MALAWI AND ONTO MOZAMBIQUE

Year end is fast approaching and the rainy season is upon us. Meaning, we head south and get out of the countries north of us due to the rain and the mosquitoes. I just got back from Malawi and Namibia and did not enjoy the hot humid nights in Malawi with the mosquitoes. I really need to be more careful and take malaria tablets. When I have US campaigners with me I always encourage them to take, but me being a South African and use to the situation have never taken. Well, I have promised myself to start taking precautions in countries north of us. One day is one day. I did not have any campaigners with me this year. As I flew into Lilongwe I rented a vehicle and headed north west towards Salema to meet Chariot 2. Malawi is really 3rd world, but you got to love it. It keeps you humble and the people are friendly. This year alone Chariot 2 has baptized 298 souls in Malawi alone. We hope to build a mini chariot for Malawi early next year due to their zeal for the Lord. We only visit there for 2 months a year with Chariot 2. Imagine if they had their own mini chariot working 12 months of the year. Greater things would happen. Please pray for this. We give GOD THE GLORY FOR WHAT IS HAPPENING.



As I drove from the airport to Salema, this is what you see at times.
Bicycles are a plenty and used to transport almost anything.

Pickups can be used to transport anything as well.

How is that for a load???

When you get to the village, it is dusty and the little ones love to run around and play in the dust. No shoes, no shirts, NO WORRIES. How is my buddy here. He came over to say hi and wanted me to take a photo of him. He had just finished eating a green mango. They are all so precious and so innocent. I love playing with them and one of the things we do when preaching in the villages, is make sure the GCM team has time to play games with them. These little ones LOVE IT when we come to their villages. They are the ones that even invite their family members to the gospel preaching.

Here we have little Jonas who followed me around and was fascinated with my arm hairs and white skin. He sat next to me and all he wanted to do was feel the hair on my arms. He was like saying "Dude you a little different" Ha Ha. He was a cutie.

Here we have a little girl walking past the gospel meeting with a water bucket on her head. She had just got water at the village water well. The others in the backroud are sitting under the tree during Sunday church service. Not everyone could get in under the Chariots tent. Look at the bicycles in the back round.

There you are. This is the village water pump.



They fill them up and put the bucket on their heads and head for home.

In the village you see so many little girls looking after babies. They are their mother's babies or older sister's babies. Everyone looking after little ones.




Here is my little friend again wanting to show me his older brother with his new born baby  - all sitting under the tree, trying to stay cool.

When I first arrived, Moster took me out to see the Church building we managed to help build last year. Every year we try help erect one church building in Malawi and the price is about $1,500.00. That's right. They make the bricks and do all the work themselves. That's why I love Malawi. They are prepared to do something themselves. This year we are going to help a Church in the Muzuzu area, where our Gospel Chariot managed to plant 2 churches. They need help and we are hoping to help. Lord Willing.

 

Here we have 2 Malawians with myself. They are Layman and Robert. They both work Chariot 2 and are responsible for over 400 souls being baptized this year. These are good guys, honest, upright and hard working. As their leader I only want what is best for them. Lifting them up and helping them reach their potential. They are now in Mozambique and then back to South Africa. They will then rest and do some farming from November to February.




I then arrived at the Village just out of Salema, where we planned a leadership weekend, where I preached 5 hours on leadership and developing those around you. We filled the chariot and had leaders from all the surrounding regions.

 

Myself with Moster interpreting.




One of the lessons was on the " law of the lid" John Maxwell teaches the 21 irrefutable laws of leadership and the first one is the Law of the lid. Meaning., leadership ability determines a person's level of effectiveness. How well you lead, will determine how well you succeed. Bottom line. Grow the leader, Grow the Church. Don't put a lid on your potential. Everything gets better when you get better as a leader.



The beautiful thing about teaching in Malawi is that the brethren will have a pen and paper. Most encouraging.



There were brethren in the tent and outside under the trees listening to the lessons.



At times the ladies sit on a piece of the walls of the tent.





As preaching takes place. Our GCM team work with the little kids

There you are. That's me trying to shoot a hoop or a loop. Not very good at it.



Layman, my side kick, was just as bad. The kids done better and won some candy.

Talking about food. After preaching 2 hours, it was then time to eat and the brethren fed me before preaching another 2 hours. We ate mealie meal, beans and cabbage. No knives and forks. I messed on my shirt and pants. Just not use to it. Ria would most probably say I eat like that with knife and fork, messing all over.

Before I flew out we stopped off in Lilongwe and looked at a truck that might work for a mini chariot in Malawi next year. The price was higher than what we can get it for in South Africa, but was good doing some research in this regard.

Ha Ha. Maybe we should not consider a mini chariot for Malawi. This is Moster's car that rolled down the hill and fell over a bridge. What happened was his car broke down and he contacted a mechanic who was towing him and the rope snapped and the vehicle rolled down the hill and over the bridge. Problem one. That's what happens when you drive old, old cars. Problem two. That's what happens when you tow a vehicle with a rope.

Some of the souls who were baptized in Malawi.