Our team of 4 left Austin Texas, USA, on 1 September for Malawi. Our goal was to teach the gospel of Jesus to the deaf in Malawi. A secondary goal was to establish a congregation of the Lord's church specifically for deaf Christians.
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| Mission team from Southern Hills Church of Christ, Buda Texas: David & Jana Suddath, Cathy Williams, Bob Mathews |
We arrived in Malawi on Saturday 4 September, but logistics didn't have us scheduled at the Mua School for the Deaf (MSD) until Tuesday 6 September. We had anticipated being able to teach a Bible lesson to the students at MSD on Tuesday, then teach deaf adults on Wednesday and Thursday. For reasons beyond our control, we weren't able to meet with the students until Wednesday morning, and began teaching the deaf adults on Wednesday afternoon, 7 September.
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| Jana Suddath teaches the deaf children at Mua School for the Deaf in Malawi |
We had been in contact with 2 deaf MSD faculty members, and knew they had identified several deaf in the surrounding communities. Initially we thought perhaps our work would involve house-to-house work, teaching the deaf individually in their homes. It turned out better than that though, as our deaf Malawian friends were able to identify 28 deaf adults and arrange for their transportation to MSD. We began teaching them at MSD on Wednesday afternoon.
Conducting the studies Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning was David Suddath, of Westover Hills Church of Christ in Austin. David is deaf, and naturally fluent in American Sign Language (ASL), but wasn't familiar with very many of the signs in Malawian Sign Language (MSL). So David taught mostly in ASL, with Lucy Siwinda translating into MSL.
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| David Suddath teaches deaf Malawians, as Lucy Siwinda helps by translating into Malawian Sign Language |
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| Describing what it means to "obey the gospel" |
The Wednesday lessons went very well, with follow-up lessons on Thursday 8 September. The Gospel Chariot was set up at the MSD soccer/football field on Wednesday and Thursday, and the class of deaf adults joined the worship at the Chariot the afternoon of Thursday 8 September.
David preached a lesson at the Chariot on the plan of salvation, Responding to the invitation were 21 deaf individuals and 1 hearing. We arranged for a temporary meeting place for the deaf to worship, as well as a minister to preach and interpreters so they can understand.
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| David Suddath uses American Sign Language to preach the gospel at the Gospel Chariot in Malawi. Cathy Williams, in front of the stage to the right, voiced the interpretation and Aubrey Malire translated into Chichewa for those in the audience who didn't understand sign language. Lucy Siwinda is in front of the Chariot cab, translating into Malawian Sign Language. |
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| David baptizes a deaf woman -- one of 21 deaf who were baptized that day. |
We can say God definitely put in place a congregation for the deaf in Malawi. Since none existed prior to these being added to the church, this is the first congregation of the Lord's body for the deaf in Malawi. We are very excited for their future, but...
We need prayer warriors worldwide to pray for the future of this congregation and the strengthened faith of its members. Already these new Christians are facing persecution at home, and on the job. We've heard of beatings and job threats. This is saddening to hear, but we are encouraged by their faith. Please pray for this congregation, and for Aubrey Malire, who will be bringing the word to them weekly. Also pray that God will lead them to a suitable location for worship -- some place where they can worship without fear for their safety or jobs.
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| There were 28 deaf Malawians who heard the gospel, most of whom are pictured here. At the left of the photo is Cathy Williams, of Austin Texas, and at the right are David & Jana Suddath, also of Austin. |
