Busy Weekend

This has been a busy weekend, not that most aren’t, but this one has been especially so. This weekend held big events in people’s lives and in the lives of institutions Friday, Saturday and climaxed on Sunday. I’ll save the climax for an entry all its own. The other two events were not “big” by comparison, but they deserve reflection and appreciation.

On Friday evening the last group of oyendera (women’s church coordinators) graduated after an intense week of training at Chigodi. This is the fourth such week of training and the largest group to date - 65. The Women’s Desk of the Synod is responsible for this training and for a variety of reasons, has not done a training class for two years, so there were many women waiting for the opportunity. Over the past four weeks, there have been 203 women trained, some from each of the 18 presbyteries of the Synod. This training includes Bible Study leadership, administrative skills, mvano leadership, Synod expectations, and much more. All of this was done at Chigodi. This is a great blessing for the Center because it inaugurates a new phase of programming at the Center, as well as new training for the women. This time last year, Chigodi was closed. There were no programs, no water, no money. Another term for graduation is commencement, marking the beginning of a new phase in one’s life. Friday’s celebration was also a commencement for Chigodi, marking the new phase of training and growth for the Center. In this way, we celebrate with the oyendera as they begin their roles as church leaders and we resume our role as a place for women to develop into the people God intends them to be.

So the General Secretary and his wife came to honor the graduates, by giving a brief message and then handing out certificates. All of this was done with due pomp and ceremony and accompanied by speeches and music. Each of the new oyendera came forward when her name was called, bow, knelt before the General Secretary, in traditional Malawian fashion, and received her certificate. The rest of the class cheered as each o ne received recognition. After the program, there was a meal for everyone, fellowship together to encourage each other and rejoice together.

On Saturday, the group of 13 missionaries to Pittsburgh, USA, returned to Malawi. Unlike welcomes in the States, where your family comes to gather you at the airport and take you home, here, arrivals and returns are community celebrations. Folks from each of the churches represented by the travelers made their way to the airport to greet their members. Some came in large numbers from the far reaches of the Synod, from Migowi and Chingale and Chuita Presbyteries, to say welcome home. Mvano (women’s guild) choirs came to sing and dance welcome. Pastors and elders came to extend a hand of greeting. There were songs and speeches and flowers handed out. More than 200 folks came to say “we are glad you are back” to the 13 travelers. It was done in grand Malawian style. From the airport, we all proceeded to Grace Bandawe Conference Center for the official welcome and all the necessary speeches, and a brief reception. There were smiles and laughter at stories of faith and of cultures shared and learned from. From the “funny English” the folks in Pittsburgh speak, to the powerful worship times, the experiences shared encouraged the hearts of those of us who stayed behind. Personally, it was good to hear of folks from “home” and their welcome to my Malawian friends. I was encouraged personally. It was a great time and made the “busyness” of the weekend so worthwhile.