Malawi Missions Network Conference

Helen Zimba and Shoshanna Conway were PHPC representatives to the annual Malawi Mission Network Conference in Omaha, Nebraska. The 2018 Conference will be held in Dallas, Texas.

Philemon 6-7

"I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening our understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ.  Your love has given us great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord's people."

 

This was the scripture which was the guide for all facets of our meeting in Omaha, NE.  We were privileged to have Rev. Levi Nyondo, the General Secretary of the CCAP Synod of Livingstonia, as our keynote speaker.  His wife, Ruth accompanied him and participated in one of the panel discussions.

 

The Malawi Mission Network (MMN) was formed as an association of people connected to PCUSA who are interested in mission work in Malawi.  It was exciting to meet and network with people who are involved in diverse mission endeavors.  For example, Rev. Dr. Donna Sloan is a retired nurse and retired minister who is a professor at Zomba Theological Seminary where she teaches church history.

 

We learned about the GOGO Grandmothers project which supports women who are caring for their orphaned grandchildren (parents have typically died from AIDS).  Funds raised in the US provide the grandmothers with seeds, fertilizer, mosquito nets, blankets, and school supplies among other things.

 

The Marion Medical Mission and Tom Logan have been very involved in installing shallow water wells.  To date, approximately 30,000 wells have been installed in Malawi, Zambia, and Tanzania.  An impressive 90% have been sustainable!

 

We also heard reports about the Malawi Solar Project, the University of Livingstonia Foundation, the Schools for the Hard of Hearing, the Ministry of Hope, SAFE (Sub-Saharan African Family Enrichment), as well as other projects.

 

As Rev. Nyondo said, PCUSA representatives are experiencing life side-by-side with our Malawian brothers and sisters.  It is our privilege and responsibility to do so!

 

- Shoshanna Conway

PHPC Malawi Mission Team member