During his recent visit to Malawi, Jim Hasnip saw real blessing as he ministered in a small rural Fellowship:

"This morning (Sunday 24 September) I preached at Namalima Zambesi Evangelical Church (a prayer house near Phalombe) and 32 people committed their lives to the Lord Jesus Christ for the first time. I had not intended to make an 'appeal' but as I began my sermon, which I had been asked to make on leadership, I spoke of the fact the Jesus Christ is far more powerful than the demons and Satan himself and that we should not be afraid if we belong to him. Something in the people's response made me wonder how many of them did belong to him - so I asked and 32 people (my translator, Joseph Pontino told me he'd counted them!) said they wanted Jesus to be their Lord and Saviour. I gave some warnings about what it would mean but they still wanted to commit themselves to Jesus as their Lord and their God. So I led them in a prayer of repentance and commitment and then continued my sermon (but now with a whole new congregation!)"

"They're desperate in Mwanza - one old lady is living on wild mangoes, when she can find them...I found one family trying to cook a few maize husks (the equivalent of chaff) - it was all they had...People are eating the roots of wild plants and some of them have been poisoned as a result".

Just a few of the first-hand accounts I was given by ZEC leaders when I visited Malawi in October of last year. I saw for myself in one village that every family's grain store, which should have lasted another 6 months, was empty. So we made the problem known in the UK - and you responded. As a result of your generosity we were able to provide thousands of pounds worth of food aid which is very much appreciated.

All this help was given through ZEC Churches across Malawi and also in Mozambique. It was used to help the pastors and their families, who even at the best of times are often in dire poverty; it was distributed to those in most need in the churches, such as the widows and orphans; and it was distributed to those in need in the local community, whatever their own beliefs or practice. In some areas for instance, Moslem families have been amazed to find that the local ZEC Church was willing to help them with food and everywhere this practical expression of the love of God through His faithful people was a great witness

During a recent visit I saw that there has been a bumper harvest in Malawi this year. Those grain silos are now overflowing. So we are now focusing on helping the Church with agricultural development programmes like those mentioned above, to ensure that other food crops will be available if the maize harvest fails in future.

Rev.Eric Mpanga, the Northern Regional Superintendant of the Zambesi Evangelical Church commented, "On behalf of all pastors we really want to express our appreciation for the food support you gave during hunger crisis these past 8 months. We thank you because that time we had nothing to eat but your support brings joy to our family, even to our ministry. Through your food support we managed to preach the gospel by door to door evangelism, teaching and others ways. We helped very much. Pray that we don't tire of doing good things. We are continuing to pray for you and your ministry in United Kingdom. May the living God bless you".

Eric Mphanga talking to one of the pastors

As we join with the Malawian Believers in thanking God for the way He has provided, we also join them in thanking you. The Lord promised that one day he will say, "Come, blessed of My Father...I was hungry and you fed Me...for when you did it to these My brothers you did it to Me" Matt 25: 34-40.

May the good Lord bless you just as you have been such a blessing.