Touching Lives in Malawi Africa

(BIBLE MISSIONARY & WORK Training Center intern Allie Kozlowski shares exciting reports from her ministry location in Malawi, Africa.

(Reported  Feb. 2010)

AIDS Orphans Project

I spent the bulk of this month conducting a very large project of updating the Malawi records. I took pictures and updated records of the registered AIDS Orphans at all of the Malawian Rescue Units, Special Projects, Staff, Students, Inventories, School Uniforms from the different villages, pictures of the property, and pictures of the ongoing MSSM (Motorcycle Sunday School). I spent the month traveling to 10 Malawian locations via either Motorbike or Public transportation. I thoroughly enjoyed doing this project and it is a huge help to be able to get these records in order. I was kept very busy (especially now that I’m organizing the files on the computer!), but it has been one of the best times for me in Malawi thus far. I’ve really enjoyed frequently switching my location and using my organizational skills to aid in the ministry.

I was really touched by one of the girls at the Amy Wellman Rescue Unit near Ntcheu. Her name is Thokazani. She was unable to walk so she did not come to have her picture taken, so we went to her. She is crippled in her arms and her legs due to Cerebral Malaria. She had been normal until this sickness entered her body, but when her family brought her to the clinic, the Doctor was on vacation and refused to see her until his vacation was over. But by then it was too late and the Malaria had left her arms and legs crippled and her brain and speech impaired. The facilitators told me that the family does not have much time to take care of her so they just leave her at home all day, unable to do anything for herself. She soils her clothes because she cannot get up and walk to the toilet. And for meals, the family puts the food in front of her and she eats it like a dog eating out of a dish because she cannot use her arms and legs. Seeing her broke my heart.

But the most amazing part of this trip occurred when I was in Kasumbu in the Dedza Mountains. At the end of Sunday School, Louis (one of the MSSM Circuit Riders) gave the message of Salvation and asked me to counsel the girls who came forward to give their lives to Christ. That day, 19 girls committed their lives to Christ and prayed their own prayer to Christ, asking Him into their hearts. Pray for those girls that they will be strong and grow in the Lord.

Christmas

I happened to be taking pictures at the House of Peace around the time of Christmas, so I was able to celebrate with the kids there. The Phiri’s (Facilitators) had a 4-day camp for the kids and he ran it just like a Boot Camp. They had classes, worked in the field, went for evangelism, and had evening rallies of Praise and Worship each night. I was able to partake in teaching the classes and helping in the field. Also, for Christmas Eve day and Christmas, Pinky was at Peace too – with two of her brothers from home (needless to say, she was very excited). We got soap, candies, and toys for the kids and gave each of them a bundle for Christmas. We also made popcorn balls for them which was a huge treat for them.

On Christmas day, the kids were treated to a goat for lunch! And the older guys taught me how to slaughter and butcher the goat. It was interesting and I’m glad I got to learn. I must say, it was very hard to convince myself that it was Christmas because there was no snow and the weather was so warm. That and it was my first Christmas away from home. And I’m assuming that it certainly won’t be the last. The day after Christmas, I left with Mercy (the staff gal who I traveled with for the project) and we headed to our next location.

Language

One of the biggest practical struggles that I’ve faced since arriving here in Malawi is a lack of knowledge of the Chichewa language, and this became more evident to me as I traveled around Malawi. I typically can pick up languages fairly easily, but I’m really having trouble here – I suppose it is because I don’t give as much time to study as I need. I have been gathering words and phrases and I hope to start studying on a daily basis by next week, though it is very hard to find the time for study. More and more I’m realizing that it creates a barrier for ministry, especially with the older people of the village. However, despite my lack of knowledge of the actual language, I basically understand the letters and pronunciation; thus, when I go back to House of Peace I hope to take a Chichewa Bible to the well (the main meeting spot of the women) and I will read passages to them. I generally can get the pronunciation down, so I want to see if it will work out. And then I can direct them to the Unit for more information. Please pray for me as I try to read the Bible to them in Chichewa.

Spiritual Growth

God has been teaching me to daily present myself as a living sacrifice to God (Ro 12:1). I need to give up my right to myself and my right to the things that I want. Instead, I need to be committed to the things of God and put Him first “that in all things He might have the preeminence” (Col 1:18b): that Christ may have the first place in every area of my life.

I’ve been continuing my study on John 16:33 and this month I’ve read from 1 Chronicles through Job and I’m so blessed by what I am finding and how God is speaking to my heart. Another study that I’ve done this month was inspired by the coordinator Mat Wylie; he did a Sunday School lesson on the word ‘immediately’ as found in the book of Mark. I had never realized the frequent usage of the word and how it applied to how Christ went about His Father’s work. Mark represents Christ as a servant and I saw what a hard working and diligent servant He was. After his lesson, I went through the book of Mark and studied the servant hood of Christ and the urgency and directness with which he served. It truly challenged me to be more diligent in my service of the Lord and to put the things of God before my own desires. After all, each day is a gift from God and I have the choice to either serve Him or squander the time He has graciously given me. I want to serve Him, do everything to His glory, and have His kingdom in mind as I serve.

Over Christmas, though I was very busy, I was able to find some extra time to spend in the Word and in prayer, and I was so blessed to have that time with God to fellowship with Him and rest in His presence. I’m still blown away when I think of everything He has done in my life and even the things He is doing now. In fact, when I was on the minibus on the way to one of the units, a song by Hillsong came on the radio that touched my heart to the point that I was in tears just thinking about the love, grace, mercy, and glory of God the Father. I don’t know the verses very well, but the chorus is very simple, yet so deep and heartfelt. “And I love You more than life.” I love my Jesus and I need to love Him more than life, that He may have the preeminence – the first place – in my life. I’ve really been trying to find more time to spend with God is both prayer and worship. It’s hard to find privacy here so I can have that peace just sitting in the presence of God. I never realized how much I appreciated the acres and acres of land at the Florida base; I could go out for hours and not encounter another person. But here, there are always people around so it’s hard to have that freedom in worship and the focus on the Spirit of God. It takes more work and concentration to ignore the numerous distractions from the kids who follow us everywhere. But I long to dance with joy before my Father; I need to make the time. God needs to be my priority; He needs to have first place in every area of my life.

I’ve spent some time meditating on Christ, His birth, His life, His death, and His resurrection. I figured it was only appropriate to have a focused study on Christ’s life during the season of celebrating His birth. I remain in awe at how He lived, how He loved, and how He will live forever more. During this study, I learned to play the song ‘See His Love’ and it touched me so deeply to think of Christ in this light. “See His love nailed until a cross, perfect and blameless life given as sacrifice. See Him there all in the name of love, broken yet glorious all for the sake of us. This is Jesus in His glory, King of Heaven dying for me. It is finished, He has done it; death is beaten, Heaven beckons me. Such love, such love, such love is this for me.” His love is greater than anything that I can even begin to contemplate, His power so glorious that it blinds me, and His grace so beautiful that I cannot keep from welling up inside with joy.

We serve an absolutely incredible God; it is my prayer that He will daily remind each and every one of you of how incredible great He is. The Lord is great and greatly to be praised! Amen!!

Serving God,

Allie Koz

Isaiah 6:8  /  John 16:33