Southern Malawi Ministry Centre

April 2019 Southern Malawi Ministry Centre Update

October was an intense month with lots of challenges. We had some major challenges at one of the 13 different secondary schools our children attend. We had to make significant changes in the arrangement of our girls’ houses, but all was eventually resolved. David, together with other leaders, were forced to do some quick work in hiring new teachers for the Iris Africa Primary School. We had found some excellent teachers at the beginning of the year, but two of those new teachers bailed early in the year. Interviewing is time consuming and quite difficult.

October 2018 Southern Malawi Ministry Centre Update

In August we welcomed church members from all over Malawi to our Bangula Conference. It was wonderful to see mature church leadership taking responsibility for the conference. For this reason it was the easiest conference yet for our senior Malawian leaders Timothy, Ali, and Bauleni to manage. People contributed food and finances, and were responsible for their own transport to and from the conference. We appreciated the wonderful contribution of other Iris leaders from Zimbabwe and Mozambique.  

April 2018 Southern Malawi Ministry Centre Update

The other day I took a walk in the back property where we have planted hundreds of trees over the last year. There are trees at all different stages, from tiny seedling to fully mature. Each tree must be cared for according to its present needs. The littlest ones can’t survive without regular watering and weeding. The more mature trees can use their established root systems to find the nutrients that are required.

April 2017 Southern Malawi Ministry Centre Update

Every children’s home at Iris Malawi plants a field. They prepare the soil, plant the seeds and tend the crops, and then they harvest and eat the produce. This year’s crop was disappointing. While we did receive rain, it was inconsistent and there were long dry spells in-between. There was also a pest which ate the maize leaves, leaving the cobs vulnerable. Still, there was a harvest.

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[Iris children and parents planting seed in their garden.]

June 2016 Southern Malawi Ministry Centre Update

The Iris base in Southern Malawi is always growing and changing. The biggest development over the last year has been finishing the Joe Martin Skills Training Centre. This is our largest building project yet, and required many skilled hands and minds. It is a structure which is equipped with tools and space for teaching all kinds of trades. One of my personal joys was seeing David Dyck (mastermind engineer/designer behind many of our buildings) install the tools from his father’s workshop. What a legacy!

September 2015 Southern Malawi Ministry Centre Update

Once again, we wonder at the quiet the day after 24 secondary school students depart for school. Getting them ready was a full-time job for Louise Loten, fellow missionary, for whom we are very grateful. Supplies have been bought. Sponsors have been written. The students have completed their volunteer work assignments - which is their ticket to secondary. We can see many of our students making wise choices and developing strong character. It is a joy to see them rise up.

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