Malawi
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| Presbyterian mission came to northern Malawi through the Free Church of Scotland in 1878. God’s good news was spread through the various efforts of the mission. Early on, all were encouraged to have a Bible and a hymnbook. First, this meant English translations and Scottish hymns; next came Chitonga and then Chitumbuka translations of the Bible and the encouragement to write culturally relevant lyrics and tunes.
Church members have clutched the good news of the Bible and their hymnbooks through adversity. Martha Sommers writes about Orton and Vera Chirwa, who clung to their faith, even while in prison. “Orton and Vera Chirwa were important lawyers in founding the independence movement in Malawi and the post-independence government. But during Hastings Banda’s move from president to dictator, they became political prisoners imprisoned in the same prison, but separated ultimately for life. Orton and Vera were active Presbyterians who brought only their Bibles and hymnbooks with them to jail. They were not allowed to see each other, so communicated through the walls by singing hymn 284. Hymn 284 has Chitumbuka lyrics that state there are troubles in this world that will end and not be present in the everlasting joy of heaven. The words are sung to the tune North Americans use for ‘Auld Lang Syne.’” Hymn 284 remains popular, especially at funerals, in Malawi—a land of so many funerals. Poverty and AIDS leave millions of orphans and widows, and the overall life expectancy is thirty-seven years. Presbyterians are known to carry their Bibles and hymnbooks to worship, to classes, and to morning chapel before work at the mission schools, hospitals, health centers, and other institutions as they serve the disadvantaged in a very poor region of Malawi. |
 Partners/Ministries Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP)—Blantyre Synod: Rev. Daniel Gunya, general secretary, Rev. Greyson Mputeni, deputy general secretary • CCAP—General Assembly: Yeremiah Chienda, secretary general • Livingstonia Synod: Rev. Howard Matiya Nkhoma, general secretary, Rev. Maurice C. E. Munthali, deputy general secretary • Nkhoma Synod: Rev. Dr. Winston R. Kawale, general secretary, Anna Marie deKlerk, administrative assistant ecumenical • Ekwendeni, Embangweni, David Gordon, Mulanje, and Nkhoma hospitals • Malawi Council of Churches: Mr. Canaan Phiri, general secretary • Zomba Theological College: Rev. Dr. Saindi Chipangwe, principal • Presbytery Partnerships: Presbytery of Eastern Oklahoma, Presbytery of Northern New York, and Pittsburgh Presbytery with the CCAP PC(USA) General Assembly Staff Martha E. Thomas, OGA Bill Thomason, PPC Mark A. Thomson, CMD |
 I will say, “They are my people”; and they will say, “The Lord is our God” (Zech. 13:9). |
 Ps. 26, 116, 130, 147:12–20 Zech. 13:1–9 Eph. 1:15–23; Luke 19:11–27 |
