Nathan in Malawi

(unfortunately Nathan has no ability to add pictures... the letter is long, but worth the read!)

Greetings Friends

I feel real privileged to have access to a computer here in Malawi. I am staying at a campsite on the Malawi Lake at Nkopalo Lodge. It is very simplistic however, on the other side of the fence is the hotel and I have managed to gain access. It is my ministry day off and I have met an Old university Friend George Mac CorMac and his wife who are on an extended holiday travelling up to Uganda and Kenya etc.

For those of you I haven’t informed, I am on a Month’s Outreach Missions Trip to Malawi. We left on the 22 June 2011 and will be returning 16 July 2011. I am travelling in and Adventure Truck with 24 Students and 3 other support vehicles. Many of the students are from Wittedrift High School , Plett. Christian School and some from PE University. A few are out of school youth. In my capacity as a youth worker with YFC Knysna I have come into contact with them all at various occasions and have become dearly and fondly known as Uncle/Oom Nathan. We have covered more than 4000kms covering at time between 500 to 800 kms per day. Our trip brought us across Beitbridge into Zimbabwe, then across the Mozamibique border, we travelled to Beira which is at the coast then back to Tete and into Malawi up to Nkopola and we will visit Monkey Bay then proceed back.

We have visited Churches and Orphanages initially handing out toys and old clothes the students had collected, but here in Malawi our Outreach is much more intense. Going to the villages in the district of Nkopola such as Mangochi . This is a Moslem strong hold so reaching this people group has its own challenges.

We are very fortunate that our Outreach Leader Lourens Jooster is a seasoned Mission Tour leader and has established an excellent contact. One of which is Pastor Sam, who heads a huge Pentecostal alliance with many churches around Malawi. He is also travelling with us and has connected us with Pastor Peter Likagwa, he lives and pastors from Mangochi, and also runs a bible school, linked with World Mission Centre. In many of our Open Air events and door to door evangelistic activities both he and his elders accompanied us and interpreted for us.

Our trip was marred with many incidences, from motion sickness, sore throats with flu symptoms, an intense heart condition and lastly our Team witnessing a fatal accident where five people were killed cm’s from where we were.
The heart condition was the principal of Wittedrift High School, he was eventually flown home from Beira as his condition was getting worse. But we have heard reports that he is doing extremely well.

The accident was an extremely traumatic incident for many of the students who eye witnessed it. But thanks to diligent crew and leaders we contained the trauma and immediately debriefed , prayed with and counseled each student with care and the utmost compassion.

This event has indelibly touched each student giving them a sense of urgency regarding the sharing of the gospel. Life is cheap here in Malawi, death is a common occurrence and the cause of death varies from Aids, Malaria, Infant mortality, road accidents.

We have done numerous door to door evangelistic romps with phenomenal results. Especially considering that it is a Moslem strong hold. After visiting and getting a, yes response to the key question, "Would you like to accept Jesus or so may we pray for you any way?"

We either left a New Testament Bible in their own language or gave out gospel tracts explaining the message.
I prayed for a number of the sick, in fact the students would come call me uncle Nathan here another sick person. One particular girl had cerebal-palsy, her mother asked for pray as she was tired and distraught, helpless. She desired a healing for her baby. I prayed a few times and even took the child in my arms. I felt disappointed nothing happened yet in obedience I thanked God for her healing.

I preached on a street corner and within minutes hundreds of people congregated. I, so felt the power of God I was not nervous or scared for one minute. I did, however, finish with "And this is a free gift that you can’t leave on the shelf and never open because then it is no good at all. So ! raise your hands for Jesus." ( There was nothing gentle about my request only a sense of urgency)

At two of the other special Outreach Open Air Services we had it included some dance items the Young people had prepared this no doubt drew the crowds. Also the music was blasted from the speakers of the two assist vehicles. At both events I estimate more than 500 people made commitments to Christ by the raising of their hands and coming forward for prayer 100s more. Some of the students were mobbed by the crowd wanting gospel tracts and bibles.

Regarding Ephriam and his village, Pastor Sam”s daughter attends school in Neno District, and has given me an under taking that he will personally visit the contact person Josephy Mzunga in Mbilizi village at Ligowe Tradeing Centre TA. Mlauli. He will take them under his wing. I also wrote a special Epistle like Paul would have written to the church to encourage them and Pastor Sam wife will translate it and it will be handed to them.

So my time is up at the internet and I hope Julianna was here to edit it and then post it as a blog but we will see. I love my wife and miss her dearly. She is in America with her daughters, granddaughters and parents and will be there until 3 October 2011 so please pray for me. I miss Barnabas but I know Robert is taking good care of him. May God bless you all.

Fond Regards
Nathan Overmeyer