Question:
Hey guys,
My church is very heavily involved with a sister Anglican church in the Diocese of the Upper Shire in southern Malawi (South-central Africa, for those who don't know where that is). A couple of years ago their bishop, the Rt. Rev Bernard Amos Malango, walked into a service of ours at St. John's (somewhat unannounced, which is weird for someone in his position) and a couple of our leadership noticed him. This was right around the time when the Anglican Communion in New Westminster had started up after eight parishes had walked out of synod three years ago, and Bp. Malango himself had taken a very strong stance against same sex blessings (as a result, incidentally, the US Episcopal Church which was supporting them has cut ties with them, leaving them high and dry in the middle of a severe drought)
Number one, I praise God for the steadfastness of Bp. Malango to the word of God, even in the face of serious reprecussions for himself and his people from the ECUSA (U.S. Episcopal Church). I would ask that you praise Him as well and implore God to continue to pour out a spirit of steadfastness to the Word and hunger for it on both Bp. Malango and those people under his spiritual care.
Number two, Malawi in general right now is enduring a severe drought. They have very little water to drink and have food to eat thanks in large part to an ongoing monetary commitment from St. John's (my church) - (and keep in mind, this is only the Anglicans in the diocese of the Upper Shire in southern Malawi. We would do more if we could, but we're hoping that other churches are doing something to help their own in the household of God in Malawi).
We're also taking a commitment to fellowship with these folks very seriously. We've taken up a program where a home group or bible study connected with St. John's commits to write a letter to an individual church in the Upper Shire diocese - not only do we provide financial support for them, but we fellowship with them and let them know that they are by no means forgotten in the prayers of their brothers in Canada.
Medicine is the final thing. There are several nasty diseases that can be caught in Malawi. Lake Malawi is a prehistoric lake that, if it were clean, would provide a stellar source of drinking water for people. But it's not. A nasty little parasite called schistosomiasis lives in Lake Malawi. As soon as you put your foot in the water, within two seconds these little buggers travel through your skin and into your bloodstream, and lay their eggs. The worms don't particularly have any effect, their eggs do. They are deposited in your bladder, bowels, liver, and occasionally your brain and spinal cord, where they can cause serious problems.
Malaria. We all know what Malaria does. It can kill people. It's in Malawi. It's bad.
HIV/AIDS. It's Africa. 'Nuff said.
Tuberculosis.
In short, folks, these people need our prayers. 80% of Malawi-ites (Malawians?) identify themselves as Christians. This is encouraging - please pray for these people.
Answer:
I'll keep that in prayer. Nice to here from you Ryan. Rejoicing, through the lord, it is amazing.
Answer:
I'll be praying.
-In Prayer-