Decommissioning of Vasco

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Today was a sad day at M'buka Church as Vasco led his last service before the ceremony took place to decommission him in preparation for his moving to his new Church next week.

The strengthening of the congregation and development work that has been undertaken in the 3 years that has been at M'buka is a remarkable achievement in any circumstances. The congregation has grown to over 5000 (from just over 2000), the Church campus extended and developed, the school built and opened ( now in its second year) and work has been undertaken to develop a kitchen, dining and sleeping area (by the Guild) for visiting groups and major events. There are about 12 Committees, including Twinning, Welfare and Worship.

Despite the sadness of the leaders and congregation at M'buka the day was one of great celebration. In true Malawian style a Committee and various sub Committees had been established to organise the event and it was remarkable. The services were held outside, with shelters having been established all around the Church campus to provide shade (an absolute necessity in the searing heat). Several thousand attended including many Church dignitaries and other Ministers. Central to it all was the joyous African music and dance of the many different Church groups (including from the Church that Vasco is going to) and from neighbouring congregations. The service ended with "gifting" to Vasco and Madthou many items for their move to their new home (gifting is culturally very important in Malawi, providing a strong basis of support to people at the timekey eve events in their lives)

The people of Malawi do not hold to rigid timekeeping as we endeavour to in Britain (those of you who know me well will appreciate that this suits me) and the service - due to start at 8.00 am and end at 12 ( yes that is 4 hours of service and ceremony) actually began at around 8.30 and ended after 1.30 - so I think we have little to be concerned about if our services over run slightly.

You can imagine that managing such a huge event required an immense amount organisation and what a credit to the leaders in the Church and the Guilds that it all went so very well - including the feeding of all of the guests (although I think our Health and Safety chaps in Scotland might have had apoplexy at the sight of some of the arrangements)

During the service the Church leadersspoke of the commitment to the Twinning arrangements with St Kane's and emphasised the will that this should continue and be built upon. A message from Pastor Paul that the congregations at New Deer and Maud held Vasco, the Church and people at M'buka in their thoughts and prayers at the time of the decommissioning was welcomed.

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Comments

[Leogeo]

Jan, It was sad to hear of Vasco's leaving but at the same time it sounds as if it was a joyous occasion. We are thinking and praying for M'buka congregation and leaders and for vasco and his family in their move to their new church and home. Are you able to email me? we have not yet received your itinerary from Johnny. Also have you got a new phone number? Thinking about you often and of course M'buka church. Lots of love Sandra.

[Messages from Malawi]

Vascos decommissioning
Hi Sandra - yesterday was an amazing experience and yes also full of joy although sad for the leaders and congregation at M'buka. The Church leaders now have to call for a new a Minister, when they do so they receive a list of this available and have an opportunity to choose. It is likely that this will happen quite quickly ( within 3 months) as if they do not the new Minister will be appointed without it being of their choosing and whilst in general that are an in readily laid back race this is something that is really important to them. I have a programme for up to the end of this week and am staying with Jonny and his family just now. the first week was with Vasco and Mada. I will be staying with Salome and Jere and their family as of next Monday. I have done so much in the first two weeks and as Pope has set up a hotspot at Jonny's should be able to put some more information on the Blog over the next few days. The rest of the programme should be be put together this week and they wanted it to be informed by my early experience and things that come up in the early part of the visit that I may want to follow up on. I have met with the Twinning Committee ( well half of them) last week and I think that there may be another meeting this week. It is all very flexible and laid back and there is little regards for time - hardly anyone wears a watch and if they do it certainly is not for timekeeping purposes. I have come to accept that this is the way of things here and trust that things will happen as intended ------ eventually. I will ask Jonny about e.mailing you a copy of the programme but assure you it is packed full of interesting and meaningful visits, events and contacts. The hosting is excellent ( once you get used to the change of pace and timings) and in addition to spending time with the families I am staying with I have been hosted by a number of families for evening meals and prayer meetings. I have a phone from Vasco and think that the number is [phone]. We are two hours ahead here so mid so around 7 GMT is probably best for phoning. Folk retire early here ( usually before 10) and are up very early also ( 6/6.30 would be quite late) I have been able to have contact with Richard via phone and Scype and all seems well at home which is important to me. Thanks for your messages and blessings which I will also pass onto the people here. Jan

