MALAWI NEW FLASH(ES) As this is being written, Malawi is undergoing a severe governance crisis with some violence. Two VIM teams were there during the unrest but all remained safe in part due to the watchful care of our Malawian brothers and sist ers. Let’s remember them in prayer as our friends struggle with conditions in their wonderful country. We spent 6 ½ weeks in Malawi earlier t his summer. We had an exciting and fruit ful time andseveral important items have developed that we want to share with you. Contact us at[email protected]for more information about any of these items. Sue and HerbAnnual Conference The second Annual Conference session since Malawi became a Missionary Conference took place form July 8 to 10. Bishop Eben Nhiwatiwa presided over a session that signaled growth, accountability, and clearer focus. During the session Daniel Mhone was elected as the clergy delegate and Diverson Wakhutamoto as the lay delegate to the 2012 General Conference to be held in Tampa, Florida. Five new clergy were introduced. These will replace one pastor who died (Harvey Madisi) and four who either resigned or were discontinued. [See appointment list at end.] As with most Annual Conferences much of the time was invested in financial matters. Since the MUMC is a young church, Bishop Nhiwatiwa patiently described the open way in which the United Methodist Church operates administratively and financially. Roundtable Partners and Malawi leaders gathered for the two days just prior to Annual Conference to explore ways and means by which all may work together on the four f ocus areas named by the 2008 General Conference: Reducing poverty, Improving health, Deve loping leaders, and Growing churches. Detailed plans and commitments we re made around each area. Many of the programs need funding but some can take place without new money. Missionary, Inke Johannsen, skillfully led this process. The nutrition and health department energetically started but needs major funding to sustain it. The agriculture program is another bright spot that has great potential. Significant leadership development plans for both lay and clergy were outlined. Another priority is the need for parsonages. There are only five currently so many of the clergy families live in substandard rental housing. You may request a copy of the chart with all of the plans and dreams. It is on an Excel spreadsheet that we c an send as an attachment. This is something you will definitely want to read! Missionary Changes Jeff and Kara Oliver along with their children, Claire and Carter, returned to the US after two years as volunteer missionaries in Malawi. They were the first missionaries to Malawi and set the stage for a major leap forward. Edgar Leuken and Inke Johannsen are in Malawi from the German United Methodist Church. Inke’s focus is on organizational developme nt. Edgar is a pastor. Teddy and Sylvia Crum have moved into the home previously occupied by the Olivers as they begin their three-year commitment through the General B oard of Global Ministries. Check out their blog athttp://findingwarmhearts.wordpress.com.Conference Centre
The second Annual Conference session since Malawi became a Missionary Conference took
place form July 8 to 10. Bishop Eben Nhiwatiwa presided over a session that signaled growth, accountability, and
clearer focus. During the session Daniel Mhone was elected as the clergy delegate and Diverson Wakhutamoto as the
lay delegate to the 2012 General Conference to be held in Tampa, Florida.
Five new clergy were introduced. These will replace one pastor who died (Harvey Madisi) and four who either
resigned or were discontinued. [See appointment list at end.] As with most Annual Conferences much of the time
was invested in financial matters. Since the MUMC is a young church, Bishop Nhiwatiwa patiently described the open
way in which the United Methodist Church operates administratively and financially.
Roundtable
Partners and Malawi leaders gathered for the two days just prior to Annual Conference to explore ways and means
by which all may work together on the four focus areas named by the 2008 General Conference: Reducing poverty,
Improving health, Developing leaders, and Growing churches. Detailed plans and commitments were made around
each area. Many of the programs need funding but some can take place without new money. Missionary, Inke
Johannsen, skillfully led this process.
The nutrition and health department energetically started but needs major funding to sustain it. The agriculture
program is another bright spot that has great potential. Significant leadership development plans for both lay and
clergy were outlined. Another priority is the need for parsonages. There are only five currently so many of the clergy
families live in substandard rental housing. You may request a copy of the chart with all of the plans and dreams. It is
on an Excel spreadsheet that we can send as an attachment. This is something you will definitely want to read!
Missionary Changes
Jeff and Kara Oliver along with their children, Claire and Carter, returned to the US after two years as volunteermissionaries in Malawi. They were the first missionaries to Malawi and set the stage for a major leap forward. Edgar
Leuken and Inke Johannsen are in Malawi from the German United Methodist Church. Inke’s focus is on
organizational development. Edgar is a pastor. Teddy and Sylvia Crum have moved into the home previously
occupied by the Olivers as they begin their three-year commitment through the General Board of Global Ministries.
Check out their blog at http://findingwarmhearts.wordpress.com.
The Nancholi property in Blantyre was purchased in 2002 with funds from General Board of Global Ministries.
Four houses were along a road on the higher side of the property. Since that initial purchase the Galilea United
Methodist Church was established on the site. Galilea is one of the churches in the Mpenya Circuit.
They have a good sized brick church structure with a cement floor and metal roof. Their nursery school uses
the building during the week.
One of the houses was turned into a parsonage for the Mpenya Circuit pastor. During the past year, the
Head Office of the Malawi United Methodist Church was moved from rented space in
downtown Blantyre to one of the other houses on the property. Internet connections were
added. The Superintendent, the treasurer, and the administrator have separate office rooms.
There is a large meeting room, a kitchen, and a bathroom as well as large veranda. A VIM
team from Belmont UMC (Nashville) worked with members of the Mpenya Circuit to paint
and spruce up the house and move a large gate.
Another house was converted into the Health and Women’s office. A fourth very small house is available for
rent. Two young men who are members of the Galilea church currently live in that home. Garden plots are
established in portions of the land. The property is well used but there is room for expansion and the leaders have
big dreams for more development in that location.
A security wall has been established around over half of this very large property. When funds are available
the wall will be completed. About $45,000 will be required to put the last touches on that portion of the project.
Health Office
Mercy Nyirongo has been hired as the health coordinator for the Malawi UMC. Mercy, a recent graduate from Africa
University, is sponsored through the end of the year by a grant from the German Methodist Church (EMK). In early
July she organized the launch of the UM nutrition program which will serve severely malnourished children and HIV
positive adults. She will be doing home visits as well as community outreach on nutrition and health. *This amazing
program needs urgent funding to continue!
Nursery Schools
Wonderful work has been done to develop and set standards for church nursery schools, which fall under thedirection of the Women’s Organization. Eight schools are currently approved with many more waiting. Missionary,
Inke Johannsen, [email protected] has been instrumental in training teachers and instituting improved
practices. Contact Inke for more information about how you can help in supporting these developing nursery
schools.
The Conference Farm
A financial commitment by Ankeny First United Methodist Church (Iowa) made it possible
for the Malawi United Methodist Church to purchase a 40 acre farm outside Kamwendo,
near Mchinji. The flat piece of land is about 1½ hours west of the capital city, Lilongwe. A
borehole has been drilled and is functional. Lester Mhone, the Agricultural Specialist, isdesigning uses of the land so that the farm becomes an income producing industry for the
Malawi United Methodist Church. He is renting a home nearby, but urgently needs a
house built on the property so that development can begin in earnest.
Madisi/COR Project
The Church of the Resurrection (COR) in Leawood, Kansas partners with the
Malawi UMC to work with the Madisi Circuit. Pastor Xaviour Chikwatu and the people of
the circuit have large dreams which they see unfolding before their eyes. Two VIM teams
