Shortly after our return from the field trip, we began to pray together to ask the Lord to help us find a means of income. We had been blessed financially every now and then by precious brothers and sisters back in Johannesburg. As grateful as we were, these blessings came only as the Lord allowed. Our trust in the Lord for our provision was growing steadily but it was very difficult when needs were pressing.
After our prayer time today Titus suggested that we should start a ‘spaza’ shop (Small shop for supplying basic needs to the community) at our house. I couldn’t help but say I didn’t think it would work because there were so many already in the area.
We decided that we should put a loaf of bread and two cold drinks outside our house on a small table as an advert. Within an hour everything was sold. We felt the Lord saying we should follow this path.
The little shop started to grow and we drove daily into the city center to purchase goods to re-sell. Bread, Cold Drinks, eggs, milk and sweets. Arthur came up with the idea of setting aside plastic honey jars to keep the shop money separate. There were separate jars for each stock item. One for Bread, one for eggs etc. That way the next morning when we wanted to go and replenish stock the money was ready – simple but effective cash flow!
The Kombi engine was giving problems and overheating. We were able to find a reputable mechanic who said he could replace the engine head. We would have no transport until the engine parts had be sent from South Africa and replaced. They told us it would be about 3 weeks.
28/11/94
Not having the Kombi to travel around in has made our lives very difficult. We have just started this little spaza shop and now we need to go into town to buy stock.
Arthur and myself walked into town to buy some stock for the shop. It’s very hot and dry in the Malawi sun. As we walk on the dirt paths our feet change colour from the sand. Our sandals are wearing out after a few days.
The walking time into town is one hour but the time is passed by sharing with each other the things of the Lord. Amazing we have so much time to talk about Him to each other. We really draw closer as the Lord teaches us things in this time., – “Oh for a Steers Hamburger!!”
Once we’ve bought what we need for tomorrow’s sales, we start our walk back home, another hour. The Lord has a gracious heart and always seems to provide money for ‘something nice’.
On our path home there are ladies selling maize cooked on open fires – “Chimanga”. Not so good for weak teeth but a lovely taste. We can also buy an ice cold “freezie” to wash it down with. These little snacks have become a real motivation for us to go to town each day.
29/11/94
Today while buying stock we planned to stop at the post office to see if there is any mail from folks back home. As we opened the one lonely letter in our mail box I couldn’t believe my eyes – there was a cheque for the equivalent of K1,200 from a precious brother in South Africa!
What a great blessing. With this money we purchased 2 brand new bicycles. These are ‘top of the range’ Malawian bikes complete with lights and a bell!
With the purchase of these bikes we were now able to go into town every day to buy stock for our shop.
We made a ‘relay’ type system to go into town. Two brothers would go early in the morning to collect fresh bread. When they got back the next pair would go to buy fresh eggs. The last pair would leave after lunch to collect other goods. So our business began to grow.
2/12/94
We managed to load up the bike with 40 loaves of bread!! If I hadn’t seen this with my own eyes I wouldn’t have believed it. Our sales of bread are increasing so we need to go back daily for 40 loaves.
Arthur and Titus have packed their bike shift with 14 trays of eggs! We are managing to collect a lot of stock on the bikes over the three shifts.
14/12/94
Getting ready to send the first shift out this morning I notice once again that one of the bikes has a flat tyre. This is becoming a frequent problem because it takes about 30mins to take the wheel off, glue, patch and re assemble. I can feel anger rising in me as I call all the young men together.
I ask them why they don’t tell me at night so we can make repairs then and the bikes will be ready for the morning. They don’t have an answer for me.
Kathy overhears me talking to them and later on explains why the young men don’t feel comfortable approaching me with the problem. She tells me that the way I react to them when they come to me with problems makes them feel reluctant to want to tell me. “It’s the same with the children” she said.
My heart has really been pierced by this realization. How sad that people (including my own children) are not comfortable approaching me when they have challenges.
“Lord please change me. I need to be a person that all can come to me in freedom for advice and guidance. “
19/12/94
Titus had to rush back to town for a second load of eggs today because sales were demanding. As he came back and was climbing the bank of the stream, the bike tipped over and the egg trays fell. 5 of the 14 trays of eggs were destroyed – exactly our profit on that trip.
Sadly, he had made the trip for no profit but thank the Lord we have stock for tomorrow’s sales!
“…time with the Master”