Uncontained Love – Special Update (Part 5)

Malawi Mission

This past week I travelled to Malawi to unload and begin the distribution of hospital and medical equipment. Even though I am ‘on the mission field’ on a more permanent basis, trips like this, to Malawi are what you can expect on a short term mission with TTN Ministries.

It is difficult to pinpoint which is the “event” – the arrival of the container, the unpacking of it, or participating in the distribution of the equipment it contains. The ‘event’ begins with the ‘heart’, for sourcing medical and education equipment; for the giving of finance and for others who share this ‘heart’ to ensure seeds are nurtured into harvest and for the Kingdom. The ‘event’ progresses with hands and feet; to gather equipment into one location; to load the container; to unload, to sort the container and finally distribute. Then the ‘event’ advances, multiplies and enriches as you bless governments, organisations, church groups, schools and individuals through the hearts and hands of many people.

Your short term mission trip could be one or all of these experiences. In fact your support can begin here. Containers don’t arrive miraculously on the African continent. Teams here in Australia begin with heart and progress with hands both through TTN Ministries and Operation lift. My sincere thanks goes to the Gold Coast team who did an excellent job packing this Malawi container as everything arrived safe and tax exempt.

This month’s report provides an excellent insight into life on a short term mission!

TTN Ministries partner with Operation Lift – Malawi Container

Shortly after unpacking the equipment from the Malawi container I met Dr Lovemore Mukukuma (Departmental Head). Dr Mukukuma inspected the donations of medical equipment, including hospital beds, expressing his pleasure and gratitude. In the coming weeks, when an appropriate time can be allocated in Malawi’s Health Minister’s schedule, there will an official hand-over to formally acknowledge this significant donation.

Meet the Malawi Chaplains

I witness daily the truth within….. “the gift makes way for the giver”. This is never more evident than in the favour and blessings experienced by Hospital Chaplains. Meet Ebenezer and his wife. They are the registered interdenominational chaplains at Kamuzu Central.

Ebenezer sees hundreds each week come to the Lord and witnesses the many miracles they receive. He is currently at the hospital for two full days a week, although he is on several occasions required much more often. This ministry supports an amazingly huge 465,000+ patients every year. That’s over 1000 a day!

Your financial support makes a difference!

Due to your gifts, we have been able to equip Ebenezer and his team with many wheelchairs and crutches. Plus shoes and clothing for patients in need.

TTN Ministries needs your continued financial support

The ministry in Kamuzu Central, Malawi needs your support. This ministry has the potential to reach over 1000 people a day – ½ million people each year! This will impact the nation.

Supporting Schools

Recently, I also had the privilege of visiting a local high school where Sister Barbara helps out many of the students who cannot afford school fees. It is a sad fact that only 25% of these students progress from form one (year 8) because of school fees. We spent some time with 400+ students who receive assistance with fees and TTN Ministries. We able to bless them with school bags, drinking bottles and pair of slip on shoes. The students (and us) enjoyed our time encouraging and praying with them.

It is moments like these on a short term mission that the generosity of our supporters, the time and finances provided to get the equipment to where it’s needed is put into perspective. It is then, in that moment, that you get to witness the blessings of Christ, Jesus. In the smiles, in the words “thank you”, and in being part of demonstrating the love of an ever loving God.

Agape Orphanage

I also had the opportunity to visit Agape Orphanage about an hour’s drive west of Lilongwe and bless the 40 orphans living there. It was touching time; clearly you could tell, that like so many people in this region, what these children live without.

As you arrive, the children ask for your used water and soft drink bottles. We came initially with some basic gifts, a new water bottle, Aussie soles shoes and a hat.

They were amazed and so appreciative of something so simple, I wondered what their response would be like if the saw the lost property boxes of some schools in Australia.

The children instantly cherished having their own drinking bottle which was not recycled bottle found on the road side or out of bin.

The youngest Regan, put shoes on possibly for the very first time as he struggled to walk normally. Other children quickly swapped their old shoes for the new shoes, others put shoes on as they had none. Some just held on to their ‘gifts’ wanting to keep them new as long as possible.

I would personally like to thank all of those who made this project possible as we continue to impact the nation of Malawi and support those there who do this amazing work.

We are planning to send another container into Malawi in 2015. Your finances, your support and your prayers will make this plan a reality.

Make plans for a short term mission trip and see the seeds take shape for the harvest.