REALITY CHECK
“Incomprehensible Poverty”
Since my arrival at the academy, while the scenery at the academy is most incredibly beautiful, the people with the warm heart of Africa are truly living in a level of poverty that is incomprehensible. These are the people that the mission work is here to help. These are the people that God needs intercessors for. Their needs are so many to overwhelming capacities. There is poverty and then there is extremely below poverty. What we know as poverty in the US cannot compare!
I see people daily carrying baskets on their heads, selling produce along the road and in the villages to support their families. Many of the people grow crops to sell in hopes that someone will stop and buy from them. The mothers carry their babies strapped to their backs with a special cloth. Most people travel by foot and those that can afford it travel by minibus.
In the villages there is no running water and extremely limited electricity. The bathroom is literally a hole in the ground, or just an area constructed from grass to create privacy. Many live in mud huts with a grass roof and dirt floor and only some have floors that are cemented.
I have traveled to 2 other villages to date to preach and encourage the people. These areas are Zomba and Chikwaka. The villagers are so happy to have someone to come a preach and fellowship with them. While it is clear that many of the children are starving as their stomachs are swollen so huge, they gather under that grass constructed area for the church to give God glory and praise with such jubilation and no one has to beg them to worship and give praise. Many walk from far away to attend the worship service.
The children are just so excited and amazed to see a vehicle come through their area. Their eyes are so wide with curiosity. The travel to the villages are averaging about a 3-4 hour drive some roads paved, dirt roads and when the roads run out, we drive through the bushes to reach the village.
The village chief, overseer, pastors and families welcome me with open arms. I travel with Kalibu Ministry Pastor Christopher Navaya and Pastor Julius Matete who also serve at the Kalibu church in Sigelege,Chikwawa, Zomba and Chileka as well as Brother Joseph Taelo who is my interpreter along with Pastor Matete when I preach. After singing, dancing,and preaching the fellowship continues with a typical village meal of Nsima (a corn based product),an everyday staple of Malawian. Guests may be served guinea fowl or chicken a luxury food item not eaten everyday by native Malawians. This will be served with vegetable of tomatoes, pumpkin leaves and is eaten by hand while sitting on the floor. See Photos.
