Faith in Action. Faith in Action exists to support the. You may have noticed that. Trip to Malawi. Working in Partnership with the Church in Africa

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1 Faith in Action exists to support the ministry of local churches in Africa by: Developing personal links and church to church contacts Strengthening the work of local pastors Supplying Christian resources in local languages Providing resources which will help communities to provide for themselves Sending relief consignments Providing wells and irrigation systems Supporting orphans Providing funds for mosquito nets We have produced some leaflets which give more detailed information about our current projects together with photographs and costs. If you would like to receive any of these leaflets, please contact us at either the postal address or the address given below. Faith in Action, Emmanuel Cottage, Rusper Road, Ifield, Crawley, West Sussex RH11 0LN Phone: Registered Charity No: Website: Please Note: We no longer have a fax line. Points of Interest: Since 1987 we have sent the following Relief Consignments to East Africa: ft Container Consignments 6 Part-Container Consignments These Consignments included 696 Sewing Machines A further 1,785 Sewing Machines have been sent through other Organizations Since August 1990 we have sent Finances for the following Projects, mainly in Malawi: (Space does not allow a Full List.) 101 Bicycle Ambulances + 2,367 to replace or repair 12 Ambulances 70 Wells 166,861 for Food 166,183 (together with Funds from Loan Repayments) for 13 Irrigation Pro-jects and to replace/repair 9 Projects 117,269 for Goats for Foster Families 113,801 for 88,301 Bible Studies 58,659 for Masika Maize Seeds 47,786 for Bibles 45,551 for Seed 32,046 for Cassava Cuttings 23,859 for Medical Treatment 18,639 for Plantain Banana Suckers 18,565 for Fertilizer 15,539 for Business Loan Projects 14,979 for Forestry Projects 13,640 for Sorghum Seeds 12,664 for 11 Motorbikes 10,182 for Soya Bean Seeds 10,104 for Mosquito Nets 8,266 for a Grinding Mill 6,083 for 226 Cassette Players 6,070 for Bicycles 5,099 for 1,100 Cans of Pesticide 5,077 for Rain-Conservation Farming 3,697 for 26 Eco-Stove Projects and 7 replacement projects 2,382 for 127 Proclaimers 1,680 for 26 Sprayers 1,297 for Msangu Trees 464 for 300 Bible Studies in Burundi Faith in Action Working in Partnership with the Church in Africa November 2017 Trip to Malawi The first Celebration Meeting in Kalundi Village You may have noticed that it has been some time since we produced our last newssheet. This is because Mike Austage, who had been working alongside Dan but who was also training as an accountant, gained a scholarship in accountancy and decided to stop working for the church. Unfortunately, he did not immediately hand-over the church computer which had recent reports, receipts and photographs on it. We have therefore been unable to access the information necessary to produce a newssheet until recently when he returned this computer. This newssheet will therefore cover several fund transfers and will be longer than usual. We apologise for this. At the beginning of July, we returned from an excellent trip to Malawi. As you may know it was thirty years since I first went there in June 1987 and the

2 Page 2 Page 15 celebration meetings. Most of these funds were given specifically for this purpose. Feeding the 960 Attendees of the Celebration Meeting in Kalaundi Village leadership team in Malawi had arranged for two celebration meetings to mark this anniversary. The first was held in Kalaundi Village and was a ended by 960 adults plus children. The second was held in Mitondo Village. This was a smaller meeting and was a ended by several pastors from Mozambique, some of whom had cycled for two days to reach the border of Mozambique. Lameck Msamange, leader of the church in Malawi, had asked me to share my testimony about how Faith in Action had started and the amazing way in which God has led us and blessed us throughout the last thirty-three years. I took this opportunity to share about God s wonderful faithfulness and the spiritual lessons which I have learnt during this time. Since our return, Lameck has told me that for about two months after the meeting, he had received almost continual phone calls from pastors saying how much they were blessed by these meetings and asking for them to be repeated. On 23rd May we had sent Malawi Kwacha (MK)8,760,000 ( 9,470) for these two During this trip, we had various meetings with church leaders based in Blantyre and also one meeting with seven commi ee members of our irrigation projects and with five farmers who had a ended the God s Way of Farming course back in These discussions were extremely informative and should lead to significant benefits for the work which we do in future. There was an amazing sense of unity and a commitment to take very positive steps forward. We learnt during this meeting that the problem that they had faced with the Fall Army Worm is far more serious than we had understood before our visit. First, it had devastated about 70% of their crops in the Lower Shire and has also caused serious problems in many other countries in Africa. Second, it is a slightly different pest from the African Army Worm and is thought to have come from America. It is serious because it is more difficult to eliminate than the African Army Worm. On a more positive note, I understand that they now have a pesticide in Malawi Butchering a Goat Exchange Rates: Mar: 1 = MK890 Nov: 1 = MK930 Please Note: Most sterling prices have been calculated to the nearest pound. We send 110 each month for the purchase of Bibles through the Bible Society.

