Janet's Jotter

Read about Janet's previous visits to Malawi...

April 2006

September 2006

March 2007

Janet's Jotter - April 2006

A record of Janet's trip to Malawi - in March/April 2006

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

LOST FOR WORDS

“This is a most wonderful day”, said Rev Lemy Chesi, as he opened the Gospel of John in Tumbuka braille and ran his fingers over the Braille dots to find the story of Niccodemus coming to Jesus by night in chapter 3.

“This will help me when I am transferred to a church of my own Tumbuka speaking people. But for me now, this is tremendous – the New Testament in my mother tongue, it speaks to my heart and I don’t need a dictionary to understand it like I do for Chichewa.

To be the first person to have a copy of the Tumbuka New Testament in Braille is a real privilege. I am overwhelmed and am lost for words. I just praise God!

The Tumbuka speaking blind people have longed to be able to read the Bible for themselves. The New Testament has been completed in Braille at Torch Trust for the Blind HQ in Blantyre. Tumbuka is mainly spoken in Mzuzu City, and the districts of Chitipa, Karonga and Mzimba of Malawi.

GOD HAS A PURPOSE

FOR MY LIFE!

I found John Mwale with his Braille Bible volume of Job. “I wonder what God has for me in this book”, he said. “ I have just been reading Daniel. What a fascinating book, it has just thrilled me to see the way God used Daniel through his prophesying and his dreams. As I have thought of Daniel it reminded me how God spoke to me through a dream.

I was born sighted and went blind when I was 14 years old – I hated being blind. My parents both died soon after this and I was left with many problems, and I got to the point where I began to think of killing myself. Around this time I had a dream that some one was preaching about Daniel and Nebuchadnezzar and because Nebuchadnezzar didn’t respond to God he was punished.

The dream made me think about myself and I realised. I was full of self-pity and feeling sorry for myself. Later some one told me that Jesus loved me and cared for me. I trusted Jesus and joined the Zambezi Evangelical Church – it was here one of the missionaries sent me to the School for the Blind at Montfort and then on to Kasinje to learn agriculture.

 I am now a successful farmer. Although this last year has been very hard with the hunger problem, I am trusting God that I will have some maize and groundnuts this year.

One of the first volumes I received from Torch in Braille was the Epistle of Philippians. When I read chapter 1 v 6 where it says what God has begun He will complete I was so excited. I realised that day that God DID have a purpose for me, blind John Mwale.

I thank God for His deliverance and protection in my life as I farm and travel He keeps me safe and above all I thank Him for the deliverance he brought about in my life when I was thinking of killing myself and instead I found new life in Jesus Christ.”

TOGETHER COMMITTED

Ruth Kaufula has been for some years tireless in her service among the blind and partially sighted people of Balaka and the areas around. Ruth herself is partially sighted, but undaunted by this difficulty she goes visiting being carried on the back of a bicycle. She has been used of God to form 14 Torch Fellowship Groups, and how the people love her. Those that run the Fellowship Groups are very enthusiastic and  tell of many coming to know the Lord Jesus through the fellowship times they have. Many different Churches are represented at the groups, which has brought about a real reconciliation among them. Ruth has always been supported and encouraged by her husband, retired Colonel Kaufula, who says “I am coming in now as a full worker with my wife. We want more blind and partially sighted people to know Jesus.”

LEMY CHESI MARRIES

Lemy wants to thank everyone in the Torch family who have prayed for him over the past two years that God would give him a wife. He is happy to announce that on January 26th he was married to Beatrice at the Church of the Nazarene in Blantyre. “It was so hard when I was working as a pastor on my own, but now I am so happy and know it was worth waiting to have Beatrice as my wife. She has for sometime been a committed worker in the Church. So together we can be more effective for God”

TRIP TO THE EAST BANK

Knowing the roads along the East Bank were bad we left at 6am having arranged to meet the three coordinators and their committees at different points along the way.

We had intended to go to the farthest point where Mr Njerwa lives and work back from there. The roads were so bad! It was raining and very muddy. At various points the roads had been washed away and diversions were necessary. We never knew whether the ground was firm enough to take the land rover but we struggled on. The continual jolting of the motor caused the loads to shift forward so we stopped at the first port of call and off loaded the goods that were for them.

