Malawi 2011 update 2

Mwadzuka bwanji! (good morning) There were power outages at the missionary house yesterday morning and evening, so we will update you on the past two days of ministry as we prepare for day three in the village of Chiliza. We have had a GREAT two days of ministry here! On day one, Sheila, Sarah, and Stephanie were at VBS. The children learned the story of Jesus as a boy and how he was about His Father's business. We trained the older kids to be 'teachers', which has proven to help VBS run smoothly. The children also enjoyed games, crafts, and songs. Ray taught some of the village leaders as we sought to encourage the church there, which has stopped meeting. Moriah, Brooke, Elizabeth, and Josiah went hut-to-hut to share the good news and were able to see many professions of faith, including chief of Junpa, one of the villages there. Some of these people had never heard of Christ before we got there! We left the village with full hearts as we celebrated the work of God among these people and how blessed we are to be part of it.

On our second day, Sheila, Brooke, and Moriah were on the VBS team. They told the story of Jesus' death and the children made cross necklaces. The children also enjoyed games and songs. The children really seem to be understanding the stories and one little boy named Clement prayed to receive Christ! Elizabeth, Josiah, Sarah, Ray, and Stephanie went on hut-to-hut visitation. More people came to Christ, including another chief. We are so excited to celebrate the difference that the news of Jesus has made in these villages!

Today is the final day of our ministry in Chiliza. We will miss our new friends! Our littlest friends run to our van when we arrive and follow us to it, waving and running after us as we leave. They have shown such love to us and been very gracious hosts! Sheila, Elizabeth, and Josiah are on the VBS team today, and they will share the story of Jesus' triumph over death and the gift of eternal life, as well as present the gospel as we have each day. They will also do crafts, songs, and games. We have fun teaching our new friends games that they've never seen before. :) Ray, Sarah, Stephanie, Moriah, and Brooke will be visiting hut-to-hut again. Some of us will also be delivering Bibles in Chichewa to the chiefs of the two villages so they can learn more about God and how to follow Him. Tonight we will remain in the village until after dark so we can show the Jesus film. Please pray for our ministries today, as it will be a long day. Also pray that many would be reached by the Jesus film tonight and that our impact on thei lives of the people in Chiliza will reach far beyond these three days. Pray that they would persevere in their faith and grow in their knowledge of Christ.

Thank you for lifting us up! We love and appreciate our friends and family back home!

-Team Malawi