http://presbyterian.ca/…/new-mission-opportunities-for-2016/
The Way of the Cross - located at Michiru Mt (approx 20 minutes from where we live in Blantyre) MISSION TRIP TO MALAWI - Sorry to have not sent this out earlier (Joel) but here is a link to a mission trip being organized by the National Church. It runs from March 31st to April 16th. Bec and I will be your lovely hosts (ok, Bec is lovely you will just have to put up with me!) But it is a trip that will cover both the North and South of Malawi so if you want to see what we have been up to.. feel free to join!
http://presbyterian.ca/…/new-mission-opportunities-for-2016/
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Thinking of you during our Hot African Christmas, but enjoying ALL aspects of God's creation this year. May your New Year bring adventures & Joy!
- Merry Christmas from all of us - This past Monday we delivered 150 bed mats to the inmates at Chikwawa prison. Some folks may wonder if I have been overstating the heat so I figured I would provide some proof. Here is the weather reading just before we entered the prison at 10:38am. You will notice we were wise and choose the cool day of the week!!! And oh ya, I found another mzungu to join me (I tried to leave him behind).
handing out blankets and bed mats at Mwanza prison Have you ever started your day with a master plan, only to see that plan, by day's end, go in a very different direction? Of course you have...we have all been there. Well, I had one of those days recently. The arrangement was to leave Blantyre at 8:30am in order to deliver 100 bed mats and 70 blankets to inmates at Mwanza prison about 1 1/2 hrs away. (This Christmas we are helping to facilitate a program by International Ministries of the Presbyterian Church in Canada with the purchase of bed mats, blankets and soap: basic necessities for 7 prisons in the southern part of Blantyre...interested in how you can help? Check out our last blog post!). The *plan* was to leave Blantyre at 8:30am and be back by 3pm --- a very reasonable expectation - or so I thought. Around 10:30 am, things took a bit of a twist. We heard a loud noise coming from the engine so the driver (not me) quickly shut off the truck and coasted to the side of the road. We popped the hood and then they all looked at me, which, if you know me, is hilarious, because I know about as much about how to fix a car as I know about Astro Physics - zilch! Luckily for us, there was a mechanic nearby, who quickly told us it was the timing belt. (For the record, my guess would have been the radiator???!) So I, along with a journalist who had joined us to cover the distribution, waved down the next mini bus: a 15 seater van, to buy a new timing belt in Mwanza. The mini bus driver saw that we were broken down in desperate need on a boiling hot day and I thought he was going to take pity on us, but actually no, it was the opposite! He was a real capitalist, and charged us double the going rate! We piled in and joined the 18 others, 12 chickens and lots of 'katundu' (chichewa for 'stuff'). And did I mention that it was around 93 degrees.... nice and sweaty!!! People were, of course, fascinated with the 'mzungu' (white guy) and wanted to know why I was on a mini bus going to Mwanza. I briefly shared our situation, and 'the conductor' (the guy who shouts at people on the side of the road to see if they want a ride and then collects the money) after hearing our story shrugged his shoulders and simply stated 'Life goes on..' Words that I did not find very encouraging at the time. We finally reached Mwanza, were able to purchase the timing belt, and jump back on the same mini bus to go back to our vehicle stranded on the side of the road. While the mechanic worked on the pickup truck, we hired another truck to carry our katundu to the prison so that it could be delivered. After we had finished, we jumped back in the same truck to return to our broken down pickup to see if there was any progress. By the scene when we arrived, I knew my answer. I believe more of the engine was on the road then in the vehicle. There were parts everywhere! We were not going anywhere soon. "Life goes on..." I told myself. We figured that not everyone had to stay behind so two of us decided to head back home. We flagged a vehicle going by who's driver kindly stopped to pick us up but, oh ya, one small detail, it was an ambulance - but no patient! We started off, but I noticed that not all was right with the ambulance. Only 2nd and 5th gear worked, resulting in our speed being either 40 or 120km, depending on if there was a hill or not. But all was good... oops, again, not quite! We blew a tire and, guess what, no spare. So out we got. "Life goes on...!" We boarded another mini bus, this time with a total of 22 (remember - 15 seater) people, lots of 'katundu' and don't forget the birds, not chickens this time, but 5 quail. We finally got back to Blantyre where we had to board one more mini bus to take us home. Arrival time... 7:35pm. We slightly missed our mark. In total, it was quite the experience, 3 pickup trucks, 4 mini buses and 1 ambulance . In it all, what struck me was the comment from 'my friend' on the mini bus. 'Life goes on'. Often times, we have no control over our circumstances, but what we do control is our attitude and how we can respond to the twists and turns of life. The verse in the Bible that came to mind was 'give thanks in all circumstances'. Was I thankful every moment of this day??? Heck no! But I was reminded of all that I had to be thankful for and the importance of cultivating an attitude of gratitude by seeing the bigger picture. Sure, the day took a bit longer than I would have anticipated, but the' katundu' was delivered, we all got home safely, and I had one heck of a journey! (great sermon material) notice I'm not in the picture! for good reason, nothing I can really offer.