Here we got stuck in the mud – it was up to the top of the wheels – how the motor stayed upright I shall never know. Praise God for the land rover and Joseph who managed to manoeuvre backwards out of the mud.

Off we went again – further along it had not rained and it was a little easier. There were signs of the recent floods – complete roads gouged out; hundreds of rocks and big stones having tumbled down from the mountains with the force of the water lay across the road in a number of places. The houses we passed all showed water lines where the water had risen to during the floods.

We passed mile after mile of damaged maize because of too much rain and in the areas where there had been flooding the maize crops had been washed away.

We arrived at Matimati where Mr Khangala and his Torch Fellowship group committee were waiting for us. We met in the church building, which was quiet as the children were all at school nearby. Victoria, a blind member of the committee was absent as she was in hospital with malaria ++.

Mr Khanghala was pleased to tell us that no one had died during the hunger crisis but most of them had suffered greatly, both sighted and blind. No relief had come their way at all. They were thrilled to receive the little money we had to share with them and the clothes and soap. We chatted for some time and prayed with them and then we were off again along the bumpy road to Mr Njerwa’s.

Mr Njerwa had gathered some of his committee members together – the groups are widespread - some had walked and travelled long distances up to 30 km. The picture painted to us was the same of extreme hunger and no relief to both sighted and blind people. Mr Njerwas had covered an area within the grass fence around his house. It was good to be within this area as it gave some degree of privacy although children were peeping in through the grass fence. Each group presented topics for prayer and expressed fervent thanks for remembering them and the groups at this time. Mr Paul Paul, a blind man had been flooded in his village and along with 4 others had seen their houses washed away. We didn’t want to leave but time had passed so quickly – we said our byes and were back along the road we had come to Mr Goba’s compound.

Mr Goba had committee members from 7 groups waiting for us. Renewed fellowship is always good and although the past months had been extremely difficult, still they found cause to give praise and thanks to God. Pumpkin had been the diet over recent weeks. Flooding had been bad in this area too with crops and houses having been washed away. Again the visit was timely. What we gave seemed so little in face of the great needs but they were full of praise and thanks to God. What joy a piece of soap brought – this is a luxury! The time together was so good but went all too quickly.

It wasn’t long before we were back in the motor and finding our way back through the mud and then up the steep ascent to Blantyre.

These visits bring such challenges. Observing (we from outside can only observe – as we really have no concept of how it actually must be to have nothing and live from day to day for our “daily bread”) the desperate needs for food, clothing, shelter, roads, medical care on one hand and then the personal challenges seeing such trust in GOD amidst great adversity. One man quoted the words of Job, “the Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord,” and again the words, “though He slay me yet I will trust in Him.”  It seems God allows us to tread on holy ground during these visits. What a privilege!  

 KONZERE - an oasis in a desert place!

The blind people started arriving in groups Friday afternoon, then the big lorries came full of singing blind people and their guides, some with children. They kept coming and coming. Each group came with their leaders, who were committed to look after them for the weekend. A total of 695 blind people came, 142 partially sighted and another 374 made up of children and a few sighted guides.

A meal was provided for them when they arrived Friday evening. 18 women cooked food and plated it up till all were fed. This was done in relays. Over the weekend 10 goats were killed and a sack of beans plus batches and batches of nsima! Many of the blind people said it was the first meat they had eaten in 8 to10 months and they were so grateful.

A huge covered area had been provided for them to sit and it was here they sang, danced, gave testimonies and preached all through Friday night till 5am.

Saturday there was more singing etc – in the afternoon the small library was opened and then again Sat night after the meal they sang and fellowshipped again. Most of these folks hadn’t seen each other since last year so there was much laughter and joy as they found each other in the crowd.

The weekend went all too quickly and it wasn’t long before the big lorries were winding their way back out to road full of singing blind people and their children..

