Skills Development Graduation

One of the great things that has happened during the past months is a Skills Development class that was offered at Chigodi to 11 young women from the community. This six month class included teaching in English, Bible knowledge, home economics, sewing, tailoring, knitting, cooking, agriculture, and business management. The young women were tested in all these areas the beginning of December and graduation was held December 15. It was a great time for all involved, an accomplishment for the young women and for the Center.

Guest of Honor inspects the garden

The graduation was done in grand Malawian fashion. This meant, first, the selection of a guest of honor. The staff voted to invite Dr. Silas Ncozana, who eagerly accepted. The rest of the guest list included synod officials, Chigodi church officials, village headmen, and family members of the graduates. This numbered about 60 people. Then there needed to be a meal for them and gifts for the honorees and distinguished students. Displays of the students’ work had to be arranged, for the guests to see their accomplishments. Certificates were prepared for presentation by the guest of honor. These included photos of the graduates and lamination for protection of the important document. Then the hall had to be decorated and seating arranged to honor all in attendance. All of this was made possible by a generous donor from Scotland.

Graduation day dawned cloudy. We prayed that the festivities would be completed before the rains arrived, since the displays were spread throughout the campus. God answered. When the guest of honor arrived, the skies were dark, but the rains held off until all the displays were seen and the group was gathered in the hall. The displays included the garden, cultivated with organic fertilizer, the open air kitchen with a safe, 3 “burner” mud

stove, then a trip to the hostel, and extended

classroom to see the home making display and the foods and clothing produced by the graduates. This tour took about an hour. At every station, the guest of honor asked questions and offered encouragement to the graduates who were presenting their projects.

The students then gathered to march into the hall and the graduation exercises began. That is when the heavens opened and the rains came, but we were all safely inside, dry and secure. The weather did not dampen the spirits of the participants. Poems, skits, presentations and speeches filled the room that had been the student’s classroom and was now the assembly hall. Clapping and cheering and singing accompanied each presentation. The room erupted when the students were called forward to receive their certificates. When the top

student was named, it seemed that the rafters shook. They were all so proud of one another’s accomplishments. The teachers beamed with pride.

When it was my turn to speak, I found my voice full of emotion. Yes, I was touched by the work and accomplishments of these young women who now had new skills to benefit their families and to expand their hopes for the future. But I was also overwhelmed at the progress of Chigodi Women’s Center in just a little over a year. God had done amazing things to bring about this program, to give new life and new hope to the Center as well as to the participants. This time last year the Center had been closed – no programs, no money, not even water. Now we were graduating a class of students, equipped for a future and a hope (Jer. 29:11). This was a graduation, as all are, of beginnings and promise, not just for the graduates but also for the Center. God had done a wonderful work. I could only praise him for that.

The graduates

Hilda, the top student

Days' Inn

You haven't heard from me in a while because I have been busy as an innkeeper. One of the reasons I have a 4 bedroom house is so that I can entertain guest, usually international guests, but certainly not limited to internationals. The month of December gave cause to rejoice at a large house. From December 1 to December 31, I had house guests, sometimes one at a time and others multiples, some international and many Malawian. The blessing was that there was always room at the Inn.

The month began with an unexpected visitor from Scotland who needed a place to stay and regroup before launching into various projects in Lilongwe. She stayed a week, but not alone all that time. Charles was in and out. It is about 4 hours one way to Charles’ home, because of road construction, so it is difficult to come and go in the same day. When he comes for Synod business, he uses “home” as a natural stop over. He was in and out twice during the week that Susan was with me.