I have to admit, it does seem a bit strange writing to you about Christmas, considering that the average temperature here in Malawi this past week was 94 C (yes, I am rubbing it in a bit...)!
Part of my work while here in Malawi is working with the Prison Chaplin. Each week we visit prisons for Bible Study, 1 on 1 counseling and advocacy work. In the southern part of Malawi there are 22 Prisons with approx 13,000 inmates. During my time, I have recognized the very harsh conditions of these prisons with inmates lacking the basic necessities of life like bed mats, blankets and soap. This Christmas, we are partnering with an initiative of International ministries of the Presbyterian Church in Canada with the purchase of bed mats, blankets and bars of soap to be distributed amongst 7 of the prisons, but we could always use your help. Would you consider giving to this project? It could be a way of giving a little bit of Christmas to those less fortunate. For less than the cost of a candy cane, you could provide a bar of soap ($0.14)...for less than a carton of Egg Nog you could provide a bed mat ($3)... & for less than a box of chocolates you could provide a warm blanket ($8). Yes, it DOES get cold in Africa! If you are interested send you donation to Paris Presbyterian Church, 164 Grand River St. N, Paris, On., N3L 2M6. Make out your cheque to Paris Presbyterian Church and mark it 'Prison ministry in Malawi.' All money will then be forwarded on to us via International Ministries. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to be in touch with me by email ([email protected]). Thank you in advance for your generosity. Merry Christmas! The Sherbino's https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrVtXmBNki4 (here is a short link to a video on youtube describing in a bit more detail) After a long 3 hours of church on Sunday morning beginning at 6am, it would be fair to say that we were less than excited about having yet another mini church service on Sunday afternoon. However, the church told us that they were coming as part of their 'program' and so we prepared for people. In typical fashion, the details were vague: the time was approximate, the numbers of people completely unknown and expectations of us were unclear! So, we ramped ourselves up for the incoming Manse (pronounced manse-y) visit. Kachere, the church where I serve as an Associate Pastor, is divided into 9 districts (geographical locations). Each Sunday afternoon these districts or 'cottages' as they are often referred to, meet for afternoon prayers. Sort of like 'small groups' just with larger numbers of people. They spend time singing, praying, and basically holding a mini church service, complete with teaching and formalities. Once a month, one of these cottages holds their 'afternoon prayers' at the ministers house. Along with the prayer service, the cottage brings some food to help provide for the minister (the level of generosity of the congregation is amazing - on this visit they brought, 25 kgs of rice, 40 eggs, and 80 bottles of coke --- Isaac's eyes lit up until I told him 'relax, they weren't all for him!'. ) At the end of our service together we ate snacks, drank pop (we drink TONS of pop here), and spent time getting to know one another. They had many questions: asking us what Canada is like, what church life is like - the differences and similarities, and what we think about Malawi. By the time they left, we had worshiped God together, learned some new things, ate snacks and had lots of laughs. We were grateful for the visit, and their efforts to encourage and meet with us, even if it wasn't in our preferred (informal Canadian) style. As they were leaving, I was reminded of the words in Hebrews 'let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another.' (Heb 10:25) To build community, it takes effort and takes time, but it is so worth it. (editors note - all of the women wear their mvano uniform - you can see the white top and black shirt in the picture. Rebecca had hers on as well, but I'm under the threat of death if I show those pictures! Sorry...) Folks heading home after a great afternoon
Patrick - my strawberry supplier, at our gate!
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