold a business workshop in their area. This is very important work. They have so little opportunities to make a living.
Churches
We taught at a few Gospel meetings and church services (Lawrence and Eddie)and Esther and Reda taught at some ladies’ days while we were there. We were reunited with those we met last year and some who had become Christians.
Baleni village (7baptisms), Chinyamula village (1), Mdeka church of Christ (2), Makari church of Christ (1)
WBS School students
We went to some villages even though most of our work revolves around the prison ministry. We visited students we had come in contact with through the schools. And met one in the market place as well.
Children’s Tutorial Centers
We visited two tutorials even though school was not in session yet. It was to begin the next week. They came and recited for us and greeted us. We were able to give the teachers from three tutorials supplies and teaching materials. 37% of the children in Malawi are malnourished. Our plan is to re-establish a nutrition program in these schools. Betty Melcher (my mom) provided 40 sets of clothing (uniforms) to one of the tutorials. My mother made these sweet little skirts and shorts.
Preachers and Teachers Meetings
Met with all of the present and perhaps past preachers and also the tutorial center’s teachers to fellowship and share news and experiences.
Ntcheu Hospital
Visited with sisters in Christ. Gave 20+ hats to babies, baby blankets, and hygiene bags to new mothers in the name of Christ. Unbelievable hospital conditions. They have 20 births a day.
Hygiene Bags
We were able to give out 50 hygiene bags. On one occasion we hosted 20+ school girls at our guest house. We shared a time of fellowship, no bake cookies, crafts, and hygiene bags. Receiving these gifts thrilled the girls.
Water Wells
We visited several areas last year and this year that were in need of a closer water supply. Even though there are many needs we decided to focus this year’s walk for water on Milala community because it would have the largest impact. 280 families will have a changed life because of this. Children will be able to be in school more, Better hygiene, less illness, etc. We were part of a Walk 4 Water this last Saturday which raised enough money to drill a well in this community!!! Now we are trying to raise funds to host an Agricultural workshop in this same community.
Milala village
Oh the stories of dirty water, giant spiders, living without running water, cooking over an open fire, killing and dressing chicken for dinner, etc. There is so much more but I just couldn’t wait any longer to share some of my journey. If you have questions please ask.
