A missionary's tale…

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  • Misozi Stolo

    Misozi Stolo

    Most of you have never met my team here in Malawi and are probably wondering what is going to happen with the ministry while my family will go on sabbatical. You may just want to know who are the ones who help us every single day, what are their names, roles and responsibilities.

    In this article I want to introduce to you Misozi Stolo.
    I wrote about Stanley & Doreen Thawe in this article.

    Misozi (in translation “tears“) has been working with Hope for the Future for a very long time, even before our family came here 11 years ago. Today she is 27 years old, married with Stefano and expecting a baby.

    Misozi’s responsibilities revolve around the children’s ministry. She has been trained to work with children and she has extensive experience with them. Misozi leads the Bible clubs we have in different villages around Zomba. Every week she meets with these children and, in the 1-1.5 hours she spends with them, they learn new songs, games and hear the Gospel taught through different Bible lessons for children.

    Due to her current situation – expecting a baby – we have reduced her other responsibilities, but in the future she will learn how to type on a computer so she can help the rest of the team in the translation work.

    Although her main part of the ministry is “only” the work with the Bible clubs, I want to emphasize that she plays a very important role in the entire work here in Malawi. Some of these Bible clubs can number more than 200 children every single day and these children are our open doors to reach the adults. In every village where we plant new churches, we work with the children first and then, and through them, we can reach the adults and plant and grow a church. Misozi not only leads children to Christ but also helps the rest of us start and build a church.

    You can read about the rest of the team by clicking the following names: Stanley & Doreen.

    You can read about our upcoming sabbatical leave here: Sabbatical.

  • Bible School – Week 9

    Bible School – Week 9

    Today, Oct. 7, we begin with the 9th session of training at our Tom Gentry Bible Training Center, here in Zomba, Malawi. The teacher this week is Dan.

    This 8-hour a day intensive courses will last until Friday and the students are learning how to study and understand the Word of God. Dan is teaching from the Gospel of John and the pastoral epistles (1 & 2 Timothy and Titus).

    Pray for an efficient time, for Dan to be clear in speech and for the students to pay attention and learn new things.

  • Stanley & Doreen Thawe

    Stanley & Doreen Thawe

    Most of you have never met my team here in Malawi and are probably wondering what is going to happen with the ministry while my family will go on sabbatical. You may just want to know who are the ones who help us every single day, what are their names, roles and responsibilities.

    In this article I want to introduce to you Stanley and Doreen Thawe.

    Stanley & Doreen Thawe

    Stanley (37) and his wife, Doreen (31), are the longest serving members of our team. Together they have 3 children: Happy, Praise and Promise. They have one more in heaven, Ovi.

    Stanley is the local director of Hope for the Future and his general responsibilities includes the overall supervision of the work. His job is to make sure everyone else is doing their job. He organizes and ensures the Evangelistic and Sports Camps are efficient. He calls the national pastors for the meetings and conferences. He is the local contact person and the man who deals with most of the administrative issues, like paying the bills or taxes. Stanley is also the principal of Hope for the Future Primary School in Kachere and the signatory of the organization’s bank account, responsibility which enables him to distribute the funds and pay the salaries while I am away.

    To best describe Stanley’s job I would say he is my right hand guy here in Malawi. All important things happen with him next to me.

    Doreen is a wonderful and dedicated woman, a true and important help for Stanley but also the entire ministry. Doreen is the head cook for every aspect of the ministry: Evangelistic Camps, Bible School, Pastor’s Conferences, etc. In the past she used to teach children at the Bible Clubs, role now taken by another member of our team, Misozi.

    Stanley and Doreen, together with their beautiful children, live at the mission compound day and night. They ensure the offices are open and the mission house is ready to receive guests and visitors.

    Stanley has always worked with me as a translator but he is also gifted as a teacher and singer. Today, Stanley and Samuel (another member of our team) work together and translate all the materials we use in the local language.

