Mal awi Outreach Guide
anywhere G anytime
Malawi OUTREACH GUIDE by Lance McIntosh
Published: One16 Publishing
2019, Version 1
Reproduction, printing and distribution is restricted and subject to obtaining approval from the copyright owners at [email protected]
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FOUR12 | MALAWI OUTREACH GUIDE Version 1 MALAWI - A SHORT HISTORY
Malawi, officially the Republic of Malawi, is a landlocked country in southeast Africa, formerly known as Nyasaland. It is bordered by Zambia, Tanzania and Mozambique. Malawi is over 118,000 km2 (45,560 sq mi) with an estimated population of 18,091,575 (as at July 2016). Lake Malawi takes up about a third of Malawi's area. Its capital is Lilongwe, which is also Malawi's largest city. The name Malawi comes from the Maravi, an old name of the Nyanja people that inhabit the area. The country is also nicknamed "The Warm Heart of Africa".
Malawi was colonised by the British in 1891. In 1953 Malawi, then known as Nyasaland, became a protectorate within the semi-independent Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. The Federation was dissolved in 1963. In 1964 the protectorate over Nyasaland was ended and Nyasaland became an independent country under Queen Elizabeth II with the new name Malawi. Two years later it became a republic. Upon gaining independence it became a totalitarian one-party state under the presidency of Hastings Banda, who remained president until 1994. Malawi now has a democratic, multi-party government headed by an elected president, Arthur Peter Mutharika. The country has a Malawian Defence Force that includes an army, a navy and an aviation wing. It is interesting to note that this landlocked country has a navy which is based on Lake Malawi.
Malawi is among the world's least-developed countries. The economy is heavily based in agriculture, with a largely rural population. The Malawian government depends heavily on outside aid to meet development needs, although this need (and the aid offered) has decreased since 2000. The Malawian government faces challenges in building and expanding the economy, improving education, healthcare, environmental protection, and becoming financially independent amidst widespread overpopulation and unemployment. Since 2005, Malawi has developed several programs that focus on these issues, and the country's outlook appears to be improving.
Malawi has a low life expectancy and high infant mortality. There is a high prevalence of HIV/AIDS, which is a drain on the labour force and government expenditures. There is a diverse population of native peoples, Asians and Europeans, with several languages spoken and an array of religious beliefs.
Malawians love their country and culture, and will share and show it off, so be prepared to enter in and enjoy it to the full.
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FOUR12 | MALAWI OUTREACH GUIDE Version 1 EXPECTATIONS
We have the privilege of becoming God’s co-workers in the nation of Malawi. It is a responsibility and an honour that has the potential to change the way they do church and ultimately impact the nation. Go with a teachable and humble spirit, not as experts. Whilst we are going to help the churches there grow into greater health we do not travel as gurus or as experts but as servants. As much as we are there to serve the local churches, an open heart and a healthy dose of humility will ensure each of us learns and grows from the experience. Be aware of a critical spirit that begins innocently with the phrase, ‘Back home we... (do it like this)
Remember we are people of the Word and of the Spirit. We have both available to each of us, so be prepared to minister. Also, relax, and enjoy the time. Expect God to challenge your materialism. Expect God to use the Malawian people to humble and stretch you. Expect Him to save, deliver, heal, raise from the dead, bless and love the people through YOU! Expect to be irritated and frustrated, to have your personal space invaded. Expect to be treated as honoured guests and to leave a deposit of eternal significance in Malawi. Be aware that sometimes the heat, “Africa time” and the noise of a city, or even a village, can mean your sleep is disrupted – and with lack of sleep can come greater irritability!
Be ambassadors of Christ. We are called to model New Testament Christianity; therefore, we need to be Christ-like in our attitude. Philippians 2:5-11, in v3 the command is: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” Furthermore, we need to model servanthood, faith, worship, prayer, etc. Be an example in all things!
Be a blessing, be an encourager, be a servant to the people. Serve your hosts (if they will let you), serve in meetings (practically and spiritually) and serve other members of the team.
Be aware of cultural differences. Try not to pre-judge the behaviour without understanding the worldview. Malawians are far more friendly, space-invading and affectionate than Western people. GO WITH AN ATTITUDE TO LEARN and be TEACHABLE.
Yes, there are difficulties and obstacles to overcome; yet you are called to be an overcomer, more than a conqueror. Culture shock is real. Remember it is probably from both sides. Language difficulties, diet differences, distance from home (remoteness), lack of sleep...all put extreme pressure on you. If there is only one area you are weak in, that will be under intense pressure from within (yourself) and from without (others, the devil). Remember you can just about travel anywhere in the world within 24 hours, but it may take years to bridge the cultural gap between you and the people.
If you do experience real difficulties do not make changes to plans without submitting it to a leader first (i.e. don’t change accommodation, travel plans, etc). A lot of effort has gone into the administration of a trip like this and each decision can have a ripple effect. Likewise, it is easy to cause confusion or offense without meaning to.
