Janet's Jotter

March / April 2008

EASTER CONFERENCE

Resurrection morning began very early with the folks going round the village singing songs and preaching. The teaching over the weekend had been on discipleship including a meditation on Good Friday evening round the cross. We thought of the saying "I can hear my Saviour calling, "take your cross and follow Me".

Resurrection Day was very special. The morning concluded thinking of the words "I have been crucified with Christ - it is no longer I who live but Christ that lives in me from Galatians 2: 20 - 23. A rough cross had been made out of a tree and put on a stand. An invitation was given for folks to come and take a piece of paper and get their name written on it - to take a nail and then nail themselves to the cross. This was an outward expression of something that had taken place in their hearts. It was never anticipated the impact this would have on people - I just followed what I felt the Lord was asking me to do. It was very moving to see the blind fully participating - feeling the shape of the cross - writing their names and then nailing them to the cross. I can still hear Mai Kampango's words ringing in my ears as she nailed her name to the cross. "My Jesus, I love you too much!"

Five weeks on and testimonies are being told of things that happened during that time. A couple with a child of 12 years suffering from epilepsy fitting at least 2 times a week has not had a fit since.

The lady here on the picture struggled to come to the conference as she had a great difficulty to breathe and pains in her chest. She didn't want to miss it! As she nailed her name to the cross she felt something happen in her chest. The pain went and today she is breathing freely. Praise our wonderful God! In the afternoon over 100 people were baptised from the various churches including 12 or more blind people. In the evening a communion service was had together.

The Easter conference was a wonderful thing for me to be present at and an added privelige to be asked to share God's Word. It made it for me to see within the 3000 present at the conference over 50 blind people fully participating. We showed the Jesus film in Chichewa on the Saturday evening and you could have heard a pin drop - there were approx 4000 people watching. The only time noises were heard was when Jesus suffered and was crucified. Many openly wept to see this depicted. It was very powerful! One man came and said it was 25 years since he had seen the Jesus film and he been backsliden over these years but wanted to give himsef afresh to the Lord after seeing the film. Hallelujah! 

What simplicity!

In November last year we met this young man of 18 years old, crippled and epileptic. His mother and her friend have carried him everywhere for years on their backs. Now a big lad it was getting impossible to manage him. We were able to take him a wheel chair and you should have seen the joy and wonderment it caused. What praise and thanks to the Lord erupted from the group of blind people who were also present. Mum and friend danced and laughed! After a short walk with the lad in the chair we went back into the small church to thank God for it and I was so moved when I noticed Julio had put his hands together to thank the Lord for what he had been given

 Never underestimate the Spirit of God in a persons life - it goes beyond the human mind.

Ongoing challenges

The dressing of wounds is a continual ministry and often a challenge to ones faith and trust in the Lord as healer! Over recent years many miracles have taken place under the dressing that has been put on a wound and the prayer that was made at the same time. Here is one wound from this visit. Can our God heal this? We believe He can. This lady is a keen helper in one of the Torch fellowship groups!

A few days previous to this we were told of a man I had seen in Novemeber. He had come with the largest wound on the front of his leg  and it had been there for over 50 years and would not heal. It was dressed and prayer was made and wonderfully it healed. Wow! What a mighty God we serve.

This story was a real boost to our faith when this lady came with her ulcer!

Under the Finger tips!

Over a number of years I have had the priveledge of setting up about 32 small braille libraries overseas mainly in Africa. I was particulalry thrilled when I was invited to half a day the Konzenre library was having for its blind braille readers. Over 24 blind people managed to come and it was a great time of sharing the blessings of the books they had read and in particular the appreciation for the Chichewa Bible volumes. Where is The Good Samaritan today ( a book on AIDS) had just been produced in Chichewa so this caused much joy to receive. The library is run by 4 pastors who take the braille volumes in boxes on the backs of their bicycles many km to remote areas where the blind people are. Many blind people talk of the books as "friends" that take away ther loneliness - how apreciatiive they are to these pastors who give their time in this way to assist them.

Their Time!

