November 2006
Malawi News Update
Dear Friends,
Warm greetings from the “warm heat of Africa”! Indeed,
more than warm, it has been extremely hot here. This week, however,
the rains have finally come, on time (thanks be to God), to refresh,
renew, and nourish the land and its people. There is much hope
in these rains: hope for a plentiful harvest and hope for life
in the midst of death that daily encompasses us.
As you know, poverty has taken its toll in Malawi these past
few years. The rising number of deaths from hunger, HIV/AIDS,
and malaria has left us with nearly a million orphan children
and has taken the most productive members of our society, the
well-educated, in the prime of their lives. While Malawi struggles
to find a alternative export to tobacco, the economic situation
deteriorates, though at a slower rate these past few months after
reaching an all-time low of kwacha 139 to the dollar. Some have
made the dire predication that this is a formula for chaos!
Hope and promise
The wondrous news from the International Monetary Fund is that
nearly 100 percent of Malawi’s international debt has been
cancelled: 3.1 billion dollars! “Wonder of wonders, miracles
of miracles!” Or, as Christians in Malawi would say, “God
is good all the time. All the time God is good!” Hopefully,
these funds, which will now remain in the country, will be used
for development—for education, food security, irrigation,
medical care, and industry. May the Lord give knowledge and integrity
to Malawi’s leaders for the wise use of these resources!
A new name
Livingstonia Theological College is now a full-fledged member
and one of the five constituent colleges of the University of
Livingstonia. The other four colleges are the College of Education,
the College of Technology, the College of Nursing, and the College
of Commerce. Therefore, it was fitting that the Synod Assembly
approved a new name for the college that reflects the new covenant
relationship: Our new name is University of Livingstonia, College
of Theology!
University insignia: Courage, excellence,
and confidence
The Revs. Luneta Ng'ambi and Samson Kaonga saying their ordination
vows.
Ordination of Ministers All 25 students in our first class, which
graduated a year ago, have successfully completed a year of licensed
probation as pastors of congregations and have been approved for
ordination. We have received many invitations to attend these
ordinations in the various presbyteries in which they serve, covering
15 of the Synod’s 19 presbyteries. Needless to say, we are
able to attend only those that are near, two of which took place
last week at the Ekwendeni Church. It was joyous occasion. We
rejoice and celebrate with all 25 who are serving faithfully.
Thanks be to God!
Our new class of 30 students matriculated in January of this
year. They completed their first year of studies in October and
are now serving with supervision for six weeks in congregations.
They are performing well and we look forward to their return for
their second year of studies in January 2007.
Our building projects continue to be a challenge due to rising
costs and difficulties finding reliable laborers, since we try
to keep our labor costs at a minimum. Nevertheless, by the grace
of God and through the understanding of faithful donors, we hope
to complete the four classrooms by the end of this year so that
we can temporarily move our offices, library, and our classes
into these classrooms on the new campus. In the meantime, we are
progressing in our plans to upgrade and expand to a bachelor’s
level program while seeking funds to accommodate this expansion.
Our next projects are a house for female students and an administration
block, which will free the classrooms for teaching.
Continuing education for ministers
The Revs. Judy Henderson and Dennis Ritchie, from Eastern Oklahoma
Presbytery, receiving gifts from minister participants in the
continuing education event, November 2006.
The College of Theology hosted its first continuing education
event for serving ministers October 23rd through November 10th.
Thirty ministers from nineteen presbyteries came for theological
nourishment and spiritual renewal. The theme of the event was
“Developing Theology in an African Perspective.” Courses
offered included “Preaching the Old Testament,” “Preaching
the New Testament,” “African Christian Theology,”
“African Traditional Religion, Islam, and HIV/AIDS.”
We were honored to have among our lecturers two ministers from
Eastern Oklahoma Presbytery, who blessed us with their teaching
and brought each participant the newly published Africa Bible
Commentary: A One-Volume Commentary Written by 70 African Scholars
(including three from Malawi). The partnership continues: Blessing
and being blessed! Gifts of renewal, refreshment and the glory
of God abound in partnership and our cup overflows.
Midst all the difficulties and challenges, discouragements and
losses, the grace, the promise, the hope, and the gifts of the
Christ child abound through the children of God!
May the joy and hope of the Christ child be yours this Advent-Christmas
season and always!
Rev. Deborah A. Chase
The 2006 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p.
337 |
