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: 14/ Feb/ 2011
SGBMM – 2010 Annual Report Continued… (Part 5) (Oct – Dec)
Upon our arrival, there were introductions and then we made our way into the house, the next few hours we simply became settled as though it were, I took some time to explain the daily routine as well as house rules which included security. For those who may live in a relative (safe) environment, meaning you are not targeted simply because you are “white”, may find it somewhat strange to such a rigorous life style, however after you (whom ever you may be) live in Africa under arduous conditions you will find it beneficial to a healthy life.
The next few days were a bit restless due to the fact that the human body clock is trying to adjust to a different time zone. The house seemed different with two females in it and to add to that my two nephews. I went from living alone for the past ten years to now having four other people living with me, and two of them, were females of which one was my wife.
The schedule resumed as it were, breakfast on the table at six, folks were called twice and once served the calling stopped, the way that I fig it is the first time is for you to hear, the second time is for you to be reminded and after that its just plain rebellion. I was taught early in life to respond to the “authority” over me, and if I didn’t there was a reminder.
The duties were targeted towards the water / plumbing system of the house, each day my nephews, the workers which I have employed and myself would engage in different duties. The days were long, and nights short as though it were.
I needed to secure the residential status of my wife as well as Cheyanne for Malawi as they had entered Malawi on a visitor visa. It would take me almost a week of complying documents to satisfy Immigration and then there were the fees, which had to be paid in order to secure this. After all the documents were compiled I went to Immigration and submitted the dockets requested. I was told to return the next day and I would have a response. This I did and the following day I witnessed Immigration, stamp a Permanent Resident Permit in my wife’s passport, and Cheyanne’s as well. This will not hold any meaning to you (the reader) however, what they received in two days took me ten years to achieve. Yes, there is a link, and it is because I already had this permanent residential status that they were granted one so quickly.
I had previously submitted applications for my two nephews regarding their stay here in Malawi. In a past report I had explained in detail as to how a person would or could come here and stay longer then the three month stay as a visitor, therefore I will not go into detail as to this effort, except only to say, that a number of documentation has to be submitted to the Immigration Dept to satisfy their demands, requests, as well as proto call on legal rulings.
For the next few weeks we began to take on the form of a family, which if followed (Biblically) each should have their respective post and duties, which follow that post. I also grew up in a rather medium sized family with both brothers as well as sisters, a mum, and dad and our home was operated from the Biblical standpoint therefore, I had already seen this put into motion and to follow was not difficult.
The Bible classes were a big part of our lives here, each morning after breakfast we (as a family) would engage in our own bible studies, and then we would start the Bible class with the workers outside which also lasted an hour. In the evening I would conduct my private Bible classes with me wife and this schedule was repeated each day of the week, sparing only Saturday and then we would be in church all day Sunday.
Only heaven itself will reveal one day what (good) has really been invested in the people’s lives of which we have an opportunity to teach here upon the earth. I can only hope that God will have impressed upon the hearts of those who have sat under the preaching of HIS WORD, the terrible responsibility of obedience.
I now have a word to say mostly to those whom God has called to preach HIS WORD, as this now fits into my report and is part of the history of 2010.
I believe that there are different positions held on N.T. mission work, I take the position of Acts 13… meaning, God called, Church sent (local N.T. Bap church) and H.S. lead, directed and influenced.
I also believe that God’s H.S. will strongly influence God’s man on what to preach, i.e., if he keeps his nose in the Book, and is a man of prayer. I am of the opinion that there are some men who simply preach what is convenient and what may please the hearers, these preachers usually are popular and have larger crowds but they are no more then puppets and crowd pleasers. Then there are those men who at the sacrifice of gain, popularity, money, or even friends will preach the Truth, as we know it to be, even at the expense of family. Jesus said, I come not to bring peace… but a sword…
I said all that to say this, those who will stand and preach the Truth, no matter the cost will indeed pay the price, and many times the “cost” is within ones own household. Did not Jesus say, that a man’s worst enemies are many times those of his own household?
I embarked upon a exercise that I have often practiced on the field when I felt that I needed a decisive answer from God and one of urgency, I am not boasting nor advertising, however what I believe to be a “Biblical exercise” that of (fasting and prayer). It was a difficult time for me to reach a decision such as the one of which I needed to make and come to. I did not want to make this decision in the flesh, nor did I want to make the wrong decision. I knew that from that decision many people would be affected and lives would change because of it. As I embarked on a journey to find an answer from our LORD, I was also scheduled to make a journey into Mozambique, and did so with my wife. We would spend six days there and during such time I would find my answer from the LORD of which I had been searching.