They came by all means. Walking, riding on back of a bicycle, in lorries! Over 650 blind people and their guides and some children. A gathering of over 900 folks came to Konzere for an overnight of fellowship. It is "their time...". The blind people do the preaching, singing, renew friendships, make new ones,relax,enjoy food,laugh etc all night! God blessed wonderfully! I was invited to share and spoke on Jesus' words, "Follow Me, and I will make you! I really felt God wanted me to share that sometimes we can be at the end of ourselves and feel there is no way out but than to commit suicide.

One man shared that because he was ignored by neighbours as his wife was sighted and so often he was alone his intention after the conference was to go home and kill himself. God touched this man powerfully and he went home a new creatiion in Jesus. Hallelujah! "Many of these folks have been friends now for a number of years and to see them growing in God is truly great. The benefits of being cared for and shown love is bearing fruit and this particular group of blind people now have worth and are standing in their own right as people of God. God is truly doing a "new thing."

Some of the gathering for an overnight like this to take place involves much hard work and preperations but the benefits truly outweigh all of that! 

The Arrival of the Container

When eventually the container arrived it was offloaded without much problems - everyone helped and it was done within 2 hours. The problem of delay was when it was discovered that MANICA Malawi had sent the original copy of the bill of lading to the Maersk office in Beira, Mozambique instead of their office in Blantyre. This delayed the release of the container to us by a week.

A Channel of blessing.

We give thanks for people like Pastor Lamp, who has been connected with Torch for many years and before Torch ever was in Malawi he showed love and care to the blind people around where he lived. Sadly a few years ago he had a stroke and had to move and leave his church and the group of blind people he cared for. I always enjoy visiting him and this time Lapson and I took him a wheel chair. He was overjoyed! It is good to remember those who have labored n the gospel but because of illness are unable to continue.

Rose,suddenly found she was unable to walk and has been struggling for sometime to get around. The surprise visit with this walking frame caused great rejoicing and thanksgiving to God. A real answer to Rose and her families prayers! To have the right thing just at the right time to pass on is wonderful!

I was able to make two visits to different parts of Mozambique.

Lapson has visited Mozambique for a number of years establishing churches and building up relationships with blind people, many of who are moslems and in one particular area there has been a group of blind people meeting together usually in a neutral centre. This time we felt it was God's time to meet in a church and present Jesus to them. A new thing!

For many that day it was the first time they had been into a church. At the front of the church in large red letters was the name that is above every name JESUS. It was a truly a wonderful time. Yes, to hear them singing about the name above every name, the blood of jesus! I was asked to share and spoke on the fact that Enoch and Noah walked with God. I felt the Lord take over and shared things that I never had intended to. It was like a flip chart in my mind that came up with the next thing to say. I proved God in a new way that day! They listeded intently - and many spoke of being blessed having never heard the gospel before.  

Reaching out to those in need.

The situation in Mozambique was as we had been told. Over 350 blind people in one area having lost their homes. We met with them on the banks of the Zambezi River to give them encouragement from the Word of God. We gave them blankets, soap, and a little money for some food. Many stories were told of Gods deliverance and protection.

One lady told us how the water began to rise up to her knees, her stomach, her armpits and then her chin before rescue came for her. She was so thankful to God for His deliverance! Just to be alive brought many songs of thanksgiving although they had nothing left of their homes!

One lady was so traumatized by all that she had gone through, she was expressionless and had just nothing to smile about.

Lapson and those involved caring for the blind people from his churches are drawing up a programme to help provide homes for some of those who have lost them in the flooding. It is not a quick fix job and will take time to see they are housed in safe places. Black plastic and doors will be provided and in some cases help will be given in the actual building.

The two blind ladies who are lepers were so lovely. How hard fro them when the floods came at night – no chance for them to grab anything and run. They had such difficulty in holding their blanket as they had no fingers!

