Introduction
Malawi is a small, but topographically diverse and very beautiful country in Central Africa. Comparable in size to the island of Ireland, and land-locked by Zambia, Tanzania and Mozambique, Malawi is home to around 17 million people from about 12-15 distinct ethnic backgrounds. Lying along the Great Rift Valley, it is renowned for its majestic mountains, panoramic plains, and the enchantingly lovely "Lake of Stars" (and star of lakes!) – Lake Malawi.
History
Formerly "Nyasaland", Malawi gained independence from Britain in 1964 and, for most of the next three decades, was ruled by self-proclaimed President for Life, Dr Hastings Kamuzu Banda, an enigmatic anglophile, notorious for his strict moral standards and intolerance of all opposition.
Multi-party democracy arrived in Malawi a little over 20 years ago, and, although enjoying new-found 'freedom', the country still struggles with governance issues and has been beset by corruption and mismanagement scandals. The present decade commenced with Malawi in the throes of a prolonged and acute foreign currency shortage, most visibly evidenced by queues of hundreds of vehicles at filling stations, with nerve-fraying waits for days on end often ending in disappointment.
The foreign governments, which heavily assisted the Malawi economy with budgetary support, have reacted by withholding funds until reforms take place. Sadly, the already impoverished population suffers most. In the past five years the local currency has devalued by 400%, losing almost half its value in the past four months alone, and price-inflation is soaring. Malawi is officially the poorest nation on earth, with around 80% of the population living on an average daily income of less than two US dollars. Hospitals are routinely without medicines, and police officers, teachers, doctors and nurses regularly go unpaid for months. With little prospect of that situation improving imminently, the economic outlook is truly bleak.
History of the work
The history of assembly missionary work in Malawi is unlike other countries in the region, where the earliest Christian influence came with 'assembly' missionaries. Zambia, for example, has benefited from a continuous assembly work for well over 100 years whereas, as far we know, in Malawi the work only began as recently as the 1960s, when brethren like R C Allison, George Wiseman and Jack King visited from neighbouring countries. For most of the intervening years, until 2002, there were no assembly missionaries based in Malawi, and the work was carried forward by local believers, with visitors occasionally helping with Bible teaching. Of particular note are David and Grace Croudace who, after around 30 years, still maintain an active involvement in the work in Malawi, in spite of advancing years.
Sadly, although there are purportedly around 130 assemblies in Malawi, much of what was built upon the foundation laid by those early brethren appears to be of dubious quality. Experience has taught that many 'assemblies' are not only devoid of the truth of the gospel, but are resistant to it, the established leaders perceiving missionaries and their message as a threat to their position within their church and wider community. Happily, however, there is still an open ear for the gospel in Malawi, and recent developments in the work beyond the confines of existing 'assemblies' give much encouragement.
Activities
Presently, there are two couples from overseas assemblies working full-time in Malawi – Emilian and Loredana Marianciuc (Romania), and Ananda and Grace Pulla (India), each with two young children. The Marianciucs run a variety of children's ministries and have recently seen a small assembly established in Nsanama village, and the Pullas carry on various aspects of the work commenced by Jonathan and Ruth Newell before they returned to the UK. Although there is no assembly work as such in Zomba city, we understand that the Emmaus Correspondence ministry in the local prison, commenced by John and Priscilla Finegan, is still being maintained by a young Malawian from the city.
A major part of the current work in Malawi is literature-based and, although the people are generally not well-educated, there is nevertheless a great appetite for simple, written material. Recently, we have been able to contribute to this aspect of the work by producing a range of Chichewa language gospel tracts, a periodical bilingual gospel magazine, gospel calendars, and several 'Seed Sower' texts. Around 650,000 varied items have been distributed in the past two years or so and, as demand continues to increase, we are hopeful that number will exceed 1,000,000 in the coming months.
Since relocating to Northern Ireland in 2011 because of our son's immigration status, along with other reasons, I have been able to stay involved in the work in Malawi, visiting four times per year, on average. On each occasion, time is devoted to delivering gospel literature to the growing number of distributors situated in most districts of the country. Typically travelling over 4000 km, we stop in many different locations to preach in the open air and give out literature, which is always well received. It is not unusual for scores, sometimes hundreds, of people to stop and listen, and we often have to implement 'crowd control' measures, such is the demand for tracts, calendars and other literature.
This work has produced literally hundreds of contacts – more than we can follow up personally – some interested in salvation, and others requesting supplies of gospel materials to distribute themselves. It has become increasingly clear that we need good basic Bible teaching resources for those who profess to be saved and are unable to access these in the Chichewa language. We are exercised about the need to translate and publish such materials for the future development of the work.
In all of these efforts we are helped enormously by a couple of Malawian brothers – Harold and Goodson – both of whom selflessly give their time and energy to the work. Neither of them enjoys the blessing of assembly fellowship as we know it and, separated by some distance and being of limited resources, they are unable even to have fellowship with each other as they would like. Both would love to see Scriptural companies of God's people in their own areas.
Challenges
Although there is an open ear for the gospel, it is sadly true that increasing multitudes have become besotted with the odious errors of extreme Pentecostalism and the so-called 'Prosperity Gospel'. Malawi is awash with self-proclaimed 'apostles' and 'prophets' claiming divine powers and direct revelation from God. Selling prayers instead of potions and miracles instead of magic, they compete with the witch doctors as the instruments of the deceiver and arch-enemy of souls!
Opportunities
In Malawi, the doors are open and the fields are white! In schools, prisons, hospitals, towns and villages there are limitless opportunities and perfect freedom to sound forth the gospel. Each August, for the past three years, we have been greatly encouraged to have the help of a number of volunteers from assemblies in the UK and North America for a time of intensive gospel effort. Visiting open-air markets, hospital wards, bus depots and similar locations, it has been thrilling to preach the gospel to thousands, and to distribute tens of thousands of Seed Sower texts and tracts. We believe that only eternity will reveal the extent to which the Lord has been blessing His Word to the salvation of precious souls. As we anticipate another effort this August, Lord willing, why not consider joining us? If that's not possible, will you remember us and the work in your prayers? For more information visit www.goodnewsmalawi.com
For prayer
• Blessing upon the gospel literature distributed.
• The translation and publication of helps.
• Workers and their families.
