We give thanks to the Lord for a fruitful and encouraging time of gospel ministry in Malawi.
We all enjoyed safe, although tiring, travel. Participants came from three continents, with the longest journey being from Adelaide, Australia.
Strong team relationships developed throughout the programme, creating a spirit of unity and mutual encouragement.
Many participants described the outreach as a genuinely life-changing experience. We we look to the Lord for lasting impact on their lives.
Anna’s generous hospitality helped make the programme a great blessing to everyone involved.
Gospel literature reached numerous villages, while open-air preaching in three trading centres provided further opportunities to share the message of salvation.
Many people came to the gospel meetings at Saidi. The messages shared by the visiting brothers was greatly appreciated. Some took the opportunity to speak publicly for the first time.
Three days of children’s outreach attracted around 250 to 270 children. They listened attentively to gospel-centred lessons based on events from the life of David. We limited attendance to those who come to the regular children’s work – so please pray that this will incentivise others to attend regularly.
Despite adverse weather causing one planned visit to be cancelled, two prison visits took place. Between 800 and 1,000 men listened attentively as the gospel was preached.
May the Lord continue to bless all who heard His Word and bring lasting spiritual fruit from these opportunities.
We give thanks to the Lord for His help and blessing during a very encouraging first week of MGO.
Please join us in thanking God for:
Safe travel for all participants. Everyone arrived without incident, and all luggage, including essential supplies for the childrenโs activities, reached its destination safely.
Excellent team spirit. The team has settled well and is working together in unity and fellowship.
Open-air outreach and literature distribution. Two busy markets have been visited for gospel preaching, with Seed Sower texts and invitations distributed widely. Thousands of people have heard or received the Gospel message.
Gospel meetings. Afternoon meetings throughout the week have been well attended, with returning regulars and some new visitors, likely as a result of the invitations distributed. The Lord has given much help in both preaching and translation, and it has been especially encouraging to see all the brethren taking part.
The Childrenโs Day Camp. Around 250 children attended. The messages, centred on the life of David, were well received, and there were many opportunities to engage with the children through crafts and games. The positive impact of these activities on children who have very little cannot be overstated.
Prayer Requests
While giving thanks, please also continue to pray:
For children who were unable to attend the camp because village initiation camps were taking place at the same time. Pray that Malawian children will be preserved from the harmful influences associated with many traditional rites and ceremonies.
For the visiting team members as they enjoy a brief period of rest at Liwonde National Park. Pray that they will be refreshed and encouraged as they enjoy the beauty and wonder of Godโs creation.
For the Lordโs continued blessing on the outreach in the coming days through:
Prison visits in Mulanje and Zomba
Market open-air preaching
Literature distribution
For safe travel as the team begins the return journey on Saturday, God willing.
May the Lord continue to work in hearts and bless the faithful sowing of His Word.
Malawi Gospel Outreach (MGO) begins in just one week’s time, and preparations are now entering their final stages. Essential purchases are being completed, resources are being packed, and plans are being finalized for the team which will soon travel to Malawi.
Participants will begin their journeys on Thursday, with the full team expected to be in place by next Monday, ready to start the outreach programme. Activities during MGO will include a week of Gospel meetings, three days of children’s Bible Club, prison visits, and open-air outreach in local communities.
Please pray:
For wisdom and efficiency as the final preparations are completed.
For all remaining purchases and logistics to come together smoothly.
For safe and trouble-free travel for every participant.
For good health, strength, and protection for the team.
For unity among team members as they prepare to serve together.
For blessing on the Gospel meetings, Bible Clubs, prison visits, and open-air outreach.
For open hearts and that many people will hear and respond to the message of the Gospel during the outreach.
We are grateful for your prayers and support as we look forward to what the Lord will do through MGO in the days ahead.
“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.” โ Psalm 37:5
Today marks exactly three weeks until Malawi Gospel Outreach (MGO) 2026 begins. From 31 July to 15 August, believers from many assemblies will gather in Malawi for a focused period of gospel outreach and Christian service. Activities will include children’s work, literature distribution, prison ministry, and evangelism.
As the start date approaches, preparations continue at a steady pace. Team members are finalising travel plans. Organisers are completing logistical arrangements. At the same time, we want to prepare our hearts for the work ahead.
More than anything, we need the Lord’s help and blessing. We therefore ask God’s people to remember Malawi Gospel Outreach 2026 in prayer.
Please Pray For
Spiritual Readiness
Pray that each team member will spend time with the Lord before departure. Ask God to create unity, humility, and dependence on Him throughout the outreach.
Safe Travel
Pray for smooth journeys and good health. Please ask the Lord to protect every participant as they travel to and from Malawi.
Wisdom for the Team
Many details still require attention. Pray for wisdom as leaders make final decisions and coordinate the outreach programme.
Open Doors for the Gospel
Ask the Lord to create opportunities to share His Word. Pray for receptive hearts in schools, communities, prisons, and public places.
Lasting Fruit
Pray that many people will hear the gospel clearly. Ask God to save souls, strengthen believers, and encourage local assemblies through this outreach.
