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
Great to hear of your experiences. Thanks for the way you are encouraging the folk over there. May the Lord continue to bless you and give you health and strength. love Evelyn
ReplyDeleteSarah, you're awesome! Glad to read you are having a great time and being so giving.
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