Bible Fellowship Ministries

http://biblefellowship.synthasite.com

June 2009 Report

Dear Friends

Sincere thanks to you for supporting the work in Malawi and Mozambique through your prayers and donations.

We have put this report together with news from Damson and John Ray.  

Orphan’s Future Care

Damson’s daughter, Glory, is at present caring for the seven recently orphaned children.    She is willing to give up her ambition to train as a nurse and take care of these children on a permanent basis.    This will mean supporting her on a monthly ‘wage’ of about £120.    We are trying to seek ways of raising the support for her.   There are no other options for these children.    The total number of orphans in the Fellowship is 126.    She will endeavour to do work with these children also.                                            

Maize

Unfortunately, the harvest this year was poor.   Only 50 bags were yielded.   In the previous two years around 200 bags had been harvested.    This will have a devastating affect on their lives in the coming months.     Damson has put the problem down to lack of fertilizer and the wrong manure being used.    Please help us with our ‘Alternative Christmas Present’ appeal to buy fertilizer.

Christmas Appeal

Again this year we are planning on running an ‘Alternative Christmas Present’ as in previous years.    We hope to have Christmas Cards to sell as well.   If you are aware of any churches or organisations who might take up our Alternative Christmas Card appeal please let us know.  In 2009, so much tragedy has happened in Malawi: the poor harvest, the car accident, and the plight of orphans, we, Peter and Sue, really need to raise the profile of the Fellowship, so please join us in prayer.

Psalm 82:3-4   Defend the poor and the fatherles

John’s report

It was a privilege for me recently to travel to Malawi on behalf of The Bible Fellowship, and to meet Damson Tambwali, and I had three very informative days with him.   Damson is supporting twelve churches in Malawi, and three in Mozambique, which means meeting regularly with the Pastors and leaders of those churches to support and encourage.

He actually is the conduit in Malawi that takes the support that comes from the UK to its final destination.

I was made aware of some of the needs that the people have, and as I write I am conscious of the fact that the recent harvest has not been a good one!

It was significant, I felt, for me to visit the home of seven children who have recently become orphaned when their father died.   It was very moving to sit in the home and take some photographs, as Damson talked to the eldest child who was 18.  Fasani   is now trying to support the rest of her siblings in the best way that she can, which to be honest is not very well, and she clearly is not coping.   This is a heartache for Damson, as he wonders how he can help this very needy family, one of whom is handicapped, and needs a wheelchair because of polio.

 

This is just an example of the sort of demands that are put on church leadership in Malawi.   Damson and leaders like him really want to help those members of their churches that are in particular need, but sometimes this is difficult for them, as they are living on the slenderest of resources themselves.

 

Just sending money is not always necessarily the right way.    Peter and Sue are very aware that they need much wisdom as they seek to reach out in love to those in need.    That reaching out can mean encouragement or advice, financial help for those in need, like the orphans, finance for training in business skills or agriculture.