Although we recently had to make adjustments to our schedule for the Saidi Development Project, we are still encouraged by the progress made so far.
We are grateful for Brother Goodson’s diligence as he has supervised the work, and for the energy and skill of the building team who have done so much with limited resources, but much hard work and African improvisation.
Following Stephen & Gail’s recent visit to Malawi, we have decided to adjust the building project schedule at Saidi.
The deteriorating economic situation in Malawi means that we must plan for the possibility of an upsurge in crime. Consequently we have decided that we need to prioritise improving security above additional building work.
I love Malawi. I’ll take every opportunity to visit Malawi. But I hope I never have to visit again in the circumstances that made this present trip necessary.
As regular readers know, sister Anna recently suffered a very traumatic burglary and assault at her home. The trustees agreed unanimously that Gail and I should travel to Malawi at the earliest opportunity to support her through this crisis. We also felt it appropriate to review and improve the security of our people and property in Malawi in light of what had happened.
We all continue to be moved by the needless loss of life and terrible humanitarian crisis occurring in Ukraine. We give thanks for faithful believers ministering to those in need.
However, we ought not to forget the untold millions of the world’s poor who are born into insufferable hardship. They live every day of their lives in hopeless despondency.
You may remember that George Green is one of our volunteer literature distributors. Many felt moved by his story of travelling 5 hours on a borrowed bicycle to be supplied with Gospel literature.
In 2019, Brother George and his family were seriously affected by Cyclone Idai, losing their home and crops. SALT helped with their housing needs and some food relief.
A pallet of CCTV security equipment is due to leave NI this week en route to Malawi. Unfortunately a short delay means that it has missed the deadline to make this week’s airfreight consignment and won’t now go until the end of the month. Please pray for its safe arrival.
I’m sharing this from Anna’s personal blog, with her express permission with the intention is that we may continue to uphold her in our prayers.
Anna hopes that giving this account in her own words will prevent unnecessary speculation and having to repeat the story over and over.
Please pray for the maize harvest in Malawi. According to the Famine Early Warning System, large swathes of the country are already “stressed”. Much of the Lower Shire is “in crisis” and Anna’s recent burglary reminds us that crime inevitably occurs more frequently when life is so difficult.
Unbelievable. But true. 2022 marks the 20th anniversary of our first experience of life and work for the Lord in Malawi.
We were young and inexperienced, but Gail and I were both feeling the unmistakeable weight of a burden from the Lord. Not particularly for Malawi, at first, but each of us had a very definite sense that the Lord was calling us to dedicate ourselves more fully to him. For many months it seemed that every passage we read, every message we heard, was a voice from heaven straight to our hearts. (How I long for days like those again!)
We are sorry to report that Anna suffered a house break-in overnight. We praise the Lord that she is at peace. However it was a traumatic experience, so please pray that she will be kept in heart, mind and soul as she processes what has happened.
Three men attacked their compound, tying up the guard and Anna and the neighbours. They then ransacked the houses and took whatever valuables they could find. Although they stole vehicle keys, they did not attempt (or succeed) to take Anna’s vehicle, but did steal phones, laptops, electronics.
