27th August, 2024.
Dear Brethren, MAY – AUGUST 2024 NEWSLETTER
I owe you so much my dear beloved brethren as I’m not a regular writer as I used to be ten or fifteen years ago and it sometimes do worry me knowing that you have not visited me before and all you know is just Malawi on website and sometimes news where you read or
hear good or bad news of the country. It’s my earnest prayer that God may give you an opportunity to come and visit us, and see how the church is and the faith which is amongst the brethren despite the high level of poverty, disease, and hunger.
Evangelism & Outreach Programme
There is no better period like this as I said before as people have just harvested and sold their farm produce. The wise have managed to keep some for food as we are about to get into October when food will start to be scarce. Most importantly during this period is the
gospel meetings and bible schools in the villages. Most active leaders and congregations they do make sure that Christ and His church is being preached so that none at the end should give an excuse that he was not warned. (Ezekiel 33:6-9). Ekwendeni is a fast growing semi urban town of over 70,000 and we have seen an influx of man made churches promising hopeless Christians with wealth, good jobs, marriage and general prosperity. We have been vigilant against this by door-to door-preaching, following up the backsliders and offering our support in time of need like funeral or illness. There is has been slight improvement in attendance mainly in Tumbuka service where the average number is 130. The other good news is that we had 5 baptisms and 7 restorations over this period.
Outreach programme
Currently we do have 38 congregations and each one do expect me to visit them at least once or twice a year but due to health problems and lack of enough support this is not possible; hence I take opportunities when there is village Gospel meetings mainly for those who can afford as most congregations do not have a full time preacher and it brings some problems as most of these congregations have got high attendance of the women who can
not do Sunday Service despite that they may be mature in faith and know the Scriptures. The following are some of the Gospel meetings I have so far attended and preached at:
- Emsizini: from 21-23rd June, with a total attendance of 366, we had 2 baptisms and 1 restoration.
- Embangweni: From 29-30th June. I just sent my friends on this one as I was down with flu. But there was one baptism
- Mantheni : 12-14th July with a total attendance of 312 , with 3 baptisms and 4 restorations.
- Libwe Litali 21st July, just for Sunday service and sorting out church building boundaries with locals. Attendance was 28
- Chizaula : 26-28th July, with a total attendance of 391, with only 2 baptisms. I also took an opportunity to see a long time serving preacher Brother John Manda. He has been sick for sometime with sugar and BP and I will see him again Lording willing by next month.
- Kabwanyanga 21-25th August, total attendance 301 with 1 baptism
The Ekwendeni Annual One Week Bible School & Gospel Meeting.
I think you may have some questions on why the school and yet Malawi has got over 7 or 8 Bibles Schools? Who are the teachers and the students? Who funds and what lessons are taught and its impact on the local congregation? I think for those who might have visited Malawi, you may have an idea that despite the church being planted over 100 years ago it has many challenges hence it has not grown
much in numbers like the denominational ones. Since the demise or departure of the second generation of American Missionaries like the late James Judd, John Thiesen and others, the church has faced a wave of problems and doctrinal issues amongst itself hence there is no
significant growth spiritually and socially. Most prayer houses are dilapidated, not much funds to run the church and very few have a full or part time village preacher which has led many to backslide and join denominational churches. So, the Ekwendeni one week school tries to train the local brethren who are able to read and write so that full church services on Sunday are done and these are the brethren who can not be swayed anyhow unlike some who are studying at the many Bible schools who end up returning home and joining denominations or going to South Africa to seek for greener pastures. Most of the teachers who teach at our school are our own local preachers trained by the second generation of missionaries and the participants are picked from the local congregations along with their leaders ( Elders). So it’s hands-on and they value it as they also contribute in the form of food and materials. We do this to let them understand the importance and they value it since they make some contributions than just free like in many schools we have. I do make an appeal to cover the shortfall as our country economy’s and the members at large come from families of low incomes of less than a dollar or two per day.
The School attendance and the subjects taught
Out of the 38 congregations, 33 managed to send the brethren and they were 172 in total. 58 brothers, 71 sisters and 41 were the Youth. It was a big class and in the afternoon, each group had its its own class. Subjects which carried the day were Marriage ( Divorce
and re-marriage) and the role of women and the Youth in the church. These they could go beyond tea and Lunch break as the book of 1 Corinthians chapter 7 was read again and again and they actually understand what the Apostle Paul meant. Then there was Offering ( why we fail to have Lord’s supper on Sunday and fail to carry
some church activities like helping widows, visiting the sick or help at the funeral) but the most contentious one was the Church Elders and their duties. The sisters and the youth were faulting their church leaders that most of them do fail their duties hence most
congregations are dormant and fail to attend Sunday Service mainly in rainy season as many grass thatched prayer house leaks. The other subjects like Calling in a worship, Prophets and Fellowship then Sermon
outline and delivery were some of the lessons which brought excitement and interest. The entire one week (From 4-9th August) was just like 2 or 3 days. Certificate of attendance were issued and the brethren said they have gained a lot and are asking God to give us enough rains this coming season so that next year we could have it again. Thanks were given to you all for your prayers and support. Brother Chad Wagner came to the rescue at 11th hour by
sending the $500 as we were an able to buy a cow for relish as things have sky-rocketed here in Malawi.
The Ekwendeni Gospel Meeting 9-11th August 2024. Theme: Let us Stand Firm in our Lord Jesus Christ ( 1 Corinthians 15:58)
Brethren started arriving even before the school closure and it brought great joy and happiness as old members who once served along with the first American missionaries like brother F. C. Mhango were in attendance. The theme came at the right time as the church is
now is facing numerous challenges which have made many brethren to backslide or leave the church because of the problems (mainly poverty); hence the need to stand firm as we wait for a better place in His glory.
It was a big meeting and the attendance on the closing day on Sunday was 723 with 4 baptisms and 7 restorations
The Ladies Programme:
You may recall in previous newsletter that the Ekwendeni ladies made some visits to teach and encourage each other as sisters in Christ in Rumphi, Libwelitali and Ng’ongo. So on July 31st, they made a return visit here. Ekwendeni appears to be the centre so it was not only
sisters from the above who came but other Sister congregations as well. Their subjects mainly based on their role in the family and how to care for children as well as their husbands. Role model sisters who have excelled with education and working, also encouraged their fellow women to start a small Income Generating Activity (IGA) than depending everything from the husband. They said in so doing our Christian marriage and our faith in God will remain strong.
The Youth Programme
Not much has been done as most of them were preparing for exams and now this holiday they have just been invited by their Friends at Kafukule this week Friday and they are also preparing for the big meeting on the 31st December, which will end on 1st January 2025. It seems it will be a big meeting as contributions have just started.
However, during the Bible school here, they also had time to teach each other on issues affecting them like lack of jobs, school fees and early marriages which sometimes do affect their faith as they think God is not answering their prayers.
Benevolence and Church building
My thanks to you all mainly for the help to have the Manolo church building now operational. The other remaining work can be done at ease as now we have fixed the door and next week, we hope to fix the windows and start plastering and flooring. I was being laughed at as being my home congregation but with this development, I will leave
a good legacy and die as a happy man.
On benevolence, not much has been done but in the coming months, there will be a great need of food (Maize). We are yet to see how the government will handle it as it seem some countries and organization have at least responded to the state of Disaster which was declared in March. All in all, I thank God for you and the entire Katy church for accepting me to be part of the church family. I know you have much responsibilities and obligations but giving me the support is by the grace of God. May our Mighty God continue to bless you for the growth of His church in Malawi and the entire world.
In His Vineyard
Davison