Charles' Induction

In August Charles was re-assigned to the Kapeni parish in Ncheu Presbytery, so there was need for an “induction,” or an installation, as it is known in the States. It was scheduled for Oct. 30. With the fuel shortage, I was concerned about being able to get there, but God was good and, after 3 days of Maxwell’s searching, God provided enough fuel for us to go. The “us” included Maxwell and his new wife, Rose. Since he had done all the leg work for the fuel, this was his reward, as he saw it. “Us” also included Rev. and Mrs. Njala, since this is his home congregation.

Maxwell drove. We arrived well before the Presbytery officials did and had time to visit the area. Charles had told me the church was in desperate need of repair, but I didn’t understand how desperate until I saw it. There is no building. A strong storm tore off the roof and the walls collapsed. All that remains standing is the vestry (office) behind the sanctuary and partial walls in the chancel area. The elders have constructed a wood frame to hold some of the salvaged roofing sheets and a tarp. The concrete benches are still in place, so people have a place to sit, at least. Worshippers were assembling in this make-shift sanctuary as we arrived. The surroundings did not affect their enthusiasm for this wonderful event. They were rejoicing at the induction of their pastor. As they prepared, we went to visit Rev. Njala’s home, which is just up the hill from the church. His mother, who is 82, maintains the family home there, raising pigs and doing farming. She may walk with a cane, but she does not let that slow her down. She walked down to the manse before we were able to walk up to see her, then she escorted us to her home. The house is situated on the top of a hill. This area of Malawi is very hilly. The location of the house offers a wonderful view and enjoys any small breezes that may stir. That was a blessing on that very hot day. As we returned to the manse, the Presbytery officials arrived and preparations for the service began. The Presbytery clerk asked that I preach, since I had come all the way from Blantyre. This was his way of honoring me. I’m grateful that I anticipated this as a possibility and had an outline, just in case.

The worship service was a traditional induction service, with preaching, choirs, the constitutional questions for the pastor, charges to the new pastor and to the congregation, gift giving and speeches. The service was late in starting and lasted 4 hours, so we sat in the heat of the day under the tarp and metal roofing, but we praised God there were no walls, so a small breeze provided some relief. I was delighted to be able to share in that moment in Charles’ ministry. I had missed his first induction because of commitments in my own ministry, so this was a blessing. Maxwell served as photographer as well as driver, to record the event.

After the service, the session clerk asked that we wait before walking from the church to the manse for the meal the women had prepared. They had something special they wanted to do. So the pastors remained at the church chatting until the session clerk told me I could proceed. I led the procession, and that is what it became. As I got to the junction of the road from the church to the manse, the women were gathered, singing “hosanna,” as they sing on Palm Sunday. They spread their chitenje on the ground in front of me for me to walk on. They provided a carpet of their clothing from the road right into the house, in honoring welcome to the meal. Once I was inside, they offered the same welcome to each of the pastors as they came. It was the most humbling experience I have had in Malawi. I couldn’t look them in the eye for fear of crying. As we gathered for prayer for the meal, several of the other pastors expressed the same emotion. This is an induction I will long remember, because it was my son’s, because of the lovely, creative location and because of the humbling treatment from the women of the congregation.