There is real pain, as there are real needs. No matter how moved you are to meet needs, you need to respect those who have worked longer into that mission field. If there are donations or gifts you would like to give, work it through the team coordinator or the overall authority. Likewise, do not get involved in pastoral issues: always point people back to their leaders. By all means pray for people and encourage people but it is easy to unintentionally
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FOUR12 | MALAWI OUTREACH GUIDE Version 1 cause problems for churches by giving perspective without knowing the whole story. Refrain from prophesying births, deaths or marriages and avoid ‘parking lot’ prophesies where there is no accountability and much potential for misunderstanding (especially as much can be lost in translation).
Where there is unity the Lord commands the blessing. Satan knows this and seeks to be divisive. This is a crucial factor in decision-making. A golden rule is: “What your team coordinator says - goes!” If you have a different idea, suggestion, opinion, easier way to do it, share it respectfully, one on one, at an appropriate time. If it’s during crisis, ask if you can share something. Team coordinators; ask if God has shown any of the team anything. “Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give account. Obey them so that their work may be a joy, not a burden, for that will be of no advantage to you” (Hebrews 13:17).
Undergird all that you say, and do, in prayer. In Jesus’ most needy hour, He prayed. “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25). Remember, that the most vulnerable time is just after a great victory. Be vigilant and prayerful, especially on your return journey. “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed” (Proverbs 16:3).
The success of the outreach is not dependent on the team coordinator, but the whole team. The team is only as strong as the weakest link, so pull together. Be intuitive, perceive the needs, be a willing servant to strengthen the coordinator’s arm. In so doing, you will honour the coordinator and God will honour you. Serve their vision and have a heart submission, not just a head submission, and God will raise you up in due time.
CURRENT OBJECTIVES IN MALAWI
We have been working into Malawi for around 16 years, but it is only in the last couple of years that we have seen a real growth in the number of churches that are looking to partner with us. The primary purpose of our trip is to build on existing relationships whilst forging new ones. The newer churches also need to be exposed to New Testament (and by extension Four12) values and lifestyle. The biggest impact of a trip like this is rarely the preaching: it is the example set by every saint on the team.
There are some churches that are old, established partners, others may be going through a leadership transitions and need a lot of encouragement, while others are still exploring a relationship with Four12.
For the training times, a suitable venue is always a challenge, but God always provides. It gets extremely hot and sweaty. We often only have a few days, so we have to make the most of what little time we have. This will be the first exposure to Four12 for many people: and first impressions count. Be welcoming, open, servant hearted, generous, faith-filled, loving, etc. Worship passionately, pray fervently, be faithful to be at all the meetings, don’t just hang out with friends but reach out to people you don’t know, be willing to be used and be front-footed during ministry times.
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FOUR12 | MALAWI OUTREACH GUIDE Version 1 CHURCH CULTURE
At least with regard to the churches we are working with, the people are no strangers to the supernatural and we trust God for a demonstration of His power. We need to trust God to use our talents, guided by His Spirit, to bring life wherever we are; whether it be a Sunday meeting, a home group, the conference, a prayer meeting, an outreach or simply being with our hosts in their homes.
Worship is very different to what you are used to. You will find the songs are mostly about what God has done or what they want Him to do for them.! Feel free to sing in English or try out your Chichewa.
In meetings, please arrive early, where possible, so that we can meet and pray together.
Dress code for meetings will be similar to what one would expect within most African churches. Some Western normalities are not culturally acceptable within the Malawian context, so it is wise to be aware of them. Men are encouraged to wear long trousers, button-up tops and potentially ties for church meetings. Shorts and flip-flops will often disqualify all that you are saying in the mind of an African church goer. Women are expected to wear chitenjes, which are large pieces of coloured fabric used as a skirt, in all church contexts. Closed shoes are also preferable, and flip-flops should be avoided. Women are also expected to cover their shoulders and chest area during church meetings, please avoid wearing “spaghetti-strap” tops.
Should you have tattoos that are visible, you are required to ensure that they are covered at all times. Within the African culture tattoos are strongly associated with witchcraft and your tattoos will lead those in the congregation to stumble. So please think of those saints you will be interacting with.
Another way you can ensure that you are well received within the local church is by taking caution when it comes to consuming alcohol. Although each one of us has different convictions when it comes to drinking, for the sake of the saints in the congregations, we ask that you please abstain from drinking alcohol for the duration of your time in Malawi. Paul writes to the church in Philippi and has the following to say, in a similar vein;
“Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others” (Phil 2:1-4).
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FOUR12 | MALAWI OUTREACH GUIDE Version 1 WHY SEND TEAMS ON SHORT TRIPS TO THE NATIONS?
