Pray for the latest shipment to Malawi. Around one million 2027 calendars, together with tens of thousands of New Testaments and Gospels of John, have faced delays due to staff shortages and equipment problems at the printer in Northern Ireland.
Pray for safe and speedy transit. We expect the container to ship within the next two weeks. However, time is now very short if we are to meet the best window for calendar distribution in Malawi. Pray that there will be no further delays.
Pray for the prison hygiene packs. Stephen and Gail delivered around 60 cartons of prison hygiene packs and other materials on Friday. These will go to Malawi with the container.
Pray for a second container. We hope to ship another 20ft container to Malawi before the end of the year, carrying Nthawi ya Baibulo (Bibletime) lessons and Gospel tracts.
Pray for the printers. Mechanical problems have delayed these orders. Pray that the printers can resolve the issues quickly and complete the outstanding work.
Pray for the new Gospel tracts. We also need to complete the translation and revision of a new series of tracts. Pray that this work progresses well and does not cause any further delays.
Pray that obstacles will be overcome. Despite careful preparation, difficulties seem to arise each year. Pray that the Lord will make the way clear and that this literature will arrive in Malawi at the right time.
Prison Packs & Calendars / Gospel of John ready for shipping
The story of Simon M*’s gospel outreach shows how the Lord can use preaching, Christian literature and the testimony of a changed life.
Preparing to become an imam
Simon came from a Muslim background and had completed his studies to become an imam.
He attended an open-air gospel meeting with others who intended to disturb it. However, as the meeting continued, Simon listened to the preaching, received some of SALT’s Gospel literature being distributed and subsequently came to faith in Christ.
His decision came at considerable cost.
Rejected by his family
When Simon’s family learned that he had become a Christian, they drove him from his home village. They also took the fields he had been using to grow food.
Simon moved to his wife’s village. At that time, his wife remained a Muslim and told him that she was not prepared to follow him in his new faith.
However, she began to see a significant change in Simon’s life.
Before his conversion, Simon had regularly been unfaithful to his wife and often stayed away from home until late at night. After he became a Christian, his conduct changed.
The transformation helped his wife to see that his Christianity was real. Simon explained the gospel to her, and in time she also came to Christ.
When her family discovered that she had become a Christian, they drove the couple from the village. Simon and his wife then moved to a small trading centre, where they began renting accommodation.
Simon’s Gospel outreach
Despite this treatment, Simon wants to reach his own parents, his wife’s parents and the people in both villages with the gospel.
Harold has supplied Simon with gospel literature, which Simon is now distributing in the surrounding area. According to Harold, people who knew Simon before his conversion have become interested in Christianity because they can see the change in his life.
Simon’s story demonstrates how gospel literature can continue to bear fruit. Literature was available when Simon heard the gospel, and Simon is now using literature to help others hear the same message.
Please pray
Pray that Simon M* and his family will remain strong in their faith.
Pray for practical provision following the loss of access to their former fields.
Pray for Simon’s efforts to reach relatives and neighbouring villages.
Pray that the literature he distributes will lead to further gospel conversations.
Pray that those who observe the change in Simon’s life will consider the gospel.
We give thanks for the printing of around 3,000 Emmaus Lesson and Test Booklets in Malawi.
We are especially grateful to Tom and Debbie Turnbull, who volunteered two weeks of their time to assist with the printing work. Their practical support has made a significant difference to the Emmaus ministry.
Please join us in thanking God for:
The successful printing of around 3,000 Lesson and Test Booklets.
The opportunity to print materials in-house, which can reduce costs by up to 50% and help make the best use of limited resources.
Gail’s help with collating booklets after completing Emmaus lesson grading.
The ability to scale up the Emmaus work despite operating on a tight budget.
The safe return home of Tom and Debbie, even after their flight from Blantyre was cancelled because of bad weather.
Tom and Debbie’s willingness to continue helping with this work several times each year.
We also thank God for the progress made and pray for wisdom as we address a few ongoing challenges:
Finding suitable binding solutions for larger booklets of more than 100 pages.
Strengthening backup power arrangements during the wet season, as cloudy weather reduced solar electricity generation toward the end of the printing period.
Additional volunteers who may be able to assist with future printing work.
May these printed booklets continue to help many people engage with God’s Word through the Emmaus ministry.
