The 1987 WELS Synod Convention encouraged the establishing of a lay organization to support home and world missions. The organization, now called “Kingdom Workers” (www.kingdomworkers.com) has been involved with Africa missions for a long time. Among the first projects associated with Kingdom Workers was supporting a full-time lay couple to assist the WELS mission in Zambia, Africa. In 2010 former WELS World Missionary Bill Meier became the national executive director of Kingdom Workers. Currently, Kingdom Workers partners with the Lutheran Church of Central Africa – Malawi Synod congregations to include people with disabilities in church and community life. This week’s post features Kingdom Workers staff members Dan and Liana Tyrrell, who manage and train local staff and volunteers, as well as coordinate short-term mission trips by WELS members to Malawi. Listen to Dan and Liana tell their story:

Although we had met briefly several years earlier, our relationship started once we were both living in Shanghai, China. Dan had been living in China for three years when Liana first arrived in Shanghai. Liana had grown up on the WELS mission field in Taiwan so had some experience in that part of the world as well.  We were working as part of a team, teaching English, building relationships with Chinese friends, and studying the Bible in the evenings and on weekends. Our relationship grew in part out of a mutual love for the work we were doing, and for China in general – especially its people and food, and for travel.

After returning from China in 2014, we settled in Minneapolis for a year. When the opening to work with Kingdom Workers Malawi appeared, Liana applied since she was the one with a background in non-profit work and some community development experience in Kenya during her college days. We were not planning on going abroad again so soon after returning from China, however after conversations with Bill Meier and other Kingdom Workers leaders, we felt that God was leading us in the direction of Malawi. Once it became clear that both of us could use our gifts in positions with Kingdom Workers in Malawi, we made the decision to move after prayer and discussions with family.

We Plan, God Laughs

When we initially accepted positions with Kingdom Workers and began plans to move to Malawi, we had the usual things to take care of that a young couple might. Giving notice at our jobs, selling some possessions and putting some in storage, alerting our landlord that we would not renew our lease, spending extra time with family. These things were going smoothly, and we planned to move to Malawi in September of 2015. However, about one month before our departure date, God gave us what has been the biggest surprise of our lives so far. We found out that Liana was pregnant, and at our very first ultrasound discovered not one, but three beating hearts – triplets. The next weeks were a blur of shock, joy, uncertainty, and specialist appointments. After meeting with the specialist, we decided to keep the same departure date, but return to the US in a few months’ time for the remainder of the pregnancy, birth, and subsequent hospital stay.

Leaving Malawi after only being there for a few months was difficult. We had no idea how long we would be gone. We had been given a due date but triplets are rarely born full term. Just how early they would be born was out of our control, and so was how long they would be in the hospital after birth. We did not even know if a return would be possible at all – it was a very real possibility that one or more of our children would be born with medical needs that would prohibit an international move.

What followed was a period of giving up – giving up our plans, giving up stability, giving up ideas of a “perfect” pregnancy and birth story – giving up control, or the illusion of control. Giving those things up and realizing that they were never ours to begin with. All that we had – jobs, precious new lives inside Liana, a future in a new home – was all God’s in the first place. We also had to give up, in some ways, the plans that we had formed for where we thought the ministry in Malawi could go. In the short time we had been working for Kingdom Workers, we had learned about the amazing work being done to serve people with disabilities. We had gotten a chance to see the intense need for this work and see how far it still had (and has!) to go. We had met dedicated pastors and volunteers and staff, and we wanted to help set the direction and make a strategic plan. But, this period of being away and working remotely forced us to see was that we were not the drivers of this ministry. First and foremost, God was and is. He is going to take care of His lambs in Malawi whether we are involved or not. Just as we were being blessed with three new lives to take care of, God had also blessed us with the opportunity to be involved in this ministry in Malawi. It is His ministry, not ours. And our first task was not to come in, take charge and make changes. It was to listen, to learn, to get to know the leaders on the ground who had been doing this work before us. And what God showed us was that the physical distance between us and Malawi that was created as a result of Liana’s pregnancy was perhaps what we needed to truly listen and learn. Dan was still able to be very involved through the miracle of technology, but our physical absence meant that local volunteers and leaders were able to build the foundations of ownership of the Disability Ministry. That ownership is the key to making this ministry sustainable – not our presence!

