The year 2018 ended in Malawi leaving people with happiness and hope for a good harvest. It had started raining well and nobody expected that things would change in the way they did. In February 2019 it started raining heavily and ended with a cyclone and heavy flooding.

The floods were the worst we have known in Malawi. Many people were killed, crops were washed away, houses and people's belongings as well as livestock were also washed away. So many people were left homeless with nothing to depend on. As a result they were put into flood victims’ camps where life is so miserable and pathetic.

With the knowledge of the devastation and awareness of the people’s challenges the Lord gave me, the words from Isaiah 40 as I went out to Malawi the week before Easter. ‘Comfort, comfort My people, says your God. Speak tenderly…’

There are three main events which I would like to share with you.

Easter Conference

Many thought that the many challenges people were facing would stop them from attending the conference. We really thank God that despite the tragedy of the flooding more than 4,000 came to the conference. Amongst those present were over 150 blind people. It is always a blessing to have them. God is really wonderful for He does things in the way He knows best. With God’s help I was able to speak with the right words and after the conference folks went home very encouraged and blessed. This year’s Easter conference was such a timely conference as God comforted and encouraged His beloved ones with His words.

One of the challenges was concerning transport to the conference. The government has put a stop to the use of open lorries. This would have been something which could have stopped folks from attending the conference but we thank God for His intervention and that the local area lorries which we used were allowed through by the traffic police. Two lorries from Phalombe and Salima in the central region of Malawi were refused access. Small mini buses had to be hired, which is always very expensive. We therefore thank God for His mercy and protection during the Easter season.

Overnight for blind people

Amongst those most affected by the flooding were the blind and people with albinism. A night-time of prayer and fellowship was organised by Redemption Village Bible Teaching Ministries where over 700 blind people and people with albinism gathered.

The faces of those who came to the prayer meeting looked so depressed due to the situation they were left in by the floods but despite this it wasn’t long before everybody was happy and encouraged by the words of God. We really thank God for His presence.

I was able to speak about the life of Jacob, particularly from Genesis 28 verses 10 – 22: ‘ I am with you…I will keep you...I will not leave you…I will fulfil my promises to you…surely the Lord is in this place and I did not know it.’ Yes, so many folks were encouraged by this and went home happily with renewed strength, courage and awareness of God being with them. Each one was given money for food and clothes and items from the container which was sent from the UK. Although it had been delayed, it arrived at the right time. God had a reason and if it was not for this container many people wouldn't have had the practical support to help them with their needs. We held a clinic for the blind people too and we thank God for His provisions.

Camp for flood victims

We set up a clinic at one of the camps where there was great need. There were so many who needed medicines we worked around the clock from 7.00am for twelve hours. Some people were seen the next day.

At the camp we were saddened to see there were no tents, no mats, no mosquito nets. People were living on open ground with a sparse covering of trees. Each family was given one blanket. Men had to sleep in one building and a couple hundred yards away were the women and children. So for a family of dad, mum and three children who had the blanket? The man!

It was in God’s timing that we went to Khungubwe flood victims’ camp with food, blankets and clothes. The visit was very special, as the people of this camp said that since they had arrived they had never received any help like that which we were able to take to them.

We had over six hundred 50 kgs bags of maize and large sacks full of mixed clothes which I was able to pack with the help of three orphaned lads who had just finished secondary school. The camp had over 278 families and a population of almost 2589 people. Five babies were born in the camp. 50 kgs maize was given to each one of them excluding children. Most of the people in the camps were so surprised that they were able to have a bag each when normally they would have to share.

Many people in the camp are now sleeping with blankets and the children have their sweaters. They are really grateful and thanked the Lord as Malawi was soon to have its winter season. After the distribution the Christians began to sing choruses and Lapson, a local leader and helper, had the opportunity to share from the Word of God.

Now that the floods have begun to recede most of the people from the camp have now started returning to their farms to clear the ground for winter planting.

We will appreciate your prayers as the people of Malawi still face many challenges, especially the need to acquire materials to build new houses, the regular provision of food, and to have basic kitchen utensils.

God’s children have been comforted through your prayers and through your giving. They know that nothing can separate them from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Thank you