    You can read about the rest of the team by clicking on the following names: Misozi, Samuel & Linesi, Tendai.

    You can read about our upcoming sabbatical leave here: Sabbatical.

  • Do you trust God?

    Do you trust God?

    Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

    Proverbs 3:5 

    Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?

    But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you

    Matthew 6:25-33

    I believe one of the most important aspects of a Christian’s life is also one that is practiced the least: trusting God, according to His will.

    Before I continue, I want to point out that this article is not coming from a missionary who has it all figured out and who has attained a higher spiritual level. By no means, for I struggle as much as anyone else, if not even more, to know God’s will for my life every day and to truly trust Him in every detail.

    You see, when we first came to Africa, more than 10 years ago, we were fully funded … in theory. Romanian churches sent us on our way, only to withdraw their support 3-6 months after we arrived, citing different financial reasons and priorities. This was not even the worst, as several others told us “Sure, go serve the Lord, we will be behind you” only to never actually send any funds after we arrived here. The 100% theoretical support turned out to be around 40% practical support. In the first year in Malawi we were severely underfunded.

    We tried to learn how to cope with a growing family (Lita was already pregnant with our 2nd born), a growing ministry and shrinking funds. We couldn’t go back and raise funds as we didn’t have the money. As a father, husband and missionary I worried, I stressed and I tried to find ways to provide but I couldn’t legally work here according to our missionary visa conditions and I didn’t want to compromise ourselves and the ministry.

    Initially I started borrowing money. Yes, I did that. I borrowed money and not from banks (I couldn’t) or other missionaries, but from locals. It’s a time of our lives we don’t talk about much, but we did borrow money from well-to-do Malawians in order for my wife to make the Malawian staple food which fed us for many months.

    As a family this was the first time we ran out of money. Prior to being a missionary, I had a steady and well paying job – in computer programming – and money was never an issue for us. This time, there was no money and the scary thing was that it happened half way across the world, away from family, friends and churches.

    To cut a long story short, it took me 3 years here in Africa to learn this lesson: God’s Word is true, God’s promises are true, He will provide and I need to trust Him. And this is the key: trust God according to His will. You see, many believers have fabricated other ways to “trust God” while they’re really trusting themselves, their bank accounts, their stuffed fridge and so on. I know God is the one giving us the strength to work but the truth is that very few believers truly seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness FIRST. That’s the keyword: FIRST.

    When we don’t put God and His work FIRST then truly we try to provide for ourselves. Many in the West do a good job at that. Most people in Africa fail. In theory we still claim God provides but that is not reflected in practice.

    Why I am writing all this? Because God just reminded me today that I need to fully trust Him. You see, we’re getting close to our sabbatical and this brings a lot of changes in our family and ministry. As I am writing this, there are so many “loose knots” around me that I don’t even know where to start. Again, as a husband, father and missionary, I am trying to make sure my family will be taken care of while we will be in Romania and the ministry in Malawi will be taken care of here.

    Winter is coming and our heating system in Romania is not completed. We still need to eat and pay bills there. We don’t yet have a vehicle. I worry about the funds in Malawi. I worry about the Primary School. I worry about things that need to happen, material, tangible things. Then I worry a lot about God’s will for our lives, about the future, about things that I have no control on. Where will we be in 5 or 10 years from now? We have dedicated our lives to serving the Lord, but what will happen next?

    You see, I am a human being and I have to fight with myself every single day. I know – both in theory and practice – that God is in control and He will provide, but many times I am weak and my faith is weak. During days like this one, God reminds me:

    Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

    Bible

    Knowing God’s Word is true and believing God at His Word, I have to bring my heart and head to this conclusion: God will provide and He will take care of these material things that need to happen. I have to focus on seeking Him first.

    I have two choices in front of me: FIRST to worry, do my best, ask around and work for my needs or FIRST to seek God and His righteousness and trust He will take care of the rest. Today I choose to trust Him.

