SOVEREIGN GRACE BAPTIST
MISSION OF MALAWI
PO BOX 60150 BT. 6 BLANTYRE MALAWI AFRICA
TEL. 265-999-741-007 or 265-888-751140 (mobile)
Missionary / Evangelist: Peter A. Halliman
Email: panagioite04@gmail.com / or panagioite04@gmail.com
Website: sgbm-malawi-africa.com
Date: 09 / 01 / 2011
2010 Annual Mission report continued… Part (2)
I began in the month of February to consider returning back to the USA for a visit not only with supporting churches but with family as well. As always and according to proto call with preparation to leave the Mission work as well as the house and mission station there are certain procedures, which, need to be followed and set in place.
I first needed to sit with Pastor Jackson Kopolo, (who is pastor of Mulanje LMBC) and for those who have come here to Malawi will know whom he is and where the church is located, at the foot of the Mulanje Mt. due East from the Mission Station some fifty road miles as the crow flies.
I would also meet with Pastor Dinala Chipala who is pastor of the LMBC of Luchenza which is located South East of where we live along the Thyolo road on the way to Mulanje (Malawi / Mozambique border) passing through the tea and coffee estates.
I met with both of these pastors and discussed the attentive plans for my going away. We agreed that it would be needful for the two of them to go around and visit the churches and keep the brethren encouraged as well as be in a position to report to me any issue within the work which they may not know how to handle.
For the sake of any (new) reader or supporter, I must state a position that I hold and practice in the LORD’S work no matter where I labour. That is, when local churches are organized, I believe them to be just as Scriptural as any local N.T. Bap Church in the US, or any other part of the world for that matter. That being said, I do not interfere in their business nor do I dictate to the pastors or churches what they are to do, or how they run their affairs. I should also state that as in the past I have stated and so too will now, that a Scripturally organized church is not determined to be so whether or not they stand and work hand in hand with me and our work. This is not the meter stick that I use to gauge whether a church is considered to be a True Bap church or not. In fact, it is incumbent upon their allegiance to the (Doctrines set forth in pattern of a N.T. Bap church) and as we set forth the (Marks of a N.T. Bap church) which is used to gauge this action.
I said all that to say this, even as Paul encouraged, preached to, and corrected issues within the churches of which he was instrumental in establishing, and though we don’t have complete proof that some of these churches had their own pastors, I believe that they did, and in accordance to the teachings of Christ to the Apostles and Paul’s instructions to Titus (Tit 1:5) “For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that were wanting, and appoint elders in every city, as I gave thee charge;”
I feel confident that in accordance with N.T. teachings these churches had each their own pastors and yet Paul in God’s providence and administration gave instruction and correction to the early churches. I understand that some may argue this, however, there is little doubt with the Corinthian church and Paul’s involvement. I said all that to say this, in like manner and in many ways Tribal people who have not the privilege of sophisticated learning often lean upon the one whom (assumes the leadership position). The Africans as a Nation of people (at least the ones I work with and live among) are simple people, when complex problems arise they usually come to a halt, one of two decisions are usually made, that is (a) they will either remove everyone, and even clean out the furniture as though it were, or else leave the problem as it were and the entire church becomes infected. Therefore (what is it there for)? It is imperatives that if the churches and or pastors run into a difficult problem and they seek my advice to correct it then I will be willing to do my part as a missionary to teach, correct, and or encourage any situation and or problem within the work.
I have said all that to say this… I have been called upon many times by the pastors and churches to assist them with Biblical advice as to how they should treat a certain problem. They can and do choose whether or not they feel persuaded to abide by my advice.
The plans were made and the two pastors were agreed to standing to the post whilst I would be away, as usual I normally have to sort out the expenses of their transport from point A to point B; Sometimes this is organized by public transport, and sometimes it is a measure taken to repair their bicycles which they use as a means of transport. Either way I usually bear the burden to source this. I would like to once again digress to qualify this statement for any [new] reader, supporter, I have for years written in my reports the positive side as well as the negative side of the work here, I am fully persuaded that supporters need to {know} what it is that I struggle with in the work in order to better pray for the work and I.