Thomas uses the house the same way because transportation to Chuita Presbytery is difficult because of its remote regions. The day Susan departed, Thomas arrived for two days, coming and going on presbytery business. In the course of his time at home, we talked about his wife Jean, who had had an accident with a charcoal burner earlier in the week and had seriously burned her ankle and foot. It was not healing. The three of us discussed it over the phone and decided that the best thing would be for her to come to Blantyre to seek medical attention and to have a time to stay off her foot, or at least not have to go out in the dust and mud to cook and use the bathroom. But she couldn’t easily travel on multiple mini buses, with a burned foot and a little boy, so Sam Ncozana and I took Sam’s 4-wheel drive to get her. (Mine is not high enough for the rough mud ruts in the most remote areas.) With Jean and Chimwemwe came lots of other visitors, mostly her family here in Blantyre area, to check on her. Some just came for meals and others came for overnights, like her brother and his friend, a young theology student who needed to take care of business at the Synod while here. That took time, so they stayed over. Thomas was in and out during this time, since his family was all here. Chimwemwe had a great time with his friends here in Blantyre as well. They were here from the 13^th to the 30^th. Since Jean was recovering, I had the joy of giving Chimwemwe his evening bath. That became a highlight of our time. Regardless of how busy the day had been, there was always time for “a swim” in Mummy’s tub. We giggled and splashed in delight every night. We just ignored the other house guests for a few minutes of “fun in the tub.”

For the Christmas holiday, I had invited the young couple from Zimbabwe who stayed with me last year, but their plans changed a bit. Jared and his son came to spend Wednesday night before Christmas, before catching an early morning bus to Zimbabwe where he would do research on his senior paper for the Theological college, and see some family along the way. So they came, spent the day and left early the next morning to catch their bus. Debra, his wife, and their infant son arrived two days later for 5 days, She and Jean are great friends from the college, so they had a good time over the Christmas holiday, both minus their husbands who were busy with church responsibilities but able to enjoy one another’s company. In the midst of this, were Thomas’ and Jeans’ birthdays. Thomas’ is Dec. 23 and Jeans’ is Dec. 24. Of course we had to celebrate. There were parties for each. It was nice to have Thomas here for at least a few days before the busyness of Christmas for pastors.

About mid way through the month, Sam came with 4 dogs. They were his but Thomas wanted two of them for watch dogs at his place in Chiuta. His plan was to replace the two with two from a Dutch doctor who was leaving to serve in Tanzania. The problem was that his dogs didn’t get along with the new dogs, so he wanted to house all of his at my place until we could arrange to get two of them to Chiuta and decide what to do with the others. He was hoping I would take them. (I finally agreed to one). So in addition of multiple house guests, I had 5 dogs as well. Fortunately, they are outside dogs, but they are noisy outside dogs. Maxwell, my gardener and my right hand man, took the brunt of “hosting” the dogs. He is a blessing.

Had I only been an innkeeper, this would have been an easy time, but I have other responsibilities in my portfolio that increase at Christmas time, like graduations and Christmas parties at Chigodi, Christmas parties for the house staff, beginning at a new church, regular church services and special Christmas services, session meetings and retreats. So there were times when I dropped off groceries and ran out the door to the next event. Debra and Jean especially managed well on their own, for which I was most grateful. The day Jean left,  with Sam and the dogs, Charles returned for Synod business.

The blessing was that we were never “over booked.” There were always enough beds for all who were spending the night. We did a great deal of sheet changing and laundry, but unlike the biblical story, there was always room at Days’ Inn. Praise God. So, if you are in the neighborhood, feel free to drop in and spend a night. There is room.

The Transfer

I have been transferred as associate pastor from the Chigodi congregation to the Limbe congregation. Sunday was my first time with the congregation as their associate. I have preached there a number of times with the Partnership but this is different. This is as a pastor for the congregation, not as a guest preacher. The welcome was warm and encouraging. And I clearly recognized the difference between a city congregation and a village congregation.

The pastor, Rev. Rodney Bona, had told me that we were having just one service instead of the usual two. The service was to begin at 7:30 a.m. and would be primarily in Chichewa. I wanted to be prompt, so I arrived shortly after 7 a.m. to find the parking lot nearly full. As I got out of the car, I heard congregational singing. My heart sank. Had I misunderstood and was I late for my first service with a new congregation? I quietly made my way to a side entrance, to slip in as unnoticed as possible. As I entered the sanctuary, I breathed a sigh of relief. The service in progress was a wedding. It had begun at 6 a.m. to be finished in time for the Sunday service. The pastor was just pronouncing the benediction. I wasn’t late but I had a graphic example of the intense schedule of a city church where services have to be placed at all times to accommodate the needs of the congregation.

