Director of Africa Work, John Musgrave, and his wife, Rodica, recently visited our work in Malawi, accompanied by Peter Sferle, pastor at Sacramento, California. They were also joined by Oniyas Gumbo, the Southern and Eastern Africa (SEAR) District Superintendent, and Mudzimu and Christina Mate of South Africa. The group arrived at the Lilongwe airport on November 27 and were met by the Malawi District Superintendent, Chris Nkhata, and his wife, Josephine.

Central Region

The next afternoon, the group drove five hours through the Central Region of Malawi toward our Dedza district. On the way, they stopped in Salima and met the pastor there, Brother Misase, and his wife. Afterward, Brother John reported, “They are a wonderful couple dedicated to this Gospel.”

Then, the team continued to our church in Dedza where they were welcomed by a joyful congregation and the pastor, Alexander Sawa. They were also greeted by Bexter Stima who is the Central Region Overseer and a Malawi Board Member. The team enjoyed a wonderful church service and great fellowship among those who had gathered.

Our work at this location began when Brother Sawa wrote to the Portland headquarters a year ago and was put in touch with Brother Nkhata. That initial correspondence led to the forming of our Dezda district, which now has four locations.

At each place visited in the Central Region, the team was greeted with special welcome and farewell songs. Brother John said, “Our Malawi brothers and sisters go out of their way to make visitors feel honored and warmly received.” He also noted that there were many children among the congregations. He said that, going forward, one goal for this region will be to expand the Sunday school programs accordingly.

Southern Region

On Saturday, the group took a flight to Blantyre and then drove four hours south to Nsanje in the Southern Region of the country. This is the town where the first headquarters of the work in Malawi was established.

At the church, they were welcomed by a large group of smiling saints from our local congregations along with six or so from Tchali, Mozambique. In addition, they were greeted by the Nsanje pastor, Brother Stanbleck, and the Southern Region Overseer, David Brighton. Tents had been set up for an outdoor service, so the crowd of about 100 gathered underneath, and all enjoyed a rich time of worship, prayer, and fellowship.

Malawi Headquarters

On Sunday, the team attended services at our Malawi headquarters church in Lunzu, which is about fifteen miles north of Blantyre. This church was dedicated in 2022, and recently, an addition has doubled the size of the building. 

Upon arrival, our team was welcomed by a large crowd of saints, singing. Among them were a dozen pastors who had traveled as delegates from various parts of the country. The day’s activities began with Sunday school, followed by the morning worship service and a time of prayer. Then everyone was treated to a traditional Malawi meal of chicken, rice, corn on the cob, sautéed cabbage, and an okra dish.

In the afternoon, another church service preceded a short ministers’ meeting. Afterward, the team toured a nearby plot of land where work will soon begin on a parsonage for the Nkhatas.

As the brief trip concluded, Brother John stated, “We were deeply blessed to visit our brothers and sisters in Malawi and we already look forward to seeing them again.”