The organisational side of the weekend was impeccable, but this wouldn’t have been successful without the hours of prayer that had gone up to God. For me looking on from outside I was just full of admiration for the commitment of the team that organised and saw it through. I don’t know of anywhere else where blind people are brought together to give encouragement to each other like this.

It was just wonderful!

God have given them clean water and they wanted to thank Him.

The joy and gratitude among the women of Konzere Chikwawa knew no limits, for they had been walking 10 – 12 km to get fresh water and then back 10 – 12 km with their heavy load. Two boreholes had recently been drilled in different parts of the village. Konzere has over 3000 people. The day had come for the official opening of these bore holes. It was a great time with near on 2000 people present. The singing was of the best and the women danced and praised God for what He had done for them. I was presented with a chicken and a big bowl of maize.

The chief spoke and thanked the donor for providing his part of the village with the borehole. I was given opportunity to speak so spoke from Isaiah 54 “Ho, everyone that is thirty, Come to Me and drink!”  I was then given the privilege of pumping up a bucket of water.

 We then all walked through the village to the second borehole where all those benefiting from it took part in a programme; the children did a drama, the widows danced and presented me with a chicken, Chief Mtopola spoke of his gratitude, the women came again and gave me maize and yet another chicken! Then I was given chance to say something – as there were some different folks there I spoke on the Woman of Samaria and again Jesus being the living water. Private donors in the UK provided both the boreholes and it was wonderful to see the difference already that clean water had made to the community. The blind people certainly benefited at the weekend having water just a few yards away. It was noted that the borehole had saved lives over recent weeks when there had been cholera in the surrounding areas.

A permanent room for the library books

Redemption Village Ministries have been visiting the blind people in the villages of Chikwawa for some time now with Braille books. Pastors Rhodesia, Holland, Nsingano and Charles have been covering an area of 50 km by bicycle with boxes of braille books. The books have brought great encouragement to those who can read Braille. Those concerned with the library saw need for a small building to house the books so Lapson had a small room built. At the same time there were surplus Braille books at Torch in UK; these were posted out to give more choice of books.

A day was spent sorting and shelving the books, etc. A special time of prayer and thanksgiving was held on the Saturday of the weekend the blind people were together. Students from Ngabu Secondary School were there along with many others who will benefit from these books.

Joseph commented that he had longed to be able to have books to read and so this day made him very happy. Patrick also from Ngabu Secondary School said it was a first time for him to be in a library and he liked it very much. Evelyn was excited as it was for her the first time in a library as well and she knew she was going to be helped spiritually through reading the books.

The mobile library will still continue as it is too far for most of the blind people to come to the room. The Secondery school students in particular will be able to visit as they are not too far away. Charles has taken on the responsibility of the room and the above picture shows him putting the books in alphabetical order on the shelves.

Janet's Jotter - September 2006    

Snippets from Janet Stafford's trip to Malawi - in September/October 2006

Janet is making visits to the Lower Shire district (Malawi's poorest area) to meet and encourage blind folk and those who help and support them. She plans to visit several of the 80+ Torch Fellowship Groups. She is also planning to set up a couple more libraries of accessible Christian books and to catch up on various projects including a bore hole for water supply and Sheila Armstrong's maize mill project.

WHAT A WELCOME! Around the city of Blantyre it was dusty and cold with no green! It should be very hot and getting ready for the early rains.The climate seems to have gone haywire! BUT to look up was rather different as the jacaranda trees were in full bloom and they were quite spectacular - with their lilac mauve colour they were just absolutely breathtaking to see. As one travels from the airport towards the city of Blantyre jacoranda trees have been planted by the sides of the road. The contrast is so startling - looking down the brown and dryness but looking up the wonderful colour and beauty. Is that something we need to be reminded of - to keep looking up away from our difficulties to God, who is able to bring colour and beauty into our situations?

TORCH FELLOWSHIP GROUPS

A number of days were spent visiting Torch Fellowship Groups in the area of Balaka and Wetheya where there have been several new groups formed over recent months. A number of visits were also made to the blind people in the Lower Shire. There are many folks in the rural areas who give of their time to support and visit the blind people. It is always a challenge to see the way God is blessing this commitment.

