Farming God’s Way Mal/Moz 2004

Malawi Mozambique Mission Report

 

The mission was divided into 2 parts.

Part 1 – Malawi 2^nd phase roll-out of FGW

Part 2 - Mozambiquean roll out of FGW

 

Part 1

Alan Gibb from Harvest, Michael Muller from Victory in JBay & Brian Oldreive from Zimbabwe accompanied me on this first part. The first morning was spent rushing around Blantyre trying to buy seed & fertilizer & the groceries as we were to camp in the villages.

 

Between myself & Brian we put in 4 Well watered gardens in 4 days in Southern Malawi including over 20 hours of training. It was a real treat to be able to minister with Brian & for him to help me with the load especially considering the week in Mozambique was still to come. He is truly a remarkable man with a deep love for the Lord, with an attention to detail even to the poorest of the poor. Both Alan & Michael were great servants during the mission & must be commended for the Christian character.

 

The testimonies coming out of the rural poor's mouths were an absolute delight for me, with yield increases of twofold & reports of giant cobs which I was able to capture on video. The first 2^nd phase roll-out went well & I was able to confirm the value of these multiple hits in repetition, as we saw so many more hearts & people really grasp the principles of the word & the technology. A huge highlight was when at dusk I rallied the people to go to the old lands & collect chimanga (maize stalks) – the memory thereof stays with me of beautiful voices ringing thru the reddening evening sky, with Baobabs standing proudly between the string of willful carriers of the technological hope of the soil & God smiled on us all!!!

 

Part 2

 

I was really sad to say goodbye to the team at the end of the Malawian leg & the option of crocodile eggs for breakfast didn’t help any apprehension of what lay ahead for Mozambique.

 

The crossing of the Shire which I ended up crossing 4 times with another tributary crossing as well, is quite an experience with bags & bikes & you name it fighting for a place in the dugout canoe which miraculously doesn’t tip with the overloading & the river eventually lets you into the eddies on the downstream side.

 

The first village was a 3.5 hour ride – about 45 km – which is a breeze except when its 40 degrees & you’re on a mono gear bike with no pedals (just shafts). Mozambique is in a state of rebuilding & it is a wonder to see the hunger amongst the people for the Word of God. There were a disappointing 8 pastors & about 60 congregants, but I know the building into them went extremely well & they receive the FGW teaching very excitedly. The ministry in the spirit here was also very fruitful with deliverance, deep ministry & healings taking place.

I got very sick with diarrhea & vomiting there & ended up putting in the WWG by sitting down & had everyone literally eating out of my hand – what the devil had intended for harm God used for his good. Ministered here for 2 days & a highlight must be the evening I went and just read the word over the congregation by headlamp for an hour & half. The Lord taught me such an important lesson – if people can’t go because they can’t preach or teach; they can go because they can read as the word of God is enough!!!

 

A long 3,5 hour ride out, another Shire river crossing, an hour walk an hour bus ride on the worst road in the world & I was quite wrecked – not being able to take much liquid & having nothing left in my system.

 

An evening of rest, a half a bowl of chips & we were off the next day for what was the worst travel of them all – 6.5 hours in searing heat with dehydration – a dangerous recipe.

Anyhow the following 2 days were fruitful with lots of ministry & teaching, living on paw-paw & provitas. Altogether there were 23 pastors gathered here & the meetings were always well attended. FGW was also well received & the fruit of these efforts will only be told after follow up visits. These pastors are desperate for teaching – unlike a lot of other areas where handouts are requested – they simply asked for more bible teachers & missionaries, which was a refreshing change.

 

The Malawians very ably assisted me in Mozambique with the teaching of FGW & the preaching of the Word, where I can vouch for their anointing & excellent oration - I long for the opportunity & resourcing to equip the local African leaders who will have a permanent presence in the districts. This will be a core focus this next year.

 

I trust that this brief summary of events will give you some idea as to the rigours of missions but more so the joy of the journey far outweighs them all. 19 hours in all on a single geared bike with no pedals is no fun, but oh the joy of His countenance on one soul’s deliverance form captivity is joy inexplicable. Much of the really good experiences are not able to be told & neither are the really freaky bad experiences, for good reason indeed, but suffice to say that should you venture onto the frontline you will meet with these experiences & you will have an oh so colourful memory.

 

Yours in His service,

Grant Dryden