At the closing dinner the student
wives performed skits, rejoiced with song and dance, and expressed
their gratitude for all they had learned. Over and over again
they said: “The time has been too short.” They wanted
to come back for further training for a longer period of time.
We pray there will be resources to do this. We can see these women
now feel more a part of their husbands’ training for the
ministry. They have grown in self-esteem and maturity, and signs
of healing are evidenced in their lives. Their husbands have commented
on the difference they experience in their wives and are grateful.
All this in just two weeks, a miraculous outpouring of God’s
blessing!
The blessing of gifts
The first year at Livingstonia Theological College (2003) we
were without textbooks in most subjects, and we had few academic
books for theological education in the library to which we have
access through the Synod of Livingstonia’s Lay Training
Centre. Students learned through lectures and handouts from lecturers.
By the second term of this second year (2004) our students had
textbooks for almost all their subjects, a blessing from God’s
faithful people in Ireland, Scotland, and the United States! Many
thanks.
We have also received a computer and a printer for our secretary
and accounts clerk, 26 bicycles for our students to travel to
churches to do practical work, some theological reference books
for the library, the promise of a copy machine on the way, funds
for a revolving loan fund for students, funds to pay for a full-time
Malawian lecturer in 2005, and funds that we hope will be approved
for building a hostel for our students, since the loaned facility
will not be available for our use by January 2005. Showers of
Blessings from our friends in Malawi, Scotland, Ireland and the
United States! Thanks be to God and God’s faithful people!
The blessing of visitors
The college has received several visits from various congregations
of the Synod of Livingstonia. Members of the men’s guild
and women’s guild from each congregation came with their
minister. They came to bless us with their love and encouragement.
They came to share the word of God with us. They came with joy
to sing and dance with us in praise to God. They came bringing
gifts of maize, rice, pumpkins, beans, soap, and irons. They came
nourishing body and soul. Showers of blessing!
The blessing of football (soccer)
Another gift has been a football—or soccer ball, as we
would call it in the United States. Our students enjoy playing
football for recreation, and recently competed in their first
game with a team just outside of nearby Mzuzu. The faculty and
students cheered our team on in a close match that nearly ended
in a tie. We did not win but we had fun! Another blessing from
God!
The blessing of eight students approved for
the diploma program
Through the Board of Theological Studies of the University of
Malawi eight of our students have recently been approved to sit
for diploma exams. This will prepare them to go on for a bachelor’s
degree once they have completed their three years of study at
Livingstonia Theological College plus one additional year of the
diploma program by extension during their first year in the parish.
We give thanks for this open door of blessing!
Grace, Peace and Blessing,
Debbie
The 2004 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p.
58
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