This is the word I’ve chosen to describe our exploratory trip to Malawi, Africa. Despite incredible hardships, the Malawi people have a deep joy that radiates in their smiles, in their singing and in their faith. It really is quite extraordinary.
On Sunday morning, we arrive at a brick building with no windows and a roof with holes in it. The dilapidated structure looks more like an abandoned building than a church. From a distance, we see people walking on dusty roads towards the building. Some ride bicycles, but there are no cars, except ours. A man picks up a wrench and bangs loudly on a metal cylinder hanging from a tree—it is time for church. Inside, the church is filled with people sitting on concrete benches. The communion table is bare except for a torn, white cloth. There is no cross anywhere, only a cut-out wooden block picture of a church with a steeple and a small chalkboard with the day’s hymns. But there are no hymnals. Then, one choir after another takes their turn dancing in the aisle as they process to the front of the church. Their joyful melodies travel through the holes in the roof towards heaven.
A basket is placed on a small wooden chair at the front of the church. People begin dancing in the aisle so they can place their offering in the basket. Then they do it, again. They give a second offering, singing and dancing with joy as they place their money in the basket. I watch as an old woman bends to place a little coin in the basket… did I just witness a living version of Jesus’ parable of the poor widow and her two mites? …Is most of the congregation here at Sakata church like the poor widow? They appear to have virtually nothing, yet their faith helps them to sing and dance and give with enthusiasm and joy. It is extraordinary.
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At times on our journey through the villages of Malawi, I felt as though we had stepped into a living history demonstration of how the Malawians lived hundreds of years ago. Yet, this is their reality. Making bricks from the earth, carrying water from the well, pounding maize, and dancing in the church aisle—there will be more stories to share about the lifestyle and spirit of the Malawi people. Watch the bulletin, Tidings and the church website for stories and photographs so that you, too, might come to understand what life is like in the villages of Malawi.
The exploratory team, Marlene Merz, Dianne Kareha and Karen Ensley, thank you for your support and prayers during this extraordinary journey. The next step will be to share our findings and observations with FPC’s Mission Leadership Team. Please pray for FPC’s Mission Leadership Team to discern God’s will for FPC regarding Malawi.
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