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Pray: Work underway to construct 80-bed dormitory
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.)
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Pray: Upcoming Presidential Elections
Please pray concerning the upcoming Presidential elections in Malawi, scheduled for 16 September. Campaigning is now well underway, with opposing sides vying for attention with large, loud public gatherings happening across the country. Sadly this makes open-air outreach extremely difficult, and we felt we had no option but to cancel MGO this year. Please pray for a peaceful campaign season – there have been incidents of intimidation and violence. Please also pray that the Lord would raise up leaders with the integrity and ability to lead the nation of Malawi out of the extreme crisis it finds itself in. “Despite…
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One week of digging later
We’ve been one week levelling the site. More more than we anticipated, but the end is in sight.
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Upping the pace – sort of
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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How do you move 2500 tons of earth?
How do you move 2500 tons of earth? One bucket-load at a time. It would be lovely to have the luxury for heavy earth-moving equipment. But we have to make do with what’s available locally. We are so thankful to have been able to source a CAT Loading shovel for hire. Otherwise we would have had no alternative but just build up an unsightly 1.5m foundation on one side. Progress is slow. But it’s progress, and for that we praise the Lord!
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Hostel Construction Project Underway
Always expect the unexpected! We didn’t expect the topographical info of the site to be inaccuracte – but it was. So, whereas I expected we would be pouring the footings for the Hostel Project by now, we are just starting to level the ground, having searched for quite a few days for an available digger at a reasonable price. It’s exciting to start shifting earth – even if a fair amount of it was going up in the air. The ground is very dry and dusty, as you can see. Thanks for your prayers and practical support.
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Pray: Worsening economy imposing constraints on outreach work
Please pray as the problems with the Malawian economy continue to deepen. Inflation continues to soar, to the extent that the team are having to curtail travel for literature distribution and other outreach purposes.
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Pray: Supplies of Nthawi ya Baibulo already running out
Please pray for wisdom and guidance as we consider options to urgently replenish supplies of Nthawi ya Baibulo (Bibletime) which are already starting to run out. We received around 60,000 booklets towards the end of last year, but the demand has been overwhelming as Anna has been carrying out leader training around the country. The quickest way to re-stock is by using a commercial printer in Malawi.
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Give Thanks: Arrival of Delayed Container
Please give thanks for the arrival of the long-awaited container which was shipped from Toronto in September. The shipment contains various tools and equiment as well as supplies for use in the growing CHildren’s ministries, but was delayed at the port in Mozambique and again briefly in Malawi. It has now cleared customs and the goods are due to arrive at Saidi on Monday, Lord willing. Continue to pray for the shipment of garage doors presently in transit.
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Pray: Container still delayed in Customs
Please continue to pray for a resolution to the issue of the container of goods for children’s ministry which is still delayed in customs. The two Canadians we are sharing the container with have been holding out for the possibility of a waiver of import duties, but meanwhile the container continues to accrue storage charges. Please pray for wisdom to know how best to proceed, and/or that the authorities will grant the waiver requested without further costly delay.
Points for Prayer & Thanksgiving