I came here teaching “God’s financial program for HIS churches” of which I believe it to be in “Tithes and Offerings” again, I may hit a spot which some may disagree with, however this is a position I take on this doctrine and I believe that the [Tithes, are still in effect today], I do NOT believe this application was only for the O.T. folks. I also believe and teach the offerings of God’s people [must] come after the [Tithes] are put. I believe there is enough Scripture to substantiate for this and this is what I have taught here in Africa as well as New Guinea for the past twenty-six years of my mission work. I came here teaching this and still do; I have refrained from “financial assistance” with the local people as much as possible, rather teaching them that they need to operate as a church in the capacity that God has blessed them with, no more and no less. I teach that anyone should not try to live above their means and use what they have God’s glory. I don’t know many of God’s people who are rich, and for the most part many of us struggle to make ends meet.
I believe that Africans are to be Africans and neither I nor anyone else who preaches the Truth, as we know it to be, should come here to try and change them from being who they are to “Americans” or any other class of people.
That being said, I encourage the Africans to be who they are, and work with what they have; if I send them on a mission trip then I usually take care of that expense, and if its something beyond their capacity then I will intervene, however if a pastor can cycle to a mission point, or another church then I encourage this and do not try to change the mode of transportation.
As the month of February passed, I knew that I would have to set things in order for at least three months to be in order, this meant that bills have to be paid up in advance, workers who are employed full time must also be paid up in advance as much as possible, usually for the month. The security has to be put in place; the packing has to be sorted out. Many times over I have detailed about this, but once again I will explain for those who may be new to my reports.
On the mechanical side, the vehicles cannot just be locked and you walk away, (well you could) but you would probably not find your vehicle when you returned.
I had a trip planned into Mozambique with the Duce and a half; I had it all packed, and ready to go when the evening before my departure we had packed till late in the night. I was intending to go for two weeks so the camping gear, food, water, recovery gear, tools, spare filters, and fuel etc… was secured and I finally went to bed that evening by midnight. Weary and worn I fell asleep and within four hours I rose for the journey. As I was gathering my documents together, I had the workers finalize the packing and securing the cargo with ropes, binders etc… as I made my final inspection of the truck, all looked well and then I started the engine, whilst waiting for the air pressure to build up, I noticed a water leak below the radiator. To cut a long story short, I had been working on the front winch and the propeller, which drives the winch gearing, had been removed but not refitted. I had it packed and with my tools, I would refit it whilst in Mozambique when I had some down time between churches etc…
The winch cable had to be wound on the winch drum by hand with the men and they had used a pry bar whilst I was having my morning coffee. The pry bar slipped and this is what punctured the radiator, this was discovered and so with the radiator leading profusely I had to halt the proposed trip and being a bit disturbed I informed the men to just go home and I would know what to do. It being 0500 hrs at this time, I decided to have some breakfast and leave the truck as it was (packed). I too took the day off and didn’t unpack nor did I get involved mechanically.
The next day we unpacked the truck and I decided that the LORD did not want me going to Mozambique after all.
For the next two weeks I worked around the mission station putting things in order for my departure and found that the truck when moving it into the position where it would be parked that the air brakes were non-functional which alerted me as to why the LORD did not allow me to make that journey that day, had I started out that day, I could have experienced some real issues and perhaps someone could have been fatally wounded or seriously hurt. The Truck was jacked up, set on blocks, tyres deflated, and air-valves removed; the two batteries were also removed and stored in the tool room. All fuel was removed from the tank, and the filters (3) were bled dry. A tarp was put over the cab and the steering wheel locked with a chain, which is welded to the floor panel.
The Range Rover was stowed in the 40’ ft shipping container, which I have here, and the last day, which I used the Land Rover pickup it too was stowed in like manner in the shipping container.
The workshop is also secured with all tools, air compressor, my welding machine, all removed, and stowed in the tool room. The workshop is locked and the tool room is secured with a metal security gate. The main part of the house, I usually have made a habit of removing most of my valuables (though that is not much) and packing them in boxes, which, then is locked in my office. This may seem to be a lot of un-necessary work but I have learned that what a thief cannot see will not be stolen. It is a lot of work, energy, and time consuming to pack up in this way but at the same time necessary.
I was now in a position to commit everything to my LORD and walk away, trusting HIM to keep it until I returned. I believe just because we are Christians does not mean we are to chuck away our brains and hopelessly trust our LORD to take care of our things and us. I believe that we are to do everything in our power as though everything depended on us, and believe on the LORD as though everything depended on HIM.
End of part 2