Stephen Harper, Author at Southern Africa Literature Trust

Pray: Gospel Calendars update

Stephen Harper
03/12/2022
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Please continue to pray for the progress and arrival of the shipment of Gospel Calendars sent recently. This is now expected to land in Beira (Mozambique) on 13 December. Arrival in Malawi is likely to take at least a further 4 weeks.

We have been considering printing part of the expected shortfall of calendars in Malawi, but prices have more than doubled since we last printed there. We expect considerable outlay for printing Nthawi ya Baibulo in the New Year, Lord willing, so please pray that we will have wisdom in the prioritisation decisions we have to make.

Pray for salvation

Stephen Harper
03/12/2022
1

Anna requests: Please continue to pray for salvation, specifically for people’s eyes to be opened to the truth of the gospel of grace.

Note: Malawi is a “Christian” country, however for many their understanding of the Gospel is seriously flawed. It is not unusual to hear professions of faith, only to discover on further enquiry that the person is depending upon their own works. As the work grows, it is important that we pray it will have a firm foundation – that those who profess will have been genuinely been saved by grace.

Give thanks for rains

Stephen Harper
03/12/2022
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Anna asks that we give thanks for the arrival of the annual rains.

Note: Over 85% of Malawians are poor, subsistence farmers. Most have very small farms and cannot afford to irrigate. Accordingly, they at depend heavily upon natural rainfall if they are to feed themselves and their families. In recent years, the rains have been very erratic, leading to serious food insecurity.

The situation has been made very much more precarious this year due to the rocketing price of fertiliser as a consequence of the war in Ukraine.

Update: Prison & Pupil Packs from N America

Stephen Harper
29/11/2022
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We are delighted to update you on progress with our plans to ship Prison & Pupil packs from N America.

During his recent visit to Ontario, Stephen was able to revive earlier discussions with ACCTS which had stalled due to the pandemic.

A very BIG Thank You

Stephen Harper
29/11/2022
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We want to say Thank You to Naomi Steele who recently took the initiative and arranged a coffee morning in support of the work in Malawi.

Although they were too shy to appear on camera, several dozen local Christian ladies came to enjoy Naomi’s fantastic hospitality.

Latest from the Children’s Work at Saidi

Stephen Harper
27/11/2022
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We are really encouraged to see the increasing interest at the children’s work at Saidi.

Since the MGO day camp in August, the number of children and youth attending has been continued to increase. They now meet as three separate age groups. As you can see from the photos below, one group meets in the msasa (thatch gazebo), while another smaller group meets under a smaller gazebo.The remaining group is meeting in the block-making shed (you can just see the mound of gravel) for lack of space elsewhere.

Give Thanks: Harold & Goodson’s Health

Stephen Harper
27/11/2022
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Give thanks that Goodson and Harold’s health are both improving after their recent illnesses, but please keep praying for stamina and overall well-being.

Note: As with almost every public service in Malawi, government health care is seriously under-resourced, to the point of being useless in many areas. Our Malawian brothers and sisters have, at best, very limited access to private health care, so minor ailments can easily become big problems. Please remember them continually in your prayers,

Pray concerning design of Bibletime lessons

Stephen Harper
27/11/2022
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Anna says, “Give thanks that the last document for the A-Series was sent to the designer this week!”

She adds, “Please pray for timely design of the Bibletime curriculum. The designer is swamped, but it would be nice to be able to start in the new year. The need for this kind of material is becoming increasingly evident at our weekly kids’ Bible class.”

Pray: Christmas Outreach activities

Stephen Harper
24/11/2022
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As the Christmas holiday approaches, please pray for the team as they make preparation for the various outreach activities.

We will again be supporting the Christmas camp at Dzaleka, when hundreds of refugee children who study the Swahili Bible Time lessons, will gather for several days of teaching and Bible-based activities.

In Lilongwe, we will also support the special Christmas Day event at the feeding centre where hundreds of street kids and vulnerable elderly people come for a meal and to hear the Gospel.

Give Thanks & Pray: Several interested in Baptism

Stephen Harper
24/11/2022
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Brother Harold recently mentioned several contacts who are interested in Baptism: “I talked to two sisters whose testimonies are clear and Goodson has talked to three or four brothers whose testimonies are clear too.”

As you give thanks for this, please pray that the brothers will have wisdom as they go forward. Harold continued, “Goodson has some difficulties in going forward because of the responsibility he has so he wants to make sure that these who come have pure motives.”