2009 IN REVIEW

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 year from 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 10^th 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.