  • 20 years of Hope

    20 years of Hope

    Hope for the Future Malawi: 20 years of existence!!!

    August 2, 1999 was the day when Hope for the Future was officially registered here in Malawi and, every day since then, God has graciously blessed us beyond measure.

    Oh what a journey it has been here in Africa and how many stories we could share with you… We had ups and downs, people coming and people leaving, friends and supporters and those who opposed us but, through it all, God has always been faithful.

    Hope for the Future Malawi has been the launching ground of missionaries and pastors. Our organization has provided the means for many to come, learn, help and grow.

    Hope for the Future has been the umbrella under which we could legally plant churches, start Feeding Centers, start a Primary School, start a Bible School, organize Evangelistic Camps and Sports Camps, run Bible clubs and so much more.

    But what is Hope for the Future? Just a name on a registration paper? Oh no, but it is so much more than that! It is all of us and it is YOU! Hope for the Future is you; you who are praying for us, you who are supporting us, you who are encouraging us, you who are visiting us, you who translates for us, you who guards us, you who dedicated your life to us, you who loves us and who cries for us. YOU are Hope for the Future so Happy Birthday to YOU and THANK YOU.

    “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.“
    Eph. 2:20-21.

  • $3 for education

    $3 for education

    Last Friday we had the end of year closing ceremony at our Primary School in Kachere. 763 children have been enrolled for the 2018-2019 School Year. It was an amazing day of celebration with a huge attendance: our pupils, their friends and their parents.

    Sitting there on my chair I could hardly stop my tears from rushing out. In front of me I saw more than 1,000 people whose lives are being changed. Further down, to my left, there was the new school building God provided; it will be used starting this September, for grades 7 and 8. Further away there was the church, the very first aspect of our ministry in Kachere. It is there the Word of God is preached every Sunday and souls find their salvation in Christ. Next to it I could see the Feeding Center, a place where 100 orphans were saved from sure death.

    Saving from hell. Saving from death. Saving from poverty. Only our God could do something so amazing!

    The work in Kachere is huge and it’s well above anything I could imagine, but it is well under God’s control. Someone said: “If your dreams do not scare you, they are not big enough.” Well, I am scared!

    In September we will re-open the School from the summer holiday and we’re expecting around 800 children to be enrolled. In the past there was a church in the US which was sponsoring the monthly costs for the school, but now they cannot afford to do it anymore. Right now there are 15 teachers on the payroll, 1 grounds keeper and 1 night guard. Above that, we have to constantly do maintenance work, paint the walls, fix desks, buy school supplies, etc. By the time all classrooms are filled, the running cost for the school will be at $2,000/month.

    To keep this short: we need your help. We need help so we can continue to provide education to the children of Malawi. Education truly breaks the vicious cycle of poverty and, other than salvation from hell, it is the most important thing Africa needs. We estimated it costs $3 to keep 1 child in school for 1 month. $36/year. Will you help us?

    I have created a fundraiser on this page and you can use it to donate or any other means you feel comfortable. If your church already sponsors us in one way or another, you could give to the church and mention it’s for education. If you prefer sending a cheque, we offer you that possibility. If you prefer bank transfer or online payments, you can do that too.

    Would you prayerfully consider helping us and investing in Malawi’s future?

    $
     
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    Donation Total: $3.00 for 12

    $
     
    Select Payment Method
    Personal Info

    Donation Total: $3.00 for 12

  • Dedication Hope Baptist Church, Nasedegu

    Dedication Hope Baptist Church, Nasedegu

    Today we had the Official Opening & Dedication of our latest church plant, Hope Baptist Church, Nasedegu.

    It was a day of celebration with over 600 adults and children attending, from many villages. Our church in Kachere was present, as well as several others from different villages.

    Pastor Ed preached the Word from 2 Chronicles 7, where the Lord responded to Solomon and told him what should the people do in order for their prayers to be listened every time they pray.