Anna writes: Please pray for God to use His powerful word to save and sanctify individuals as it continues to be distributed each week in the form of tracts, Emmaus courses, and Bibletime books.
Note: Our recent video, “That the People might understand” gives a great overview of the importance and challenges of the Literature ministry. To date, by God’s grace, we have distributed around 25 Million Gospel tracts, calendars and other booklets.
“When I close my eyes I see SALT as a tool that the Lord can use to bring the gospel to Malawi and beyond.”
Confronting Biblical Illiteracy in Malawi
That the People Might Understand is a new documentary from Southern Africa Literature Trust (SALT) exploring the challenge of Biblical illiteracy in Malawi and how we can address it.
In Malawi, many believers hunger for God’s Word but own no Bible and lack the opportunity to understand it. Poverty, limited education, and the high cost and scarcity of Christian literature have left many churches without the resources needed for spiritual growth.
Watch the Documentary
That the People Might Understand shares the reality of biblical illiteracy in Malawi, the challenges faced in producing and distributing Christian literature, and the heart of Southern Africa Literature Trust (SALT).
Southern Africa Literature Trust (SALT) exists to educate, train, and equip local evangelists and Bible teachers so that God’s truth may be faithfully taught and passed on.
Through SALT’s ministry:
Millions of gospel tracts and calendars are distributed each year
Bible study courses are translated and produced in local languages
Literature is printed overseas where possible, then shipped to Malawi
A network of around 400 local distributors delivers materials to villages, schools, hospitals, and trading centres
Evangelists and teachers are strengthened to serve their own communities
A feature documentary exploring Biblical illiteracy in Malawi and how Southern Africa Literature Trust (SALT) is equipping churches through Christian literature and training.
We ask for prayer as we begin the task of distributing around 1,000,000 Gospel calendars that have just been received in Malawi.
Over the next few weeks, these calendars will be supplied to our literature distributors across the entire country—reaching towns, villages, and remote rural areas. This represents a major logistical challenge, involving long distances, limited transport, rising fuel costs, and careful coordination.
We are constantly encouraged by the feedback we receive of souls saved and lives transformed through this work. These testimonies motivate us to keep going, despite the challenges, trusting God to continue using His Word to bring lasting fruit.
Please pray for safety, strength, and wisdom for all involved, and that this literature would be used by God to bring light, hope, and truth into many homes and hearts.
Give thanks with us for the safe arrival of the literature container shipped from N. Ireland in October. Although the container was evidently tampered with en route, and some contents were stolen, the majority of items, including around 3,000,000 Gospel Calendars and tracts, arrived intact.
We praise God that trans-shipment from the port of Nacala (Mozambique) and customs clearance in Malawi happened quickly.
Give thanks with us that an order for 5,000 Emmaus booklets has just been sent to our local printer in Malawi. This latest print run brings the total number of Emmaus booklets produced to around 17,000 since we relaunched the Emmaus work in mid-2025—a significant encouragement as demand continues to grow.
This order includes courses on Personal Evangelism, Marriage, and Growing as a Believer, along with a handbook for students who graduate to become Emmaus markers. These materials are intended to strengthen believers and equip them to help others grow in their faith. Most of the booklets will ultimately be used across Central and Northern Malawi through the work of Emmaus Road Trust.
We are especially thankful for the many hours of translation, revision, and careful editing that have gone into the Emmaus material. This often unseen labour has now resulted in a major milestone: we have 18 Emmaus courses available in Chichewa, providing a solid and growing foundation for Bible teaching and discipleship throughout Malawi.
Please join us in praising the Lord for His provision, for those who have laboured faithfully behind the scenes, and for the lasting spiritual fruit that will come from placing these resources into eager hands.
We would value your prayers as a major consignment of over 2 million Gospel calendars and tracts is due to arrive imminently in Malawi.
According to the shipping company’s tracking system, the container was loaded onto a train in Mozambique on 30 December 2025 and is now en route toward the Malawian border. Please pray for smooth, speedy customs clearance, with no unexpected delays, complications, or additional costs, so that this urgently needed literature can quickly reach those who are waiting for it.