After the wedding party had recessed, the elders gathered in the pastor’s office and quickly set the order of worship in place, assigning parts easily. I was to give the opening prayer. During the announcements, I would be introduced to the church and give greetings. Those were my only responsibilities. The pastor had come and gone. He would slip in to the service once it had begun. His home is on the church grounds and he went home to freshen up after the wedding. This is Malawi and even a 6 a.m. wedding is hot when one is fully robed.

The order of service is the same in every CCAP church, but the flavor is different because of the personalities of the congregations. Limbe is a large and generally well educated congregation. The parking lot overflows with newer model cars. The church has tiled flooring throughout the sanctuary. The sound system is controlled for a sound booth near the chancel. The elders come dressed in fresh suits or stylish dresses. The choirs all have their recorded accompaniments. The service begins promptly at the designated time. There is a formality that does not exist in a village church. But there are a few things that remain the same. Men still sit together on one side of the church and women on the other. The small children still wander up and down the aisles, going between their parents. Sunday school is conducted concurrent with the worship service so their singing can be heard during the service. The Spirit is evident in the praise songs and joy of the worship time.

As I worshipped with the congregation, I felt comfortable and welcomed. I anticipate a good time of learning and growing in faith together in the months ahead. Transfers are good. They are part of the life of a minister but more than that, they are part of God's plan for our growth and good.

Church Farewell

Pastors in Blantyre Synod are assigned to churches at the discretion of the Synod and the Presbytery. These decisions are made by the executive team of the judicatory body. The pastor’s response is to go where he or she is sent. That obedience is part of the ordination vows. I am part of Blantyre Synod, so when the executives of the Synod told me I was to be transferred from the Chigodi congregation to the Limbe congregation, my response was, “Of course.” Actually, I knew this was  going to happen, since the young pastor who has come as my assistant at Chigodi Women’s Training Center needed to be assigned to a congregation and it was most logical that she take the church closest to the Center, where she is living. The congregation, however, was not as willing. It wasn’t that they didn’t want Rev. Jailos. It was that they didn’t want to lose me. But after some long conversations with the elders, they accepted the transfer and began to plan a farewell Sunday for me.

Sunday was the big day and it was a big day. We usually have two services, one in English and one in Chichewa, but on special occasions, we combine and have only one service. That was the schedule for Sunday. That meant that the church was crowded, as we packed the two congregations into one. The choirs of the congregation usually divide between the services, but since there was only one, all the choirs were present and they each had prepared special music for the occasion, songs thanking me for being their pastor. That was most humbling. I preached the sermon, with the session clerk as my translator. It was a joy to work with him for one last time in this way. After the offering, came speeches of appreciation. It was a humbling, too, to hear all they thought I had done for them and with them in just 16 months. Then came the giving of gifts. This has a particularly Malawian flavor. Each of the zones of the church, the various groups of the church and some individuals had gifts to present. I stood in the front as the giver of the gift danced up the aisle with the gift as a choir sang. The giver knelt in front of me to present the gift, which I received and then handed to member of the mvano who was there to assist me. She took the gift and placed it in the growing stack beside the pulpit. One of the elders stood on the other side of me with a bucket in hand, to receive the kwacha that the folks from the group wished to give. The giving of money is part of the fun of giving here. This is usually given in small bills of 20 kwacha (about 13 cents) and 50 kwacha (about 33 cents), but many of them. The fun is in the dancing and the tossing of the money, all the while choirs sing. This can go on for some time. The whole process of gift giving took almost an hour. It is not the amount given that matters. It is the heart and the fun of the giving that matter. There was great heart in their giving. I was deeply touched. After the service, there was a dinner at the Women’s Center, just up the hill from the church, for all the elders and their spouses. There were more speeches and more laughter as we shared a final meal together as pastor and elders.

Pastors become used to going to and leaving congregations. That is part of the call of God but there is always something bitter sweet about having to say goodbye. While it means new opportunities for the pastor and for the congregation, it is hard to let go of the relationships that have been built and the ministry that has been done together. I guess that is the price of engaging in one another’s lives. The farewell recognized that relationship and appreciated the time together. I praise God for that. I’ve said goodbye, but part of my heart remains, as part of my heart has in every congregation I have had to leave.