Looking back, Liana’s pregnancy was a humbling time. A time to realize God is the Director, not us. And a time to be humbled by the amount of prayer and support we received from all over the world. From family and friends in the US, from those in our former home of China, and from our new home in Malawi. Our babies were born 11 weeks early and spent about three months in the hospital. When they were 6 months old, we were cleared by their doctors to return with them to Malawi. And if you’re reading this and wondering what a cross-continental flight (or two) is like with infant triplets, I will just say that we have learned it is much easier than a cross-continental flight with toddler triplets.

The Least of My Brothers and Sisters

Kingdom Workers mobilizes Christians to connect people to Jesus while addressing physical needs. The disability ministry in Malawi began in 2012 when former KW Field Manager Stefan Felgenhauer recognized that some people with disabilities were hidden in homes and not part of church or community life.  Stefan began working with Jesus Cares Ministries to bring Worship at the Cross (worship designed for people with intellectual disabilities) to Malawi.  A small group of Lutheran Pastors were willing to try to reach out to people with disabilities although they knew this would be very challenging in their communities.  The Pastors organized volunteers from their church, met with village leaders, and started holding special worship services.   It took time, and encouragement from God’s Word, for the volunteers to begin to actually interact and touch the people they were serving.  Stigma which came from false beliefs about the causes of disabilities and had taken root in the communities took time to overcome.

The home-based care portion of the program began in 2015.  Giving the volunteers tools to help children practice and learn new skills at home was a big turning point for the volunteers and program.   Home-based care is also right in line with KW’s vision to partner in sustainable ways to address physical needs.  In 2017, the LCCA leaders encouraged our KW Malawi team to focus our efforts on improving and expanding the disability ministry.  Now, we are actively working with 12 disability outreach teams who serve over 500 people.  Through the power of the Holy Spirit, people have been baptized and confirmed. Parents have been encouraged and shown ways to continue to help their children develop.

Watch a brief video about Kingdom Workers disability ministry here: https://player.vimeo.com/video/241564772

Although we were both hired for full time positions, after the triplets were born we decided that Liana would work part time and Dan would remain full time. We do our best to give Liana a day outside of the home to work from the KW Malawi office, but she is often seen sneaking into our home office to work remotely while our housekeeper, Esther, watches the kids. We have found that the key for Liana working during this season of life is to be realistic and honest about which tasks she can take on, while still taking care of 2-year-old triplets. We make it work in a large part thanks to Esther, who the children love, and to KW as an organization and allowing us to have flexible schedules!

Our roles with KW are indefinite and but our roles may change as we see developments in Malawi programs, in local leadership, and in other opportunities to serve.  We will have to see how the Lord blesses and leads these outreach programs.

The work we are a part of would not be possible without our local team.  Dave Duwe (Disability Outreach Coordinator), Tendai Lucio (Field Assistant), and Allena Chaima (Field Assistant) are all doing their best to support disability outreach teams.  Our KW Malawi team would like to continue improving the support we provide to disability outreach teams and work with more LCCA churches throughout Malawi.  We are working with about 10% of LCCA congregations right now in Malawi.  More congregations would like to partner with us so we hope to increase this percentage significantly in the next few years. We are seeing our Malawian staff continue to take up more responsibilities in Malawi and we are encouraging this.

Kingdom Workers is supported by individual WELS members. Donated bicycles help volunteers visit homes to provide devotions and physical care. Donors also support the cost for training workshops, visits from our staff, and materials for disability outreach teams. You can also visit us in Malawi!  We regularly offer service learning opportunities for mutual encouragement to take place. Find out more at www.kingdomworkers.com or contact the Kingdom Workers office directly at 414-771-6848.

