May 11, 2004
Dear Friends,
In our previous newsletters we have shared with you our positive
experiences. But things are not very rosy in Malawi. Malawi has
some major problems. One such problem is the lack of food security.
The result of no or little food is malnutrition, a high rate of
infant mortality and low productivity.
In January of this year the Malawian Minister of Agriculture
was quoted as saying “over three-and-a-half million people
in the country, representing 32% of the population, are on the
verge of starvation after running out of food.” (The
Nation News, May 6, 2004). This confirms our experience for
the past three months. We have witnessed poverty everywhere we
have been. It has become increasingly difficult for us to go the
Post Office, bank, or shopping for food because those areas are
flooded with beggars and panhandlers. They mob you when you get
out of the car. We often hear, “please help me, I’ve
had no food today,” or “I have no food at home.”
What breaks our hearts the most is when a child says, “I
have not eaten today!” Some of the missionaries carry food
items in their cars. Giving something allows one to exit the parking
lot. Since we don’t have a car, we tried giving money from
our pockets, but we are limited by our small monthly stipends.
Another major problem in Malawi is the HIV/AIDS pandemic. It
is reported that over 15% of the adult population is infected
with HIV. These figures don’t tell the whole story of the
large number of other persons and communities that are affected
by this pandemic. HIV is responsible for the escalating numbers
of orphans, widows, widowers, child-headed families, and elderly
persons heading orphan-laden households. Life expectancy is 39
and falling.
Since HIV/AIDS is contracted in different ways, the response
against it must be multi-pronged if it is to be prevented or controlled.
Malawi needs the cooperation of its religious, business, social,
cultural, and traditional sectors. But there has been very little,
if any, cooperation between the government, the church and the
people. The church accuses the government of not doing enough,
and the government blames the church for labeling those with AIDS
as sinners and social outcasts. Religious leaders who have not
promoted the use of condoms do more harm than good. Traditional
healers who use voodoo and witchcraft also do more harm than good.
We have spent hours asking ourselves, “Why did God send
us here to minister?” We don’t have any special skills,
and we don't have access to the resources to feed, nurse, and
restore these people to health. Therefore, we can only conclude
that Jesus, the Christ, sent us here to be your eyes,
ears, feet, and voices to these unfortunate people. Please consider
joining us in this partnership. We welcome all Christians, synods,
presbyteries, churches, businesses, organizations, and individuals
to join us in our ministry in Malawi.
Otis and Earline Smith |
