An African Sunday

Good morning. We arrived in Malawi yesterday afternoon. We were the first flight in from Nairobi after the gov't workers strike got over. The gov't workers went back to work after receiving a 61% wage increase. Inflation in Malawi is 5% a month. I wish our American gov't leaders would come and experience what happens when a gov't spends more than they take in.

We met with Nancy and Peter who work for CRWRC to make a plan for while we are here. Ken, Fred, Russ, and I also met with Harrison, a Malawian, who we met last year while we were here and hired him for the week to be our driver and interpreter.

 We here in Malawi are 8 hours ahead of Iowa time so by the time you get up I will have been to church already. My goal was to post this on time however internet is so slow here it has literally taken me hours to get anything done. Below is the road to Moses and Maria's church which I attended.

 This is the welcoming committee that was singing when I arrived. This is only the second time in the churches history that a white person has worshipped with them. I'm guessing around 100 folks attended and the service lasted 3 hours.

Women are a large part of leading and participating in the service. The music included a keyboard, tamborines, and other instruments. We stood for much of the service. You just can't raise your hands, clap, and move(dance) while sitting.

 Taking the offering is much different than we are used to. While singing and praising the kids come up first to give. Then the women and finally the men. Later the totals are reported. Not counting the guests offering the women were by far the most generous. Second were the kids with the men taking up the rear.

 As a guest I was introduced and asked to be part of the service. I brought greetings from their fellow Christians in America. They asked me to pray and lead them in a closing song. I picked a one word song, Hallelujah. This little girl's name is Praise Elizebeth.

Scripture was read by word and actions by two pastors from Genesis 1.

 Congregational prayer was also word and action. All those asking for healing or help came forward and kneeled in front and brought their petitions to God. They have so many obsticles, yet are so content.

 The children all sit on the floor in front of church for the whole service. The women sit on one side while the men sit on the other.

The Pastors asked if I would help greet the congregation at the close of the service. An African handshake takes cordination. Two of my sister Beth's sons came with me.

 The picture below was taken in the unfinished addition of their church building. They continue building as funding becomes available. These Christian brothers and sisters have such a profound and simple relationship with their Lord. Worshipping with these folks makes a person wonder about the traditons we try so hard to keep and the minor details we worry about back home.

 This is Moses and Maria in front of their corn field. Moses is a farmer and Maria helps my sister Beth clean house and cook. Their goal is to build their own home someday. They currently live in a room close to Moses family including his parents and 9 brothers and sisters.

 

Moses drilled a well on his property that everyone uses.

 We crossed the bridge on their property that they built over a river and charge toll to pedestrians so they don't have to go clear around the road.

Tommorow after meetings I hope to go to the market and trade off our my old cell phones for suvioners. On Tuesday we head for the remote villages only accessable by paths. Stay tuned.