Malawi is a country of incredible physical beauty, and its people are kind and welcoming. Its challenges are many, also – from damaging colonial policies that still affect the economy, to corruption in government, to many people living below the poverty line. Our encouragement to anyone who comes to Malawi or who is thinking about coming here is to take the time to listen to and encourage our fellow Christians here. It is easy to think we can enact change in a short amount of time, but the reality is change comes through building relationships and trust- and those things take time! And most importantly, change is not brought about by us or by our Malawian brothers and sisters – but by God.

Dan and Liana Tyrrell live in Blantyre, Malawi

Please pray for those working in fields that are ripe for harvest. Share their story, engage with future news and receive updates. Go to this link to learn more about our mission fields in Africa and how the Holy Spirit is working faith in people’s hearts  https://wels.net/serving-others/missions/africa

Editor’s Note: Last summer I had the privilege of traveling to Malawi to observe the work being done through the Disability Ministry. Every volunteer I meet was absolutely thrilled to be sharing the Gospel through their service to those with disabilities. Pray that their work might continue, and that their service to others might spread the love of Jesus to even more people.

Seven years ago a fire was kindled. Today it burns strong and bright.

Aflame are the hearts of nine men who have been studying for the full time ministry since 2011. It was then that they first entered the Lutheran Bible Institute in Lilongwe, Malawi.  It was last year that they all finished the Seminary in Lusaka, Zambia.

“The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.  Ask the Lord of the harvest therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field” (Matthew 9:37).

People asked and God answered. Nine more workers in Malawi’s harvest field. Behind them are the rigors of the classroom.  Ahead of them are the pastoral responsibilities of the congregation.  For the past 10 months, each one of these young “Timothys” has been getting a taste of practical ministry: “Vicar year.”

Vicar year has been “boots on the ground” service.  Learning the ropes.  Testing the waters.  Getting a “feel” for real life ministry:  writing and preaching sermons, leading Bible studies, counseling the troubled; meetings and devotions with the elders, the children, the youth, the ladies.

Out of the classroom but in the congregation.  But still students of the Scripture.  Alwaysstudents of Scriptures:  reading, learning, experiencing, applying the Word of God.  Ah, yes, the best tool in the ministry toolbox:  the Word of God. Useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16).

Just one month to go before their Vicar year is finished. This past year has been a warm up for what lies ahead:  becoming a full time ordained minister of the gospel.

No wonder that Wednesday, the 30^thof May 2018 has become so special to these men:  they each received a double blessing:  a diploma and a Call! The two-fold celebration was combined into one grand day:  Graduation and Call Day.

It was marked with just what you’d expect:  the presentation of diplomas, the announcement of Calls, the delivering of speeches and the giving of gifts.  But the special day was punctuated and highlighted with something greater than all of those combined: The Word of God.

Rev. Gilbert Mwangomba preached from his chosen text in the book of Jeremiah. He gave his sermon the theme, “Let God’s Word be Strong in Your Heart!” (Jeremiah 20:7-9) An important message from God for graduates turned vicars turned pastors; an equally important message for you and me.

After all, we can relate to what Jeremiah was going through, can’t we?  He suffered opposition because of the Word he shared.  Taunts and insults came his way.  Give ear to Jeremiah’s book and you’ll hear the bitter cries of an anguished, rejected man.  Jeremiah is not just dejected, he’s on the verge of despair.

Empty of joy and full of complaints. “Cursed be the day I was born!” (Jeremiah 20:14) Though down and out, Jeremiah still grasped the promises of God.  One thing had not been extinguished: The fire.

In his heart, it was still there.  The wick was not snuffed out.  Faith still flickered.  Love still burned.  His passion for lost and straying sheep, still aglow. The Holy Spirit had kindled the fire in Jeremiah when he was a young man and He continued to stir, stoke and fan it into flame.  Jeremiah himself announced: “His Word is in my heart like a fire…”  (20:9)

Denis Wortman noted the same thing when wrote his hymn, God of the Prophets (CW 543):

Anoint them prophets, men who are intent
To be your witnesses in word and deed,
Their hearts aflame, their lips made eloquent,
Their eyes awake to ev’ry human need.

