Back in Malawi

I arrived back in Malawi on the 5th of July and we began our Bible school term on the 7th. In the beginning we had around 13 students, but there were 19 students by the end of the week. Malawi is having a food shortage again and times are hard for many of them. A more usual class size is 28-30.

Our Bible school is setup to primarily train people who are already in the ministry, and is arranged to make it as convenient as possible for village pastors. We have a 2 year course with 3 terms a year, terms are in February, June (July this year), and October. These times avoid the rainy season when travel can be difficult and do not interfere with their planting and harvesting, since most of the village people live by subsistence farming. Since some of the pastors and church leaders cannot leave their churches for a full 4 week term, we teach one subject a week. They can attend for a couple of weeks go back to their churches and return for the classes they have missed in 2 years time in this way they will still be able to complete the 2 year course, but it may take them 4 years.

This week I taught the subject, “The Hope of the Christian” using the text book by Pastor Norman Holmes. It is basically a study in personal Christian eschatology, concerning the ultimate goals that God has for each individual Christian. The transformation into the image of Christ and the completion of redemption at the resurrection are two of its main themes.

My father will be teaching first and second Corinthians this coming week. Then I will teach the Synoptic gospels.

I hope to continue my writing on the Psalms of ascent soon.