September 11, 2008

Dear Friends,

Warm greetings from the Malawi!

In Malawi, attending to relationships takes precedence over honoring time and task. Time was made for human beings, not human beings to keep time, a concept quite foreign to our Western ways of operating, but perhaps not so foreign to our hearts. In the West we often say time is of the essence, and indeed, sometimes it is. Carving out time to share with you about life in Malawi is of the essence for building relationships between you and the people of Malawi.

Bob and Edith Rasmussen receive gifts from students.

We ended our first semester this year with a celebration of thanksgiving for Bob and Edith Rasmussen, who once again graced us with their presence. Bob taught communications, research methodology, and Bible knowledge. Edith taught New Testament to the wives of our students at our two-week “Wives School” in June. As always, the Rasmussens are joy, wisdom, and compassion in our midst.

We are now mid-way through the second semester and preparing for graduation, which takes place November 7. All 29 of our students (24 from Livingstonia Synod and 5 from Zambia Synod) will graduate with a licentiate of theology. Seven have also earned a diploma in theology. Twenty will serve in congregations. Nine graduates will remain for an additional year of study to earn a bachelor of theology degree.

Greek/Hebrew Lecturer, the Reverend K.R.M. Nyirenda, holds one of 700 new books received from a sister seminary.

Day by day, the students are maturing in faith and wisdom and progressing in academic performance. They are becoming trained theologians with critical thinking capabilities that enable them to preach and teach the word of God with a depth and breadth that gives life. Their work is greatly enhanced by the many gifts of books (textbooks, library books, devotional books) received from partner churches and individuals. In addition, the students of a sister seminary sponsored a book drive for the College of Theology, and they recently shipped to the college 700 new academic books for the library. Our thanks to all for your faithfulness in partnership!

Plans for the 2009 academic year are in full swing. Changes are taking place. The college will have three classes of students in 2009: a first-year licentiate/diploma class and third- and fourth-year bachelor degree classes. A class of third-year degree students will be comprised of lay people as well as candidates for the ministry, all of whom already have a diploma in theology and have been serving in congregations or other jobs. That we now require applications for admission, interviews, and tuition are part the path toward becoming a university college.

This year we have been blessed with many visitors from the United States, Northern Ireland, and Scotland. Some have come to see us for the first time. Others have returned to uplift and encourage us through their presence and ongoing support. Some have come to share their time and talents—such as teaching, cataloguing books for the library, or other skills.

Construction of house for female students.

A group of University of Minnesota architectural students and their professor visited us earlier this year, and they are working with us to interface the design of our campus with the College of Commerce and College of Nursing at Ekwendeni. Through the generous gifts of partner churches, a house for female students will be completed by this December in preparation for receiving our first female students in the class of January 2009. Our heartfelt thanks to these friends and to all of you, near and far, who are always with us in spirit and sharing your lives with us through prayer, correspondence, visits, and countless gifts!

New Moderator, the Rev. M. M. Banda and Nkhoma and wife Mariya.

The biennial Synod of Livingstonia Assembly took place in August at Livingstonia Mission Station. The Assembly was marked by the watershed event of the retirement of the Reverend H. Matiya Nkhoma, who faithfully served the Synod of Livingstonia for the past 20 years: as general secretary for eight years and as deputy general secretary before that. Under his compassionate and wise leadership the Synod made great strides in growth, maturity, development, and leading the people of Malawi into a more abundant life. Among these accomplishments was the establishment of the University of Livingstonia and its five constituent colleges, including the College of Theology. The delegates of the synod assembly expressed their deep gratitude to the Nkhomas (Matiya and Mariya were partners in this ministry) with words of adulation, gifts of thanksgiving, and warm embraces.

The new officers of the Synod of Livingstonia are: General Secretary Rev. Levi N. Nyondo; Deputy General Secretary Maurice C.E. Munthali; Synod Moderator Rev. M. Mezuwa Banda; and Moderator-Elect Rev. Clifford M. Baloyi. May our prayers, encouragement, and support uplift and undergird them as we share the journey!

Grace, Peace, and Blessings,

The 2008 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 23