News from Sue and Sarah

The days have been full. Every day we we feel are witnessing life here at the grass roots level.

Village visiting. 

Sue with a child headed family

We have had the privilege of accompanying Samson Namanya – Community Development Worker with BSHDC to three different villages under his care. These villages are urban – attached to Blantyre city – our suburbs. They have little infrastructure. Samson does a wonderful work in assessing the needs of the poor and vulnerable in these villages and working with the village Heads and Committee members in each village to help meet these needs. For example they work with orphan and vulnerable children, youth, HIV/AIDs patients. International funding has been provided to two of these villages for centres to be built. These centres provide space for caring for children – like our kindergartens – they are also given meals there. The centre in Timvane has become a community hub – people hire it out for use and whilst we were there an adult literacy course was happening funded by government.

Samson (in red) and the village head
and committee members at Chipagala Village

It felt an honor to go inside peoples homes or sit outside with them. We would be introduced by Samson and then find out their story. We gave Bibles if they did not have one and then prayed with the family. We were also able to give small gifts that people had donated from Australia. Alice – an elderly grandmother (go go) is blind and is caring for 5 young grandchildren She loves Jesus and was very happy to receive a Bible for others to read to her. The smiles when God's word was given and excitement in many receiving Bibles was humbling. Amy and I visited two elderly muslim men who both had orphaned older grandchildren to care for and were incapacitated – so could not earn any money. They were both happy to receive a Bible – we encouraged them to start reading at the book of Mark. It was amazing to be able to pray in their homes for the Holy Spirit to show them that Jesus is God. Many families are child-headed families – older children caring for younger siblings who have been orphaned. Three young women had 12 orphans in their care. There were overwhelming needs every where we went – but it was so amazing to see how the village committee members were caring for their community when they themselves are struggling to make ends meet. There was a palpable sense of communiity care which was uplifting.

Zomba prison/hospital visit.

Prison Women with their children

Four of us last Saturday traveled the fascinating hour long trip to Zomba to join the Mvano women from Colin's curch to visit the Zomba Hospital and the Womens prison. The Mvano women are kind of like the PWMU. To join this you need to pass an examination on Bible knowledge. They are what John Wilson describes as the 'backbone of the church' and they are beautiful hearted women who care for others. And man can they sing - in incredible harmonies without backing music!!

We visited the maternity unit and special care nursery. There is a unit just for 'Kangaroo care' – where well premature infants are cared for skin-to-skin against their mother's chests. This works very well and survival rate of premature infants has improved greatly with this care – as isolettes are scarce. Isolettes are used for sick premmies – and one of us glimpsed 3 babies inside one isolette . One woman and her mother were providing kangaroo care for her tiny prem twins – rough guess – 32 weeks. The women were very grateful for gifts of clothing and baby bundles given from Australia. The antenatal ward was packed with expectant mothers. 130 bundles were given out. The Mvano women prayed with a packed room of women who had recently given birth.

Shirley

The womens prison was again a moving experience. We had bundles for those women who had babies who had missed out. The women greeted us with singing and speeches were made. There were two women prisoners who are soon to sit examination to join Mvano guild. In this dusty prison, there were joyful faces radiating Jesus. On cell doors were stickers – 'triumphant in Jesus'. Many are waiting for trials – they have not yet been found guilty. The Mvano women will often help those being released – they provide for their physical needs and encourage them spiritually.

Sarah at Open Arms

Open Arms.

We have also spent time in 2 health clinics, an Orphanage – 'Open Arms', another residential centre for disabled adults and children, and have been involved in craft sessions and Bible study with women at Orbus, and also a prison in Blantyre. Each of these experiences has a story of their own – but time is short! All I can say is – man can Sue Steendham crack a fair pace – am just keeping up but loving every moment!!

Sarah & Sue