04 May
This morning I awoke early to review the first sermon I would speak in Africa. I walked for a little while in the morning sun around the pool before enjoying a couple glasses of fresh juice and coffee. Pastor Mike arrived a little later and we drove back to LPC for the early English service. The folk were friendly and Pastor David Chigamba introduced us to the congregation. The singing in the morning service was quite enjoyable and featured a blend of western and African music including the song “Reign Jesus Reign” which Pastor Mike hopes to teach to the Canadian teams as well. My sermon was entitled “The Cry of the Drum” in which I recited a couple of Chichewa phrases David Chigamba taught me. Their response was a mixture of appreciation and laughter regarding my sad attempt at the tribal language.
Following the English service, Pastor Mike left with Cheepo-the Foxfire GYM liaison-to speak at Area 23 Pentecostal Church (The city of Lilongwe and the surrounding villages are divided into regions identified as Area x). It took approximately 25 minutes to get to the church from LPC. Though within the city limits this neighbourhood is completely different from the regions of Lilongwe we had visited thus far. It is obvious that people are struggling to eke out a life amid poor housing, limited municipal services and horrible road conditions. Despite such challenges Pastor Mike was impressed at how friendly everyone was and how proud they were to have him visit their church. By the time they arrived the service had already started. Pastor Joel was waiting for them at the door. He related in the service that he wondered if they were going to show-up and whether he would have to preach. He seemed relieved! Highlights of the visit included both a choir and a dance team made-up only of children. Pastor Mike ‘s message was entitled “Things That God Has Never Seen.” After the service there was a prayer time, followed by a visit to Pastor Joel’s home located on the property. Area 23 Pentecostal Church will be hosting a YC Malawi GYM team from Canada. The pastor shared in depth the nature of their ministry, his vision for the community and how a GYM team could assist. This church is emblematic of the type of congregation many of the teams will be helping. Pastor Mike emphasized however, that the Canadian team that visits will leave blessed themselves by these lovely people. The Chichewa service at LPC was even more lively then the previous one and had a distinctive African flair. This time when I spoke Pastor David translated my sermon and a young leader from the training sessions played the bongos whenever I spoke about the drum. Once again the folk were incredibly generous in their listening and response.
Pastor David and I left for the Crossroads Hotel where we would meet Pastor Mike and Cheepo. En route we stopped again to view the surroundings of Silver Stadium still considering the various possibilities for YC Game Day. The hotel offered an outdoor grilled meal which included a choice of beef, chicken or lamb. Pastor Mike, Cheepo and a friend joined us at poolside where would eat our dinner. Pastor David left early to begin the afternoon Worship Leader’s seminar. A little later the four of us made our way back to LPC where Pastor Mike led an informative and engaging presentation to worship leaders. I think he will leave with “Freake” fans in Africa. For the last half of the meeting I went to the foyer to enjoy the breeze as I listened. I was a little too comfortable… or Mike was a little something else. Twenty minutes later I awoke from a deep sleep when one of our new Malawian friends tapped me on the shoulder. Thanks Mike. It was nice to have someone put me to sleep for a change.
Pastor Mike and I returned to the hotel for an hour of rest before our scheduled meeting with Pastor David in preparation for tomorrow night’s Foxfire meeting. As we wait we are reviewing today’s activities, organizing photos, writing this blog and drinking Fanta Pineapple pop (highly recommended) and coffee. It’s now 9.40p and we just ordered supper- sizzling chicken and prawn Chinese cuisine! More research for the GYM teams. A great day all around!
Monday, May 5, 2008
Day 5 - 3rd Advance Team YC Malawi (03 May)
03 May
Pastor Mike and I left the Campbell’s home for LPC around 9a for the second day of training. Within a few minutes of arriving the auditorium began to fill with young men and women and their rich wonderful voices. Pastor David Chigamba showed his playful side as he gathered the entire group in a circle for a game that had them all laughing. During the morning session we discussed the theology of salvation, followed by a role-play activity in which four of the leaders attempted to share their faith with me. I took on the character of different individuals- a devout Muslim, a person dying with AIDS, a very bitter former church attendee and at the suggestion of the group an intoxicated alcoholic. Though the group knew who my character was the person witnessing to me did not. It was great fun and enlightening.
During the lunch break Pastor Mike and I ate at the Pizza Shop immediately adjacent to the hotel where our Canadian team will be staying. We can recommend the Pepperoni. The other options look tasty as well. We may have to do more research. Pastor Mike had an opportunity to meet an artist that lost both of his hands yet manages to create beautiful paintings. Many of them hang in Newfoundland and Labrador homes thanks to his good friends Junior and Ivy Andrews. We were eating the final pieces of pizza as we pulled onto the LPC parking lot.
Our final session with the group occurred in a class room at a school administered by LPC. We considered three passages from Acts demonstrating the sharing of the Gospel including the story of how Christianity came to Africa. I related to them that there was a thriving Christian Church in Ethiopia long before the ancestors of the white western world had stopped worshipping the gods of the forest. Christianity was African many hundreds of years before it was English, American or Canadian. We concluded our YC leadership training session with the singing of a song that Pastor Mike hopes to teach the Canadian team members- “There Is A Race I Must Run.” Pastor David and the leaders in attendance said they were very pleased with the training seminars. We certainly had a great time.
