We would like to share with you how your gifts and the labors of our brothers and sisters in Christ in southern Africa are producing many thanksgivings to God. Here’s one example.
In July 1997 we received a request from John Sikwese, director of evangelism for the Church of Central Africa’s Livingstonia Synod in northern Malawi, for help with one of their “un-reached” areas, Mughona. We responded with a gift of $2,000 to help with an evangelist’s salary and to begin construction of a house for him.
Mughona, with its 8,000-plus people, is located along the border with Tanzania approximately two kilometers from the Songwe River that borders Malawi and Tanzania. There are four churches in the area: the African International Church, Last Church, Mgemela Church and the Roman Catholic Church.
“The first three dominate the area because these encourage polygamy, early marriages, witchcraft and drunkenness,” wrote Sikwese. “That is why we decided to go and reach the people there.”
No vehicle could get to this area because one bridge over a small creek had fallen down. The road was in bad repair because it hadn’t been used for some eight or 10 years.
In January 1998 I visited the area. We had to walk (it took me almost four hours — the locals do it in about two-and-a-half) and arrived at dark. We spent the night and next morning met with the evangelist, the local chiefs and the people. It was a moving experience.
The evangelist had started four other preaching points — prayer houses — in the area, all by walking the one to four hours it took to reach them.
The chiefs were greatly concerned for their people and saw that the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) shared their concern. They needed help with housing for teachers, roofing for part of the school and a grinding mill. We promised to help them complete these tasks, especially to get the mill.
As with everything else, the building supplies had to be carried in on foot the two to four hours it took to get from the stores where they were purchased. I could see the hope and appreciation spread across the chiefs’ faces as we shared that we would be able to help. We did provide the funds for the mill and the teacher’s house.
In October 1999 I again visited Mughona with Sikwese. This time we drove to the village. The bridge had been completed, and the people had repaired the road by hand with funds from the government. They had completed the evangelist’s house and one teacher’s house, and started one for a second teacher. The grinding mill had been installed and the foundation completed for the church.
It was like being in a totally new and different place. There was great rejoicing as we celebrated the “official” opening of the grinding mill. The evangelist had started a fifth prayer house. The presbytery has plans to build another church in the area where a new market is opening because there is now a road.
Because the CCAP had a vision and a burden to reach a neglected area with the Good News of the gospel in both word and deed, and the PC(USA) joined in partnership with them, an area has been economically transformed and hope restored.
There is a new openness to hearing about and responding to Jesus Christ as Lord. Men, women and children are coming to know God loves them and are responding to his love. Thanks be to God.
Posted Nov. 22, 2001
William Warlick, PC(USA) coordinator for evangelism and church growth in southern Africa, works out of Harare, Zimbabwe. His e-mail address is: revbillw@icon.co.zw.
