Gap Year Updates: Malawi Service Trip Report

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

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

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

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

Thank you all so very much for your prayers and support! It means more than I can say, to have warriors behind us who are devoted to the Lord’s service and are in fervent prayer for the glory of God to be displayed. Please also be in prayer for the Kenya/Sudan Mission coming up this summer, where I will join up with missionaries from Frontline Fellowship for a few months, focusing primarily on disciple-ship, namely looking at some Reformation ideas. I’ll post more on that soon.