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] 1 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. 2 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 3 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.