The Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth continues its companion relationship with the Anglican Diocese of Northern Malawi. Both dioceses have been blessed by this relationship which began in 1995, when the diocese was established with the Rt. Rev. Jackson C. Biggers as its first bishop.

Today the diocese is blessed with the spiritual leadership of Rt. Rev. Christopher Boyle.

Geography

Malawi is a country in central Africa bounded by Tanzania to the north, Zambia to the west, and Mozambique to the east and south. It is about 1000 km north/south and 200 km east/west. Lake Malawi, which lies between Malawi and Mozambique, is about 600 km north/south and 100 km east/west and is the third largest lake in Africa, comparable in size to Lake Michigan. The diocesan headquarters is in Mzuzu, the largest city in northern Malawi. St. Peter's cathedral and hospital are Likoma Island, where the majority of the Anglicans reside.

Economics

Malawi is one of the 8 poorest countries in the world, with an annual per capita income of less that $500. Likoma, a rural island, which is much closer to Mozambique than to Malawi, must import all of its goods and most of its food. There is no commercial electricity on the island, but emergency power is supplied to the hospital and cathedral by a 3.5 KW gasoline generator supplied by St. Andrew's Church, Fort Worth. Cable and radio telephone communications are unreliable at best, but cellular satellite telephones are beginning to be used.

St. Peter's Church, Thunduti, Lent 2000

Transportation

Until 1997 access to Likoma could only be made via a government ferry, either the Ilala or the Mtendere, which takes about 6-8 hours, and whose schedule is very unreliable. In that year the Diocese of Fort Worth provided funds for NOMAD to purchase the Gabriel, a gasoline powered boat with rubber pontoons, that carries up to 22 passengers, and takes about 2 hours. In 2000 the diocese provided additional funds for NOMAD to purchase the Emmanuel, a diesel powered boat that carries up to 50 passengers, and takes about 4 hours. All of these boats are used to transport people, emergency equipment, and medical supplies between the island and the mainland. In addition, revenue for NOMAD is generated by leasing their two vessels to other church and government organizations.

The Gabriel

Who they are…

The people of Malawi are faithful above all. They are poor, hungry, often sick and ever faithful. They are farmers and fishermen. With few exceptions, they walk everywhere that they go (unless they are going to the islands of course). This often means a walk of several hours to get to church or to school and the resulting return trip at the end of the day. These long walks are often taken carrying large buckets of water, bundles of goods or small children on their backs or heads. They drink hot tea in the afternoons when it is available to them due to their earlier history under British control. They honor their guests with gifts beyond reason. They are proud enough to wear the best clothes that they have to church and the men wear tattered suit jackets when out in public even if they do not have shoes. They are thirsty. They are talented craftsmen of wood, canvas and words. Malawian’s sing God’s praises all day long. These songs of worship are done with no music and in perfect multi-part harmony. Their voices are something to special to hear. They are sick. With an infant mortality rate of over 20 percent and a life expectancy of approximately 40 years, Malawi is a country who’s beauty belies the desperation of her people.

Where they are…

Malawi is a narrow country just West of Mozambique and south of Tanzania in Africa. One third of the country’s land mass is covered by Lake Malawi, a huge fresh water lake. The Islands of Likoma and Chizmulu are also a part of Malawi even though they are not within site of the Malawi shoreline and are just a few miles from the Mozambique side of lake. The terrain is very widely varied. From lush mountainous towns such as Mzuzu to the barren environment of the Islands, Malawi has many earthen faces. Malawi has extreme dry and rainy seasonal changes which cause massive flooding in one part of the year and droughts in the other. It is both beautiful and dreadful. Likoma Island is the larger of the two islands. It is on this Island that the first Christian outpost was developed and the Cathedral was erected. The Cathedral on Likoma is a huge English Style building made with amazing craftsmanship and care. It is a symbol of God’s presence in a very secluded part of the world. There are approximately 10,000 inhabitants of Likoma who worship at the Cathedral and the other two churches on the Island. Chizmulu has two parishes, each with their own church and school. Neither of the Islands have electricity or running water with the exception of electricity generated for the Likoma hospital by a generator supplied by missionary support.

Their plight…

Malawian’s lack everything but faith, love, desire, intelligence and talent. The list of needs is very long and devastating. Due to the lack of fundamental, long-term necessities, there is little food, water, medicine, education or transportation. As a new democracy, Malawi is trying to figure out how to build a national infrastructure to stabilize a very needy culture. There is an immediate need to feed the very hunger, quench the thirsty and heal the sick. AIDS is a pandemic in Malawi. A huge portion of the population between 20 and 40 has been wiped out by this terrible disease. Longer term, there is the need for education, transportation and economy. These are the foundations of a plan to make Malawi self-sufficient and more able to cope with emergencies as they arise.

How they are helping themselves…

With the help of the church and the initiative of the Malawians themselves, work is being done to improve the future for these wonderful people. A training garden has been developed to teach the farmers modern techniques for soil conservation, crop rotation and agro-forestry. Teachers are creating their own teaching supplies to help educate the children at all ages. Plans are underway to develop trade schools to create skills that can be used to support families and to build economy. Schools are being built in remote areas to bring hope and opportunity to the children of Malawi.

Why should we help?

As Christians we are called to help. We are called to love our neighbor as ourselves. It is right to give God thanks and praise for the wonderful blessings of our lives (food, water, medicine, education, justice, freedom, military security, wealth, comfort, opportunity … to name just a few). The reason that we should help has much more to do with our relationship with Christ than our relationship with Malawi. Our fellow Christians are in serious, life threatening need. What would Jesus have us do about that?

How does this help bring Christ to these people?

Our efforts in Malawi know no religious or ethnic boundaries. We do not ask what religion someone is when they come to receive some food from one of our bags. There is no requirement to be a Christian to drink at a fountain. No Episcopal identification is required to receive medical care. Christ shines through our love for the people of Malawi in service of God’s plan for them and God’s plan for us. God’s plan for these wonderful people is served by our obedience to the mission of God’s church and the deliverance of needy people out of suffering. The face of Jesus Christ that shows through the love of a missionary is the greatest thing we can bring to Malawi.

(Contributed by Jerry Lambert)