This is what one woman in Gods hand can do. Sharon is a hard
worker and that is why I worked with John, at least I could keep up with him J enjoy her
newsletter and please pray for her and the work.
From the Desk of Sharon
Goodman
Bible Baptist
African Ministries
Malawi, C. Africa
November 27, 2012 for
Sep-Oct 2012
Dear Family in Christ,
September was a fairly routine
month. I am enjoying the opportunities
to try to get closer to my ladies and teens.
One lady from Chiwaya was overloaded when her husband was in the
hospital for 2 weeks. The Thyolo District
Government Hospital is quite a trip, and costs about 550 Malawi Kwacha to go to
and from. That is a whole day’s wage for
the average Malawian. You and I were
able to help with some transport and food.
I believe I have told you before the conditions : A relative must take care of the patient.,
Food is prepared by family and friends either on the hospital grounds or
brought from home., Plates, cups and water jugs need to be brought, and there
are no sheets or bedding unless someone brings them. I personally did not get to go to the
hospital as I originally planned, but I did visit the family when the husband
arrived home. I brought some dried fish,
so the man had some protein to gain strength.
It means so much to these people to just come and sit with them a few
minutes.
Another
lady also from my Bible Study in Chiwaya went to the hospital in September to
stay until her twins were to be born. –Same hospital, same conditions, except
there was no bed available for her.
Mrs. Jeffery and her mother camped out on the hospital floor of the
maternity ward for 3 weeks waiting for the arrival of the babies. This is very common because nobody has money
or a way to get to the hospital when the time is right. Mini buses do not run at night. You and I
helped with food, soap, a couple outfits for the babies, and a little
money. I went with Pastor Kalilima and
his wife. The only way for them to be
able to go was for you and I to pay for their transport. Both
Pastor Kalilima and I packed tracts and John and Romans in our bags without the
other knowing it to make the visit a soul winning trip also. We had a great time. While Mrs. Kalilima and I visited with Mrs.
Jeffery, Pastor took off visiting other wards.
When he returned, he had his wife sing songs with the ladies in the
maternity ward and give some encouraging words.
Then, Pastor Kalilima gave the gospel.
Many ladies raised their hands to accept Christ. I was so excited seeing Pastor and his wife
work together as a team, I just stayed still and did the quiet praying. On our way to go back home, we passed out the
rest of the tracts until all were gone. Mrs. Jeffery is now home with her twin girls,
but I am wanting to go back to the hospital with Pastor Kalilima and his
wife. This time I want to take my own
interpreter, so I can let Pastor and his wife do their own witnessing while I
do mine.
Pastor Dzimbiri had a conference at
his church in Chirimba on October 5-7.
His theme was to be rooted in Christ, Colossians 2:6-7. I taught the ladies on Saturday afternoon and
the teens on Sunday morning. The church
was packed out, and the group was very lively.
He has a Christian school, so the classrooms were sleeping quarters for
those coming from afar. You and I
purchased a pot 2 feet in diameter to cook the nsima over the fire. From all that I heard, all went
smoothly.
Other teaching engagements are shaping. I have been approached by Pastor Mwachande,
who pastors in Makalanga, to teach a ladies conference in Zomba close to where
his parents live. The dates have not
been decided yet. Bro. Fullford has
asked if I could go to Waruma on a regular schedule to teach the ladies
there. The ladies of Njuli have
requested that I come back there to teach them. I can’t give up what I am doing now, but
possibly I could go the 1st and 3rd week to Chirimba and
Chiwaya and then go the 2nd and 4th weeks to the other
places. It would be nice to teach all
these and more, but we live within time.
I have in the past given my notes after being translated to Chichewa to
pastors for their wives to teach. Please
pray for wisdom and organization of teaching schedules.
Teaching these people to ‘think
outside the box’, as my pastor phrases it, is always a challenge. I asked the 2 guys living on the property to
dig a well in the garden area because I know that when I move in March the
person taking over does not have the money to allow the guys to use the running
water. -- No garden, no food. I
received permission from the owner of the property and explained to the guys
that this is planning for tomorrow.
Today is usually the end of their thoughts, so it was hard to get them
excited about the project. They dug
about 10 meters and hit solid rock. Some water was coming in at about 8 meters,
but not enough. They stopped and decided
that it was impossible. They had no idea
of what to do. I really didn’t know
either, but suggested that we go horizontal in the area that some water was
coming. It worked, and so I was able to
use the situation to help encourage them to always keep looking for a solution. I have these men, who are in their 40’s, and
their extended families constantly on my porch to help resolve the simplest
problems. So… I need to think more ‘outside the box’ to
help the people here think ‘outside the box’.
The ladies in Bible study also have
a hard time apply the principles taught to other situations. My translator asked me how the marriage
lessons were going to help the older ladies who were widows. It made me stop
and realize that I need to constantly tell the ladies as I teach how the
principle being taught is to be passed to younger ladies. Our own failures are valuable lessons to use
to help others. Many of the principles
like communication are valuable in any relationship. Loyalty, forgiveness, and confidentiality
etc. should be a part of general interaction with anyone. If a
person is not able to take principles and apply them to various situations,
Christian growth is greatly hindered. I
so want my ladies to understand what they read in the Bible and are taught to
benefit every facet of their lives!
The month of October was Bible month
here, so the Bible Society had a sale.
Money was sent to me specifically to purchase Bibles for Pastor Kalilima
to distribute in Chiwaya. I was able to
get 40 Bibles with the money. Thirty
were distributed in his church and ten Pastor Kalilima gave to other Pastors in
the area. It was a great blessing. I also purchased Bibles and any lady or teen
in my classes who will memorize the books of the Bibles receive a Bible. Most of my ladies did not have a Bible and
have taken the challenge. Bibles cost 2700MK, about $9.50 U.S., which is
beyond what an average village person is able.
Everyone has been so excited to own their own Bible. Thank you.
For the glory of God,
Sharon Goodman, Malawi, Africa
From: Rackson Kaiwe [mailto:winningthelost70@yahoo.com]
GOOD NEWS:
