Southern Malawi Ministry Centre

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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April 2014 Southern Malawi Ministry Centre Update

Along with the new 2014 year came the beginning of many activities at Iris Malawi. The Bible school hosted a month long program only for women, followed by a fourth year pastor student class who returned to finish their leadership training. Iris secondary school youth headed back to their respective boarding schools in Blantyre and the children on base continued their year of learning at the Iris Primary School. The production fields on base were planted and then with the sufficient rains, yielded a healthy harvest of cow peas.

April 2013 Southern Malawi Ministry Centre Update

Our youngest child is 6 months and our oldest 18. In between we hit every age and every stage. We have temper tantrums and we have changing hormones. We have those who are learning to walk, and those who are learning to fly. Our newest girls are settling in so well with their house mother, Ruth. A few weeks ago all 72 kids were out in the field harvesting beans. It was wonderful to watch them working together, laughing and chatting as they worked.  

September 2012 Southern Malawi Ministry Centre Update

As I write, 10 girls are busy building houses in our back yard. I am in awe of their creativity and their communication. When survival is in question, there is no time for such pursuits. What joy to hear them create stories and relate to one another! Of course the boys are on hand to attack and destroy, but even that is part of the story. With 66 children life is never dull. Our three youngest have just past the one year mark, and provide endless opportunities to learn about love. I simply love watching our oldest children caring for the littlest ones.

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