Pictures:

(left to right top row)

1. The picture shows Rose Chiponda and a crowd of children. Rose and Lazarus had a meeting with the children while Lapson and I spent time with the blind people. They all received a soft toy. For many of the children it was the first and only toy they had ever received!

2. A group of blind ladies at one of the Torch Fellowship Group meetings. The men were sitting on the opposite side.

(left to right bottom row)

3. Mai Asembu, Mama Janet and Mai Thikiti - good friends!

4. One of the families we visited, Frackisona and Joyce Madzimbala and their two children.

Malawi is the tenth poorest country in the world, and the blind people are often in special need of practical help, which we are sometimes able to provide, along with a ministry of spreading the gospel and encouraging the Christian blind people.  

PROJECTS

The Bible shows that concern for poor people and a passion for justice are part of what it means to be a Christian. So our support to those who are blind and disabled in Malawi continues. These include

• “Sight for Sore Eyes”. Over 500 pairs of reading glasses have been provided to low vision children. These children were integrated into normal schools and were struggling to read ordinary print because they couldn’t afford to buy glasses.
• Sewing machines, wool and needles have been given to blind and partially sighted people, who have had training in tailoring, knitting and crocheting.
• The building of small houses. This scheme started by repatriating 60 blind beggars and their families from the streets of Blantyre to their home villages. Most of them have remained, though often struggling with scarcity of food due to drought, floods etc. Many houses are now complete and the building of more continues.
• Typewriters are always welcome by those who learnt to type at school but have had no means of using this skill since - others who can write Braille have received Braille writing machines.
• Braille paper and various equipment have been given to the resource centres and schools for the blind.
• Bicycles have been given to resource teachers and Torch Fellowship Group leaders.
• Many have received seed and fertilizer so they can plant their farms.
• Crop sprayers to some to protect their cotton crop.
• A few small shops selling groceries, dried fish etc have been set up.
• A few shoe and bicycle repair kits have been given plus carpentry and bricklaying tools.
• Soap, clothes and other basic items are distributed to over 3000 blind people and their families from the contents of the container.
• The building of small pit latrines.
• The setting up of small libraries of giant print and braille books.
• Pedal pump irrigation.
• Local made wheel chairs to partially sighted people with a walking disability.

I was able to visit a number of the current projects. These included seeing some of the toilets that have been built, a number of houses and two bore holes. Providing two ladies with sewing machines. Three children with a bicycle so each can support their blind parents. A wheel chair to Mr Mose.

Pictures:

(left to right top row)

1and 2. These are two examples of the most recent project. Small pit latrines that are being built for blind people and their families. For many of the blind people this is the first time they have had a toilet. It has given them dignity and a sense of self worth.

(left to right bottom row)

3. This blind man was given a guitar and told if he could play it within a week then he could have it. I'd love you to hear him play and sing - he is fabulous!

4. This maize mill was built using a gift from a church; the profits go to help the blind people.

All has been given and done in the name of Jesus, enabling our brothers and sisters to live in dignity, and in some small measure provide for themselves. It is only because people pray and give that any of these achievements have been possible.

Will you continue to support us in these projects and others?

A list of projects is available from Torch House. Or contact me via email JanetS@torchtrust.org

BOOKS ARE LIKE FRIENDS!

As library books have become surplus in our Library here in the UK we have been able to send them for use among our English braille readers overseas. We have nearly 30 in African countries.

I was able to set up two more small libraries in the Southern part of Malawi. One of these is in a small town called Bangula where Mary Asembu lives. Mary and her two friends, Meg and Vitola, were all blind and the very best of friends. If you met one then the others wouldn’t be far behind - they moved together and spent most days in each other’s company. Sadly Meg became ill, she had AIDS and she died.(Approx 2000 a week die of AIDS in Malawi and life expectancy is 37 years).

Vitola, Mary’s other friend, was pregnant, the father unknown. At the time of delivery she was diagnosed as also having AIDS - the baby too was infected. They both died.