    “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

    The church is not a man’s invention, but God’s. Jesus is the Head of the Church and God will protect and preserve it (Matt. 16:18). The church is made out of true worshippers who worship God in Spirit and truth (John 4:23-24). The church is not the building but the belivers, “living stones being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Pet. 2:5).

    Before all the people in Nasedegu, before all the visitors from near and far, before the chief and, more importantly, before the Lord, we have committed and dedicated the building to the work of the Lord in Nasedegu. It will be a place where children of God will worship and praise God, give thanksgiving to Him and lift up prayers. We will read, teach, preach, hear, listen to and obey the Word of God. It will be the place where the Lord’s ordinances will be followed and where sinners will be able to hear and respond to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

    May God help us so!

  • Hope Baptist Church, Nasedegu. Then and Now.

    Hope Baptist Church, Nasedegu. Then and Now.

    With great joy I announce today that the building for our church in Nasedegu is completed. The whole construction process has been a rollercoaster, but we were blessed with dedicated men and women from the village who stayed faithful and continued to help through any circumstances.

    The first time I told you about the beginning of the work in Nasedegu was back in November 2017. I reported then that during the first week of October we had visited the village again, knocking on doors and culminating everything with the Jesus movie. Soon after that, end of 2017 – beginning of 2018, Nasedegu fell back into the grips of the demonic activities that plague Africa, with people accusing others of vampirism. Several passing vehicles were stoned and it simply became too dangerous to go anymore. At one point someone in the village told us it is not safe for us to go there.

    October 2017. Kids were curious to see white people.
    October 2017. The Jesus movie, the first movie most people ever saw.

    Back in March last year the attendance was low but faithful, numbering 5 adults and a few kids. We met under a tree and I continued to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Light who came into this dark world.

    February 2018. Church under a tree.

    The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. In May 2018, I wrote an article, titled: “Come and help us!“. Villages like Nasedegu – where there were no Christians and no churches before – are everywhere in Malawi, Africa and in the rest of the world. While we look for comfort, safety and an overall easy life, souls are dying without Christ every single day. May the Lord awaken us.

    Later that month, still in May 2018, we had our very first baptism in Nasedegu and 11 people publicly confessed Jesus as their Lord and Savior. There has never been a baptism in this place before and this 11 people were the first to understand and respond to the call of Jesus! Oh what a day that was!!!

    May 27, 2018. First ever baptism in Nasedegu.

    As the planting of the church in Nasedegu was ongoing, now we needed a church building, a place of worship where the new brothers and sisters in Christ could meet, have fellowship with one another and with God. In October 2018 we officially started the work. Since then, we had ups and downs, many reasons to stop or slow down but we’ve always resumed and, by God’s grace and the help of those who contributed towards this project, we are now finished. Actually, almost finished!

    October 2018. Working on the foundation for the new church building.

    The story of work in Nasedegu is not over yet, actually most of it is still in the future. This month, Lord willing, we will have the “Official Opening of the Church in Nasedegu”, a special day set aside to dedicate the building and the people to the Lord!

    Still in the future, the people will choose a pastor!!! In the future the church will grow!!! In the future there will be another Evangelism!!! In the future there will be more baptisms!!! In the future the church will plant another church!!! In the future…

    We don’t know what the future holds, but we know He who holds the future. If He does not come to take us home, the future will always be bright for those who love God and serve Him. I didn’t say always easy, I said always bright.

    I often compared the work God is doing with a train traveling to its destination. At times, the Conductor allows us to hop on and be a part of something great! The train will go on and God’s work is going to be done, I guess the only question is if I am with Him or I stayed behind?

    Would you consider being a part of God’s work in Malawi? We need prayers, support and help. God bless you.

    Below you can see some recent pictures from Nasedegu:

    Children’s Ministry.
    Women’s Choir.

