God of Wonders

It has been a busy past few weeks. So much ministry is going on and God is doing so many wonderful things. It is an honor to get to be part of some of it. A team came at the end of August into the first bit of September. It was a great blessing to get to join them and serve alongside them. Part of the team did a VBS with the Bethlehem Christian Academy students. Pastors that came taught a theological training school with TNI partners in Malawi. Thank you so much for your continued prayers and support.

We had 100 BCA students attend our VBS over four days, kindergarten through third grade. It was so much fun for the kids and for everyone that got to serve them. They got to do singing and dancing, sang worship songs to the Lord and worked on memorizing a Bible verse. Played a bunch of fun games, got to do many crafts, most importantly they heard the word of God through many Bible stories and the gospel was shared. The kids of the school loved it, and so did the volunteers and teachers every day we would arrive the kids would crowd around the vehicle and want to run up and give us big hugs. It was a lot of fun to serve and spend so much time with these students especially because I have a sponsored child from the school that I got to see everyday. The kids worked on memorizing the verse below throughout the week. The theme was the wonders that God has done.

Psalm 40:5

“Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare.”

While the team was here nine people were baptized! It was amazing to see what God is doing and how He is growing the church. All of these people have professed Jesus as their LORD and Savior and have obeyed Him by being baptized. About a day later I found out that one of the women baptized is the older sister to my BCA sponsor child! So exciting to witness God moving in the church.

When the team was here serving, half the team was doing the VBS while a group of pastors lead a theological training school. Many leaders from TNI partner churches came for the school. I spent the week with the VBS team but I know that the training went well and deepen the faith of those that attended. After the team left so many people have reached out to the leadership in Malawi wanting to be in the next theological training school.

Over the last two and a haft months TNI has been building a new church building for a church that is in partnership with TNI. Back in March when I first came to Malawi I had the opportunity to visit this church and see that they were meeting in a broken down building. Returning to Malawi in August and seeing a new building being constructed for this church family was so inspiring. It was so amazing to see that all of those that worked on building the church are pastors and church leaders in the TNI next work. During the grand opening, so many visitors and community members came that there ended up being no room for the children so they took the kids outside. Then one of the pastors came and got me and said that I had to share a Bible story with the kids. I was giving no time to prepare but I had my Bible in my bag. So with a friend that translated I got to share the Gospel with about 50 kids that lead into other Bible stories and trying to answer many of the kids very deep questions. I was glad when others jumped in to help answer some of the kids questions. We must always be prepared to share the Gospel.

1 Peter 3:15

“but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,”

A women’s conference was also held after the VBS it was lead by the women from the team that came. About 20 women attended from the refugee camp and the topics lead to great conversations and deep questions about faith and what it is to follow Jesus.

The American team returned to the USA the beginning of September and now it will just be me in Malawi with our partners here. We have been so busy getting ready for the school year starting on Monday. I have began teaching English as a second language to some of the BCA staff and church members, along with leading some women’s Bibles studies. This week did not go as planned though I was very sick and had to go to the hospital and found out that I have a bacterial infection but thankfully our great partners here were able to get me some medication and I am doing much better now.

Thank you to everyone for your prayers and support for the work that is happening here in Malawi. Please pray the students of BCA Malawi as they go back to school this week. For the work and partnerships with the churches involved in TNI. For the church growth and the spreading of the Gospel throughout the refugee camp and beyond.