2025-08-17 And... rest

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Our morning at Mchinji CCAP church

I do enjoy Sundays here. There's no church choir like an African choir! Had not most ladies of the congregation been some 25km away at an annual church convention there might have been the usual three, four, or more singing groups at this morning's service, each offering ear-dazzling items they'd prepared. The one choir in attendance today (from Shinghai Chipeta's church) would "wow" anywhere. In his closing remarks on the service, Phil told them "I love that you move your whole selves! After all, worship isn't just about words, it's about taking dynamic action!"

We'd prepared to perform a little "skit", riffing on John the Baptist's imperative to crowds of listeners: "The one who has two tunics should share with the one who has none." 
Gillian - the unfortunate woman walking on a cold day with no coat; Helen - the industrious owner of two coats, who decides to wear both of them today (it being so very cold); Phil - the voice of God, trying to nudge Helen towards being an answer to prayer... It got the laugh.

The "New Church" of Mchinji Church of Central Africa Presbyterian

Just 50 yards from this morning's service venue is a "new" structure. For around 10 years the local church community have been working to finish it. Those of us visiting over that whole time remember it as a grassy field, then walls to window-height; now roof beams up, but only a few "iron sheets" atop them (the galvanised ridged steel roofing panels). Today we see it all but complete. There are even glass window panes in the metal frames. What's missing?

Locally made wooden seating

The huge building, easily big enough to host one and a half thousand people, has at present seating for fifteen. Fifteen "one five", that is - not fifteen thousand! The wooden pew above is one of the three obtained so far.

This afternoon, Christopher Kilembe and I went to inspect, along with some of the children.
"We have timber," says Christopher - a Church Elder and Vocational Training Centre Carpentry and Joinery Instructor. (Love the combination of roles!) "The VTC can be making these, with the students involved in doing the work." 

The cost in terms of machine-cutting, sanding etc. comes to around £20. Let us know it you'd like to provide a pew! (Important note: not Malawi Orphan Fund business, this - but we know how to efficiently and safely transfer funds to the church, should you want to assist them.) info@malawiorphanfund.uk


Impromptu choir at "the New church". 


Rest well.

Alex

#ZeroAI





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