[Messages from Malawi]

Vascos decommissioning
Hi Sandra - yesterday was an amazing experience and yes also full of joy although sad for the leaders and congregation at M'buka. The Church leaders now have to call for a new a Minister, when they do so they receive a list of this available and have an opportunity to choose. It is likely that this will happen quite quickly ( within 3 months) as if they do not the new Minister will be appointed without it being of their choosing and whilst in general that are an in readily laid back race this is something that is really important to them. I have a programme for up to the end of this week and am staying with Jonny and his family just now. the first week was with Vasco and Mada. I will be staying with Salome and Jere and their family as of next Monday. I have done so much in the first two weeks and as Pope has set up a hotspot at Jonny's should be able to put some more information on the Blog over the next few days. The rest of the programme should be be put together this week and they wanted it to be informed by my early experience and things that come up in the early part of the visit that I may want to follow up on. I have met with the Twinning Committee ( well half of them) last week and I think that there may be another meeting this week. It is all very flexible and laid back and there is little regards for time - hardly anyone wears a watch and if they do it certainly is not for timekeeping purposes. I have come to accept that this is the way of things here and trust that things will happen as intended ------ eventually. I will ask Jonny about e.mailing you a copy of the programme but assure you it is packed full of interesting and meaningful visits, events and contacts. The hosting is excellent ( once you get used to the change of pace and timings) and in addition to spending time with the families I am staying with I have been hosted by a number of families for evening meals and prayer meetings. I have a phone from Vasco and think that the number is [phone]. We are two hours ahead here so mid so around 7 GMT is probably best for phoning. Folk retire early here ( usually before 10) and are up very early also ( 6/6.30 would be quite late) I have been able to have contact with Richard via phone and Scype and all seems well at home which is important to me. Thanks for your messages and blessings which I will also pass onto the people here. Jan

[Leogeo]

Catch up from New Deer
Hi Jan I hope that you manage to get this message. this is the last blog posted on the travel blog. I have reread your blogs and have been heartened by your warm welcome and the support that the church in M'buka gives to its congregation and the mission for children. The Harvest Thanksgiving Service retiring offering on Sunday hopefully will raise some more money to gift to the church. Has a new minister been appointed for M'buka yet? Do the elders conduct the services or is there a temporary minister? Is there anything that you would like me to send out to you or anything you think would be useful to help in the school / mission ? The Guild had a talk from volunteers from 'Mary's Meals' last Thursday. Do you know if Mary's meals are near M'buka or in LLongwe? You will be basking in the sunshine as we are getting used to minus 2 degrees C at night and frosty mornings. You will need more than a fleece on when you come back!! Hope to speak again soon.

[Messages from Malawi]

Catch Up
Hi Sandra - good to hear from you. The process for appointing a new Minister to M'buka will take several months. They have to call for an new Minister (from a list of those available) and have just got the list. It is a big decision for them as Vasco was the first Minister at the Church and they have struggled with his going. They have great faith and are strong though and will work their way forwards through this. They do have a covering Minister but he also has his own Church and as there are daily services (at 5.00 am) and three services on a Sunday they also have other Ministers assisting with the daily services and the Elders lead some of the services. I am due to go to a school feeding programme next week sometime - I am not sure if it is Mary's meals but will let you know about it once I have been. I don't think that Mary's meals is needed at M'buka Church School as it is private and most of the children are able to bring breakfast with them (they start and 7.30 and break for breakfast at 9.20) and they are encouraged to share with anyone who may not have food so no one goes hungry. They are keen for us to reach out to the community in terms of individuals as much as projects and I wonder if some individual sponsorship such as for school places at M'buka Church school, for health care, ministry training etc might be something that the Twinning Committee might be interested in. I am meeting with the Twinning Committee next week to share learning and ideas and will get back to you after this. peace and blessings Jan