September 6, 2023
STEPPING OUT IN FAITH
Jocelyn Logan
MMM Co-Founder and Treasurer
"I have told you so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” John 15:11
We arrived in October of 1994, exhausted after the 36-hour journey from Illinois to Lilongwe, then two hours on the tarmac, and an hour on a challenging drive to Embangweni. Before we settled into our room, Rev. Tembo requested that we meet with the headmasters, local church officials, and regional chiefs who had gathered. They wanted to build a school for the hearing impaired, and needed $23,000 to build the pre-school and early primary school blocks. It would be the first hearing impaired school in northern Malawi. They had started school two weeks earlier with 23 young children and were excited for us to see it. They were taught and housed in borrowed “women’s guild” buildings. Chief Inkosi Mzukuzuku donated the land. The community had already made 200,000 bricks to be used in the construction of the new school.
In the classroom, an animated teacher pressed his finger next to his lips to feel the vibrations of the ‘m’ sound. He used a tissue in front of his mouth to demonstrate the ‘t-t’ sound. The children imitated in delight and wonderment. They were communicating and recognizing sounds. Another teacher was teaching the children to use a pencil. I will never forget the look of amazement, excitement, and hope that day. The Synod of Livingstonia and the Embangweni community had stepped out in faith.
Marion Medical Mission had to step out in faith as well. Though we only had $2,500 to build the school, we agreed to provide the $23,000 needed for the first primary buildings. It became a 12-year building project, including hostels, teacher houses, home economics, and a carpentry workshop. We continue to provide transportation scholarships, support for fertilizer, seed, school supplies, and trade tools. With an annual enrollment of 180 students, thousands have found joy and learned to communicate, read, write, and mathematics. They were given a chance and skills to live a productive life. MMM provides a complete set of carpentry tools so that the carpentry student graduates can begin their trade. On graduation day, proud mothers dance and whip their tongues with sounds of jubilation.
By stepping out in faith, we all experienced the complete joy of loving.
Application Question: Reflect on your life’s journey. Where have you found joy when you have stepped out in faith? How do you want to move forward?
Prayer: You have shown us the way. Our faith calls us to do good works and the joy we experience by following You has made us complete. Amen
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