Thank You for Praying
We deeply appreciate your prayers and support. As Malawi Gospel Outreach 2026 draws near, our desire remains simple. We want to honour Christ, proclaim His Word, and serve His people.
“Brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified.” โ 2 Thessalonians 3:1
Harold explains why he’s so enthusiastic about MGO – it has opened so many doors
Recorded October 2023
Transcript
2023 MGO was just like any other MGO – special in such a way that MGOโs are always different but this time we think of the MGO that was with the few people that participated and we were just thinking of how I was going to try and do what we have been doing in the past with the the few of us
But like Gideon we were able to see that the Lord is not very much interested in the numbers but the commitment and the trust that we have in him
He is able to do [the same that] he can do with many people with a few people
And so 2023 MGO was such a great encouragement to to me because we saw the Lord did a lot through a few people who were committed to do the job
I was encouraged with the order we have seen especially when it came to the kids the Children’s Day there was good order and it was such an encouragement to see lots of children sitting under the Word of God and listening attentively
I think the Lord gave much help and so I was really encouraged to see that many children
MGO is a vehicle which has opened so many doors when it comes to service to the Lord we just pray that the Lord will continue to not just open these doors but we take time to fully utilize those doors
There are school programs that have been opened because of MGO
There are hospital visits and time of gospel in the hospitals that was opened because of MGO also prisons such an important place to be to preach the gospel to prisoners
The Lord through MGO has been able to open so many doors
And we pray that the Lord will help us to fully take advantage of spreading the gospel strategically in these places
Most of the team are leaving today (Monday) for an overnight visit to the National Park at Liwonde. Pray that they have an enjoyable time, and a well-deserved rest.
Activities for the remainder of the week, after the team returns tomorrow include: further open-air work and Seed Sower distribution, Bible Study at Saidi (Wednesday) and a second prison visit on Thursday.
Please continue to pray for safety, stamina and good health for the entire team. Especially pray that as we have planted and watered the seed that the Lord will give the increase.
Here at Thondwe we are in the throes of preparing for Malawi Gospel Outreach (MGO) 2023. Ordering texts. Distributing invitations. Booking accommodation. Planning activities… The list goes on.
And in the midst of all the busyness, itโs natural to start wondering if itโs worth all the effort.
Short-term mission work gets a lot of criticism. And letโs be honest, some of that is well deserved. Weโve all heard stories about โthose peopleโ who go visit missionaries to โhelpโ and โencourageโ them and end up leaving them more worn-out and discouraged than before. Or the enthusiastic but naรฏve volunteers who end up committing countless cultural taboos and damaging the reputation of the work.
So what about MGO? Is it helpful or harmful? Is it worth the effort?
Well, now that Iโve experienced it from the perspective of someone on the ground, I think I can safely and unequivocally say that it is definitely worth the effort.
The Encouragement from Short Term Missions
For one thing, it is a tremendous encouragement to the local workers.
It can get lonely down here! Of course, we have an amazing team, and we generally enjoy working together. But we miss the varied and frequent fellowship that believers experience in countries with multiple assemblies and regular Bible conferences. So, getting to spend two weeks with a group of believers, fellowshipping in the gospel, singing hymns, and talking about the Lord is a tremendous boost to us!
Not to mention the encouragement of people taking time to come and see what the Lord is doing here. It shows that the interest goes deeper than surface level, and it assures us that there are some who will be praying with a personal knowledge of what is going on.
Extra Manpower from Short Term Missions
The increase in manpower, as simple as that may sound, is also a help. With a team of believers, we are able to do different kinds of outreach than normal. Distributing several thousand texts at the market? This certainly can be done with two or three people, but it takes a lot more time and energy than when you have ten or twenty. Corralling six hundred kids for the day? Perhaps it can be done with only a few adults, but it’s certainly not advisable.
MGO makes a positive impression in the community. I was chatting with the teens in my Bible study group last night about this yearโs outreach. The boys were asking about the guys who came and played football with them. Another asked about Bill, who came and helped preach the gospel. And everyone in my neighborhood remembers โRoyceโ (Lois). Why? Because she took time to try out her Chichewa with the women and be silly with the children. It turns out you can communicate love and genuine care โ two things that are often missing here โ regardless of a language barrier.
I think I can speak for the visitors too โ having once been one myself โ and say that itโs also an encouragement for them. While reaching others with the gospel should be the thrust of our life, there is something unique about setting apart an entire week or two for that specific purpose.
It also gives them a better understanding of the work. It strengthens the connection between supporting assemblies and missionaries/workers and leads to more intelligent and informed prayer.
I could go on, but this is already way too long. Iโll end with this: Could it also be that it might be a tool the Lord uses to raise up others for the work here? Thatโs what happened with me, and weโre praying that might also happen with others.
Of course, no two MGOs are the same. Different people and different activities lead to varied dynamics. So, prayer is needed and appreciated that the Lord will work in and through us all to encourage and be encouraged and unitedly spread the good news about Jesus Christ.
As I anticipated, there has been real interest in MGO 2023. Although we are not fully subscribed, there are limited places remaining.
If you think you may be interested in joining MGO 2023, we strongly recommend that you fill out the application form soon. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you are committed to going – there is still a month or two before we require deposits to be paid.
