Jesus Loves Malawi

February, 2011 Newsletter

Dear Friends in Christ,

We wanted to wish each of you a Merry Christmas in our Christmas Newsletter. But our recent move to
Zomba, Malawi, took over our schedule and shoved the newsletter completely off the calendar. We trust,
however, that your Christmas was filled with the love of Christ, and that you are enjoying His blessings in this
new year. Our Christmas was quite a bit different this year - no snow, and a lot less Christmas decorations. But
Jesus is the same all over the world. And we were still able to celebrate in very meaningful ways.

So much has happened since our last letter. We wish we could take you along with us to experience Africa,
and ministry here. But perhaps you can get just a glimpse through our eyes.

Dean had the privilege of being one of the speakers at a

village revival in Kondeu, to which people and pastors from Revival at Kondeu
miles around came for a weekend of fellowship, praising the
Lord, and hearing His Word. Several of our meetings were
held outside because the church is too small. In fact, it has
become too small even for regular Sunday services, so money
was raised toward erecting a larger building. Exciting things
are happening in this circuit, as more and more people come to
the Lord under the ministry of Pastor Milansi and his two
associate pastors. Many people asked for prayer at the various
meetings, and quite a few prayed to receive Christ. There is a
fuller write-up on our blog at www.JesusLovesMalawi.com
which I think you would find very interesting.

When we arrived home from the revival, we heard that Abambo Mdaziola, the ailing husband of one of our
pastors, was very ill. His funeral was one week later. Though he lived in the city, Abambo (Mr.) Mdaziola was
the chief of his village. So the gathering was very large. Dean was asked to preach, and had the honour of
sharing the gospel along with the comforting message that because he trusted in Christ, we expect to see brother
Mdaziola in heaven. Again, many responded to the message, and were led in prayer (in Chichewa) by one of
our pastors. Pray that these people will have someone to disciple them, for there is no Free Methodist Church
there, and no pastor available to send.

On two occasions Ryan Willson and Dean had the opportunity to share the film “Mary Magdalene,” a
reworking of the Jesus Film told from the perspective of Mary. To see the healings and deliverance, hear Jesus’
wisdom, and follow Him through the crucifixion and resurrection has a powerful impact on people. In one of
the villages the Free Methodist Church there had just been planted three months ago. The chief there thanked
us for coming by saying, “Thank you for bringing salvation to us.” He has given land for the building of a new
church, and is part of the new Free Methodist Fellowship. As a gesture of goodwill and our sincere hope that
God’s Truth will spread in that village, a Bible was presented to the chief at the Sunday morning service, which
followed a river baptism in which 13 new believers were baptized. And many people bought Bibles, song
books, and new believer’s Bible studies from the mission (at deeply
discounted rates). There is a hunger for God’s Word there. Praise the Lord!

Sunday Service near Salima.
One Sunday our whole team, families and all, headed down toward Salima
for a circuit-wide Sunday celebration. We met under a beautiful, enormous
spreading shade tree, with had enough room for people from five churches and
more. Numerous choirs from all five churches sang (at least three or four
songs each). And, according to custom, all of the distinguished guests were
introduced (chiefs, local politicians, church leaders, and missionaries). When
it was nearing time for Abussa (Pastor) Willson to preach, the pastor of that
circuit leaned over and asked Dean what time it was. To his great relief it was
only 1:15. We were doing well - plenty of time left for worship and the
sermon. It was a beautiful day of sharing God’s Word with God’s people, and
our lovely meal of Nsima, rice, pork, cooked cabbage, and beans, eaten in the
Malawian way (with our fingers , and sitting on the floor of course) tasted so
much better by mid-afternoon.
 Our first three months in Malawi were spent in Lilongwe (central
region), where our missionary team gave us a very beneficial
orientation to Malawi, and helped us through the process of adjusting
to life in Africa. But from the outset the plan has been that our family
would move to another region of Malawi to be more accessible to the
churches there. On December 1st, 2010 we relocated to the city of
Zomba, which was the old colonial capital, situated in a beautiful
mountainous region of Southern Malawi. From here we can more
effectively support, encourage, and equip our pastors and churches in First meal in our new home.
the South, where we have about 100 churches and 29 pastors and
supply pastors.

Since moving we have begun the process of getting acquainted with the pastors and churches here in the
South. The superintendent of the Southern Conference has been taking us to different zones where he
introduces us to the pastors of the surrounding area. Churches within walking distance (much further for them
than for us) gather for a joint service, which is always very long because each church choir sings several songs,
and often there are other things they want to include in the service, such as baptisms, receiving new members,
serving communion, or installing a new pastor. Almost every Sunday we travel to a different church, where we
are treated as honoured guests, and Dean is asked to preach. The response of the people is always very
encouraging, and often people request prayer for various needs, which may be related to the message, or
perhaps a problem with health, concerns for loved ones, or relational issues in the family or community. Our
children have been amazingly patient with all of this, as they have to sit through a four or five hour service, in a
language they don’t understand, either on hard brick benches or on the floor. They’ve actually begun to enjoy
Dean’s sermons more because that is the part they can understand. We also enjoy when they sing “choruses,”
which are usually lively with lots of clapping and dancing. Our culture could learn a lot from these people, who
have so very little, about how to celebrate God’s goodness!

We’ve also restarted our language learning five days a week. Our tutor usually comes at 7:30 a.m. and leads
us step by step through basic Chichewa conversations. We’re learning a lot, but still have so much more to
learn!

As always, we truly appreciate all the ways you support us, whether through your prayers, or giving, or both.
It is both humbling and encouraging when we hear from some of you that you are praying, or see a financial
report that says you are giving. We could not do what we are doing without God’s strength and provision.
Please pray for God’s anointing and presence in all of our meetings, for His blessing on relationships with
Conference leaders, pastors, and lay leaders, and for upcoming showings of the Jesus Film, which will be
happening in late Feb, March, and April. Also pray for good health, safety, and protection for ourselves, our
time, and all the things God has entrusted to us. Thank you!

May God bless you all!

Dean and Stephanie Babcock

Dean and Stephanie Babcock

P.S. While your continued support of our fund is still needed, if you would like to take on an extra project for
missions, an urgent need here in Malawi is church roofs. Galvanized “iron sheets” are the most economical
form of durable roofing here in Malawi, but their cost is far out of reach for the average church. Our mission
here partners with churches by offering to buy the iron sheets if a church can raise a structure made with
properly burned bricks. Many churches have been built, but are waiting for a roof. With rainy season already
upon us, these churches really need to be protected from the elements, or they will sustain damage. And, of
course, congregations would really appreciate a dry place to worship. The average roof costs from $300 to
$500. To help with providing roofs, designate your gift “Church Roofs, Malawi,” and send to: The Free
Methodist Church in Canada, 4315 Village Centre Court, Mississauga, ON L4Z 1S2. In the U.S. send to: Free
Methodist World Missions, P.O. Box 535002, Indianapolis, IN 46253-5002.