"We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me." Colossians 1:28-29
Last week, Larry enjoyed a day of getting down and getting dirty. During the dry season Larry had helped Mose build a dam so Mose could irrigate vegetables for the orphan feeding program. It was made of rocks, cement and the nice hard Malawian dirt. But during this rainy season, erosion caused lots of dirt and sand to fill up the dam.
After many weeks of frustration as to what to do, Larry talked to the chief and he agreed that something needed to be done and agreed to help dig out the dirt by sending some workers to help. By working together just getting down in the mud they were able to make a lot or progress in cleaning out the dam. Usually the villagers don't allow us to work, but this time Larry insisted on working along side them. It was an enjoyable time to work together, speak Chichewa, and show that the white guy really does like to work. Some ladies brought him food so he would be sure to have enough energy and not get hungry.
That day they dug down so far that the top of the wall was chest high which encouraged Mose so much and inspired him to work harder to provide vegetables for the orphans. It also encouraged our village friends that hard work can be fun and a community project such as this one can do so much for the development of the village. The water will hopefully be enough to also help a future youth income-generating project.
Back in December, our friend Pat Ouverson asked if there is a project her church ladies' group could do for our orphans. We brainstormed and thought of zip lock bags full of personal necessities would be a great idea. So her group did about 100 bags and several other groups did some bags and we had more than enough for our orphans. These ladies' groups sent them to us in Malawi and we got them in time to distribute them. April 1st was the day of our Easter party. The kids made so much noise when they saw the gift bags that they were sure to have been heard for miles around.
The special meal was goat and rice with vegetables. Goat intestine wrapped around a piece of another organ is the favorite meat. Fortunately, they fed us the regular meat from the legs or back. Oh, and they enjoyed the cupcakes that we love to share with them whenever we have special parties.
Mandy explained why Good Friday is good and how great is the salvation that God has made available to us. The kids enjoyed a special drama and sang songs about Easter.
It was a joy to share this very special celebration and it was definitely an Easter to remember. We are so thankful to the people who gave to make this so special for the children we serve.
Gilberta was a sweet vibrant 5 year old. Whenever she would see Mandy in the village she would run for lots of hugs. Being small for her age, it was easy to pick her up and cuddle her for a while. Sometimes it was difficult for Mandy to teach when Gilberta would tug at her skirt and asked to be held. We both loved this little girl so much and she was a real source of encouragement for us. On December 30, 2009, Gilberta went to be with Jesus in heaven. She died of complications of an illness because she had AIDS. We were heart-broken to learn of her death, but at the same time, we were comforted to know she would not have any more pain in her life and is enjoying Jesus, maybe sitting on His lap. She was spared the hunger and suffering that many people in her village experience and the awful effects of AIDS. During her short life she shared more love with others than some Malawians share in a lifetime. We are so thankful the Lord shared her with us for that short amount of time.
In March 2010, we will celebrate the 5-year anniversary of our ministry in Malawi. One of our most memorable, spiritually renewing and most stressful years was 2009. During this past year God has brought us out of some tough situations and we've seen His mighty hand at work. Our commitment to ministry in Malawi was tested and shaken, but through many miracles, God reconfirmed over and over again that He intends to use us here for a while longer. Here are just a few examples of how we have been humbly used and blessed:
In January and February, we were privileged to complete our famine relief project. Despite many stressful challenges, over 40 tons of maize and beans were delivered to 131 families for six months; most of them lead by a mother, father and/or grandparent suffering with AIDS. It is estimated that in Malawi about 14% of the population has HIV/AIDS. In our hearts, we can't think of a more horrifying death than that of dying without the hope of Christ. This famine relief distribution gave us the opportunity to present the Gospel to the families receiving the food. Not only during this time, but about 200 people attend the Bible studies we have set up in three central villages. People travel many kilometers to attend these Bible studies and they are constantly asking us to start more study groups in other villages farther away.
The rains in Malawi were sufficient and we anticipated that it would be a good time for us to take a short break to travel back to the US for the birth of our daughter’s first baby that was due in August. A one-month break was planned. The Lord had a different plan as we soon discovered.
We took a trip to Johannesburg in February for a follow-up doctor's appointment with Mandy's cardiologist. He gave us good news as it seems the medicines are working and he could find no heart damage from the two heart attacks that she has had. We had been considering many options, but we praise God with our thankful hearts for hearing our prayers. There is no need for us to move closer to better medical facilities and we can continue to serve in Malawi.
March, April and May were busy months as we prepared for the intern team that was scheduled for June. Some special donations allowed us to finish construction on the new kitchen, storage room and shelter for our orphan program.
One of the highlights for us this year was hosting an intern team during the month of June. Three young people were trained by NMSI and joined our ministry for five weeks. During the short time they were with us, we led five HIV seminars, a youth retreat and an orphan VBS, visited three churches, and showed the Jesus Film twice. It was a full and fabulous month for ministry and we are so thankful to have been involved in something really wonderful and exciting. Many people were touched with the love of Christ and the message of hope.
