News

Weโ€™re grateful to share an update on progress with the hostel construction project. While the build has not been without challenges, encouraging progress is being made and momentum is now building as we move into a critical phase of the schedule.

Early Delays and How We Responded

As with many construction projects, we experienced several early delays. These included additional site clearance work that became necessary once construction began, as well as a prolonged Christmas and New Year shutdown period in South Africa, which affected manufacturing and supply timelines.

Recognising the risk of knockโ€‘on delays, we took decisive steps to adjust procurement and sequencing, helping us regain valuable time later in the programme.

October 2025
March 2026

Excellent Work on the Ground

We are especially thankful for the work of the bricklayers, who have progressed quickly and delivered a high standard of workmanship throughout. We also want to acknowledge Goodsonโ€™s attentive supervision, together with the care and diligence shown by the foremen on site. Their commitment has been a real encouragement and has contributed significantly to the quality and pace of the build.

Construction Progress to Date

  • West Dormitory: Construction is now complete up to roof height, marking a major milestone.
  • Toilet and Shower Block: Additional building work is still required. Progress here is temporarily paused while we await delivery of structural steel from South Africa.
  • East Dormitory: To avoid further delays, we decided to bring forward procurement for this block. If all goes to plan, we may be able to complete it in time for the upcoming conference.
  • Common Room: The floor slab for the common room and East Dormitory are ready for construction to begin

February Procurement Trip to South Africa

In February, Stephen and Goodson, together with Gail and Anna, made a productive procurement trip to South Africa. This allowed us to source materials directly, ensure quality, and reduce the risk of future supply interruptions.

From South Africa, we are purchasing:

  • Roofing sheets and structural steel
  • Plumbing materials and sanitaryware for 10 showers and 10 toilets
  • Electrical wiring, lighting, ceiling fans, and accessories
  • 36 internal doors
  • Almost 90 aluminium windows
  • Steel to construct bunk beds
  • Paint and finishing materials

Materials in Transit

The first truckโ€‘load of materials is currently at the Malawi border customs post, and we are praying for a smooth and timely clearance process. A second truckโ€‘load is scheduled to depart in approximately two weeks, which will enable roofing and internal works to progress in parallel.

Solar, Water, and Utilities

We are sourcing solar PV panels, batteries, inverters, and solar hotโ€‘water geysers from a highly reputable supplier in Malawi. The company is run by a brother in the Lord whom we trust implicitly, and this local partnership also helps ensure reliable afterโ€‘sales support.

In addition, foundation work has begun for a 40,000โ€‘litre water storage tank, a critical component for reliable water supply once the hostel is operational.

A Tight but Achievable Schedule

The coming weeks are crucial. We are now working to a very tight schedule to complete roofing and internal works so that the hostel will be usable by the end of May. While there is still much to do, we are encouraged by the progress so far and thankful for the Lordโ€™s provision at each stage.

Please continue to pray for:

  • Timely customs clearance at the border
  • Safe transport of materials
  • Strength and wisdom for those overseeing the work
  • Favour as we work towards completion

Thanks

We want to express our sincere thanks to all who have supported this project through prayer and financial giving. This hostel is only possible because of the faithfulness and generosity of Godโ€™s people, many of whom will never see the building in person but have invested sacrificially in the work. Your prayers sustain those overseeing the project, and your gifts have enabled us to move forward with confidence at each stage. We are deeply grateful for your partnership in this work and for sharing in the vision of providing safe, functional accommodation to support the ministry.

We look forward to sharing further updates as the project continues.

Pray

Please pray with us for the safe and timely arrival of a truckโ€‘load of roofing and plumbing materials that is currently delayed at the Mwanza border.

These materials are urgently needed for the ongoing hostel construction project, and successive delays mean that we now have very little slack in the programme if the hostels are to be completed in time for the conference at the end of May.

The shipment represents a critical next step in the build. Until it arrives, progress on key elements of the work is effectively paused. We are grateful that much groundwork has already been completed, but without these materials on site, the construction team cannot move forward as planned.

