Today is our final day in Lilongwe having completed our seedsowers outreach to this area. This has been a brand new location for the MGO team and there were many similarities to previous years but also notable differences.
Being in the city was different as we reached out at roadside markets and bus depots more often than the village markets we were used to on previous years. This meant there wasn’t always as many children around to enjoy singing Chikondi cha Yesu with us girls but we really appreciated that a lot more of the adults could speak English so we were able to have conversations about the gospel much more often as well as simply handing out the texts.
Unfortunately we also encountered a lot more unemployed young men who do nothing all day but smoke and drink. Only the power of the gospel can change these lives.
We particularly enjoyed our two trips to Dzaleka refugee camp where we were privileged to work with a Congolese brother William who runs an orphan support care centre there in the camp. William used to work as a political analyst in Congo where he was well to do so to see him living in amongst the refugees was very humbling. It was obvious he has a great care for those children.
We were able to provide some practical support and hold a gospel meeting and children’s meeting with them alongside handing out seedsowers texts in the camp. Harold got a rest here as the people mostly spoke Swahili and French – a new experience for us all – our memories of secondary school French were suddenly resurrected!
We also had an opportunity to visit a small prison ‘Dedza’ where 300 cross-legged prisoners awaited us in the prison yard. As usual the prison chaplains and officers provided us with a good laugh – laughing certainly isn’t banned in Malawi prisons!! It was a real privilege to have this opportunity to present the gospel toso many people literally ‘captive’ to the gospel.
This year we were also privileged to work with more local brothers and one sister who are based in Lilongwe. These were a great example to us, even leaving their children at home alone all day to come with us and share the gospel (perhaps this would be less acceptable in the UK mind you!).
Please pray for the seed which has been sown, the growth of these local believers, the salvation of our driver Kennedy who stayed at our side throughout the whole two weeks and for all of us who were on the team, that our vision for the gospel will be expanded as a result of participation on this team.
Written by a member of the MGO2018 team.