The short side of a long story simply comes down to this, I had to determine whether or not if my two nephews were an asset to the work, or a hindrance. This is always a most difficult situation, and with a lot of emotions as well as feelings the decision are hard to make. Nonetheless it had to be made and I came to a decision that the work is not about me, or any (one) other person, if we are not an asset to the work, then we become a liability. A missionary has many of the same duties of a pastor, but is not a pastor, a missionary many times must engage in counseling, teaching, preaching, being a pastor, but all the same not loose the vision of his real calling of Evangelizing, preaching the Gospel to the regions beyond, and sowing the seed, planting churches etc… I have come to learn over time with the LORD’S work, that as a Missionary if someone is not assisting me in preaching the Gospel then they are simply baggage. That may be a bit hard to bear, however as I read and study the N.T. I find the Apostle Paul making a hard stand with John Mark when he didn’t finish the missionary journey with Paul and Barnabas. Paul was a man of principle, as well as conviction, he had a love for God’s Elect that few seem to demonstrate today, he (Paul) let no thing or no (one) stand in his way to reach the lost, or to finish a mission for the LORD! Where are the (Paul') of today, those who will stand up to the Barnabas’ or those who will call out the (Peter’) who cause a stumbling block among God’s churches and people.
That being said, I felt that my mission was not to tutor or counsel one or two young men (no matter if they were related or not), I became more burdened with the fact that my two nephews would need to return back to the USA, unless they surrendered to the LORD’S ministry and confessed that the LORD wanted them to work here in Malawi or with me. In that sphere, I would commit to their Spiritual teaching, and or leadership however if it was a matter of trying to work out some issues with life in general then I would have to say that my time and energy in the LORD’S WORK, was being robbed of resources.
On the 25th of December their departure to the USA was set in order and we said our good-byes at the Airport here in Blantyre, Malawi. I did what I could for these two young men and only heaven itself will reveal one day what was done in their behalf. To whom much is given, much is required.
The two trips into Mozambique during the month of December were profitable and prosperous. I spent five days on one side, and after some weeks in Dec I spent six days in the other side. Pastor Garaf as I have often spoken about, had been discouraged sometime back and for a while he seemed to be struggling with the LORD’S WORK, there in Mozambique. He seems more of a Evangelist then a pastor, but then isn’t that one of the qualifications of a pastor to make “proof” of his ministry, to do the work of an Evangelist…” this six day trip my wife and I made, seemed to solidify his heart into the work again, we all get discouraged and despondent, we all get tired and feel like falling away. When we are encouraged again by God and His people, we usually are in a position to get back in the race and fight the good fight.
The ending of the year 2010 had come to an end and though there had been many events, which turned my life, one thing I know, that the LORD is true to HIS WORD, and True to HIS people.
As I am here in Blantyre, Malawi and think back on the year 2010, there are times of joy, times of sadness, times of laughter, times of tears, there are times of sadness and yet times of great happiness.
I thank my LORD for all the prayers of God’s people; I thank my LORD for HIS MERCY, AND LOVE. I thank the LORD for HIS, GRACE.
In 2010 I lost several churches who had supported me and the LORD’S work for years, I know that the remarriage issue has been a big part of this discourse, however, I must now also ask this question, if I have committed the (unpardonable sin) then God also will no longer support me in what I do, but, if I am not guilty of this (unpardonable sin) then how is it God can forgive me, and others like me, but some men and churches have chosen not to forgive.
I do not say this because I am begging for support, yes I need more support, my life, my family, and the work is suffering because the lack of support, however I know, that God will raise up (even the stones if need be for HIS children), I know that HE will supply our needs, and the work will go on. I just want to be a part of it.
I want to encourage each of you who are supporting both in prayers as well as by your means. I want to thank you all for every offering that is sent my way.
I can assure you that every bit of support comes in never gets saved in any type of account, or put aside for collecting interest. The LORD said HE didn’t want to find any gatherings when HE came! I believe this!
I also want to publicly thank any and all of those who may have willingly offered sacrificially for special offerings and gave to the needs, which I had expressed, and also the needs, which my pastor expressed on my behalf.
Thank you very much indeed. I cannot express enough in words how God answered our prayers with the express needs that arose so quickly. I ask you to pray for us here in Africa. The work has its demands and my family needs my attention as well.
I will follow up with another report starting with the New Year.
In His Name and by His mercy,
Missionary Peter A. Halliman