Day Four: Mission Insights from Malawi

It was nearing lunch at the conclusion of our meeting with some UPI executive directors and Gibozi Mphanzi looked at the two of us with a flash of insight, "So, this is why you came!" It was obvious we had hit on something important.

We thought we had come for two reasons: (1) for Nancy to experience the wonder of this place and the presence of God in these people and their work, and (2) to perhaps help in the dedication of the new YouthCare high school, that the NHUMC Christmas offering had made possible. But before we left the U.S., Dr. Bruce Main, the founder and president of UPI, had asked Dave if he would speak to some of the executive directors about leadership and to thank and encourage them in their good work. Dave suggested to Bruce that since Nancy had significant experience in marketing and communications, including in the non-profit world, that she might have some valuable insights for the team.

So this morning, Dave and Nancy met with Gibozi (YouthCare Ministries), Peter Gamula (MercyCare Ministries), Maclean Onsewa (Seeds of Promise*) and Danneck Falinya (Cornerstone Ministries). We talked at first about how God has worked to make all of this happen. We saw new school buildings, orphanages, staff housing, computer labs, science buildings, agricultural program  and new members joining the ministry team.

And then, we began to dream about how things would look in the future. We talked about the best way to tell the story to supporters, the best way to thank those who have been generous, how to make mission visits more effective in the future, how to support the paid staff of these ministries and how that staffing may grow and change. That was when Gibozi said, "So, this is why you came!"

We think the conversation this morning was open, creative and informative, and we promised to do our best to thank those in the U.S. who have given so much and to share our insights with UPI leaders in the U.S. about our visit and conversations with leaders in Malawi. 

Tomorrow morning we leave for Lusaka, Zambia, where we meet our friends Corie and Eric Thuma and join them in a five-hour drive to Macha.

We will never forget the people, places, learning and powerful signs of God's presence that we experienced here.

Mulungu Akudalitseni (God bless you) and Malawi,

-- Dave and Nancy




* Seeds of Promise is a new ministry led by executive director Maclean Onsewa and assistant director Luwani (Sweet Lu). It was created to teach students agricultural techniques, as well as feed the YourthCare orphans and produce an income-producing surplus.