How You Can Pray

  • For smooth and speedy border clearance at Mwanza, with no further holdโ€‘ups or complications
  • For protection over the vehicle, driver, and cargo while waiting and during onward travel
  • For the overall timeline, that despite delays, the hostels would be ready in time to support the conference and all who will attend

We are very conscious that each delay tightens the schedule, but we also take comfort in knowing that the Lord is not constrained by borders, paperwork, or timetables. Thank you for standing with us in prayer at this crucial moment.

Pray

A truck carrying a large load of roofing and plumbing materials left Johannesburg last Friday. Please pray for the Lordโ€™s protection over the journey, especially through Zimbabwe and Mozambique, and for smooth progress at each border checkpoint. This shipment has already faced significant delays, so we are looking to the Lord to help us make up time.

In recent days, Stephen has been busy ordering windows, electrical installation materials, and sanitaryware. These will be sent on a further truck in the next 2โ€“3 weeks. Meanwhile, Goodson is confident that his team can complete the second (west) dormitory wing to roof level by the end of March. Because of this, we have decided to purchase the roofing materials now, to avoid further delays.

Please continue to pray that the Lord will provide everything needed for this important project and that the buildings will be ready for use at conference time in midโ€‘May.

Work continues at a good pace on the new dormitory accommodation at our Saidi site in southern Malawi. We are thankful to share an encouraging progress update as this important project moves forward.

The dormitory and ablutions block will help us host larger and more frequent Bible teaching conferences, supporting believers from across Malawi with residential, in-depth teaching.

Construction Progress on Site

Several key milestones have now been reached:

  • The toilet and shower (ablutions) block has reached ring-beam level. The team has installed the formwork and is now preparing the steel reinforcement ahead of concreting. This stage is especially important in an area prone to minor earth tremors.
  • Brickwork on the first dormitory wing continues to progress well. Local bricklayers are working steadily, and supervision on site remains strong.

We are grateful for the skill, care, and consistency of the local building team.

12 November
19 December

Roofing Plans and Engineering Support

The project did not advance far enough before the Christmas break to place the roof steelwork order with suppliers in South Africa.

However, this is unlikely to cause major delays. A recent roof design adjustment should allow the project to move forward quickly once orders are placed in early January.

We are thankful for the structural engineering input from William Smyth, which has been invaluable during this phase.

Windows, Utilities, and Next Steps

We have now received window quotations from South African suppliers. Once the ring beams are complete, the team will take final measurements and place the order.

During Stephenโ€™s visit to Malawi in February, we plan to install the electrical and water systems. Completing this work on site will help ensure proper coordination and quality control.

Looking Ahead to May

Despite the normal challenges of construction work, especially across borders, we remain very hopeful.

Our aim is to complete one dormitory wing and the toilet/shower block in time for the Bible Teaching Conference in May. Reaching this goal would significantly increase our capacity to host residential teaching events at Saidi.

Thank You for Your Support

Thank you to everyone who continues to pray, give, and stand with us. Your support makes this work possible and helps provide facilities that will serve the Lordโ€™s work in Malawi for many years to come.

We look forward to sharing further updates as construction enters its next phase.

Gallery: Some of the Building Team

Weโ€™re excited to share the latest developments on our dormitory construction projectโ€”a journey made possible by the generosity of our donors and the dedication of our team on the ground.

Laying the Foundations for Change

This summer, our team began the groundwork for the new dormitory. While initial site preparation required extra levelling due to a misunderstanding with the architect, the issue was quickly resolved, allowing us to move forward. Despite delays in cement delivery caused by fuel shortages, we adapted by sourcing an alternative transporter and restocking supplies, ensuring the project stayed on track.

Milestones Achieved

  • Foundations Complete: The foundations for the Ablutions block and dormitory wings are finished. Stephen checked all levels checked and found them to be within excellent tolerances.
  • Concrete Work: The concrete floor slab for the Ablutions block was poured ahead of schedule. Backfill operations for the first Dormitory wing are progressing well.
  • Supervision & Cost Control: Goodson continues to provide excellent supervision and cost control, ensuring every stage of the build meets our standards and budget.

Looking Ahead

  • Brickwork: Construction on the Ablutions block and West Dormitory is set to begin on schedule, with key milestones targeted for January.
  • Conference Readiness: Our focus is on completing the Ablutions block and West Dormitory in time for the May 2026 conference, with further work on the East Dormitory and Common Hall planned post-event.