We are continually humbled by the scale of opportunity before us. Even with shipments of this size, we estimate that we are currently meeting only around 25% (or less) of the demand for Gospel literature across Malawi. As we look ahead into the year before us, we would deeply appreciate prayer for wisdom, clarity, and the Lord’s direction as we consider how best to further scale up this work — logistically, financially, and operationally — while remaining faithful stewards of the resources entrusted to us.
Thank you for standing with us in prayer, asking the Lord both to open doors for this immediate consignment and to guide our steps as we seek to see His Word carried ever further throughout Malawi.
Over the past three weeks, our team and vistors have been privileged to witness, serve, and connect with communities in Malawi. Here’s a look back at the journey, the challenges faced, and the blessings experienced.
Arrival and Early Outreach
The journey began on October 22nd, with Stephen arriving ahead of the main group. The following day, Tom & Debbie Turnbull (USA) and Samuel Adams & John Moore (Revival Movement, N. Ireland) joined, setting the stage for a busy and impactful visit.
Tom & Debbie and Samuel & John arriveWe were warmly received at Anna’sClassroom packs are a big hitPrison VisitJohn & Samuel doing inventory checkSamuel interviews Harold
School and Prison Visits
Our first major outreach was a visit to Kalimbuka School, distributing classroom packs and presenting the Gospel. The response from students and staff was heartwarming.
That same day, we visited Bvumbwe Prison. We distributed prison packs to over 300 inmates, many of whom showed signs of malnutrition and discouragement. The simple gift of two soccer balls brought visible joy, and it was humbling to hear the prison chaplain recall messages from our previous visit in August 2023. The Gospel was shared, offering hope in difficult circumstances.
Later, a team lunch at Game Haven Lodge provided a valuable opportunity to network with Revival Movement representatives and discuss future literature needs.
Saturday saw us at Thondwe market for open-air outreach, followed by a traditional lunch at Saidi. Revival Movement guests met local Literature Distributors, strengthening partnerships for future ministry.
Sharing with kids @ Thondwe MarketSat afternoon Children’s clubSaidi assembly
Fellowship and Exploration
Sunday was a day of spiritual refreshment, with the Lord’s Supper at Saidi and a scenic lunch on Zomba Mountain—the only chance for our guests to experience Malawi’s beautiful landscape.
On Monday, as Samuel and John departed, new arrivals Jeff Gratias (Oregon) and Cammo McCrindle (Seattle) joined the team. They immediately set to work on a challenging project: swapping the engine between two Isuzu vehicles.
Progress and Practical Challenges
The following days were filled with practical tasks. Tom & Debbie began erecting rack shelving sent from the USA, while the long-awaited roller shutter doors arrived—an answer to prayer. Meetings with contractors advanced the dormitory project, and school visits to Namaka Primary & Secondary Schools allowed us to share the Gospel and classroom packs with over 1,500 children. The joy among the students was palpable.
Meanwhile, the team faced the realities of working in Malawi: unreliable building materials, a lack of basic tools, and the need to adapt to “Africa-square, Africa-plumb, and Africa-level” standards. Yet, perseverance paid off, and by November 3rd, the doors were installed and operational.
Assembling Rack ShelvingJeff’s home for 3 weeksShopping for spares (lunch!!) in Blantyre
Literature Distribution and Vehicle Projects
During the visitors’ time in Malawi the first part of a consignment of one million tracts arrived from the printer in Lilongwe. This will greatly support ongoing outreach efforts as we await a further major re-stock courtesy of Revival Movement.
Vehicle maintenance continued, with Jeff & Cammo making significant progress, including an axle swap and getting the Isuzu pickup back on the road. The arrival of a new cement mixer was another boost for the dormitory construction.
Unloading TractsThe doors are installedAs Stephen departs
Farewells and Final Reflections
As Tom & Debbie departed, work began on compacting the dormitory floor foundation. Anna left for NYB training sessions, leaving Stephen, Jeff, and Cammo to manage at Anna’s house until her return.
Fuel shortages meant some sacrifices—like skipping lunch in Zomba to conserve diesel—but the team adapted. After Stephen’s departure, Jeff & Cammo took a brief break to explore Lake Malawi and enjoy a safari in Liwonde National Park before returning to Saidi to finish up vehicle projects.
As the visit drew to a close, the sense of accomplishment was matched by gratitude—for new friendships, successful projects, and the opportunity to serve. The team’s efforts have left a lasting impact, and we look forward to building on these foundations in the months ahead.