We need to continue to pray for these folks and many others who have been left destitute. Many of us have the means to reach out and help these people What cannot be done by one person can be done by many.

done

TIME COMES AND TIME GOES 

(brief report of 2 trips to Mozambique by Lapson Mbewe & Janet Stafford– March/April 2008)

There are always times in life when things seem going their right ways and then comes moments in life when one would think that there is no God who controls everything. Thinking of the just gone floods, which were in Mozambique resulting in leaving many people homeless and staying in camps, where nothing is good for a living makes me having hunger for prayers asking God to remember these homeless people.

Yes, ‘all things works for the good of those who love Him..’ many of the people who were affected by these floods are the Lords’.  Being his people God made a very wonderful way of caring for them.

As partners Janet and I thought it wise going to Mozambique and visit these floods victims. We first of all went to Mutarara where we visited places like Villa Nova, Mutarara, Chinsomba and Charrie. Our going to Mozambique brought healing in the hearts of many and was like an answer to prayer to many of them.

Honestly writing life to the blind flood victims is really so hard for some of them have no places to stay. No means of getting food etc. Many thanks to the Lord for the items which were distributed to all those we met during the visit. Soap, sugar, salt, blankets, medicines and money for food were given to each of them. It was a huge task helping the 100’s of blind people who were affected, but we organised our selves and systematically went through the groups

After the Mutarara visit we went to Lichinga where there is a different story. We travelled for miles and miles and we could hardly see a church a long the road, all what we could see were mosques. Many people in this area are Moslems. This is the northern part of Mozambique and we visited two groups in this area. Matengula and Lichinga.

At Lichinga we had a group of approx 40 people but out of all these 4 only were Christians and the rest were Moslems.

Gathering from some of people in this area it seems that many people are Moslems simply because there are not people who can go to this area with the gospel. I thank God that during the visit we were able to take a lot of the Moslems into a church building, sing Christian songs about the blood of Jesus & His love and hear a preaching from the Bible, it was a real marvellous time.

It was really so interesting to hear one of the Moslem ladies saying that ‘this is the first time for me to be in a church..’ she said these words with a smiling face. Many blind people got up and said they had never heard anything like it before and never knew the gospel.

We really need to be praying for this area and the Lord's people.

Pray too that these people should be re housed as soon as possible.

God bless you for what you sent with Janet to share in Mozambique. The task was much bigger than we anticipated but we praise God for His strength and the patience of the people while we were with them..

It was certainly a God anointed time during both visits and we believe a time of breakthrough in the hearts of many Moslems.

It is a wonderful thing to think God uses us frail humans and gives us His power in full measure to reach out for Him to these special blind people.

I love to visit the blind people...

and this time was no exception. Some groups gather together in a school, under a tree or in a church building. Some visits are to individual blind people in their homes. These are times of sharing and also listening as each one has a story to share and needs to be valued and encouraged. Isolation and loneliness is so real to the blind people. Many are like sheep without a shepherd, nobody to be regularly visiting them and supporting them.

Seeing is believing

Seeing the tents from a distance or passing them on the roadside is one thing but to actually visit a camp and spend time with folks is something else!

Lapson took me to a camp not far from his village where we had a meeting, I was invited to do a clinic and then we spent time chatting and looking round the camp!

The folks came to the camp 6th January as their houses were washed away with the flooding! There are 532 people in the camp and many of them are elderly, many with health and sight pronblems because of lack of food and care.

Lapson shared from John 14 vere 1 "Let not your heart be troubled etc" Many came with wounds, skin complaints and other undernourished conditions. Some wounds were big and only God can touch them and heal - the body has no defence. Weakness of the body was so evidnet! We did what we could and shared with them the love of Jesus! There were over 60 christians in the camp.

It was quite a shock to go round the camp. The Red Cross had set up the camp with lots of small tents. A number of grass shelters had been built as bathrooms - 1 for 5 tents. They were quite open and gave no privacy. Toilets were less in number - approx 1 for 50 people.

Everyone was hungry. Many had no food. Many of the tents are empty. The folks only have what they stand up in and have no clotehs, soap or personal items.

It was a hot day I thought until I went into one of the small tents - the heat was intense. Outside there are no trees for shelter - nowhere to sit in the shade!