Mary is now left on her own. Her words to me were “My only friend now is my braille Bible”. If you want to find Mary it won’t be in the town, but I suggest you go to her little mud brick house and I reckon she’ll be sitting in the porch reading her braille Bible. She may decide to visit the little library and borrow a book from time to time, but nothing will compensate and comfort her like her braille Bible volumes.

The mobile library which has been set up in the Konzere area of Malawi covers 19 villages over a radius of 62 km. This is operated by four men on bicycles - it has 34 English braille users and a good number of Chichewa readers who just receive the Bible volumes. It has been very effective in that in some of the villages the sighted people gather together with the blind people and a book is read to the group (we need to realise that these folks have nothing else to read and only the occasional person has a radio).

Kresiya Kampango said that the only friends she now has are Braille books. Before the library brought her books she used to have a lot of hard times, no-one to talk to, nothing to do. She has learnt such a lot from the book called 'Amazing book of Bible facts'. She says “I really find happiness after reading the books. Books bring life and healing in me. Books take away loneliness from me.”

Harlord Tambala, a lad of 19 years, said that on finishing school he had nothing to do at home only sitting and sleeping. It was not easy to find a friend in his village. He said, “Having the books brought to my house really brings life in me. The books I have so far read have really moved me up and I now have a clear understanding of spiritual life. Books like 'Man of compassion, man of prayer' and 'Jesus here and now'. Yes reading is now taking away my loneliness from me and who would have thought those dots would be like a friend to me. I thank God for these books."

Pictures:

(left to right top row)

1. Hope reading her print Bible. She will sit and read her Bible to the blind people who come to visit.

2. A blind lad, from a nearby Secondary School, reading a braille book at the Konzere library.

(left to right bottom row)

3. The Chichewa New Testament in giant print has been welcomed by many who have low vision.

4. Mary Asembu sitting on the porch of her small house reading her braille Bible volume.

5. A low vision man who has been helped with a pair of reading glasses.

News from the staff at Torch House Blantyre:

Winston Chidzambuyo writing, “I am the Administrator for Torch in Malawi and am very happy to work in this way. In recent days I have been visiting a number of fellowship groups to encourage the blind people and teach them the Word of God. September 2-9, I was involved in “Bible Week” in Malawi, which started with the inauguration of the audio Chichewa Bible, which will benefit our visually impaired brothers and sisters. Also during the week the Sena Old Testament in print was also launched in Nsanje, which is right at the bottom of Malawi where we have a concentration of Torch Fellowship Groups."

Lazarus says “I continue working in the Braille production producing Braille Bible volumes for blind people in African countries. I have just completed an assignment of the Good News Easy Reader portions for the Bible Society to be sent to Nigeria. There are six portions in a set and I have done 700 volumes of each portion.

The plastic plates are made at Torch HQ in UK and then I  Braille the pages, collate and bind them and lastly pack them in boxes for despatch. Since 2002 we have now produced whole Braille Bibles in Bemba, Chichewa and Hausa languages; and Braille New Testaments in Igala, Sena, Shona and Tumbuka languages. I am so happy in what I do as I am assisting the blind people to know God and am also delighted when I go out to the villages and find the blind people reading the volumes I have produced.

I have been studying in my spare time and am thankful to God for helping me pass exams in Business Administration at diploma 1 level.

Lastly I say Glory to God for He is good and His love endures for ever."

Hartley Nashor reports, “I continue to look after the compound at Torch House and keep it clean. I also repair the Perkins Braille machines and have just completed 3 for Tengani in the Nsanje area. Using the motorbike, which we have had now for nearly 12 years, (which I also take care of), I deliver messages to the Torch Fellowship Groups in Malawi.

I also have learnt how to take care of the blind people who may come to Torch and need to stay in the guest room over night. I like my work very well; so I praise God for giving me this work. I learn many good things about God from Torch and thank God for His goodness to me and my family."

Now a few lines from Blessings: “I am Blessings Namate, the computer operator. I produce small Braille booklets on the Everest and recently the Chichewa New Testament in Large Print. I enjoy my work, because I have seen many blind persons turning to God after receiving and reading these materials. My life has been changed too, as when I joined Torch, through the Scriptures, as I am reading them as I edit. I have discovered many good things and know much of the Word of God now. I am able to share this with my family as I am married to Gloria and we have a little girl, who is nearly 22 months old.

