SOVEREIGN GRACE BAPTIST
MISSION OF MALAWI
PO BOX 60150 BT. 6 BLANTYRE MALAWI AFRICA
TEL. 265-9-741-007/ or 265-8-751140 (mobile)
Missionary / Evangelist: Peter A. Halliman
Email: panagioite04@gmail.com
Website: www.sgbm-malawi-africa.com

Date: 29th May 2013

Dear Pastor, Church, and Supporters;

Lu 14:27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

Lu 14:28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?

Lu 14:29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,

Lu 14:30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.

Lu 14:33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

This report is being written from my home here in Blantyre Malawi Africa. As stated to many of you whilst I was there visiting the US, I would return to Malawi Africa, put things in order legally, construct a small cabin for my wife and I, in order to have a simple dwelling place when I return periodically for teaching trips. From there we will pack up our things and move on to the next mission field in PNG.

Firstly I want to say that being absent from your home for nine months here in Africa can only explain the Sovereignty of GOD Jehovah in protecting and keeping the property, house, and vehicles from being robbed, destroyed etc.…

We found all our things here as we left them, however the dirt, dust, and sand content within the house is beyond words and you wouldn’t believe me if I began to explain to you, therefore I will just say, (TIA –this is Africa).

Upon arrival on the 1st of May there was not much we could do since it was midday when we arrived and by the time we reached our home it was mid afternoon. No time for business, and besides we were not in a position to do any business.

The next few days I concentrated on getting the vehicles going. Fortunately I have the forty-foot shipping container, which I used for storage of the two vehicles we use in the work. The Land Rover had two flat tyres on the front and both batteries were also flat. The Range Rover also had flat tyres on a dead battery. I used a battery charger from a friend of mine over the weekend and I charged up the batteries. The tyres were no real issue, we just aired them up and so far I have not had any problems out of them.

The military truck we shipped over in 2002 had needed a fuel injection pump replacement, and at the time we departed Malawi, I had removed the pump and placed it in one of my check in cases. Just before departing to return to Malawi I was able to secure a fuel injection pump and brought it back the same way, as a check in. The LORD does turn the heart of the kings, understand that I would have to pay one hundred and fifty percentage duty on original invoice value which was seventeen hundred dollars. You can see what kind of cost this would have added up to. The customs officers did not check, open nor did we lie or give false pretence in order to get through. When you honour the LORD, HE will honour you, that is Bible – when you ‘purpose in your heart’ that you will not defile yourself with the King’s meat or drink’ then the LORD will provide the way for the servant to be honoured.

I have since installed the pump on the vehicle, but have run into other mechanical problems. The in-tank fuel pump has ceased from operating, I tried to repair it, but to no avail. I have explored some other possibilities which are as follows:

  1. I make a purchase on a new pump from a supplier in the USA, cost is (500.00 USD) the shipment is (370.00) USD for a courier service to Blantyre, Malawi, of which I will then have to pay duty on this invoice.

  2. There is a young man, who was considering coming over to visit me and the work, if so we could make the purchase and have the pump sent to his residence and he pack it in his check in and bring over.

  3. Thirdly, I am trying to find a fuel pump locally, which I can fabricate into a system to work with the truck.

Pray with me that the LORD will guide me to the correct decision and one, which will be both feasible as well as good.

The whole month of May we have taken to simply get things up and going, the house somewhat cleaned and liveable. Business in town does not operate on the twenty-first century pace, nor do the people. What can be accomplished in a couple hours on the telephone, takes days here to sort out.

Several times a week the water is cut off without notice and may stay off for a few hours to a few days, one cannot tell. The Electric goes out most every day in the evening time and stays off for several hours. I have learned over the years here in Africa to have more than one plan. I have prepared for the water going out, which I contain water in fifty gallon drums, and kerosene lanterns with candles in the house when the power goes out.

We have no T.V., no radio for entertainment or news and so life simply slows down. We have sorted out our internet system which we use here; let me explain, from the service provider an account is set up, payment is made based upon the amount of data you want or think you will use for the month?? That decided you make payment. The system we chose uses a USB stick (Flash drive) to insert into the computer and this (USB-stick) is coded to pick up a signal from the service provider, which in turn locks into the internet based upon your account.

For all computer users I want you to make special note of what I am about to tell you. The signal speed – receiving and sending of data over the internet connection speed, averages from ( 2 to 25 kilobites /per second). Understand that is slower than the old dial up telephone line, which was rated at (28 kps). With this type of signal speed, an ordinary email, only (type) no pictures, no video, no large files of data can be sent as the system will time-out, and then you will start all over. We have checked with the main office and they acknowledge there is a problem in our area as being faulty for good signal strength. They are supposed to ‘work on this’??? when (who knows). TIA.

May our LORD be pleased to bless the work of your hands, and smile upon your life for HIM as you labour in HIS vineyard.

Missionary Peter A Halliman

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