Glory be to God for His Grace which is sufficient for His elect. We will always praise Him for everything including His Providence. As we said in July report by The design of God most parts of Malawi did not receive rains especially the Southern Districts of Balaka, Mangochi, Machinga, Zomba, Phalombe, Nsanje and Chikwawa. It rained well at the beginning and when it started tasselling it stopped in most parts. This made many people not to harvest enough and some harvested nothing. As a result of this many are affected with hunger.
The majority of EPC members are in the Southern Part of Malawi. Most of these are affected very much especially those in the mentioned districts.
We praise God again for using His people from different countries who have come up to assist in alleviating the hunger situation to the most needy, the orphans and the elderly.
We received funds in August and September to buy food for the most needy members. The distribution work has gone on well and those that have received are very grateful to God. We are glad to present this documentary report for the work done:
MANGOCHI & MAKANJIRA DISTRIBUTION
Mangochi district has many Muslims than any other district in Malawi. By the Grace of God EPC preached the Gospel there and we have six congregations in the district. Most of the members were former Muslims. The Church is growing as many people are getting converted and are becoming reformed. Indeed God reaches His elect wherever they are. We praise God to see these Muslims being converted and accepting Christ as their Lord and Saviour.
The area which the relief team visited is called Makanjira. Makanjira is a distance of about 120kms from Mangochi. The road from Mangochi is very bumpy and rough. The relief team reached the area.
The Liwonde Presbytery led by Elder Saidi joined and deacons from the Makanjira area joined the relief team and assisted very much.
300 maize bags were distributed in Mangochi. The work started with distribution to the elderly in their homes then group distribution followed. Most of these elderly had nothing to eat. Thank God for the food given to them.
Elder Saidi (left) and the team delivering a bag of maize to Mama Mkwanda who also lost her house due to heavy winds as witnessed in the other picture.
The team also gave food to Mr. Andrea Yusuf who lost his family and stays alone in his house.
Mr. Yusuf with his food. He now has something to eat.
Some elderly people take care of orphans whose parents passed away. One of such women is Abiti Basikolo. The team gave her food and also they contributed sum money for note books, salt and soap for Mama Basikolo.
The Relief team giving maize and other groceries to Mama Basikolo
The team in Mangochi also reached Mr. Jafali. He also stays alone and needs assistance. He received food also.
Mr. Jafali with his food. The woman is a neighbour and the team requested her to make the maize into flour.
Older people are always the victims and in Mangochi these are many. They stay many days without food. One of such ladies is Mama Kachala. She was indeed starving.
Mama Kachala receiving her food. She danced in praising God after received the food. The other women in the photo are members of the church who joined the team to help the elderly.
After reaching several people the work in Makanjira continued at a public place where different needy families received food.
They also thank God for the food. We praised God for the Church’s wonderful organization since only needy people received the food and the rest did not complain but we thanked Lord together.
The team only managed to help the needy in three congregations as we did not have enough food to reach the other needy in the other congregations.
SHIRE VALLEY
We again received funds on 11th September and 13th September, 2018. With this the team decided to go to Shire Valley again as many did not receive food during the last distribution.
Mayere, Nkhuku, Sorgin, and Marka EPC were the target for the 11 September and 13 Funding.
The Church in this area of Nsanje District is growing wonderfully. The members are now becoming more reformed and they enjoy singing the psalms in their traditional way. Through Nkhuku EPC the Reformed Faith through the EPC spread to the other side of Mozambique called Posto Shire. So the Church in Posto Shire is growing in the Reformed Faith and membership is increasing also. They cross the River Shire to Posto Shire. The River Shire is in the Shire Valley is infested with crocodiles but still people cross it to Mozambique and Malawi.
Now at Mayere, Nkhuku, Sorgin and Marka distribution started with the elderly and those who could not manage to come to the public distribution.
Again the deacons did a wonderful job and praise God also for their organization. Yes many are needy but due to the limited resources, the most needy are the priority. In the pictures below the deacons are getting ready for the job.
Relief Team and organising deacon checking the names of recepients to make sure that they are indeed needy.
Distribution started with the elderly in their homes. The team had 518 bags of maize for these congregations. They visited different families of the elderly but worthy mentioning is the Phiri family at Nkhuku. The family was starving for food. They only had water to drink but nothing to eat. The family is not the member of the EPC but their starving touched the church and after discussions it was agreed that they should be given food.
In this picture the Phiri family had nothing to put on this fire. They just stay without knowing what tomorrow shall bring. So a bag of maize was given to them. Then public distribution was done.
These women managed to come to the public distribution. They are praising God. The other one who could not raise her hand is blind. Her name is Sophia Lota.
Mama Lota is always a victim because she can not do anything. A help like this one has come at the right time for her. May we ask those that have a chance to read this report to remember her in a special way and pray for her always.
Remember to pray also for old lady Fatima who is also blind and we mentioned about her in our July report.
May God continue to help them.
Their turn, thinking of going home to make food, and on the other picture Elder Edward is with this needy woman.
The smiling girl heads a family. There are three of them with no parent.
Deacon Fredrick. Its not easy to do the distribution work without the help of men like Fredrick.
These women did not want to let the corn the spilled on the ground alone, but collect it from the dust just to make sure that they will add to their food.
Marka is the place where Malawi ends and the other side is Mozambique in Mutarara District
EPC is in this area. The people in this area also suffering very much. No rain and no food for them. Life is also hard for the people here.
It very touching to note how some people are suffering due to hunger. The relief team met a lady who could not even sit but just lay due to hunger. This lady is Mama Latinya who stays just closer to the boarder. She stays in a grass house.
Mama Latinya on her mat and she is saying thank you when a bag of maize was presented to her.
The team reached a number of people in their homes.
The relief team in front of Mama Latinya’s house.
A number of elderly and needy people were reached at Marka and thank God for the hard working team.
CONCLUSION
In total 818 bags of 50kgs each have been distributed to needy people of Mangochi Makanjira, Mayere, Nkhuku, Sorgin and Marka EPC Churches.
The need is still great as many suffering people in many congregations have not been reached. More help is needed indeed.
We also need your continued prayers that the people will continue to trust God even in these trying times.
SPECIAL THANKS
We thank all that have assisted these people through the sending of their funds for us to buy food for the needy people. Your help came at the right time. We thank God for you.
May God bless you all.
Ronex and Lawson – for Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Malawi Relief Team