3 Page 14 Page 3 that should kill this Fall Army Worm more effectively than the only pesticide that was available earlier in the year. We also learnt that the God s Way of Farming project has been very successful with farmers receiving double the yield as compared to the normal way of farming. On the last evening of our trip, Lameck organised a party with church leaders based in Blantyre and their wives and ordered a special cake for the occasion. There was a very tangible sense of love and unity at this party which almost moved me to tears. Bibles and Bible Studies On 1st June we sent MK1,860,000 ( 2,011) for printing 1,707 Chichewa Bible studies which were distributed to church leaders during our first 30-year celebration meeting at the end of June. Pastor Jussa Cheia, Lawrence and Wesley in Mozambique (left to right) On 21st February we sent funds for the purchase of 106 Portuguese Bibles at a cost of MK614,800 ( 691) and for printing 2,752 Bible studies at a cost of MK3,000,000 ( 3,371). During our trip to Malawi, we recorded the testimony of a prisoner who was converted to Christ while he was in prison. He shared the amazing story about how he had stolen a motorbike because he could not feed his family and how Lawrence and Wesley Msamange, two of Lameck s sons, had visited the prison to distribute some of our Bible studies. He shared how he had been convicted and converted to Christ during their visit to the prison and how he was then released early because of his transformed behaviour. He shared how he had received Consignment No.6 On 30th October our sixth consignment of 302 boxes left the UK in the Starfish-Malawi container. This shipment is due to arrive in Malawi towards the end of this year. May we take this opportunity to thank all those who have worked so faithfully to pack all these boxes. When you consider the suffering which has been caused in the Lower Shire over the last three years because of failed harvests, the provision of this clothing, bedding and shoes will mean that those who receive items from this consignment will not have to spend so much of their meagre resources on such items. On 13th April, a team from Blantyre travelled down to Beira in Mozambique with these Bibles and Bible studies. They were welcomed warmly with songs and dancing even although they had arrived very late at night. Pastor Cheia, who is leader of the Faith in Action Church in Mozambique, has an open door into the prisons in Mozambique where he plans to distribute some of these Bible studies. The team from Malawi were asked to thank Faith in Action in UK for their love and sacrifice. Distribution of Bible Studies during the Celebration Meeting in Kalaundi Village

4 Page 4 Page 13 some money from us to start a small business and that he is now able to provide for his family and had also been able to buy the suit which he was wearing. He asked for more Bible studies so that he can go to different prisons to share the good news of the gospel with other men who are in need, as he was. Lameck has also told me another wonderful story about recent events in Chikwawa Prison. Wesley and Lawrence visited both Chikwawa and also Nsanje prisons during November 2014 and were able to distribute a total of 500 Bibles and 7,860 Bible Studies in these two prisons. A man who is about forty years old entered this prison about a year ago. Apparently, he had got drunk one evening and got into a fight with another man. During this fight his opponent fell over, banged his head and died, and consequently this man was sent to Chikwawa Prison. When he arrived, he was given a copy of our Bible Studies which he started to study intensely. As a result of his study, he not only gave his life to the Lord but also started to preach within the prison, exhorting others to read these studies. He has set up a Faith in Action Church Bible Reading Cell and more and more prisoners are coming to Christ and joining this group. There are currently about members. On 18th August we sent MK1,610,000 ( 1,750) for printing 5,000 undated Daily Bible Reading Plans in MK322 (35p) each. These leaflets were distributed in 50 church areas in Malawi. We understand that the reception of these plans was wonderful. They will empower the church with much needed resources. In Pastor Madengu s area, Wesley and Lawrence met a young man who is new in the church. He had been a member of the Rastafarian community. He still comes to church with his dreadlocks, but Wesley believes he will remove them in time. He said that the reading plan will be a wonderful guide for him. The youth were also very thankful for these leaflets. One young man in Chapananga said that the provision of these leaflets gives him a greater feeling of belonging. Wesley wrote that many churches have new converts and he was not therefore surprised to receive several requests from pastors for more Bible studies. Wesley was asked by the various areas to thank their friends in the UK for their care for the people of Malawi. Pastor Giya asked Wesley to thank us for listening to God s voice and to tell us that their friends in the UK are always in their prayers because of their demonstration of such love. Pastor Moses Ross, the Prisoner who gave his Testimony, looking at his Daily Bible Reading Plan

