We are in a trying season, a time of uncertainty world-wide. But what is sure, is that God will be with us in whatever we come across. “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for Thou art with me.” (Psalm 23:4)
In Malawi, we are feeling the calm before the storm, as most Africa is. We have no confirmed cases in Malawi yet. The government has started taking more and more precautions, but for the average person, business is as usual. On the streets Corona virus is just a byword.
So far we are able to meet freely as a church. We are getting prepared for the days ahead by postponing Bible college classes for two weeks, and praying whether to extend the break to a month. We moved our graduation to September, put hand washing stations at church, and began elbow greetings. This was the first of the awkwardness, for there is much hand shaking in greetings in Malawi. During a conversation, there can be up to 5 handshakes as a sign of approval or excitement.
One amazing thing that we have found is the heightened level of openness. We decided to replace tract distribution with open air preaching and sketch board. We didn’t want the ministry to be blamed for handing out tracts that could have the virus. We have had bigger crowds, 30-40 people, gather around us. The audience is worried and we reassure them with the Word of God. It is amazing how the Bible has a comforting affect when spoken out loud.
We are praying for all of you, and ask you to pray for us. We are grateful for your prayers and support, especially in these hours of testing. We plan to do neighborhood prayer meetings to intercede for all of you around the world, for the slowdown of the virus, the recovery of those infected, and for the speedy approval of a vaccine. Our prayer is like that of Jesus for Peter, that our faith fails not, because God will never fail us.
