The
grandeur of God is astounding! I look back on our visit to Malawi with a true
joy at what the Father is doing to advance His kingdom. While 3 weeks seemed a
somewhat short period to prepare for the trip, God had planned and prepared
every aspect of it far before this
journey began; and throughout the trip He made it quite evident that His ways
are far above our own – as high as the heavens are above the earth. I hope just
to share a few ways in which He showed Himself faithful throughout this visit.A Timely Physician
As
we stepped from the bus onto the tar just outside Queen Elizabeth Hospital, we
heard a loud and unsettling wailing pierce through the air. A loved one had
just passed away... inside the very walls which we were to bring comfort, a cry
which sounded of hopelessness and terror dispersed around us. It was a very
sobering moment, even as we continued in past the halls strewn with family and
friends, tears streaming down each of their faces. One doctor to 40,000
patients in Malawi, as well as a hope of salvation which many of these people lack.
Yet it struck me quite abrasively that this was
the very reason we had come—more importantly, this was the reason Christ had
come in the flesh: to save sickly sinners. As Jesus explained to His disciples,
“‘It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick.
I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance’” (Lk.
5:31-32). What a joy it is to both experience the saving love of Christ and to
be able to share that hope with others, especially amid the hardships this life
presents! It was evident to see God’s faithful guidance in the conversations
which followed, by the bedside of each patient. We must hope and pray for His
continued work—to convict, comfort and draw the lost to the Light, to His glory.
He is good all the time, and causes ALL things to work together for good to
those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose; what a
praise-worthy statement!Malawi Children's Mission
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| Alefa, Allen, and Peter |
The
brunt of our two weeks’ ministry, however, was spent about an hour away from
where we stayed, at Malawi Children’s Mission (or MCM). The team—22 students and 6 leaders from King’s—had prepared a program for the children: Bible,
English, crafts, and recreation; and because this was their week off school, we were
able to spend a lot of time with them. Throughout the course of the weeks, we
discussed the Gospel: starting with the Creator, through to the immense love of
God in sending His perfect Son and Savior to us lost sinners. It was also a
pleasure to talk to some of the older kids about how God was working in their
lives and growing and challenging them. Not only do we share many of the same
struggles, but also see God molding, challenging and encouraging us in very
similar ways…separated by half the globe, yet still found by the same love of
Christ and dwelling under the shadow of the Almighty.
Unforeseen Blessings
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| Earnest and Timvenji |
It
always amuses me to compare my expectations before a mission to the ways God
revealed Himself and worked through those circumstances. On our last trip to
Malawi, God gave me an unexpected, immense love for the kids at the center, and
I was expecting to see this take the same sort of focus again. But (although this
aspect was by no means diminished) one of my most memorable experiences was the
fellowship within the team. I could not have anticipated the many evenings of
discussions with the others and the great encouragement to hear of God’s work
in their lives. Indeed, “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord
establishes his steps” (Prov. 16:9).
There
are many other reasons for which God is to be praised as seen on this trip:
whether it was in the more rural village visits—talking with the people and
witnessing a bore hole being drilled right next to one of their communities; or
in fellowshipping with one of the youth groups, or in witnessing the selfless
hospitality of the locals.Upcoming Central Africa Mission
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| Our team from school with the translators from a local Bible study just outside Q.E. Hospital |
Our God is
faithful, through ALL means, to bring ALL glory to Himself. What a blessing to be a part of His
kingdom!
In His Service,
Daniel de Villiers