Session clerk and his wife tossing kwacha as a farewell gesture

Cottage Prayers

Large congregations are the rule here in Malawi. As in the States, the challenge in a large congregation is how to spiritually nurture the members. It is so easy for folks to just come to worship but never get involved in the life of the congregation. To help address that issue, Blantyre Synod congregations are divided into zones, geographic regions of the congregation. Elders are appointed from each of the zones or cottages to oversee the life of the members within those areas. The elders are responsible for knowing the families in their area – their needs, their struggles, and their joys. The elders are responsible for conducting weekly prayer meetings. These are called Cottage Prayers. Each week in worship, the locations of cottage prayers are announced so that everyone in that area is able to know and to attend. At the Chigodi congregation, we have 4 zones. Cottage prayers are usually held on Saturday afternoons, so those who are working are able to attend.

Rev. Kadawati teaching

Since the church is preparing for elections of leadership in December, Rev. Kadawati and I have visited the cottages during November, doing some teaching on the responsibilities and the requirements for deacons and elders, answering questions and then joining them in prayer. If the need is there, we have done some visitation to the sick as well. Now, I’m a bit handicapped in that I can’t preach in Chichewa but I can understand the questions being asked and follow the discussions. The session clerk, who has traveled with us, has been good about translating for me – both translating my preaching for the members of the prayer groups and the questions of the group so that I get the full extent of the questions. I have done the preaching and Rev. Kadawati has done the teaching and fielded most of the questions, although he has tossed a few delicate ones in my direction. We have worked well together as a team. For a few of these, my young associate from Chigodi Women’s Center, a newly ordained minister, has gone with us and joined in the service.

The various cottage groups had really enjoyed it when the three of us are together. It is enough to have one pastor, a blessing to have two and almost unheard of to have three in one congregation. Repeatedly they tell us how blessed they are to have the three of us there.

The venue for these meetings is always someone’s home, but the houses are too small for groups of twenty or more, so we have been meeting outside the houses. Praise God that the rains have held off each time. These meetings take place mid afternoon on Saturdays, so the challenge is to find a shady place for everyone to sit and for the pastors to stand. Seating is on the ground, or in a few cases, on grass mats that the host provided. This has worked and most Malawian are comfortable with that, especially the women who are used to sitting on the ground. We have walked up steep hills and down among small houses to get to the hosts’ homes. We have been in the heart of the Kachere village area. I have gotten to know places that one never sees from the road, where the people live. Each time, we are warmly greeting, offered cool drinks and the best seats and made to feel that we have honored them by coming, when in fact, we are the one who are blessed by being there.

My only regret is that we did not do this earlier in my time with the congregation, since this has given me a wonderful opportunity to know where these folks live and for a brief time to share in their lives. But I have to trust God that this is the right time. Rev. Kadawati’s schedule as General Secretary has not allowed for this, he has had to juggle things to make this work. My Chichewa has only recently gotten to the point that I feel comfortable following conversations and I think it has taken this time for the members to be comfortable with a mzungu (white) pastor, so it has all worked out in God’s perfect time.

Zone 2 Cottage group

General Assembly

A General Assembly of the CCAP (Central Church Africa, Presbyterian) was scheduled to begin on Saturday here in Blantyre. This would have involved all 5 of the synods of the CCAP -  Blantyre, Livingstonia, Nkhoma, Zambia and Zimbabwe – but it is not going to happen For the fourth time in as many years, the meeting has been canceled because the participants could not agree on the agenda. Actually, two of the five would not agree, Livingstonia and Nkhoma. The two synods are in a dispute about the border between the synods and each encroaching into the other’s territory in planting prayer houses and new churches. This is not a new dispute. It has been brewing since 1924, if the issue is traced far enough. It has heated up in the last few years and the encroachment has escalated on both sides.

The rhetoric and public arguments have quieted down in the last months. Parties from the other synods had visited both of the disputing parties and each had agreed to participate in the General Assemble. We were all hopeful. Plans were made and everything was coming in place. Accommodations were reserved. The meeting place was prepared. Subcommittee meetings were scheduled. Tuesday there was an air of anticipation that this was finally the time to put the differences of the past in the past and to move forward, politely agreeing to disagree on some points but working to preserve the unity of the church by meeting together. Then Tuesday evening the meeting was canceled. The issue was the agenda. Livingstonia wanted the border issue on the agenda and Nkhoma refused. There was no giving on either side. They were right back at the same impasse, over the same issue. It was as if all the negotiating of the last months had not happened. All arrangements were canceled.

