A New Era Is Born In Malawi

A few months ago, we sent out a request for prayers for Malawi, specifically that Malawians would receive hope from God. They had been experiencing a sense of hopelessness as their government had become extremely corrupt. Crime was increasing along with the prices of the bare necessities of life. Fuel was scarce and foreigners who came to Malawi to help them were being forced to return to their home countries. The president of Malawi had shunned and insulted donors from the US and the UK. Foreign aid provided 40% of Malawi's operating budget. It has all been suspended. Judges were on strike because they weren't getting paid and the jails were becoming overcrowded because criminals couldn't be processed. The hopelessness was evident in so many ways.

On April 5, news was circulating that the Malawi's president, Bingu wa Mutharika was dead. He had been taken to the main hospital in Lilongwe, but due to the shortages in medicines, there was no medicine to help him. The president's cabinet tried to prevent that news from getting out because there had been a rift between the president and the vice president over a year ago. The president tried to fire the VP, but was prevented from doing so by the constitution. So the cabinet members worked diligently to no avail to try to prevent the VP from taking office. Finally two days later, they announced the president had died and Joyce Banda, the Vice President was sworn in as Malawi's new president.

Malawian's are hopeful that Mrs. Banda will be able to put Malawi back on her feet. She has said that renewing relationships with donors is one of her most important tasks. There is a lot of weight on her shoulders and Malawians have high expectations.

Please keep Malawi and the new president in your prayers. We feel as if there is now so much hope and a new era has been born.