Mission Malawi – Chapter 5

by | Jan 30, 2023 | Memoires of Young Missionaries, All Articles

13.03.94
Building is still in progress and conditions seem even worse. There is sand and mud in the house constantly. The areas that have been painted are being messed up with muddy children’s hand and foot prints.

Erika became ill, we took her to Nkhoma Mission hospital. She was kept there overnight and tested positive with Malaria. She was released the next day and seems fine although a bit weak.

The girls don’t seem to be coping. Conditions are very difficult for them. It is not possible to put the babies down because the place is so dirty. Hein and I have to hold the little ones while the girls do the washing and ironing. We are therefore restricted.

David has gone away for a week on business. We are now down to R4000.00 and still need about another R1000.00 of building to make the place ‘liveable’. Our living expenses are running at about K1500 – K2000 per month. At this rate we have a maximum of 4 months’ money. This does not give us any capital to work with. I will be faced with very serious decisions to make soon now. Should we send the girls and children back? If we do it will use up the remaining funds and whoever stays will have to battle it out. Should we spend the R1000.00 and get the place liveable?

Do we spend some money on seed and poultry to try and generate funds and food? The seed and poultry will only realize benefits in four or five months’ time, so this does not help our current situation.

We are continuing to pray for our situation and need to wait on the Lord. Doors don’t seem to be opening up for ways of receiving or making finance to support ourselves. We need to renew our holiday permit within the next few days. We could be out the country in the next week if it’s God’s will.

Very interesting that as we witness robberies taking place within our area, people tell us to go and look for the stolen goods in the City market!

Meetings are continuing without problems. David gave his first teaching in Chichewa. It was a real blessing to hear and brought tears to my eyes. I’m led to have a meeting tonight and inform Kathy, Erika and Hein of my thoughts. I pray to hear you speaking through them Father….”

Money that we had brought with us was used to build accommodation for our families at the house of our host. Times became very trying as we were ministering every night and during the day. It was difficult to look after the needs of our wives and children and minister at the same time. As our funds drained to a close, we prayed for the Lord to open the doors for a ‘tent making’ operation in order to support ourselves while we were here.

Due to the extreme harshness of the situation it was decided that Erika should return back to Johannesburg with little Joshua. Nobody could be blamed under these circumstances. Her husband, Hein wanted very much to stay and continue the work of the Lord. He soon realized that his first place of ministry was to his wife and children…

21.03.94
I have told him that, as much as he wants to stay and continue the Lords work here, his place is with his wife. I know he feels as though he has failed God but I’m trying to encourage him that this is not true. It may be that the Lord is changing his direction and a time of humbling would come so that he can spend time teaching Erika. He should have a peace and go with the flow of things, trusting God….”

I could not explain to anyone the effect of Hein and Erika leaving. All the hours we had spent praying and discussing this trip together seemed to suddenly fade away – this was a devastating blow. It literally seemed as though the bottom had dropped out of our world. Should we assume this season of time was over or do we carry on?
The pain is very real and the thought of continuing the diary leaves a sad taste in my mouth.

In light of what is taking place, the diary seems so inconsequential. Hein has left for S.A. and we are now alone, facing terrible anger in David’s house from Zelifa.

I will miss them both very much, particularly Hein who has shared many close hours with me at the Master’s feet – a friend closer than a brother.

(continued in chapter 5 Appendix)

“…Time with The Master…”

 

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