Teaching, Pastors, & Struggles

July 25, 2016

After a lovely weekend, our team woke early this morning to eat breakfast before heading to the ELCM compound for our first teaching day at the Pastor’s Academy.   We met in the cathedral just before 8:00 a.m. for a time of devotions (and SINGING!.....honestly,…… I can’t get enough!)  Bishop Bvumbwe (Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Malawi) was there to officially open the academy, welcome the 60+ pastors who are present this week (the largest number of participants who have attended the academy so far!), and to give some announcements.  His words included gratitude to the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin for the generosity through continued companionships, and for the gifts that were collected for famine relief.   Again, I am proud to be a part of a synod that embraces this companionship and responds to the needs of our brothers and sisters in Malawi through such generosity.  I challenge us to double these efforts in the months to come - the struggle is significant here. 

Morning sessions included introductions (It was fun to share pictures of my family, church and colleagues) and overviews of our academy topics - Abusa Kathy is teaching the Healing Stories of Jesus, Abusa John is teaching about the Reformation and the Creeds, and I am teaching about the Holy Spirit.  We ate lunch together with the pastors and I was introduced to many new friends. 

One special introduction was to Abusa John – the pastor from the Mkhota Parish (Gethsemane’s companion congregation) – he is so thankful for the partnership and is excited for future communication.  He and I will be sharing information throughout this week so that we can be a consistent presence in one another’s prayers and mission.   

We also had the chance to meet a pastor from Germany, Michael, who is in Malawi to learn the language and continue his studies in ministry – he works in and around the ELCM compound, and has been attending some of our sessions.  It’s been fun to visit with him. 

After teaching in the afternoon, my Synod Communicator friend, Mphatso and I traveled into Lilongwe to run an errand – it was fun to ask him questions about his experiences in Ethopia, Switzerland, and Germany, his trips to the US, his studies at the university, and his love for both the church and his work in the church.  He’s a wealth of knowledge, and loves to learn.  It has been a privilege getting to know him. 

After the day of teaching was complete we headed back to our lodge to eat dinner and continue preparing for Tuesday’s classes.  In the evening, the power went out (a very common occurrence here), while trying to prep…..which means I got to use the candles I packed! 

 

I do believe it was a great first teaching day for our team.  Although I had no idea what teaching in Malawi would be like (language barriers?....technology issues?.....questions I cannot clarify, …etc….)  I felt good about the lessons I taught (that’s ok to say, right?!?), and was excited about where these pastors’ hearts were – great questions were asked, fruitful conversation happened among the Abusas, and more singing was heard before tea times and meals (I was one happy girl!)

I am so grateful for the opportunity to be here, and honored to be teaching  - although I’m fairly certain that I am learning just as much from these Malawian, Lutheran Abusas as they are from me…….probably even more…..

Through our conversations, it’s becoming evident that there is a variety of suffering and fear that is resting in the hearts of the communities here.  The famine is one major issue…for good reason. And the Abusas seem to be seeking tools that will help them address these concerns in their parishes – although I am unacquainted with their specific contexts, I hope the messages we are teaching will be effective with the help of the Spirit. 

But, it must be said that the Malawians have a joy and peace about them that often overshadows whatever troubles they might have – what a gift to have faith like that…..

I look forward to another day of teaching tomorrow. 

My prayer for today: That we can put ourselves aside long enough to see the suffering in the world and hear the Spirit’s call to help; that we be fearless in standing up for those who cannot defend themselves; and…that we remember to take a break from our electronic devices from time to time so that we can talk to people.    Amen.