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mission + partnership > Malawi

The St. John’s/Malawi partnership exists to help spread the gospel, and help strengthen the work of the gospel in the Diocese of the Upper Shire.

Malawi, the warm heart of Africa, has a population of 12 million. Politically, it is a country at rest. Economically, it is one of Africa’s poorest nations. The Diocese of the Upper Shire encompasses an area from the southern tip of Lake Malawi south to the country’s largest city, Blantyre. Most people depend upon agriculture to earn a living (you can buy sugar from Malawi at Choices Markets!). The average income is $1 per day.

Amber and Jim Salladin recently visited Malawi and filed this report:

"Father Njala is a firecracker. He has only been ordained for a year – he is 28 years old – but he is responsible for something around 13 congregations. His job is as close to impossible as you can get, but I don’t think he has realized that. As I sat with him, enjoying lunch by Lake Malawi, I expected him to tell me how hard his job is – how unfair it is that he should be expected to look after these congregations all by himself. But he didn’t say any of that. Instead, he spent the whole time we were together telling me stories about how powerful the gospel is, how God is triumphing over Satan in his parish, how people are being converted, and what pastoral care looks like when 14% of the population is dying of AIDS.

Needless to say, I was impressed. But more than that, I was blessed. I was drawn closer to Christ through friendship with this man. And I realized this is what St. John’s partnership with Malawi really needs to be all about – friendship; and not just any sort of friendship, but friendship in the gospel.

And that is why St. John’s partnership with Malawi is so exciting. It is not about aid, it is not about our generosity and the amount that we give. If that is all it is, then we will both be impoverished. It is about both St. John’s and the diocese of the Upper Shire growing in Christ, together. The Lord has brought us together so that we can edify, encourage, build each other up. We can give monetarily, and we will, but it is more important that we give ourselves, that we give our relationship to them. And as we become closer friends, it is my prayer that a little bit of Father Njala’s fire will kindle in our hearts."

How you can get involved:

Write
There are 22 parishes in the Upper Shire and St. John’s is corresponding with many of them. Corresponding with a parish is a wonderful gospel-oriented opportunity for an individual, family, or small group Bible study. If you are interested contact Margaret Dymond at

Give
Our focus is to help strengthen the work of the gospel throughout the Upper Shire diocese, so the projects we finance fall into these categories. Your giving will primarily help us support clergy salaries and to train ministry leaders in the Upper Shire, as well as for practical needs like supporting Sunday School and women’s conferences, famine relief and crop planting. If you would like to contribute financially, we encourage you to do so over and above your regular commitment to St. John’s. On your offering envelope, check the “missions” box and specify “Malawi”.

Pray
This partnership is growing and developing out of the prayers of God’s people on both sides of the Atlantic. Consider praying faithfully for the Upper Shire and for St. John’s – that God will direct and strengthen the relationship. If you are interested in establishing a prayer commitment, please contact the church and ask for Margaret Dymond to learn of specific prayer requests.

Go
St. John’s has an open invitation to visit the Upper Shire. Our vision is to send people regularly to help strengthen the work of the gospel and to strengthen the partnership. Anyone with a desire to serve Christ and our Malawian sisters and brothers is invited to pray about the possibility and request more information.

If you would like to stay informed about the Malawi/St. John’s Partnership by receiving emails (don’t worry, they are rather infrequent!) then please contact us.

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