A little bit of culture...

This morning we were scheduled to speak to a group of pastors from New Christian Church in Lilongwe. We set out to get there just a little bit late as we had to search for a printing place that made photocopies. It's been a while since we visited this church and there have been many new homes popping up all around the tiny church building. After driving back and forth, we finally connected with one of the pastors who showed us where the road is for the church.

We presented the Community Health Evangelism program to them and they loved it. They want more teaching as CHE helps new churches to spring up. It is a different way to do evangelism and discipleship, but it has longer lasting results. After the meeting, we had Malawian cooking for the first time since arriving back after our furlough.

After the meeting we went back home to nurse Larry's ear. He had been bitten by something and his ear was all red and swollen. After researching it from a book called, "Where There Is No Doctor" (because we had no doctor available on a Saturday), he didn't think it was too serious. He put some Benadryl cream on it and it felt better.

In the evening, Andy and Rita wanted to cook Malawian food for our guest, Miriam Njuguna, from Kenya who has been staying with us this week.

Andy and Rita cooking an authentic Malawian dinner

 

Rita whipping up the nsima

On the menu: Nsima, beans, eggplant, and chicken in tomato sauce. Pretty tasty.

Grace of God Orphanage needs clean water

Grace of God Orphanage children singing for us

Recently we visited an orphanage that is supported by the church we attend in Lilongwe. They need drinking water. Fortunately, they do have access to some good, clean water that they have to pay for. Unfortunately, their income is meager and the money is needed for food and school fees for the children. The City Water Board regulates who gets water and issues permits for the drilling of deep water wells.

We would like to drill a well for them, but the process to apply takes time. Please pray with us for the orphanage to receive this special permission so they no longer have to pay for their drinking water and will have access to good water that is free for them.

This is a shallow well that the orphans use for washing. It is not suitable for drinking.

Furlough 2013 - Missions Accomplished!

Evan enjoying his "paw paw"

 Our furlough is almost over and we've had a very good time. This has been our most memorable furlough. After leaving Malawi in September of 2012, we have been able to enjoy precious time with our family. Larry's father, John Renfro passed away at the end of March. It was a sad time and we will miss him so much and we are so thankful that it happened in God's perfect timing while we were in the states so we could be with family during the very difficult time leading up to John's death.

The main mission is accomplished as we also were able to successfully transition from New Mission Systems International to First Christian Church of Seminole Florida as we became "Wellspring Ministries." The Lord has blessed us beyond our imaginations by putting together a "dream team," a group of special friends who will become our sending team. They will provide the support we need to make sure all legal requirements are met for donations, etc. They are an incredibly gifted group and we have the highest confidence in them. Larry named them our dream team after realizing God's plans and thoughts are higher than ours and He does what we, at times, can only dream of.

We are eager to return to Malawi and dive into our CHE ministry. The trainers have been working to establish relationships in the new village where they are working. When we return, we will resume the pace we used before our furlough.

Nearly all of our goals were met in the seven months we have been in America. We give all the credit to the Lord as He has done this marvelous thing.

See Larry's Faith Promise Sermon:

http://vimeo.com/59421461

Faith Promise 2013

Just in case you have never heard of Faith Promise, it is an annual missions emphasis that gives people a chance to be faithful to the Great Commission. Many churches give to missions out of their general budget. Some churches give to missions from a separate missions fund. At First Christian Church of Seminole, each year we focus on missions during the month of February. On February 10th, we kicked it off with a sermon from Larry. Larry's assignment was to inspire the congregation to give towards missions (separate from their regular giving) and inspire them to pray for missionaries. Commitment cards are distributed and each family is encouraged to give out of their faith, trusting God to provide not only for the offering they want to give, but to provide for their financial needs in the coming year. It is impossible to out-give God. We are a prime example of that. Even in giving up the lifestyle we had before becoming missionaries, God has given us back a much richer existence than we could ever have imagined. We can not give up anything, and not see Him multiply whatever we give up!

Happy New Year 2013!!

We haven't posted in a while, but if you follow our blog, we wanted to say "Happy New Year!" Thank you for your prayers and financial gifts that have made the world of difference in our lives and those we serve in Malawi. We have been on furlough in the USA since September 11, 2012. Our time has been too short, but we have savored every minute. It is almost time to return and we anticipate a happy reunion with our son, Andy and our friends and co-workers in Malawi. It will be a tearful time when we leave our family here. That is what missionary life is about sometimes - lots of tearful good-byes and excited adventures ahead. It makes for a rich, never dull life.

Our time to return will be around the first week of March. We would appreciate your prayers for grace and peace and God's provision as we return. We hope you received our newsletter in the mail towards the end of the year. If you did not receive one, please email us at mrenfro@nmsi.org and give us your email address.