Our meeting with Foxfire-the youth leadership team that is at the centre of YC planning in Malawi-was postponed until Monday due to the sad passing of a member’s relative. We chatted a little more with David Chigamba and other leaders before leaving LPC for another visit to the stadium. We spent considerable time viewing the outside of the stadium perimeter for road and gate access points. We had a few moments to spare so we took out the map and travelled toward the old city centre. Memorable sites include “casket row”- a strip of highway where coffins of all sizes were being constructed, a beautiful mosque, and a river-side market. As evening was closing-in we travelled to the hotel to prepare to meet with managers regarding team accommodations. The Campbells had left yesterday for a conference in the south of the country. This morning we had lost all the hot water in the house. I like hot water. I like it a lot. That in mind we checked into the Crossroads Hotel for at least a couple of nights until the plumbing could be remedied. When you’re running-about all day long, on the rich Malawian earth, under a penetrating African sun, the simple pleasure of a hot shower takes on a new meaning. Did I mention I like hot water? All cleaned-up we met with the conference manager and toured the various meeting rooms, the pool area, saunas and steam rooms, and the exercise centre. Very nice! It will be an important retreat for our teams when they return from a day of activity. Sadly, two of the hotel managerial staff could not attend due to a death in their family. Whatever the reason for these two passings, it is soon quite evident that life is much too fragile and finite in this country.
Pastor Mike and I chatted a little more over chicken and burgers at Steers take-out also adjacent to the hotel (Mike recommends the French fries), before returning to our rooms to prepare for tomorrow’s responsibilities. Both of us would be speaking twice. Better for me though… I had only one sermon to review as I would be speaking in the LPC English service at 8a followed by the Chichewa service at 10a at which I would be translated. Pastor Mike would be attending the morning LPC service, then travelling to a village to preach, before presenting at a seminar in the afternoon. It’s good for him!
Pastor Mike and I left the Campbell’s home for LPC around 9a for the second day of training. Within a few minutes of arriving the auditorium began to fill with young men and women and their rich wonderful voices. Pastor David Chigamba showed his playful side as he gathered the entire group in a circle for a game that had them all laughing. During the morning session we discussed the theology of salvation, followed by a role-play activity in which four of the leaders attempted to share their faith with me. I took on the character of different individuals- a devout Muslim, a person dying with AIDS, a very bitter former church attendee and at the suggestion of the group an intoxicated alcoholic. Though the group knew who my character was the person witnessing to me did not. It was great fun and enlightening.
During the lunch break Pastor Mike and I ate at the Pizza Shop immediately adjacent to the hotel where our Canadian team will be staying. We can recommend the Pepperoni. The other options look tasty as well. We may have to do more research. Pastor Mike had an opportunity to meet an artist that lost both of his hands yet manages to create beautiful paintings. Many of them hang in Newfoundland and Labrador homes thanks to his good friends Junior and Ivy Andrews. We were eating the final pieces of pizza as we pulled onto the LPC parking lot.
Our final session with the group occurred in a class room at a school administered by LPC. We considered three passages from Acts demonstrating the sharing of the Gospel including the story of how Christianity came to Africa. I related to them that there was a thriving Christian Church in Ethiopia long before the ancestors of the white western world had stopped worshipping the gods of the forest. Christianity was African many hundreds of years before it was English, American or Canadian. We concluded our YC leadership training session with the singing of a song that Pastor Mike hopes to teach the Canadian team members- “There Is A Race I Must Run.” Pastor David and the leaders in attendance said they were very pleased with the training seminars. We certainly had a great time.
Our meeting with Foxfire-the youth leadership team that is at the centre of YC planning in Malawi-was postponed until Monday due to the sad passing of a member’s relative. We chatted a little more with David Chigamba and other leaders before leaving LPC for another visit to the stadium. We spent considerable time viewing the outside of the stadium perimeter for road and gate access points. We had a few moments to spare so we took out the map and travelled toward the old city centre. Memorable sites include “casket row”- a strip of highway where coffins of all sizes were being constructed, a beautiful mosque, and a river-side market. As evening was closing-in we travelled to the hotel to prepare to meet with managers regarding team accommodations. The Campbells had left yesterday for a conference in the south of the country. This morning we had lost all the hot water in the house. I like hot water. I like it a lot. That in mind we checked into the Crossroads Hotel for at least a couple of nights until the plumbing could be remedied. When you’re running-about all day long, on the rich Malawian earth, under a penetrating African sun, the simple pleasure of a hot shower takes on a new meaning. Did I mention I like hot water? All cleaned-up we met with the conference manager and toured the various meeting rooms, the pool area, saunas and steam rooms, and the exercise centre. Very nice! It will be an important retreat for our teams when they return from a day of activity. Sadly, two of the hotel managerial staff could not attend due to a death in their family. Whatever the reason for these two passings, it is soon quite evident that life is much too fragile and finite in this country.
Pastor Mike and I chatted a little more over chicken and burgers at Steers take-out also adjacent to the hotel (Mike recommends the French fries), before returning to our rooms to prepare for tomorrow’s responsibilities. Both of us would be speaking twice. Better for me though… I had only one sermon to review as I would be speaking in the LPC English service at 8a followed by the Chichewa service at 10a at which I would be translated. Pastor Mike would be attending the morning LPC service, then travelling to a village to preach, before presenting at a seminar in the afternoon. It’s good for him!
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