Flaming Waters

Foto Friday

 

Foto Friday

Curtis driving the boat with our safari guide Julius on the Shire river.

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Dzaleka Refugee Camp-Bible Distribution

We had the privilege of distributing Bibles and song books to our brothers and sisters who live in a refugee camp in Malawi. A Free Methodist Church in the United States and some individuals donated money so they could have bibles in Swahili. Asante sana! Thank you to all who helped with this cause!

Like Father Like Son-Kingdom Brothers II

Kingdom Brothers Choir

Close Call

September 2009 Flaming Water News

Click here to read our September Flaming Waters Newsletter!

God Loves the City

Monday Morning Reflections

It’s Monday morning here! Mornings here usually start very early- we are up by 5:30 am since our kids need to be at school by 7:00 am.   As I type this, I am sitting outside, thinking about my weekend, drinking a “poor man’s mocha” in a nice Starbucks cup.  The coffee that Jen made this morning was very strong but as I think about the church of Jesus Christ, it is even stronger! 

Last Friday, Kara turned 5 years old!  We had a wonderful party for her. Several of her friends came over to help us celebrate her life!  Kara is such a passionate little girl. She is very caring and sensitive to other people and their needs.  She will often take the hand of a little Malawian girl in a village and automatically become best friends with her.  She teaches us how to go outside of our comfort zone.

While at the party I received a phone call from a pastor in one of our churches.  He told me that a member of his church had died and that he would like me to preach at the funeral.  People die here so often- death is a daily reality in Africa. It seems our family has become very familiar with death.   Driving down one road near our house you will see men busy making coffins.  Some are very small, obviously the size for children.  It’s so discouraging because many of the deaths are preventable if only Malawians had more doctors and access to healthcare.  So, there I sit at my daughters 5th birthday thinking about the funeral I will preach at the next day.

The next day, as I approached the house where the beloved woman’s body lay, the body of Christ touched me.  All of the women from the church had come together to make wreaths out of flowers that would eventually sit on top of the coffin during the funeral and then be placed on the grave itself.  They gathered around the body and began to sing songs of hope and praise to God.  Outside, I stood with the men as one man led us in some hymns.  With a tear coming down, I sang from the bottom of my heart in Chichewa (local language) “Ndipo dziko lapansi, sindiyesa kwathu” (This world is not my home)! 

After a time of singing we got word that the gravediggers were finished digging.  Apparently they had been digging since 5:00 am.  They brought the body out of the house and put it on a wooden stretcher that was just made a few minutes beforehand.  I, along with 500 other people, walked to a large open area in a field where we would have a funeral with the casket sitting in the middle of us. 

I was so proud to be a part of the body of Christ that day.  The church sang with passion and I preached unashamedly on 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14.  We have hope even in the midst of death.  We don’t need to grieve like the rest of the world who has no hope.  As I spoke about Jesus it was clear that many were apposed to the message of the cross.  My message was short and clear but many were agitated at the name of Jesus.  In the midst of death and opposition the church stood strong! 

On Sunday morning we worshiped with a small Free Methodist congregation in the city.  Though their church body was small in number we were impressed with the number of children who have a love for the word of God.  One by one they came to share the verses that they had been memorizing.  They even called me to come to the front and I was happy to join with them in sharing God’s word. This congregation meets in a small rented school classroom.  They pay $3.50 per month to rent the classroom.  This is a huge accomplishment for them! 

On this early Monday I praise God for the church of Jesus Christ!  In the midst of poverty, death, and opposition, the church stands strong!