Blantyre Girlshome

The girlshome saga got an unexpected twist when to our surprise we got a phonecall on 01 February 2010 from the Blantyre department of social welfare with the request that we come and see them urgently. Erwin went to see them and found the matrons of Bangwe House of Hope and the last four girls sitting in the office of the social welfare officer. It turned out that Mrs. Kanyangira had humiliated the chairperson of the board in public to so such an extend that he immediately resigned. Upon his resignation the donor Word & Deed informed everyone that they would stop funding the project. After this Mrs. Kanyangira informed the donor that she has resigned and promptly told the matrons and the girls that the home is closed and that they need to ask for help from social welfare. After this was explained, the social welfare officer requested that Erwin continues the home but he declined because in his opinion without a proper board, without a director and without donors, the organisation Bangwe House of Hope no longer existed. However, an agreement was reached whereby Africa Outreach will start a new and similar project for girls under the name Blantyre Girlshome with the help of the social welfare department. It is expected that the donors who used to fund the former project will in future be willing to fund the new project once they see it is run properly and all funds are properly accounted for. We are also privileged that we have the support of the community leaders and of the local police unit. It is also our prayer that some of the capable board members who use dto be on the board of Bangwe House of Hope will be willing to sit on a new board. Unfortunately, our dear pastor, the chairperson of the Bangwe House of Hope board got so hurt and disappointed that he is no longer interested. We are praying that we may be able to form a new competent board and find a new chairperson as capable and integer as our pastor. So far w see the sudden changes as God's intervention on behalf of the poor girls who have suffered a lot over the past few months. They have expressed their gratitude for the good food and care they are getting now.

Bangwe House of Hope

We just got back from a family holiday in Zimbabwe where we went to see friends and family. We had a wonderful time and it was encouraging to see how Harare Theological College has grown to 120 students. Back in Malawi things were less well, during our absence several girls left the girlshome as they complained that their schoolfees weren't paid and they received little food. They appealed for help to a community based organisation (CBO) in Bangwe which then contacted us. For the time being the girls are taken care of in a homebased care setting under supervision of the local CBO while we provide the funding for their upkeep. It is really sad that the situation at the home is so bad that girls are appealing to other organisations for help.

It is good to be back in Malawi. We had a wonderful New Year celebration together with missionary friends Johannes & Marieke Bos from Balaka. We look forward to a year of fruitful teaching and preaching ministry in Malawi, Mocambique and Zimbabwe. The past year 2009 was full of challenges but as St. Paul says, "I can do all things through Him who gives me strength". On the positive side we look back on a year in which many people gave their lives to Christ and many others were taught to turn away from being led by false witchcraft beliefs, paranoia and other evil thoughts to freedom in Christ. Also in spite of all the problems in Zimbabwe the girlshome we co-founded in Zimbabwe is still functioning well 7 years later! Please pray for us that also in Malawi we may continue to be led by the Spirit of God and stand firm in righteousness, truth and love. Pray also that we may not be tempted to give in to the deceit and intimidations of the enemy and compromise our faith and witness. Finally we thank God for the many donatons we have received, especially for buying a 4x4 vehicle from Word & Deed for Erwin's teaching ministry in rural Malawi (see picture). We also are grateful for schoolfees for Sevana so that she can embark on a para-medical study and for the many other donations and gifts we received. We also thank you for your many prayers and encouragements which have sustained us, and above all we thank our Lord for His goodness, patience and love.

Had a wonderful trip to Italy, Holland and Schotland to meet with friends, family and supporters. The Lord blessed us abundantly and I will return to Malawi soon refreshed and encouraged.

Erwin

Malawi

Malawi is a country infested by witchcraft beliefs. Many people claim allegiance to Christ, yet in their day to day walk they operate on the basis of unchristian witchcraft beliefs and fears. For example only last week a little girl was accused by a lady who claims to be a christian of having killed her husband who had recently died of cancer. The poor girl has been harassed and psychologically tortured because of such false beliefs. It is sad to see how the evil one uses such false beliefs to influence people's minds to such an extend that they no longer are able to distinguish good from evil and falsehood from truth. Please pray with us that God's will shall prevail and people in Malawi will experience a genuine repentance and true faith in Christ to replace the witchcraft beliefs and fears. We are evry much aware that this is a spiritual battle. Ever since we started to tackle these issues in the churches we have experienced the attacks of the evil one as he turns people against us and our ministry in Africa. As Paul says, we are beaten but not dismayed, hurt but not defeared for Christ has teh final word in all things, He is Victor. We are grateful that in spite of harassment, violence and intimidation the Lord has kept us safe, but even if He allows hardships and persecution, we know He remains faithful and His plans cannot be thwarted.