March 2006 Southern Malawi Ministry Centre Update

“Two third-year classes of pastors from the Bible school have now been graduated, and we have taken from those classes ten new teachers. Of our 365 churches in Malawi, 180 pastors have finished at least their first year of Bible school, and 60 have completed the three year training. There is a great hunger for teaching, and we look forward to the day when all of our pastors will have received the benefit of thorough teaching on the basics of Christianity and Kingdom. As these pastors return to their homes all over Malawi and teach in their own communities, it is exciting to anticipate the multiplication of all they have embraced.” In addition, the Morrisons and the four other national leaders travel to many different villages and cities to teach and encourage the churches. “It is very important that we spend time with those who give leadership.

“As Malawi is in the midst of a famine, there has been an obvious increase in the food support needed. Iris Malawi supports 2,500 families a month because of the generosity of friends around the world. The recipients are mostly the handicapped and widows who have no one to support them. The fifteenth of every month brings huge crowds to the distribution site, where they sing and hear of Jesus, and then receive maize flour and if available, peas. In past weeks some have arrived so hungry that they have immediately built a fire, and cooked a meal right there.

[The Morrisons, Hedson and Fanny Nsitu, (boy's house parents), Naneji Kennedy, (house mom for girls' house), and their growing family of children]

“At the centre of the ministry is our growing family of children. We now have Malawian house parents for both the boys and the girls homes. With a capacity to house 24 children, we presently have 9 boys and 2 girls. We enjoy the noise, the laughter and even the fighting (but of course), as their faces express the joy of being loved and safe. Twice a week we have ‘Kids Clubs’ where neighbouring children come and join with to play, sing, hear a story, and have dinner.”