Sunday Sept 28th

Our first Sunday in Malawi and a chance to worship at Njuli. We had a very good breakfast, Sheila showed Grace how to make omelets with cheese, onions, tomatoes and what-what. We also have sausage and toast with Sobo to drink. I told Rackson long before we got here I was to have not less than two cups of coffee every morning and so far we have. What a good son. We left the house at 0930 for the drive to Njuli, Rackson took us the short way because of mom’s back being a little tender still. We arrived as they were having opening prayer. We took our seats and the morning bible lesson was soon to be presented. Darcy Fullford, Sarah Sjoblom and Harry Schenimann were attending and that was a real treat to have them there. Bro. John Fullford injured his back yesterday after we left from lunch and was not able to attend. Please pray for him. There was a change in schedule because Harry Schenimann was visiting he was asked to give the lesson. He brought a great lesson on hope in Jesus and spent time in Acts 16 and the conversion of the jailer. It was well received. The gong rang and the kids class was brought back in the main church and we were off for a songfest. Bible Way has five choir’s and they all had two songs. WHAT A JOY to sit and listen to their voices being lifted up in song to God. After sons it was time for offering of which there two. We had a full house so that took time and I was getting a little antsy as time was running right along. Service is from 10-12 noon and is was 11:20 already. I was ready to stand but it was time for announcements and there were many and around 1140 it was time for the man of God too bring the lesson, when I found out that was me I got up along with Rackson and delivered the message God laid on my heart. Text was taken from the book of Matthew and included the “Great Commandment”, “The Great Commission” and the “Great Invitation”  all in concert with John 3-16. At 1230 I turned it over to Rackson to make the invitation. It goes better if done without translation. Now comes the part that shows the power of the Word and not the power of the preacher because I know the vessel (me) but I also know the potter. Many people came forward with burdens of the heart and gave them to the Lord, they understood “come unto me” some came to join with the church and Praise God Sheila’s grandson Wyatt came forward to except the Lord as his Saviour, oh what joy at the answering to our prayers. After shaking many, many, many hands we were allowed to leave and come home. Wyatt is OC over clean hands a lot like me but we made it till we got home and found the soap and hot water. Please pray for Wyatt as his life is just beginning in the Lord and he will face many obstacles from family and old friends. He made a bold move and is very glad. Sheila has finally stopped crying and smiling and crying, boy do grandmas like grandchildren. I must admit I got a little damp around the eyes myself as I looked over as he handed me the camera and dropped to his knees. It was then as I knelt by him he confessed his belief and need of Jesus. What a blessing, what a blessing. More later.

 Because of the cross,

 Bro. Chuck           

pictures of Saturday

Saturday Sept 27th

I only thought yesterday was great but I think today was even better. But first a little story that's overdue because I am old and forget. When Rackson and family met us at the airport the first thing I noticed when I got in the van was the front passenger windshield side was all cracked like a spider web. I asked Rackson what happened and he seemed reticence to answer. Upon a little fatherly prompting he told this story. A few weeks ago he and Grace were returning from church visitation, it was late and dark. It gets dark here at 5:30 pm. they were at a stop light and a man opened the door on the side Grace was seated  and tried to pull her out. Thank God she had her seatbelt on and the man could not get her out. When the shock lifted from Rackson he gunned the motor and hit the guy knocking him into the windshield. They went to the police and found out that is what carjackers are doing, pull the wife out and the husband will jump out and go to her aid and another man will jump in the car and drive off. I like to be home before dark thank you.

