We are back .... From the sapping heat of Malawi to a cold and rainy Jhb! But we have come back with amazing knowledge and great team spirit.

We worked with Peace Ministries in Malawi. Peace Ministries was started by Alick Banda - who has planted 58 churches in Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia. Rosebank Union started supporting Alick when he came to SA to study theology. Up to this time he was training pastors with no formal theological background.

The Pastors of Peace Ministries are a band of brothers who clearly share the love of Christ. They are very professional and men of God. Pastors Joseph, Duncan. David, Kingston and Ronald - led by Alick Banda, did all the mobilising and arranging behind the scenes. We have developed lasting ties with them as a team. When I think of Malawi, I see each of these faces alight for Jesus.

In Nkhotha Kota we trained 112 people - 25 of whom were pastors from 20 denominations. During the door to door outreach to the Muslims 164 people were visited: 67 people made a commitment to Christ, of which 33 were Muslims. The first showing of the Jesus film 905 people came, with 492 making a commitment to Christ. 585 people came to the Jesus film on the second night and 70 people made a commitment to Christ. Showing that Nkhotha Kota is ready for the kingdom of God and the Holy Spirit is working amongst the people. Careful records of the visits and commitments were kept and Pastor Avis who is the Chairman of the Pastors Fraternal will drive the follow ups with the local churches.

In Salima we trained 50 people, 30 were pastors representing 18 denominations. In Salima, we did only one day of door to door outreach. 75 people were visited, 51 made a commitment to Christ. The visitation records were given to the Secretary of the Pastors Fraternal who will work with the local churches to provide follow up. On the first night 336 people came to the Jesus film and 131 people made a commitment to Christ. On the second night of the Jesus film in a different location, 1140 people merged out of the darkness, with 396 people making a commitment to Christ.

Throughout the training the team encouraged the trainees to reach out to Muslims with gentleness and respect. The trainees' feedback on the training emphasised that they had learnt ways to approach Muslims and how to face the challenges of evangelising to Muslims and change these into opportunities to teach to truth and eternal salvation through Jesus Christ.

On Saturday the team enjoyed a day of rest at the Lake. We did some shopping at the market in the morning and then in the afternoon we went out with some locals in a fishing boat to Lizzard island and swam and snorkelled. Extremely enjoyable and relaxing. On our last evening we had dinner with our hosts in Salima - Gladys and Nixon, Alick and the Peace Ministries pastors. It was a lovely day to end a fast, packed and Spirit filled time in Malawi.

The seminar on the Better Birth Initiative which I did at St Anne’s mission hospital was attended by 14 midwives and 4 doctors. Together we work shopped the particular issues in their labour ward, drawing up a plan of action for change. They will bring about changes - for example encouraging women to be upright and mobile during labour, over the next 6 weeks. I will then be in touch with the team to evaluate how the process is working. The mission hospital is sad - dilapidated and outdated. There is a new First World District hospital in Nkhota Kota - but I was unable to get permission to train there.

This is just a brief taste of a full and busy week. The people of Malawi are respectful and hospitable. It truly is the "warm heart of Africa". Thank you for your prayer cover whilst we were away and for the encouraging SMS's.

Together we have done a beautiful thing for God.