The Villages, in one word…Dirt! Gods Dirt.

The last 2 weeks or so, my partner Steve and I have had the opportunity to live and minister in the villages of Chakakala, and Chiliza. Ministry went extremely well, there were many people that attended our teaching sessions over topics like, “the church”, Repentance, Discipleship, Assurance of Salvation, as well as teaching them about testimonies and teaching them how to tell their testimony. Using stories like the prodigal son from Luke 15, the Antioch church from Acts 11, and as example for testimonies we used Paul’s from Acts 9 While we were teaching we emphasized the entire time the command of spreading what we know and what they have been taught. The teaching seemed to be accepted to a great degree. When it comes to going and teaching we used Jesus calling his disciples to go and fish from Matthew 4, as well as the great commission from acts 1:8 and Matthew 29, as well as Paul’s instruction to Timothy in 2^nd Tim 2:2. That is our basic teaching at each village. For the most part I teach the adults and the church leaders and Steve teaches the youth, and spends a lot of time doing relationship building with them through sports, in which he has had a big impact with them. When the opportunity arises I get to go play to haha. Though those are the main topics of teaching there are many other areas in which we touch on if the time presents itself. Thank the lord they love the teaching! That definitely keeps me going when I think they have drained my last bit of wisdom for the day, there yearning for the knowledge of the word of God continually reminds me why I am here! But also everyday I get up and God continually renews my passion to teach no matter how long we went the day before. Teaching alone is not draining but living with the villagers in the village is just as draining, I love it but it takes adapting. I love camping and I could do it all the time, but camping AND adapting to their lifestyle as well as their culture is a whole other story, I enjoy it but you have to adapt as the days go on, I will not go into that but ill give you a few details of a typical day, and share a couple of interesting stories. First you are woken by certain noises like the noise of a chicken or a pig oinking by your tent or possibly a Wack! Wack! When people are hauling tobacco from the field back through the village being pulled by donkeys. The most obvious noise and the most privacy debasing noise lol, is the whispers of anywhere from 20 to 200 children wondering what the Azungu is doing sleeping in so late (keep in mind at this time it is prolly about 5:30. So then it is time to start the day, I walk out of course to shower and begin the day, which consists of a brick wall around me up to about my chest and a Lil’ bowl of water which may or may not be warm and possibly a cup but probably not, and I will start to shower and then when I start the show is on as well ha! As soon as I start I become the main attraction, I’m not sure what they are saying but I’m sure it has something to do with “EVERYBODY COME THE WHITE MAN IS SHOWERING”. Which that in its self is a interesting day as you saw lol. But the basic day starts with teaching about 9am till about 11 then lunch about noon. Generally lunch consists of peanut butter sandwiches (good thing I like peanut butter). Then “relax” till about two for another session of teaching till about 4. About 5 o’clock is when we start to setup of the equipment for the HIV/AIDS videos as well as the Jesus Film Video, the first night is the Jesus film and the last night is the AIDS videos. So generally about halfway through the showing of those films we have dinner, and that consists of a MRE or something like rice and chili. That is a typical day in the village. But you must know it is a great thing that we are not just relaxing on our “relax” time because there are always children handing all around you and wanting you to tell a story of Jesus, but in that I need prayer because sometimes I just need my space and haha that just doesn’t happen in the culture of the “bush” the city is a little different, they will at least give you your space, or if worse comes to worse then I can just go to my house, which is in a large walled area.

I also had the opportunity to go to Lake Malawi just the other day, which was beautiful. So I will try to send pictures of that, I forgot to bring my camera with me today when I came to do email so I will try to send it just ASAP after I send this email. I could give you many more details about the “bush” ministry or the city ministry, but if I did that could be pages long. If you have any questions about either or comments then please do not hesitate! Your prayers are evident here in Malawi please do not stop!

By Gods Grace,

Bryce

Prayer Requests

Village Endurance

Bible Study on Saturdays

Continued Unity with Steve and I

Missionaries’ endurance throughout Malawi

Opened hearts to hear the word of God

A family in the village of Chiliza lost a 2-year-old son to malaria

Unreached Bimba Tribe in Northern Malawi, And for opportunity for a discovery vision mission to them soon

Praises

The support of you

Many Salvation's (AMEN!)

The opportunity to speak in front of a group of about 1000 students to present the Gospel

A group of pastors came and baptized about 300 people in the Lilongwe area!

God growing me and stretching me as well as showing me more true Joy everyday

Difficult Times