    Men.
    Women.
    Hope Baptist Church, Nasedegu.
  • Interns: John & Austin

    Interns: John & Austin

    John & Austin
    Me with John and Austin

    For the next 1 month we’re going to enjoy the company of 2 dedicated young men, John and Austin, who came with the GA team and stayed behind to help us a bit more.

    Both of them have been here before; John has been coming since 2014 and Austin since 2015. They love working with the kids and doing Sports Camps. This time around, they’re here to see the inner workings of the ministry, the behind the scenes aspect of Hope for the Future. They’re here to help me and to help my team.

    Internship at Hope for the Future is not always easy; the pay is nonexistent, the hours are crazy and the conditions are below what you’d expect, but the reward is eternal. The boys will get a taste of what mission work is all about when there are no mission teams around. They will also see what it means to live in a third world country.

    We truly appreciate when young people like John and Austin (and others who came before them), sacrifice their money and time to do something that counts. There are many ways you could spend your summer, but only one which truly matters: for God!

  • Sabbatical

    Sabbatical

    “And He said to them, ‘Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.’ For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.“

    Mark 6:31

    Dear faithful ministry partners, after 11 years of full-time ministry here on the continent of Africa, we believe the time has come to take a sabbatical, a longer period of time used for rest and recovery. Every time we went to Romania or the US, it was on furlough, and we could barely dedicate 1 week for some sort of rest. It almost always seemed like our time “off” was more hectic and busy than back in Africa. If you’ve been following the updates about our family, than you most certainly know about our numerous health issues, about the fight with the fake medicine and the rest of the difficulties we’ve been experiencing in the recent 1-2 years. Under the guidance from several men of God I trust, including Pastor Keith, my pastor in Romania and also other board members of Hope for the Future, we have decided to take anywhere between 6 months to 1 year off, away from Malawi. During this time, the ministry in Malawi will continue under Stanley, Samuel, Tendai and Misozi. These are 4 capable and trained locals who have been prepared exactly for times like this one and I am confident they will do an amazing job. I’ve put together the 5 “R”s, showing what we will do during our sabbatical:

    • Rest. We will take time to rest, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Year after year we’ve spent ourselves, not only 6-8 hours per day, but truly 24/24. Every time the phone rings, irrespective of the time of the day or night, we are always ready to help those who are in need.  
    • Renew. Giving to others and giving ourselves to others we’ve sometimes felt that our relationship with the Lord and within our family was on a secondary position. We will use this time to renew our relationship with the Father, as well as our relationships within the family. 
    • Reflect. The last 11 years were filled with ups and downs, many good things and a few not so good. We’ve had many blessings but also a fair share of trials. Many times we felt we were trapped in a certain rhythm, almost on autopilot. These months of rest will give us time to reflect on what God has done through us, what we have done and what needs to be done in the future.
    • Recharge. We will use this time to recharge our batteries and get ready for what the future holds. We will listen to sermons – and not only preach, we will ready books, we will study the Word and we will even take some trips in nature, enjoying the beautiful creation God has made. 
    • Rev. Our life of ministry is not ending, quite the opposite, it will continue for as long as God keeps us alive. This time will allow us to rev up our engines, in preparation for the next stage in our ministry.

    As I mentioned before, throughout these years of ministry we have trained a good number of local people who can continue to make sure the ministry in Malawi glorifies God and helps the people. We have people in place for every aspect of the ministry. Stanley is responsible for the Primary School, for the administration and he can pretty much do anything else, as he is also the local director. Samuel is responsible for the Bible Training Center, for “Farming God’s Way” and he is also an excellent driver who can take our mission teams anywhere and everywhere. Tendai is responsible for the Feeding Centers and Misozi will continue to oversee the Bible Clubs we have, including the 2 new ones in Nasedegu and Bwanali. Pastor Joseph Mtambo is overseeing the ministry in Kachere while pastor Simion and his wife are keeping an eye on the ministry in Mpyupyu. Pastor Katerere is always making sure all the local pastors are informed when we have Pastors Meetings or Pastors Conferences and he is also ensuring our students come to the Bible Training Center. All these faithful people have been doing this for several good years now, and they are experienced and prepared. 

