Thursday, April 21, 2011

Return from Malawi


Dear friends, April 19, 2011

We are back from Malawi and settled into life in Melbourne. Honestly, we left a portion of our hearts in south eastern Africa. Our two weeks were filled with experiences of God’s grace as we each had opportunities to invest in others with the hope of the gospel.
Michael was able to serve in the clinic at African Bible College and found a renewed passion to be a medical doctor serving in Africa. He shadowed the medical staff and worked in the lab learning how to diagnose malaria. He saw Doctor Young unite the spiritual with the physical as she prayed with every patient she saw. Michael also used this time to draw near to Jesus. During this time, Michael was able to consecrate himself anew to Jesus and experience great confidence in God’s call. Even when he faced adversity, he responded in a humble trusting fashion. He also became convinced that the best school for his future call is Covenant College in Chattanooga, TN.
Michael spent a lot of time with Shea Dehnert. (Michael’s brother is married to Shea’s sister.) Michael and Shea knew each other before but on this trip they began to build a closer bond. It was good to watch their friendship grow. One day, they chose to watch a basketball game on campus. African Bible College Christian Academy, where Shea attends school, was playing their cross town rival. Only one referee was available. It was soon discovered that Michael is a certified referee in Florida and he was asked to officiate. So he is now an internationally experienced referee. He loved serving in this capacity.
Robin’s task was to help Julia, the teenage girl from our church who came with us on the trip. Robin and Julia served at the Academy each morning. They helped in a first grade class and the preschool. Robin also joined Julia on our trips to the Ministry of Hope Crisis Nursery where they played with and fed orphaned infants. It was beautiful to watch Robin exemplify Philippians 2:3-4, “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves: do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.” Robin cared for Julia, encouraged our team members, spent time helping Connie Dehnert, and found every opportunity available to serve those around her.
Vince mostly just preached. He preached fourteen sermons from Monday morning through Friday morning. He spoke on the topic of being “Set Free to Love.” We know that God calls us to love but we do not always love. Vince is convinced that our own desire to be loved and valued prevents us from giving ourselves in love to others. He discussed this dilemma and provided a call to live out Psalm 23:5, “my cup overflows.” God has given us more love than we need so that we can love others for Him. He also preached at Maula Prison from Matthew 11:28-30, inviting the inmates to find rest in Jesus.
On our first Sunday in Malawi we visited a Presbyterian Church in the city where a student from African Bible College was being installed as the new pastor. Pastor (Abusa) Tembo had served for nine years in the villages before receiving this call. Pastors from all over the central region of Malawi gathered for this celebration along with many of their members. Twenty or more pastors gathered around Abusa Tembo to bless him and offer him words of encouragement. He was challenged to keep the focus of his ministry on the gospel of Jesus. Choirs from each of the visiting congregations sang, several men preached, and every congregation was individually welcomed. The building was filled to capacity and several hundred gathered outside, sitting in the grass or peeking in through the windows to rejoice for Kafita Church and Abusa Tembo. The service lasted over five hours. Vince had more occasions that week to spend with Abusa Tembo. He is a very humble and dignified man who loves Jesus and the flock he has been called to serve. Please pray for pastor Tembo.
God blessed our trip. Now we are seeking to minister at Cornerstone Fellowship. The struggles of ministry continue to face us. The power of the gospel is still revealed as people trust God. We are grateful that God has honored us by calling us into service. There is a possibility that Vince could return to Malawi for two weeks in January to teach a block course at the college and maybe provide some counseling. Please pray about this opportunity.
How can we say thank you enough. You invested in a culture in desperate need of hope. Throughout Malawi you see ministries with hope in the name, Ministry of Hope, Hope of the Nations, Partners in Hope, etc. Malawi needs hope. By your support of us, we were able to enflame the hope of the future leaders in Malawi. Through the work of African Bible College men and women are prepared to lead this impoverished nation. We saw graduates of ABC who are now serving as leaders of the church, leaders of NGOs, and even in the government. God is using African Bible College to change Malawi. Your prayers and financial gifts helped to affect that change. Thank you!
In Jesus’ love,



Vince, Robin and Michael

About Me

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I have been a PCA pastor since 1993, having been a pastor in Arizona, Florida, Wyoming, Pennsylvania, and as the Team Leader for MTW’s work in Scotland. I am currently the Senior Pastor of Providence Presbyterian Church in York, PA. As a pastor, my desire is to help everyone I meet live out Psalm 73:25, “Whom have I in Heaven but You, and besides You I desire nothing on earth.” I love my Wife Robin, my two sons, Patrick and Michael and my daughter in law, Britney. I am firmly wrapped around the fingers of my granddaughters.

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