5 Page 12 Page 5 Development Co-ordinators Irrigation Committee Members, Henry Chingaona (right) and Myself During our meeting in Malawi with the twelve pastors and farmers who are involved in irrigation and God s Way of Farming, we discussed the possibility of their becoming Development Coordinators for the area where they live. We made this suggestion because the geographical area which we cover is very large and it is therefore difficult and expensive, in terms of time and travelling costs, for Dan Nkhandwe to follow up on the progress of our various projects for the whole area. We offered to provide them with tablets for communication and motorbikes for transport in order to enable them to fulfil this role. We also suggested that the seven irrigation commi ee members were sent on a short development training course. All twelve participants at this meeting were extremely excited about this proposal and said that this would bring about significant improvements for their communities. We have already seen one benefit from this step forward: some of these new coordinators worked with Dan in se ing up the projects funded with our recent fund transfer and were able to take a very large number of photographs with their tablets. These photographs are not only more numerous but also be er quality than those previously taken with the cameras that we had provided for this purpose. To follow up on these discussions, we sent funds on 18th August for the following: 1 We sent MK1,050,000 ( 1,141) for seven irrigation commi ee members to a end a short training course. 2 We sent MK2,760,000 ( 3,000) for the purchase of twelve tablets together with MK257,140 ( 279) for virus software protection. 3 We sent MK4,375,000 ( 4,755) for 5 motorbikes, together with MK175,000 ( 190) for the first year s insurance and MK75,000 ( 82) for the first year s fitness certificate. 4 We sent MK1,500,000 ( 1,630) for 5 poultry projects which should provide an income to maintain and to run these motorbikes. God s Way of Farming Farmers and Henry Chingaona (second from left)

6 Page 6 Page 11 5 We also produced the artwork for business cards for each of these development co-ordinators which were printed without charge by the printer who prints our Bibles studies. Dan has given us the following information about the use of these funds: 1 The training for the irrigation commi ee members included basic accountancy, book-keeping, data collection, general farming principles and principles of good cash saving. They were trained at a college called City Business Consultants. Pastor Smart Yankhankha with his Motorbike Christina Khembo with her Tablet 2 Tablets have been given to the 12 development co-ordinators and Dan is training them how to use them. 3 The 5 motorbikes have been purchased and distributed. The men who received them are very thankful for the provision of these motorbikes which will assist them in mobility. 4 The poultry projects will be used for the provision of eggs which they can sell to local schools. The funds were used for the purchase of chicks, feeds, mash, troughs and housing materials. 5 The business cards have been printed and distributed. Bicycle Ambulances On 23rd May we sent MK555,000 ( 600) for the purchase of 3 bicycle ambulances. These bicycle ambulances were located in Fatchi, Shuva and Khome villages. A Bicycle Ambulance being given to Members of Khome Village Pesticide and Sprayers On 21st February we sent MK1,495,000 ( 1,680) for 26 sprayers and MK3,087,500 ( 3,469) for 950 cans of pesticide. Crops like maize, sorghum and millet are all affected by the Fall Army Worms and these pests appear to be building resistance against this pesticide. Farmers lost 70% of their crops due to the resistance of these pests. Spraying Crops in Nsaliva Village