    Pastor Keith Joseph from First Baptist will be ready to assist Stanley in case he needs help or advice and different people will be coming here on and off while we are away. All the mission teams will be able to continue to come and serve, without any interruptions or problems. As you are reading this, I am putting together a document which will have instructions for every aspect of the ministry, in case someone needs or wants to know all the details. 
    Should there be any emergencies, I will be ready to help in any way.

    As far as our family goes and as far as I am concerned, this transition will not be an easy one, as for the past 11 years I don’t think there was a single minute where the ministry in Malawi was not my main concern. The ministry is the Lord’s and I know I have to put feet to that reality. We have total peace about this and we know this is God’s will for our life, even if at times the thought of “rest” really scares me. I do have questions which I can’t answer unless I say “The Lord will provide”. These questions are: “What will happen here?”, “What if the money doesn’t come in?”, “How will we survive?” and so on. We have to trust our Lord just like we’ve trusted him for over a decade and I know that, just like He did it until now, He will continue to provide. In Leviticus 25 God gave the command to Israel regarding the Sabbatical Year. Probably just like us, there were many who worried, “What shall we eat in the seventh year, since we shall not sow nor gather in our produce?” God’s response was supposed to give them peace and it gives us peace as well, “Then I will command My blessing on you in the sixth year, and it will bring forth produce enough for three years.” We believe that God will provide.

    This sabbatical period will not mean only rest but a lot more than that; there are many aspects of our lives which were delayed just because of our need to be here in Malawi all these years. Our home needs repairs, Lita’s Romanian papers need to be done, as well as the US citizenship for our 3 kids. Even more, since last year I am on the board of Hope for the Future Romania and I will be using this time to help and be a blessing to the ministry and men who are on the team, one of whom has just started to raise his own support.

    If you have reached this point in my article, Thank you! Would you please bear with me for a couple more minutes while I talk to you about money. First and foremost, our prayer and humble request is that every one of you will continue to support our family and ministry. Here is what we are asking you to personally do during this time: continue to pray faithfully for the ministry and pray for us; continue to financially support both the ministry and the family. Every aspect of the ministry in Malawi will continue and nothing will be shut down or slowed down: the 173 orphans will continue to eat twice a day, every day; the 740 kids (soon to be 900) will continue to receive their education; 16 young men will continue to attend the Bible Training Center; then there are the expenses related to the Camps, Bible Clubs, churches in need, staff, team, volunteers, fuel, electric, taxes, taxes, taxes (TIA), etc. Pray also about increasing the level of your support and last, but not least, ask God for the expansion of the reach of the Gospel in Africa. 

    Pastor Keith also wrote a letter for you, you can read it following this link: Hope for the Future Letter for Sabbatical Rest.

    Below this paragraph I’ve started a Donation Form, a way for you to be a blessing if the Lord so leads you. This is what you need to do: The first step is to choose the currency (USD or Euros) and the amount, which is either predefined ($10, $20, $50 or $100) or custom. If you want this donation to be recurring for the duration of our sabbatical, you can choose that option. Next up is the payment method; currently we have 2 options for you: PayPal (quick and easy way to send money online, you can use your debit/credit card, no account required) or Offline Donation (cheques). If you choose the latter, you will be given a couple of options where you can send your cheque(s). If you choose PayPal, then you will be directed to their website where you can complete the transaction, as soon as you fill in your Name, Last Name and Email Address. At the end just press the “Donate Now” button. We are grateful for your support; may God bless you and reward you.

    For any questions, informations or even invitations to speak at your church, please contact me here. My Prayer Letters will continue, with the exception of a 3 month break starting with November (you can sign up here). Same goes for articles on this blog.

    The form is not published.