I have done an accounts course and am currently doing computer studies on home study basis. Pray for me that God should continue guiding me in this work of Torch. I love the work so much!"

Last of all we hear from Joseph Pahuwa; “I have worked now for Torch for 9 years as the driver. I visit many Fellowship Groups and am always interested to see how the groups are receiving the Word of God and growing as Christians. During the rainy season the roads are difficult and we can get stuck in the mud. Just a few months ago when Sister Janet was here we had a burst tyre as we returning back to Blantyre from visiting the central area. In all these things I have seen God protecting me and those travelling with me. I love to encourage the blind people as we visit them, and sometimes I give my testimony.

I am very happy with my work, and I like to take great care of the land rover as though it is my office. I am so thankful to God as I am able to care for my wife and 7 children through working at Torch."

MALAWI - LAND OF SURPRISE.

Malawi is a country that seems strange to western eyes

A land where things are different, and each day brings fresh surprise

A place where people carry loads that are perched upon their heads,

Where traders offer goods for sale until it's time to seek their beds.

Malawi is a hot land, where strong sunshine is the norm,

The Posters gladly tell you, it's where the heart of Africa is warm,

The people smile and greet you, as you move from place to place,

The pace of life is slower here - far too hot to tear and race.

Malawi has strong contrasts - few are rich but many poor,

Vendors jostle with each other, to sell you pictures by the score,

Still others carry loads of fruit, or a varied range of goods,

Like models made of sun baked clay or carved from polished woods.

Malawi is a country where religious ties are strong,

Where Church meeting halls seem to naturally belong,

Where strident singing fills the air, and fervent prayer is made

Where wooden benches serve as pews to sit in welcome shade.

Malawian transport systems are a study on their own,

For overloaded vehicles hurry past with springs that creek and groan;

And bicycles are as plentiful as flies upon the sand,

And bike repair is in huge demand throughout this golden land.

But what of Malawi village life - far from city's noise and din?

Where life is very basic - water scarce - and diet thin,

Where soil is dry and moisture less and no planting can be done,

Until the rains have softened soil - no cultivation can be begun.

Yet, here in rural village life - the blind are present too,

No easy way of life for them, oh what can such folk do?

They cry to God their Father - and trust His unfailing Love,

And God hears their cry, and wonderfully sends them Help and blessing from His wealth above.

Malawi - land of contrast - land of sunshine - heat and drought.

A place where rich and poor reside - and young children dash about,

And hope to sell their trinkets - their carvings or their sweets,

Whilst others simply sit and wait - and still others sweep the streets.

What can we say of Malawi - this land that time forgot?

Where maize meals have been cooked and served since the year of dot,

And what about the village folk - whose earthly goods are few?

Who welcome you with beaming smiles - and show delight in greeting you.

Malawi land of contrast - where high mountain peaks are seen,

And where lowland plains in lower Shire, are reached through steep ravine,

Where in City centre men drive past in gleaming cars,

Whilst others walk the streets barefoot - having slept beneath the stars.

Malawi land of contrast - where families are large,

Where the Bambo (men) are respected as the ones in charge.

Where the women folk are there to serve - and do as they are told,

Do the washing, serve the meals and ensure the water is not cold.

What can we say of Malawi? Where schools abound on every land,

Where to excel in education might ensure a future grand,

But how to pay the fees they ask? And afford the uniform and kit?

These are questions far from simple - and what if wage earners become unfit?

Yet Malawi is a lovely land - with a beauty quite serene,

Great potential in its people is everywhere to be seen,

Although its troubles are tough and so much remains to be done,

What a great future it has if we lift it all before the Son.

Janet's Jotter - March 2007  

Snippets from Janet Stafford's trip to Malawi - in March 2007

The delay in the container arriving has been very frustrating but there has been plenty to do, which I guess wouldn't have got done if the container had been here!

HIPPO STEAKS ARE ON THE MENU!