• To expose churches to New Testament Christianity as modelled by the saints.
• To model what a healthy church looks like.
• To encourage leaders in Malawi to rise to their full potential, equipping and mobilizing their people to reach the lost and disciple the nations.
• To encourage and build up the churches in Malawi.
• To expose people to the nations so that they will never be the same again.
• To enlarge the faith of those who GO to bring unresolved areas in their lives to the surface, to force them to re-evaluate their priorities, to give them new vision, to stir their hearts to greater things and to take all this back to their home church.
• To learn how to pray for people in the nations.
• To encourage generosity in the saints by exposing them to the financial needs that come with working into the nations.
One thing remains certain; God honours and blesses those whom He sends - as anyone who has been will testify!
REPORTING BACK TO YOUR CHURCH
There is no doubt that you will have something to share when you return home. This is a great opportunity for you to bless and encourage the local Church with all the things that God has done. It is also very exciting for those who have invested prayer and finances into the outreach to hear of the things that the Lord has done in and through you. It is also the apostolic pattern found in Acts. Not to report back is to deny a great surge forward of the corporate momentum into greater apostolicity. Use this opportunity to enthuse, inform, motivate, energise and increase the faith of the local church.
We want to bring a good report: Caleb - “Let us go up at once and possess it for we are well able to overcome it” (Numbers 13:30). Here are a few tips on how best to do that:
• It can be helpful to keep a journal of your trip. It will serve as a reminder of the wonderful events of the outreach and encourage you to keep your commitments to pray for the people you met.
• When giving feedback, show excitement, enthusiasm and faith. Communicate how your own impact was significant and the impact it had on you.
• Be truthful (there is no need for exaggeration), be prepared (know what to say and how to say it) and be encouraging (God can use others in the same way).
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FOUR12 | MALAWI OUTREACH GUIDE Version 1 • Avoid being long-winded, be short, punchy and to the point (avoid unnecessary repetition, irrelevant details, etc.) Concentrate less on the cultural/physical differences and more on what God did. People like to hear what happened to you but also in you!
• Don’t be coy. No giggling and embarrassment; be confident in what you have to say.
• Avoid inside jokes or extensive mentions of food, smells, etc.
• Make sure God gets the glory!
MINISTRY
• Chichewa is the predominant spoken language in Malawi, although many people speak enough broken English to communicate. There is usually a shortage of translators for ministry times.
• If you minister, remember to keep your sentences short and allow the interpreter time to interpret. Cut your message shorter to allow for the time taken to translate. Be aware that most jokes do not translate well!
• Don’t preach above your ‘pay grade’: leave governmental issues to elders. Share things that you have had victory in, are living in or can speak with conviction about. Remember people catch who we are not what we say.
• Remember that the elders of the local church are the highest authority, so refer people to them. Submit to their authority and wishes while you are in their church. Honour and respect them, even if they may not reflect what you think are Kingdom values.
• Remember to not talk down to them. They may be a largely uneducated 3rd world nation but there will always be some well-educated people in the meetings.
• Be careful of the words, “must do” and “you should”, these are translated as commands even though you may only be making a suggestion.
BEING HOSTED
• Give dates and times of arrival; and communicate any delays or changes as soon as possible.
• Offer to contribute to meals or cook for them. Going out to eat is not normal in Malawi so an alternative would be to stock their food store. A good idea is to buy regular rounds of cold drinks.
• Remember the children – please include them as they too, are part of the body. A small pack of peanuts goes a long way to building friendships.
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FOUR12 | MALAWI OUTREACH GUIDE Version 1 • Be grateful for your accommodation – don’t compare with others and become envious if your arrangements don’t match up! It is usual for us to take our own tents and to camp alongside the houses in the village. This will be communicated to you closer to the time. The experience and what you will learn will far outweigh the cost of any inconvenience.
• Be adventurous – eat what is offered. The Malawians have little food, but they will give you their last meal! You will eat multiple times a day, be polite and eat something every time even if it is a just a little. It is considered quite offensive when you reject their offer of food. So, be brave and try something new – it may surprise you, and you may like it.
• Be helpful – wash dishes, make your bed, serve the family – let them remember Christ in you!
• Communicate your movements so they know when you will be where etc.
PRE-TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS
Your pre-travel arrangements are as important as your outreach. They all need to be made well in advance of the departure date.
You need a valid passport, without it you cannot leave or enter a country.
• Check the expiry date: It must be valid for at least 6 months after the intended return date.
• Photocopy the page with your photo and information on it and keep it separate from your passport in case the latter goes missing. We also suggest you take a picture with your phone.
• Obtain a visa (South Africans do not need a visa for Malawi – others do!).
Vaccinations and Health
• Malawi is a malaria area
Malaria and bilharzia are all risks in Malawi. A full course of anti-malaria medication should be taken for the duration of your time in Malawi.
