We are happy to provide the recordings of a very successful report day on Sat 21/3/2021
It’s always a joy to stop at Dedza Pottery – one of my favourite spots, anywhere – to break the journey between Lilongwe and the south. The air is cool, they do the best Chicken Curry for miles around, and we’ve been enjoying Dedza Delights with great Malawian coffee since first we came to the country. A great watering hole.
This time was particularly special as we met with a group of brothers from Chidewere, some of whom have attended our Bible Teaching conferences, and who have started to gather together for Bible study and prayer.
These dear men were anxious to begin functioning as a Scriptural assembly, and over lunch we were able to point out the simple principles upon which the early disciples met together – Receiving the Word, Baptism, the Apostles’ Doctrine, Fellowship, Breaking Bread & Prayers.
It was a real thrill to learn a few days ago that they have since begun to break bread together is accordance with the New Testament pattern.
Although well-established within the prison culture in the UK, chaplaincy is still in its infancy in Malawi.
It was a privilege to spend a couple of days with key officers within the chaplaincy team, who work with limited resources for the spiritual and physical care of inmates.
Jim & I were so grateful that the ongoing unrest in Malawi abated enough to enable us to make a brief visit to see the work of COOM which we have been privileged to support a little during the past few months.
MGO has been challenging and encouraging to me, both of which are personal answers to prayer!
Visiting the prison today (Tues 13th) was emotional for me for many reasons, but I didn’t expect to actually cry and I did a few times during the gospel message that Jim shared with the the men and women there. I watched one male prisoner specifically because when Jim first stood up to speak I noticed he laughed and continued talking to his friends. But as the message of the gospel continued I watched the prisoner’s face become very focused, he stopped joking around and seemed to really listen to what Jim and Harold were saying.
Obviously, I don’t know what that man was thinking or feeling, but just to watch his change in attitude as he heard the gospel was a great personal reminder of the power of God’s word!
(Contributed by Ruthie)
In our March 2019 News Update we reported on our recent visit to Malawi, and the progress made in developing the Prison work there. We also mentioned briefly the mechanical issues with Stephen’s truck, and the negotiations to purchase a development site near Thondwe – more later.
We’ve had a very profitable first day on this trip in Malawi. Not too intense, but we had useful conversations with parties interested in the prison work.
Jim McMaster and Stephen Harper travel to Malawi today for a two-week visit during which they hope to make further progress developing the prison work and other areas of SALT’s ministry.
Of particular importance will be trying to negotiate on land for the planned project to build a centre from which to base SALT’s future operations.
Please pray for safe travel, good health and for a fruitful time in Malawi.
It is now 4 months since SOUTHERN AFRICA LITERATURE TRUST (SALT) was incorporated, and we have been busy making plans for the future of the work which SALT will undertake, Lord willing.
