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The following item was written by Margaret especially for the web site on her return from Malawi.

 

Malawi is described as “The Warm Heart of Africa” and certainly the people we met confirmed that is an accurate description as they are extremely generous and hospitable.

 

The eight of us in the Aberdeen Presbytery group were warmly welcomed wherever we went from the moment we touched down at BlantyreAirport.  On our church visits, members of the congregations would come out specially to greet us and sing to us as well as talk with us.  Staff at schools and hospitals showed us round graciously and the children always seemed happy to see us.  Transport was provided with drivers and escorts giving of their time freely to accompany us on our visits and were always so helpful and pleasant.  We were very well fed and always provided with bottled water to counteract the heat of the day, or soft drinks to go with our meals.

 

The programme arranged for us was very well thought out and gave us an insight into so many aspects of life in Malawi.  The photographs illustrate more clearly than any words the poor conditions of many of the roads, houses, schools, hospitals and shops.  We also experienced the beauty of the country, especially during our stay at Mangochi on Lake Malawi.  This was a welcome time of relaxation.

 

Most memorable was the wonderful singing experienced on countless occasions and indicative of the truly God-centered lives of the people of our partner churches.  The Gospel was taken to them by fellow Scots and so there is a special bond between the two.  Now we are seeking to strengthen our relationships and visits such as the one we have just completed are invaluable because personal links are established and real fellowship becomes a reality.

 

Margaret Donald

 

 

  
 

 

  
 

St Mark's and Malawi

We made our first visit to Mpachika in May 2005, when Margaret Donald and Rosalyn Rennie joined a group from other Aberdeen churches and visited Malawi. You can read about preparation for the visit on the Archive Page (2) and see some of the sights of Malawi in photographs  here.  Both Rosalyn and John are planning to go  to Mpachika in September 2006.

You can also read Margaret Donald's personal rememberance of the visit specially written for the web site (above) as well as articles by Margaret and Rosalyn from the Autumn 2005 "Messenger" on Archive Page (2) along with contributions from friends in Mpachika. 

 

In the Christmas 2005 "Messenger" news from Malawi was not so good as you can read here, but Aberdeen Presbytery, including St Mark's was able to send financial help.  The Watchnight Offering from St Mark's as well as special offerings during Advent all went to Blantyre Presbytery to help.

 

Malawi - December 2005:

 

At time of print it is now some 10 weeks since the Malawians returned home from their trip to Aberdeen and I am still receiving letters and e mails from many of them saying how much they enjoyed their time in Scotland.  It is good to hear their news as well as keeping in touch with the friends Margaret and I met and those we stayed with when we were over in Blantyre in May.  It seems St. Mark’s was “on everyone's lips” when they got home. They were so impressed by the hospitality they received from the dinner at St. Mark’s and the visits to the OAK café - especially when we did not have anyone visiting from our own church of Mpachika.  I have had disturbing reports from many of them about how the current food shortages and collapse of crops is affecting them and their families.  I hope we can do something soon to help but meanwhile, please remember them in your prayers during the festive season when many of us will have more than enough food to go around.

Rosalyn

On a brighter note, John had this short piece in the Christmas "Messenger" as well.

Malawi 2006

 

I am delighted to inform you that I will be going to Malawi between 14 - 28 September 2006 to represent you all and to visit our host church Mpachika.  I hope there will be at least one other person from the congregation travelling with me but details will follow. 

 

To facilitate the expenditure incurred on the travel and accommodation contribution, I hope to be having some fund raising events during the year, which will go into our Malawi fund.  I will keep you all posted on this.  Of course, if any person wishes to make a donation to this fund they are very welcome to do so.

John M Watson

  

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