His vision was not so much looking backat the prophets of old like Jeremiah but looking ahead to the preachers who were still to come.

And they still are.

Go back and read the hymn verse again.  Meditate on it.  Ponder it. Note that Wortman’s words are really a request to God.  Untold thousands of hymn singers have prayed that petition ever since.

May I humbly beg the same of you?  Ask the Holy Spirit to “anoint” these nine men with an extra measure of love for the souls which will be under their care.  Plead persistently that Jesus grant them a love to be His witnesses and speak with clarity His amazing gospel of forgiveness.  Ask unwaveringly that God the Father awaken them to see the most important needs that the people have.

To be sure, most of you, if not all of you, will be praying for men (and their families) whom you will never meet this side of heaven.  They have names you’ve probably never heard and come from villages you’ll likely never visit and serve churches you’ll perhaps never enter.

But just think, because of the grace of God and the work He is doing through the WELS through generous gifts and offerings, Malawi now has…

• Nine more preachers to proclaim God’s love in Jesus Christ.
• Nine more teachers to share Bible Stories and Bible Studies.
• Nine more ambassadors to represent the King of Kings.
• Nine more shepherds to feed and water the sheep.
• Nine more pairs of beautiful feet to climb the heights and descend into the depths to share the good news of the Savior.
• Nine more…
                Hearts Aflame.

The 2018 Graduates are:

• Banda, Johnston Chilembwe
• Kachimangah, Billy Hardwell
• Macherenga, Ammon Mangungu
• Mandevu, Stanford Charles
• Mitengo, Medson Dyton
• Mpingiza, Joseph Joab
• Msiska, Khwima Kajitaye
• Mukhweya, Frank
• Munangali, Lameck Chaponda

Sincerely,
Your Malawi Mission Partner,

John Holtz

Presentation of diplomas at LBI (https://youtu.be/zKSvYn08qAs)
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKSvYn08qAs]

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8)

This year I celebrated Pentecost at the ends of the earth – or at least, the end of Malawi. My journey covered over one hundred miles of some of the most beautiful scenery in Africa, and brought me to one of the remotest areas of Malawi – the Eastern bank of the Lower Shire River.

In 1993 Missionary John Janosek was asked by an LCCA member to visit his home village in the Lower Shire region of Malawi. It is called the “Lower Shire” because the river drops almost 3,000 feet from the Blantyre highlands to a flat plain below. The drive is like an airplane’s descent, with hairpin curves and spectacular views. The Lower Shire region is the most densely populated area of the country and is extremely fertile for growing sugar cane and cotton. It is also considerably warmer there than in the rest of the country. During the summer, temperatures can reach well above 120°F.

For two decades, WELS missionaries visited this area and served six congregations and two preaching stations with Word and Sacrament. Missionary Rob Wendland made two trips per week from Blantyre and was able to reach each group at least once a month. A Malawian called worker, Evangelist Master lived in one of the villages and assisted the missionaries, as did local lay leaders who conducted worship services and led confirmation classes. In 2015, each congregation’s average weekly attendance was 50. Additionally, there were an average of 20 baptisms and 40 confirmations per year at each congregation.

In October 2017, Missionary Wendland accepted a call to serve at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. The spiritual care of the Lower Shire congregations is now in the hands of LCCA. Three Malawian pastors from the Blantyre area have divided up the congregations among themselves and have committed to making visits as they are able, however difficult that may be.

Four of the Lower Shire congregations are located on the Eastern Bank Road. However, these congregations are currently unreachable by car. The region is prone to violent flooding, such as the devastating 2015 flood that killed 176 Malawians (see https://wels.net/the-tree-of-life/). On one end of the Eastern Bank Road, the bridge has collapsed. On the other end, part of the road has washed out. Nevertheless, it is possible to get to there and back in a day.