• If you are on prescription medication, ensure you have adequate supplies as they can’t always be obtained in Malawi.
• Please inform the outreach coordinator of any significant medical conditions.
Travel/Medical/Accident Insurance
It is recommended but not essential. Cover can be arranged on some personal householder policies. Some credit cards offer free cover with air ticket purchases.
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FOUR12 | MALAWI OUTREACH GUIDE Version 1 Foreign Currency
•Foreign currency should be purchased on arrival in Malawi to provide for various needs during your trip.
Options are available including using ATM’s in the airport and in Lilongwe. Speak to your bank beforehand to ensure your cards are authorised for ATM use in Malawi.
• Malawi trades on Malawian Kwacha – abbreviated MKW - it is about 51 MKW for one Rand.
• Try not to return to South Africa with KWACHA as these cannot be traded.
TRAVELLING
• You have to be at the airport at least two hours before departure.
• It is usually easier to check-in online the day before you fly, but you can also do it the old- fashioned way when you get there.
• Do check for any schedule changes/delays beforehand - this can be done on-line or with one of several apps.
• There are two airports in Malawi – one in Lilongwe and one in Blantyre - make sure you go to the right one!
• To cross the city of Lilongwe is always a slow process due to traffic congestion. Public transport is fairly cheap and safe, it is advisable to use the taxi or rikka bikes. It’s a great way to see the largest city in Malawi.
• Alternatively, car rental is available but will be pricey.
• Do offer to pay for petrol if you are driven somewhere.
PASSPORT CONTROL / CUSTOMS
• If asked, you are travelling as a tourist, visiting friends. We will provide you with an address for you to use if you are asked.
• If you do take biltong make sure it is vacuum sealed. There is still a small chance that they will not let you take it through if they find it.
• Do not carry anything for anybody else!
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FOUR12 | MALAWI OUTREACH GUIDE Version 1 CRIME
Malawi is a low crime country but, like South Africa, the worst crime is mostly confined to city markets. Elsewhere there is not a lot of petty crime such a pickpocketing etc.
• If you have a backpack be aware – maybe wear it on the front of your body rather than on your back.
• Be aware of your surroundings.
• Don’t wander into places you do not know.
• Use your common sense.
• Remember we haven’t lost anyone yet!
• In case of a theft:
o File a police report.
o Contact the embassy for a new passport and emergency money – if these
are taken.
o Take new passport photos - make photocopies of the police report.
o Cancel any cards that may have been stolen.
TIME KEEPING
• Please be as punctual as possible.
• Lilongwe can be crazy, and Malawians are very relaxed about time keeping so, you may be late to meetings.
• Do not stress if your hosts make you late, or if there is a major traffic problem - but don’t be the reason for being late!
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FOUR12 | MALAWI OUTREACH GUIDE Version 1 COMMUNICATION
• SIM cards and airtime are easily available on the street if required.
• Most people do not have Wi-Fi – purchase your own airtime and data.
• Make sure your phones are set to roaming only otherwise you could come back to a huge bill.
EATING OUT
Restaurants can be expensive, especially in Lilongwe, but the food is great and there are usually more affordable local roadside options available. Local supermarkets cater for most of your normal supplies.
Remember to try some more traditional Malawian food.
THE 11TH COMMANDMENT
Remember: it is important to have fun!
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FOUR12 | MALAWI OUTREACH GUIDE Version 1 CHICHEWA LANGUAGE SURVIVAL KIT
Hello Moni
Moni onse (hello all of you)
How are you? Muli bwanji?
What is your name? Dzina lanu ndani?
Dzina lanu ndi yani?
My name is… Dzina langa ndi …
Pleased to meet you Ndakondwera kukudziwani
Good morning Mwauka bwanji?
Mwadzuka bwanji?
Ndadzuka bwino (reply)
Good Afternoon Mwaswela bwanji?
Ndaswela bwin (reply)
Good Evening Mwachoma bwanji
Ndachoma bwino (reply)
Goodbye Ndapita (I’m going)
Yendani Bwino (Go well)
Tsalani bwino (Stay well)
Tionana (See you later)
Tionana mawa (See you tomorrow)
Yes Ee
Eya
Inde
No Iyayi
Ayi
I don’t understand Sindimvetsa
Sindikumvetsa
Sindikunvetsani
Do you speak English? Mumalankhula chizungu?
Mumalankhula chingelesi?
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FOUR12 | MALAWI OUTREACH GUIDE Version 1 Excuse me Pepani
How much is this? Ndalama Zingati?
Sorry Pepani
Please Chonde
Thank you Zikomo
Zikomo Kwambiri
Where is the toilet? Chimbudzi chili kuti?
REGIONAL COORDINATOR
Lance & Sue McIntosh
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +265 99 460 2462
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FOUR12 | MALAWI OUTREACH GUIDE Version 1