Possibly the greatest lesson this yearfrom the Lord is that nothing is impossible. In the Bible, God used blind men, a talking donkey, brought men out of a fiery furnace unsigned, and used a big fish to teach a lesson. God used a blind man to teach us about trusting Him. For two years, we have prayed for a pastor for our village church. All along, there was a blind man who remained faithful through some tough times of testing and persecution. One day we discovered that for years, he has been studying to be a “certified” pastor. This was another treasure from God that we can not wait to see more of His mighty work in this village.
In the midst of exciting, full days and restful, but short nights, we planned for our month-long trip to be with our daughter during the delivery of her first child. The baby was due August 15 so we planned to travel around the 10th of August. Although we’d been saving for many months, we discovered the money saved was way short of the amount needed to travel. After reviewing our ministry finances, we found we also lacked the money to pay the rent on our house in Malawi. For months, our ministry funds had been dwindling and our ministry activities were being cut back. The future seemed dim for continuing to stay in Malawi. Our field advisor suggested we take a six-month furlough to raise the needed funds to continue ministry in Malawi. We asked a few of our closest prayer supporters to pray with us during this time and we received an email from some friends who said they’d cover our trip back to the states. Evan James Hayes made his entrance into the world early, on July 27. We missed the blessed event, but were thankful that we were there a few days after they left the hospital.
After purchasing our tickets, we didn’t know quite how we’d manage to keep the ministry running while we left everything in the capable hands of Pastor Dimba. We advertised our house for rent “as is” and within one day, we had someone who wanted to rent it until the end of January. American missionaries living in Zambia were looking to relocate to Lilongwe. This family of four (with a baby on the way) fit perfectly with our compound. God perfectly met the needs of all of us. The renter paid for five months in advance which in turn paid our rent for 6 more months and covered our workers pay. We were able to rent out our truck and our guest house to another short-term visitor which covered our ministry expenses while we are away. We were amazed how God brought this impossible situation together for His glory.
None of this would be possible except by God’s calling of others to come together through giving and praying. We are so thankful to be involved in something so wonderful and overwhelming; we lack the words to express it. We all are God’s hands and feet as we go and touch people who are desperate for His Love and Grace. Please consider this year how you can have a part of this exciting work either by giving, praying intentionally, or coming to experience it through a mission trip. You will never be the same again.
Recently we have been communicating with a friend from Crossville, Tennessee who expressed interest in well projects in Malawi. The need for water is overwhelming, but little by little we have been making a difference with our current resources and time. But when Gary Ouverson contacted us and told us he wanted to work to get us a well-drilling machine, we thought it was too good to be true. Several months ago, this dream of ours became a reality as he emailed us that he had purchased the "rig" and he reported it was sitting in his drive-way in Tennessee. Imagine our elation when we saw the pictures and he even took the time to research which drill bits we'd need to drill through granite rock!
That said, we are excited about how God will get this rig to Malawi. If you would like to help, please send checks made out to New Mission Systems International (Renfro Well-drilling Rig in the subject line) to NMSI, PO Box 547, Fort Myers, FL 33902 or give online: www.nmsi.org/donate and choose Renfro ministry.
We've been having a good time with Evan (and our daughter and son-in-law) in Kissimmee Florida. He's one month old and has already gained over 2 lbs. and growing like a weed.
During the month of June, we hosted an intern team from NMSI. They came to Malawi to work along side of us in our HIV ministry. Together, we led 5 seminars, a youth retreat and an orphan VBS, showed the Jesus Film twice, spoke in 2 churches and attended 3, experienced 2 safaris and visited Lake Malawi. The interns also visited an AIDS clinic and an orphan crisis nursery. This is a quick introduction and some pictures of them playing and teaching in the villages.
Michael Krepps is an NMSI missionary who has recently returned to Colorado Christian University to study. He was the leader of this HIVHope internship.
Sara Wissmann is from St. Louis, MO and is a third-year Health Education student at Truman State University.
Darcie Volkens is a 2009 graduate of Coe College in Iowa with a degree in nursing.
Sara, Mandy and Darcie learning how to do the head wrap.
Darcie and Sara teaching a Bible lesson to over 100 orphans.
After many weeks of frustration as to what to do, Larry talked to the chief and he agreed that something needed to be done and agreed to help dig out the dirt by sending some workers to help. By working together just getting down in the mud they were able to make a lot or progress in cleaning out the dam. Usually the villagers don't allow us to work, but this time Larry insisted on working along side them. It was an enjoyable time to work together, speak Chichewa, and show that the white guy really does like to work. Some ladies brought him food so he would be sure to have enough energy and not get hungry.