Overcoming Challenges

Early rains have helped with compaction and will help concrete curing, but we remain vigilant as weather could impact the schedule. Water for construction will soon be supplied by a temporary pumping solution, replacing manual carrying. Weโ€™ve also invested in a new diesel-operated concrete mixer, allowing two teams to work simultaneously and providing resilience against fuel shortages. (One mixer is petrol-operated, the other diesel.)

Although we incurred unplanned expenditure with the site leveling, we have managed to mitigate some costs by negotiating good exchange rates for funds brought into the country.

Site levelling Delayed us
Goodson checking levels
Stocking up on Cement
Rain stopped play
Provision of Temporary Water Solution

Partnerships & Quality Improvements

A “chance” meeting with a Blantyre businessman has opened doors to reliable suppliers for steel and roofing materials in South Africa, promising improved quality at lower cost.

Timeline & Completion

With a detailed building schedule in place, we are confident thatโ€”barring unforeseen delaysโ€”completion by the end of March is realistic, allowing a month for internal finishing before the conference.

Thank you for your continued prayerful and practical support. This brings us closer to providing safe, high-quality accommodation for our conference activities. We look forward to sharing more updates as we progress!

A Foundation for Growth

The long-anticipated dormitory construction project at Saidi is finally taking shape! This new facility will, God willing, provide much-needed living space for Bible training, conferences, and visiting volunteers โ€” strengthening the ministryโ€™s capacity to enlighten, encourage and empower believers across Malawi.

Early Challenges and Unexpected Blessings

As the work began, it quickly became clear that extensive site levelling would be needed before any foundations could be dug.
In Godโ€™s providence, we were able to hire a back-hoe loader and tipper lorry โ€” no small achievement in a country where such machinery is scarce and often out of service.

These machines saved weeks, maybe months, of manual work and allowed the team to prepare the site properly and safely for the buildingโ€™s footprint.

Delays and Determination

Just as things were ready to move forward, Malawi faced a nationwide fuel shortage that delayed the delivery of 600 bags of cement.
When the long-awaited load finally arrived, the team offloaded every single bag by hand โ€” a remarkable picture of perseverance and teamwork.

The foundations, marked carefully by hand and dug with shovels and pickaxes, began to take form soon after.
Our recently arrived petrol-powered cement mixer, sent from Canada earlier this year, has already proven invaluable in easing the heavy labour of mixing concrete under the tropical sun.

Progress so far

Progress and Hope

With most of the foundation trenches complete, the team is now preparing to pour the concrete floors โ€” hopefully during Stephenโ€™s upcoming visit later this month.
This milestone will mark the end of the groundwork phase and open the way for blockwork to begin.

More Than a Building

Each brick and beam represents faith in the Lordโ€™s provision.
The dormitory will serve as a vital step toward expanding SALTโ€™s capacity to train, host and equip Gospel workers who will take the message of Christ throughout Malawi and beyond.

We are profoundly grateful for every person who has prayed, given, or laboured toward this vision.

โ€œExcept the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it.โ€
โ€” Psalm 127 : 1

Please continue to pray for safety, steady progress, and provision as this exciting next phase unfolds. ๐Ÿ™

Pray

Please give thanks and pray as work re-starts on the dormitory construction project at Saidi. We had expected to be much further along at this stage, but an order of 30 Tons of cement was delayed by over a month due to the ongoing economic problems in Malawi. This meant the work of pouring foundations was delayed by several weeks.

Pray for the Lord’s hand in every detail of this project – not least that He will richly bless this step of faith to the spiritual upbuilding of many future Malawian evangelists, elders and Bible teachers.

Pray

Please pray for the project to construct a 80-bed dormitory at Saidi – now underway.

Site clearance and levelling was substantially completed during Stephen’s recent visit, and the architect and builders are marking out the site today (Monday) to begin digging the footings.

We are very enthusiastic as we take this step of faith, as the dormitory will greatly enhance our ability to hold larger and more frequent Bible teaching events.

Pray for Jackson (Architect) and Goodson, who has the burden of responsibility to oversee the construction team.

(You can read about the project here.)

Things really began to move at pace when the tipper arrived on Thursday morning. That was until the digger got a puncture at lunch time – 3 hours lost!

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