We arrived at a village where there are a group of blind people. A strange and putrid smell filled the air. It wasn’t long before we came across the cause. A hippo had been killed and was on sale. He was a big fellow and there was rather a lot of it left plus the feet and head etc! It had been there two days and as it was very, very hot it had begun to go rotten. It certainly didn’t appeal to me!

A BLESSING TO OTHERS

Joyce and Frackson Madzimbala, are both

blind and live in a village not far from a resource centre for blind and partially sighted children.

Joyce has befriended some of the girls and

they visit regularly for encouragement and

Joyce helps them with Braille and other things. Two were there with Joyce when I visited and having a great time. Joyce is a good braillest and reader of Braille. She also is a good knitter and machinist and is really enjoying helping the girls.

TAMBUZA, THE LOCAL TAILOR 

Tambuza has blind parents - and his mother also suffers from epilepsy. He stood by and cared for his parents when his brothers and sisters left home for the big city. We set Tambuza up with a treadle sewing machine a year past, and it was just great to see how he has set up and developed a business in the village. He has his own little house near his parents and recently his wife had their first child.

TWO BLIND LADIES WHO KNOW GOD IN A DEEP WAY 

Maria on the right spends part of her days praying for others and is always an encouragement when we visit her. Sadly part of the grass roof of her house was affected by the rain. She and her other blind friends had gone to the market leaving no one on the compound. While they were out someone came and climbed in through the roof and stole the few clothes that Maria had. To think of stealing from a blind woman who had so little! Maria was very sad when I visited her but it wasn’t long before she was laughing - her only fear is that the person will come again. Linda Ponche, on the left is a deep rooted christian and when she prays she lifts you up into the presence of the Lord.

WORN OUT FROM WALKING

We met Antonio Batumeyo, a deaf blind man, walking along the road with his child guide. He was very happy to climb into the back of the motor - he looked clean and was wearing what looked a nice pair of flip flops. Farther along the road we stopped to speak to someone else and there with his feet tucked under him I could see the bare reality. Both soles of each flip flop had big holes and the soles of his feet were coming through.

SHEEP WITHOUT A SHEPHERD

What a privilege to visit the blind people in their homes. These visits are so looked forward to and there is no doubt that they are of mutual blessing. Listening to the stories of the blind people is always a challenge; seeing them gradually relax knowing they feel safe and seeing the smile and ultimately hearing the hearty laugh is wonderful. An encouraging word and prayer is always part of each visit. Here Lapson is with one of the smallest blind ladies we know - she is absolutely lovely and just loves Jesus so much! Mr Nyampeza on the right is always ready to talk and share. There are so many blind people who don't get visits and are just lonely and like sheep without a shepherd!   

WE MEET AGAIN

I first met Kisswell Office in 1990 when we took him English Braille Bible volumes. Thankfully he lives with his mother up on the ridge above the valley so was not affected by the flooding that came through the East Bank washing out some roads, many farms and in some places houses too. Kisswell continues to read his Braille Bible volumes and to live a life that is pleasing to the Lord. Like so many, unknown by man but known fully by God.

EVELINE'S REWARD

Eveline was so jubilant when she came to see me. "I've something to show you Mama Janet," she said. From hidden away in her blouse she drew out a nice pink cell phone. "You'll never guess how I got this, she continued. I have been learning verses from the Bible as it is difficult for me to carry braille volumes around with me. Last weekend I got up in Church and recited many of them. Every one was so surpised at what I did. When they heard I get the braille volumes from Torch and the distance I had to travel to get them they decided to buy me a phone as a reward so I can keep in touch with Torch." What a comfort  the Word of God has been to Eveline since her daughter died with cancer a couple of years ago and then recently as she has been diagnosed with epilepsy.

THE CONTAINER DID ARRIVE!

We are so thankful for the safe arrival of the container - it got held up in congestion in Beira, Mozambique. There seemed to be one hold up after another, but as we viewed the situation we could recognise God's control of the situation. Various important visits were made that wouldnt have been done if the container had arrived earlier.The goods have been stored and will be distributed on the next visit. Everything was intact and we were charged no duty on anything so we have much to praise the Lord for.