Now back to today. We went to John and Darcy’s home for lunch as Harry was there from Monkey Bay and told us all about the work there and how the building is coming along. After the meal and good fellowship we invited all to join us in Saturday church service in a nearby village, nearby is a term used so people will go with them someplace. Sarah (John’s daughter) and Harry came with us to a village down the road just a few miles from Njuli then we turned off the blacktop to the dirt road and using the word road is a real injustice to the word road for several miles of rocks and ruts and bone jarring bumps. We got to the home where the service was being held. The village name was Zalengela, I do not know how they find these places. We had a fair size group and we were welcomed warmly. After prayers, singing, introduction and more songs it was time for the preacher. I preached a short message on the “Great Invitation” from Matthew. When I was finished Rackson made an invitation and 11 people answered the Lords call. There was much rejoicing and singing while the 11 were taken aside and more fully taught Gods word. All who were present were invited to Bible Study and worship at Njuli tomorrow, hope we will see some of them. It was a wonderful day full of blessings, Bro. John offered us a large box of John/Romans and a box of bibles, how do you explain that except God? We are in the process of setting the agenda for the conference. John said he will come back from Tengani to help. He will take the 3 hours in the mornings and I will take the 3 hours in the afternoon when everyone wants to take a nap. We will tag team them in the evenings. John will be teaching on the Church and the responsibilities of the members and I will be teaching on the Holy Spirit (thanks Pastor). We will have a generator so I will be able to use PowerPoint, that will keep them awake….maybe. I am so looking forward to tomorrow and worshiping with Njuli I can’t wait. I was going to say I might not be able to sleep but that would be a big fat lie. Just finished a very good chicken dinner and a small bowl of ice cream so I am off to bed. God bless and good night.

 Because of the cross,

 Bro. Chuck

Friday Sept 26th

 What a wonderful day, better said a day full of wonder. We loaded up the van with people, tracts and our bibles and left a little earlier (1pm till 4pm) than planned because the clouds covered the sun and we could hit the villages sooner and not have Rackson worry about me dying in Malawi. It was still very warm and I still got red on all the white parts. I took lots of pictures but with this slow plug in hot spot I am using I cannot send pictures as it would take ALL day and then some so you will have to see Sheila’s FB page and later the blog. As you know we prayed the Lord give us one soul today but as you also know our God is big. Our mission was three fold we wanted to visit and encourage the church members, pass out tracts inviting people to church Sunday and to soul win. We broke into three teams and had an appointed time to meet back at the van so off we went. I was with Rackson, my grandson Wyatt and Collins who is a deacon at Njuli. We were in the village no more than five minutes and we came across a man and his wife sitting under a tree in the shade. We greeted them and Rackson made introductions and the man asked if we had any words about God, we did and as I began to preach others stopped by and took a seat. I had the opportunity to spend about 40 minutes telling them the Gospel of the Christ that died for their sins. When I was done and made an invitation seven souls left the devils kingdom and accepted Jesus. What a wonderful start. We went to many homes and were received warmly. Wyatt was a kid magnet, after about two hours he looked like a rock star with a great following. We were challenged by muslims at a well we were by saying Jesus was not the Son of God as Mary & Joseph were his parents, this was right up Rackson’s alley as he speaks the language. After about 15 minutes and much page turning in the bible they agreed to come to Bible Way Mbulumbuzi Sunday to learn more. If asked, where will you spend eternity if you died today a muslim will not have an answer and when we tell them we have the answer they become interested. It was getting late in the afternoon and we were to meet at the van which we did after walking through the trade center handing out tracts and telling people we were Baptist and inviting them to church we got to the van as the other two teams were just getting there. We exchanged what blessings the Lord had provided and learned that 10 people had accepted the Lord. It was a great day all in all with 17 souls being added to the kingdom, many visits with encouragements and hundreds of Gospel tracts handed out. Everyone was tired but jubilant and very hungry. Sheila and Grace and a new oven worked a little miracle while we were gone. We got home well after dark and were welcomed to very much spaghetti with meat (don’t ask, don’t tell) sauce, tea and cookies with Sobo to drink. A wonderful way to end the day. Had a hot shower and am ready for bed and a new day the Lord will provide. More next time, love and miss you all.

 Because of the Cross,

 Bro. Chuck