We met a partially sighted lady sitting a distance from her tent under a tree. She took us to her tent and there we found all she possessed. A water bucket, 2 plastic cups, and an empty sack! This was more than some have as they have nothing atall.

We were told that there has been small amounts of food given three times since January 6th.

We thank God for the work of the Red Cross BUT who is going to help these people now?

IT WAS YES, ANOTHER TIME WITH THE LORD Report of Malawi trip March/April 2008

Many thanks to the Lord for all what he did to his people through Janet. The trip for Janet this visit began with a huge gathering of people who came for Easter conference at Konzere. It was really a blessed time with her and God did a lot to his people during the time.

Over 3500 people gathered from Friday afternoon to Monday morning. We really felt the presence of the Lord at this conference and God spoke to us very powerfully through the teaching from the Bible that Janet gave. Many who came with diseases went home healed. Just to mention a few of those who had the Lord’s touch were Mrs Aluvanese. She had chest pains for over four years and was healed during the Easter conference as she was trying to nail a piece of paper with her name written on to the cross, which was made. Few days after the conference the woman sent a message that the Lord had healed her. Janet and I went and visited this woman so that she could tell us what the Lord had done. It was really encouraging to hear and see that the Lord had indeed healed her.

Also healed during the conference was a young boy who was epileptic, He had a fit at the conference for almost 45 minutes. Thank God for that was his last fit. Till now the boy is alright. His mother Mrs Charity Mbwenza came to tell me of this what had happened to her son. The woman was so thankful to the Lord for she was really in great problems with her son.

The Jesus Film in Chichewa, which was shown Saturday evening where over 5000 people came was tremendous. This was the first time the film was shown after 25 years. Many of those present it was their first time to see the Jesus film. It’s my prayer that what they saw should remain in their hearts and remind them of the gospel.

After the Easter conference Janet and I made a number of visits to Torch fellowship groups in the Shire valley. It was really good to visit the blind and needy in their home areas. A number of items such as clothes, medicine, soap, wheel chairs and money for food were given to the blind and needy people. There were a number of clinics, which were held after meetings and many wounds bathed and dressed.

Yes, another moment to be remembered from the visit was the time when all the Torch fellowship groups’ co- coordinators were brought together for discussions and prayers. Honestly speaking this was a high time in the history of the Torch work in Malawi. It was a time of sharing and praying for each other as well as for the work. We who are coordinators had our feet washed by Janet –which was a very powerful act to us Malawians and something we shall always remember.

The Braille library readers from the Konzere library came together for fellowship and to share about the books they had read. This was a very joyful time and clearly showed how much the braile books are appreciated. These Braille books have become friends to so many of the blind people and taken away their loneliness and isolation. The 4 pastors who take out the books on the back of their bicycles is so much appreciated.

As has been the case for the last five years all the blind folks under Konzere fellowship groups were invited for a time together.  This year we had another wonderful time when all brothers and sisters from 14 fellowship groups came and have fellowship together. Over 600 blind folks came for this meeting. It is really good to hold a meeting like this because friends meet each other who they have not seen since the last gathering.

Hearing to testimonies given by the blind folks one would really appreciate the value of the conference. Mr Kusowa who was going to kill himself because of the way people were treating him stood at the conference and said that he was going to kill himself but due to the message which was preached made him change his mind. Praise God that we had this meeting.

The last but one event of Janet’s visit this trip was marked by a ladies meeting. Ladies drawn from different church denominations gathered and had teachings on proper biblical dressing of a woman. Yes it was really great to have this type of teaching for women need to dress in right ways.

Finally we had time when a building which was built in the village for the use of the community was opened. At this day women came with their children for an under five clinic. Over 575 children were weighed. It was wonderful to see that each of them was given something to take home. Clothes, toys, blankets and drinking bottles were some of the things distributed

Our thanks to many of you who gave your time in praying for the schedule we had and giving towards Janet’s trip.

May God be with you. Lapson 

NB - Please request permission from Janet Stafford before reproducing in any form whether electronically, posting on a website or reproducing in a publication.