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A letter from Debbie Chase in Malawi |
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May 2006
Malawi News Update
Dear Friends,
Resurrection greetings from Malawi, the warm heart of Africa,
and from Livingstonia Theological College! Indeed, evidence of
the risen Lord is everywhere to be seen!
2005 was a whirlwind work year with only two full-time faculty
members, including myself, to do administrative work and build
a new campus and carry out our teaching responsibilities. All
the while we were striving to reach the goal of our first graduation,
which took place 14 October 2005. By grace through faith we reached
that time of fulfillment!
Fulfillment midst the whirlwind
The three years of theological training for our first class of
students sped by quickly. Having begun in April 2003 with 25 students
and no facilities of our own—and no textbooks, no beds,
and only enough money to feed the students for a month—we
persevered, sacrificed, and kept faith. |
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Synod Moderator Rev. M.M. Banda and Rev. H.K. Mvula washed the feet
of the 25 Livingstonia Theological College graduates. |
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Day by day, God provided through
the gifts of God’s faithful people, both near and far. Many
thanks to all for your faithfulness! Without you, we wouldn’t
have reached this day of fulfillment, 14 October 2005, graduation
day.
All 25 students graduated with a licentiate of theology and were
licensed to serve as ministers of the Word and Sacrament. It was
a day of great rejoicing and solemn dedication, the full expression
of which was experienced when the synod moderator, with assistance,
washed the feet of our students. The message was clear: To be
great in God’s kingdom you must be the servant of all. It
was an event we will never forget! All 25 are serving congregations,
and we hear they are doing very well. Indeed, the risen Christ
is at work in our midst! |
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Joy on the journey
By November 2005 I was in the United States on interpretation
assignment. My home base was my presbytery, Eastern Oklahoma,
where I was greatly blessed by wonderful friends in Christ who
opened their hearts and homes to me, giving graciously in abundance.
One family had an extra home for me to stay in while I was not
on the road, a place for refreshment and renewal; another had
an extra car for me to use. This greatly eased the journey, which
involved 55 speaking engagements in eight states. |
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Often it was difficult
to know whether I was coming or going, but always the sustaining
grace of the risen Christ was present through the Holy Spirit
and through family and friends, the body of Christ, who provided
places of refuge, oases of love, and gracious hospitality along
the way.
Everywhere I went, people were hungry to learn
more about their sisters and brothers in Malawi, wanting to share
their lives with them and open their hearts to all that the people
of Malawi have to offer. Teenagers were sometimes the most responsive,
eager to give, perhaps even sacrifice, in search of something
more meaningful in life. |
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Debbie Chase at Grace Presbyterian Church,Vista, Ca., preaching
about the cup of blessing that must be poured out to be filled again.
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Gifts for famine
relief, scholarships for orphans, and the work of Livingstonia
Theological College overflowed. Commitments were made to come
to Malawi to build partnership as we discover that working together
we accomplish much more to advance hope, love, an abundant life
for all, and God’s kingdom of justice and peace. Thanks
for your joyful, generous hearts!
The way prepared for return to Malawi
Returning to Malawi in early April 2006, I received a warm welcome
from all. Life at the college had been going on well with a new
class of 30 students, 5 from Zambia joining the 25 from the Synod
of Livingstonia, Malawi. During my absence, my responsibilities
as dean of academic affairs and Old Testament lecturer were capably
handled by a retired mission co-worker from Northern Ireland,
another gift from God for which I am extremely grateful. |
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The new dormitory at Livingstonia Theological College was finished
last August. |
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Soon after my return we began the second term.
It did not take long for me to catch up and begin to feel like I
had never been gone. It is a great joy to get acquainted with these
30 new students. As in the past, I am greatly blessed by students
and faculty and the work of teaching and serving as dean at Livingstonia
Theological College. |
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A new campus
Last August the new dormitory was completed and dedicated. In
November an architect from Scotland designed (gratis) the entire
campus of Livingstonia Theological College. By January, the college
began construction of four classrooms made possible through the
gifts of PC(USA) congregations and a congregation in Scotland.
We are truly grateful. Thanks be to God’s faithful people!
Midst the joy of new life a breeze of division
Midst the joy of new life the whirlwind of this world sometimes
brings breezes of division, which we experience in the United
States as well as Malawi. So we ask for your prayers for unity
amidst diversity, for justice and harmony. All things are possible
through Christ. Alleluia, Christ is risen, indeed! We serve a
living God, a risen Lord. Blessings and hope abound with signs
of victory already won.
Grace, Peace and Joy,
Debbie
The 2006 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p.
337 |
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