This is a disturbing development for a number of reasons. The most obvious is that as brothers and sisters in Christ, we cannot sit together and work out our differences. Yes, there is record of disputes happening even in the New Testament, but they were worked out by meeting and reasoning together. If we don’t meet, we can’t reason together. Second is the waste of resources - time and money - that has been spent on something that is now not going to happen. In a land where resources are so scarce, it is really a sin to waste them in this way. But even more serious is the message that this sends to the non-Christian world. It says we can’t practice what we preach about peace and love. We are damaging our witness to the world and thereby tarnishing the name of Christ. This grieves my heart. I can only imagine what it must do to God’s heart.

But before I become too quick to point fingers of shame, I need to look more closely at my relationships. It is so easy to see others’ errors, especially institutions, because they tend to be nameless and faceless. But when they are brothers and sisters in the faith, it is different. It is harder to point at those we know and like, on both sides of a dispute. Pointing becomes inappropriate. That is not our place. The only thing to do, with integrity, is to uphold all parties concerned in prayer. Only God can change hearts and resolve differences. This must continue to be an issue of prayer. That is true for all the church disputes in all our denominations because the truth is that we all have them. The issues are different. The names and faces are different, but the disputes are there. I am convinced that the only alternative is prayer from and for all parties involved. Only God can truly make peace.

Let the Children Come

Most of my work is with adults, especially pastors. But sometimes God gives me the opportunity to be with the children of Malawi. That makes my heart sing. Last week God gave me one of those times, thanks to Peter Kadawati, the General Secretary’s eldest son. Peter is a college student majoring in community development with a heart for ministry. About 2 years ago, he was asked to help with a CBC group – Community based Orphan Care – that is run by Blantyre Synod Health and Development Commission (BSHDC). The project works with orphans and the adults who care for them in a densely populated area outside of Blantyre. BSHDC operates a number of these centers around Blantyre. Peter has begun a Bible study with the group and asked me if I would come and share the word with them. He would translate. I have done this twice before. Those times the groups have been the women who care for the children.

The prayer group moves around, trying to find adequate space. Most recently they have been meeting in an open air shelter with just a grass roof. The participants sit on the ground. This particular day, as we left Blantyre for the site, the winds picked up and the sky darkened. When we arrived, there was no one at the shelter. We were told by one of the neighbors, one who cares for some of the orphans, that many women had gathered, but when the wind started, everyone scattered. They wanted better shelter. A light rain was beginning, so the lady invited us to stand on a porch, out of the wind and wet, until the group could be gathered again. Then the owner of the house insisted that we come in and sit in her living room while we waited. There was no need for a great announcement that we were there. Everyone knew. We had come by car and that is a rare sight in this area. The children gathered around the car and followed it down the narrow lanes as we drove. They easily followed us to the house to wait with us. Within just a few minutes, there were 15 children standing on the front porch, looking in at us. Our hostess invited them in and announced that her living room was the best location for worship that day. This is where we would stay. That announcement was as good as a public address call. The children began to assemble, this time in the house instead of in the shelter. Within 5 minutes the house was full, floor space all taken and more came, sitting on the front porch, leaning in the windows. We had a congregation.

Peter made introductions and worship began – lively singing of choruses, with clapping and dancing. Movement was a challenge, since the space was so crowded, but that did not stop the Malawian movement of worship. Unlike the other times I have spoken to the group, most of those gathered were children. I quickly mentally adjusted my message for a younger audience. These bright faces didn’t need deep thoughts as much as they needed encouragement to be faithful to follow Jesus. As I spoke of a young David who had a heart that pleased God, they understood (because of Peter’s good translation) that they could please God. They began to respond visually and verbally. They liked the story and got the message. And I had fun with them. I think I got a glimpse of why Jesus liked to have the children come to him. They are free to respond, What a blessing to a preacher.

Only after the service, as we were leaving, did we realize that the light rain has stopped soon after it began, The ground wasn’t even wet. All that threatening weather had been to change the location and the composition of the congregation, not to flood the area. God gave me time with his children, That a blessing!