Pastors Bright Pembeleka, James Meja, Willie Matengula and I left Blantyre shortly after 8 a.m. in a Toyota Landcruiser and two hours later we arrived in the town Bangula, not far from the Shire River. We parked the car at a filling station and we each took our own taxi – a bicycle taxi. Our drivers took us to the end of the paved road and continued along a dirt path to the river. Due to sand we had to get off the bikes and walk at one point, then we hopped back on and continued our trip.

At the river, the four of us boarded a flatboat and our pilot used a long bamboo pole to push us upstream. We stayed close to the shoreline but did not see any hippos or crocs. I saw a flatboat carrying a man on a motorcycle, and another loaded down with eight passengers, their baggage and a bicycle. After we were 50 feet upstream from the landing on the opposite bank, our pilot eased us out into the middle of the river and the current carried us across safely to the other side.

There, we took a ride on motorcycles. Pastor Meja and I rode behind one driver, the other pastors with a second driver. I have seen three adults and two children on one motorcycle before. We rode on narrow dirt paths, cutting across corn fields, the yard of a mosque, a soccer playing field, and swerving between houses. We crossed a river on an abandoned train trestle – another flood washed out the tracks. After 45 minutes we arrived at our final destination: Galagala Lutheran Church.

The church building is simple, but very well-constructed. The worship was enthusiastic, to say the least. The people of the Lower Shire area belong to the Sena tribe and have a language and customs that are different from the majority Chewa peoples of Malawi. The members of this congregation are mostly sustenance farmers, although some have found work at the local sugar cane plantations. The older members are not necessarily literate but were able to follow the liturgy from memory.  They sang songs from the LCCA hymnal as well as other songs I have never heard before.

Pastor Pembeleka presided over the liturgy. As I mentioned before, we observed the festival of Pentecost. Like the first Pentecost, the Holy Spirit’s presence was quite evident through the faith people displayed in God’s promises. Six children were brought into God’s family through the Sacrament of Baptism. Four adults who had been instructed by the local lay leader confessed their desire to receive the Sacrament of Communion and made their confirmation vows.

Pastor Meja preached a powerful sermon based on Jesus’ words in Luke 24:48-49: “You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” Although I did not understand every word Pastor Meja preached in Chichewa, I thought how very much like the first Pentecost this was with people from different cultures and languages united by the message of Christ risen from the dead.

After the worship service concluded, Pastor Pembeleka spent considerable time teaching the congregation about stewardship. When missionaries served these congregations, offerings averaged about $1 per service. Pastor Pembeleka explained to those present that no American missionaries would be returning to serve them, and that it was important to give offerings that honor God.

It will be a challenge for visiting pastors from Blantyre to reach these congregations, due to the high cost of travel and lack of reliable transportation (not to mention the arduous route). Please pray that the Spirit moves the hearts of our brothers and sisters in the Lower Shire to respond to the Gospel generously, so that they can support their own Malawian pastor(s) who will live locally. There are two beautiful parsonages waiting for them.

After a quick lunch of nsima (maize porridge) and chicken, we retraced the stages of our journey in reverse order: motorcycle taxi – flatboat – bicycle taxi – truck. When I arrived back home around 7 p.m. the night watchman was surprised to see me back so “early,” since Missionary Wendland sometimes didn’t make it back until after 9 p.m. My body was exhausted but my spirit was filled with the joy of seeing God’s powerful hand at work, keeping this community of faith together in spite of their isolation. The Lower Shire may be the ends of the earth, but “the Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth” (Psalm 145:18).

Missionary John Roebke lives in Malawi

Please pray for those working in fields that are ripe for harvest. Share their story, engage with future news and receive updates. Go to this link to learn more about our mission fields in Africa and how the Holy Spirit is working faith in people’s hearts  https://wels.net/serving-others/missions/africa