7 Page 10 Page 7 Mosquito Nets Mosquito Nets being distributed in Jogo Village (top left and right) On 21st February we sent MK3,000 ( 3), on 23rd May we sent MK24,500 ( 26) and on 18th August we sent MK8,980 ( 10) for mosquito nets. All these funds were added to the highinterest account in Malawi, making a current total of 10,104. Interest payments totalling MK600,000 were received during the months of January to March and this was used to purchase 120 nets which were distributed in 4 villages as follows: 10 families each received three nets in Mpangira, Mvula, Galafa and Nthondo villages. Interest payments totalling MK600,000 were received during the months of April to June and this was used to purchase 120 nets which were distributed in 4 villages as follows: 10 families each received three nets in Jogo, Kalenso, Kalupsa and Kalonga villages. Interest payments totalling MK600,000 were received during the months of July to September and this was used to purchase 120 nets which were distributed in 4 villages as follows: 10 families each received three nets in Nsaliva, Mtombosola 1, Mtombosola 2 and Dausi villages. Each net costs MK5,000 each. Mosquito Nets being distributed in Mtombosola 1 Village (bottom left) and Mtombosola 2 Village ( bottom right) Irrigation Distributing Maize Seed for the Irrigation Project in Nsaliva Village On 23rd May we sent MK2,712,500 ( 2,932) for repairs on the irrigation system in Thonje Village. These repairs have been carried out successfully. The current situation with regard to our irrigation projects in Malawi is as follows: all the irrigation systems in Malawi have now been repaired or replaced following the storms of Since then, however, they have faced three quite serious problems which were shared with us when we met with commi ee members of seven of our irrigation projects while we were in Malawi this year: first, wind speeds have Pastor Winsted Golasi (left) receiving a Can of Pesticide increased over the last few years and this has meant that these irrigation systems have required more maintenance than before, and this has been a drain on their funds. Second, the crop failures following the storms of 2015 and the damage done by the Fall Army Worm this year have further reduced their funds. Third, they have used some of their funds to provide food for their communities following the three years of failed harvests. The result of all this is that they lack the funds to purchase not only seed and fertilizer but also sprayers and pesticides to combat the Fall Army Worm. Pastor Smart Yankhankha (right) receiving a Bag of Fertilizer On 18th August, we sent the following funds for the irrigation project in Nsaliva Village. The purpose of this fund transfer was to investigate the effectiveness of the new pesticide which is now available in Malawi and is meant to be effective in comba ing this Fall Army Worm. We have now been told that this pesticide is 100% effective. 1 We sent MK 4,725,000 ( 5,136) to provide seeds, fertilizer and pesticide (to combat the Fall Army Worm) for the

8 Page 8 Page 9 Spraying Pesticide in the Irrigation Project in Nsaliva Village 50 acres farmed in this irrigation project. We did not provide funds for sprayers because farmers used those which we provided earlier in the year. 2 We also sent MK1,625,000 ( 1,766) to provide 2,500 plantain banana suckers for this same irrigation project. They will plant these plantain bananas around the edge of their fields as a barrier. These plants should not only provide some protection, but we are told that it is the only crop which is not affected by the army worm. Plantain bananas are a staple crop and not a fruit.) Praying and Praising God in their Fields Added to our a empts to eradicate this pest in a practical way, the church is also seeking to combat this pest through praise and worship. Farmers are marching round their fields, applying the blood of Jesus to them and trusting that God will protect them in just the same way as the Israelites applied the blood of a lamb to their door lintels before they left Egypt. At the same time, they will also declare out the sovereignty, power and faithfulness of our wonderful God, knowing that He is far more powerful than any pest and that no weapon which comes against Planting a Plantain Banana Sucker in the Irrigation Project in Nsaliva Village us will prevail (Isaiah 54:17). I understand that churches have agreed to meet after church on Sundays and to do this every week, trusting that God will give them victory over this pest. We understand that the recently-planted irrigated crops in Nsaliva Village are flourishing. We have also heard that some churches in Zimbabwe had done this during the growing season at the beginning of this year and the Fall Army Worm had not crossed the field boundaries where they had marched and the crops within these fields were undamaged! We would appreciate your prayers for communities in the Lower Shire. As you already know, farmers in the Lower Shire faced very serious flooding at the beginning of 2015 which not only destroyed their crops but also destroyed many houses and swept away their possessions in areas located close to a river. Following this in 2016, there was insufficient rain Goats for Foster Families A Goat in Tsapa Village On 21st February we sent MK900,000 ( 1,011) for the purchase of 30 goats for foster MK30,000 each. These 30 goats were distributed as follows: 9 goats were given to 3 foster families (who have each fostered one orphan) in each of Tsapa and Bodza villages; 6 goats were given to 2 foster families (who have each fostered one orphan) in each of Natusi and Dembo villages. Each family receives one male and two female goats. On 23rd May we sent MK900,000 ( 973) for the purchase of 30 goats for foster and once again crops were lost. During 2017 the rains were good, but the Fall Army Worm destroyed 70% of their crops. The rains have just started and should continue until the end of March. We need to see a miracle which will enable families to provide food for themselves: please could you pray for good rains this year (one day of rain every five days) and that our efforts to overcome this Fall Army Worm will be successful. MK30,000 each. These 30 goats were distributed as follows: 9 goats were given to 3 foster families (who have each fostered one orphan) in each of Ching oma and Malemia villages; 6 goats were given to 2 foster families (who have each fostered one orphan) in each of Chingondo and Dinde villages. On 18th August we sent MK540,000 ( 587) for the purchase of 18 goats for foster MK30,000 each. These 18 goats were distributed as follows: 6 goats were given to 2 foster families (who have each fostered one orphan) in each of Kungaecha, Maere and Magoti villages. A Goat in Kungaecha Village