Dancing, Delivering, and Desire in Malawi
From the Belmont UMC Reporter Newsletter
We worked hard but did not physical labor. We worshipped often but we designed no liturgy. We danced, clapped, played with children and inspected plastering in a new church building. We pumped water from boreholes (deep wells) that Belmont UMC provided in previous years. During the week, we planned/dreamed/schemed of cooperative ventures for the future with leaders of the Malawi United Methodist Church.
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Four Belmonters, along with an Indianapolis youth and a Milwaukee adult, comprised the Malawi 2006 VIM team. Malawi United Methodism is a young, rapidly growing church in one of the poorest countries in Africa. With only five ordained pastors and a large cadre of lay pastors, new congregations are planted in remote villages almost every month.
ReplyDeleteThe Belmont VIM team was led by Susan Utley, chair of the Outreach Committee and Herb Mather. Both Susan and Herb were part of the 2004 team. First time Malawi VIM team members from Belmont included Rev. Linda Johnson and Sue Mather. A special treat for Herb and Sue was the opportunity to visit the borehole that was drilled with funds given at the time of their wedding.
Approximately 80% of the Malawi's population live in rural areas but 80% of the Christian churches are in the cities. The United Methodist Church has four churches in the urban area but nearly 100 congregations in small villages. There, among the poorest of the poor, the team joined in vibrant worship. Later, we ate a meal while sitting on reed mats in a typical village home that had no electricity, no windows, and no doors. The only water for the village was hand-pumped well which was provided by Belmont donations in previous years. Everywhere the team went, we were greeted by children with big smiles, villiage headmen with warm welcomes, and gracious hospitality from vibrant congregations of United Methodist people. Together, we expressed great joy in knowing that we are part of a church that includes people from all around the globe.
Rev. Max Jawati, the Malawi Conference Superintendent, urged Belmont to continue the "ministry of encouragement" by coming back in 2008 with another VIM team. Keep your eyes and hearts open to the many person-to-person mission opportunities offered through the United Methodist Church connection. Watch out! It may change your life!