This consists of Information of Gods workings in the villages of Zundi, and Cheweza (chuwayza). As well as information on the magnificent beauty of the largest Mountain in Malawi Mount Mulanji and info along with. There is always more than one way to tell a story. Even more ways when you encounter the various moods and trials you undertake while telling or hearing it. We must know that within a story there is always a story try to show itself through. Through the quietness and the stillness the truth and the awe of amazement is there! Do you see it?
God is at work in each and every village I have been in; therefore he is at work at Zundi. He is working through the Chief of the Village their at Zundi. Here in Malawi it is very counter cultural for a chief to submit his surrender to a particular religion 100% or to even a greater degree a specific church within that religion. So through that you can only imagine the impact a decision like that can have on a village. His wife has already decided to join but that didn’t come till after a group of chiefs in the area had met. God is currently working on the chief to make a decision; he had already spoken of wishing to be apart of the church we have planted! The rest of our (Steve, Dalitzo, Myself) stay in Zundi village, it poured down rain. That did not stop us from having a good time and teaching the Word of God, though it was limited. We still had the opportunity to climb two smaller mountains in the area, and hold teaching sessions once a day under the straw roofed church. As well as go swimming with a couple of villagers in a swimming hole nearby (parasite infested I’m sure ).
The village of Cheweza Steve and I both seemed to agree was the most enjoyable for us. I don’t really know why, though we did get a lot of teaching done. I truly believe people saw God while we were there. It is with total honesty that this village will continue to have a huge impact on the people in and around their village. This village and Zundi village God gave me the opportunity to emphasize the urgency for them to evangelize in the areas near and far from them. Using the scripture from Acts 1:7-8 as the main text but also using Matthew 28 and 2nd timothy 2:2. I had talked about Jerusalem being their surrounding area, Judea being land of Malawi, Samaria being Africa. Sadly though this would be the last area we had the opportunity to live among the villagers. Because as I type on April 8, 2009 I am preparing to leave for Zambia to help with new missionary training tomorrow. Back to Cheweza, the second we arrived there was a funeral taking place so we sat in on that as to give and show our support however we could. While we were in the village, many of the chiefs gave their testimonies of faith in Christ, (remember what I had said about a Chief announcing faith earlier) which was very exciting for us! GOD IS AT WORK! Just LOOK CAN YOU SEE IT? It is all around you! Stop and breathe your breath, don’t you feel that life he has given you!
I also had the opportunity to see a Glimpse of Gods beauty when I climbed Mount Mulanji. It was rather difficult due to the fact that it was raining the entire time we were climbing. Just 500’ from the peak we had to turn around (against my worse judgment ). The last 1000’ of the climb was pure rock face and very slick due to the constant rain. The mountain just consumed a massive area, Ill put a couple of pictures on here for you! What blew my mind why I was climbing the first day (most strenuous day) we ascended about 6000’ from about 2200’ to 8200’ We saw so many people carrying big planks of cedar wood about 8 feet long as well as big bundles of wood probably weighing anywhere from 100 to 200 pounds! On their heads! In which they received about 50 kwatcha for every 20 pounds they brought back or so. Which 50 kwacha is about the equivalent of about 35 cents.
I have had many eye opening experiences the past few months, I have seen God Open eyes and I have seen Satan deceive right in front of me from people in the very same crowd. I’m saddened that the Village ministry is finished for now, but excited about helping with the upcoming new missionary training called 40/40. I’m not sure what Internet connections ill have while in Zambia during the training. So if you don’t receive any updates from me for a while don’t be upset. I just don’t have access to be able to send you any. I haven’t forgotten you, just unable to contact you. I feel like I am leaving out many things that God has shown me, in fact I know I am but I just don’t know what. I will leave you with this. God is here, God is there, God is everywhere, Sometimes and maybe even right now we have no idea what God is showing us and it just doesn’t make sense. Just know that God Breaks us so that HE can draw near to us, yes sometimes we must be miserable so that we can learn to lean on God. Sometimes God takes us to peaks of Joy, just to show a little tiny glimpse of the Total Joy we can have with him in Glory! Your Joy is true when it comes from Christ! The Things we receive which bring us lasting TRUE JOY are of God! The things that are of temporal happiness are of us, and If God is the one who saves us how can WE ever perfect US! (Galatians 3:3)
By Gods Grace,
Bryce D. Stafford
Praises:
Missionaries Mat and Janet Lawrence
Opportunity to present the Gospel to so many people
People that have made decisions for Christ
The villages of Zundi, Cheweza
Health
Church Family at Home First Baptist Church Locust Grove
You
Prayer Requests:
Continued Broken heartedness for the people
Prepare people to here the story of God
Continued health
The upcoming 40/40 training for new missionaries we are helping with (April 22nd to May 22nd) in Zambia
Mission Group from NSUBCM coming May 19th and their safe arrival at election time.
Presidential Elections for Malawi May 19th
Safe Travel to from Victoria Falls the 10th through the 13th
Friends and Family back home
Job when I get back
If there is anything you would like to ask or praises or prayer requests please fell free to ask. God Bless you all.
Email: brycestafford@gmail.com
Blog: www.brycedstafford.blogspot.com
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
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