SOVEREIGN GRACE BAPTIST MISSION International – Papua New Guinea / Malawi Africa
P.O. Box 60150 Ndirande Bt. 6 Blantyre Malawi /
P.O. Box 233 – Mt Hagen (WHP) Papua New Guinea
Missionary / Evangelist: Peter A. Halliman
Email: panagioite042gmail.com
Website: sgbm-malawi-africa.com
Date: 9th January 2024
Dear Pastor, Church & All Supporters,
Acts 15:36 And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do.
As I came out from the Terminal, I was greeted by Bro. Edwin whom some of you have met, others have not, and Bro. Eric whom some of you know by name only and receive his mission reports. It was a good reunion, again it was like yesterday that we had parted, one thing about black people they do not show age quickly as the Caucasian race does (at least some), however, when they do start aging, they usually go quickly.
We set off on foot walking to catch public transport, as I have stated I do not any longer have any vehicle here in Malawi. Soon a minibus came along we boarded and set off for Blantyre where I would need to take come of some business (exchange currency). If anyone reading this has ever been to a third-world country and travelled via public transport, you will understand my words, if you have not, there is no way I can translate the (realness), of this concept to you. There are stages that the vehicles stop at, letting off people, waiting to board again, it’s a long process to even travel a short distance, the heat can be realised, every space is utilized and where seating capacity for fifteen passengers in a minibus it is common to have twenty or twenty-five. Not everyone in these countries knows what a bar of soap and a bucket of water will do! If you get the front seat, good for you, if it’s the rear seat, you need to have a good window open.
Midway to town (about ten miles) to town I discovered that I did not have my carry bag which I have all my documents, (passport), driving Lic, many other important documents, and government issued I.D.’ besides the cash money I was able to bring for exchanging once I had arrived. My mind raced to where it could be, after two days of sleep deprivation it is not hard to forget something. The problem was, when I had passed through Immigration, I was to clear Customs, in which, they have a scanning machine that all bags are passed through, on the other side, I had someone a (customs) officer who assisted me and as the bags came out, he took the two check in, and I took my laptop case with my coat, the small bag had not yet cleared and by the time I was outside the Terminal my mind was not on what I had left behind.
I left Eric with the baggage, Edwin and I returned to the airport again, getting clearance with the airport security and a customs officer, I was escorted back into the customs area where I found my handbag placed within the holding office. I identified the bag, and it was released to me, a big, big sigh of relief and a prayer of thankfulness to the LORD, was given.
Edwin and I set off again, soon we were joined up with Eric, where we took a public vehicle to town and made an agreement (this vehicle was not a minibus) but more like a private taxicab though it’s not registered as such. In town I met up with some money changers… for those who are sending support to Malawi to Edwin and Eric, may know first-hand from me the challenges they face or not, the currency exchange and other details which, have been obscured for some years. The going exchange rate is (One USD to Two Thousand MK – Malawi Kwacha).
I exchanged five hundred USD which, gives me (1 million) Malawi Kwacha, the notes are now in denominations of (5,000.) I learned also that the (older US 100.00 notes) are not accepted within Malawi by Immigration, no foreign exchange bureau, or bank or even the black market will accept these older bills. I said to the exchange bureau, looks like to me if the money is good enough for the most developed country in the world, should be for a ‘donor country’! Malawi contributes nothing to the international community; they are takers not givers.
None the less, I have some 100.00 notes that are not good here, but that is ok, they are good in many countries and most importantly the US banks.
We proceeded to the ‘only’ Big Grocery shop which, was built new whilst I was still there back in 2004. I didn’t have much time in the day, as most of the day was far spent, I bought a few groceries, (non- perishables) that could last me a few days, as I don’t have electricity or a fridge here. I had packed light so some things I would need to secure, such as a bathing towel, soap, detergent for clothes etc…
I called a Malawi friend of mine, he is self-employed now, as a generator mechanic, I had given him some work in past years as he helped me with one of my generators. His name Charles, he wanted to meet me, and came to the car park of the grocery shop. I had finished my shopping, long story short, he agreed to help me with transport out to my property, which is about thirty-two miles from the property I have. This was a big, big blessing to me, being late in the day, it would have been very late in the evening had we taken a minibus making different transitions between stages. GOD’s grace and mercies are innumerable.
We arrived where the vehicle had to halt, the hike up the washed-out road (handmade) eight years ago, was washed out, and non-negotiable with a vehicle. Some of the workers, that have lived on the property all these years to help preserve and offer security (there are) three, they met us where the vehicle dropped us off. Charles started his drive back to Blantyre, as we walked by headlamp and torch light to the property.
It was late, it had been a very long day for me, however, as it is many times in my life, living under these conditions, water had to be heated for bathing, food had to be cooked, and therefore no matter how tired you may be, certain chores must be performed.
I had left a foam pad (mattress 6”) with a mosquito net, the mattress was cleaned laid on the cement floor of the building, mosquito net suspended and set in place, and by eleven pm I was in bed.
A long journey indeed, many obstacles to negotiate and some challenges to face to what end? For whom and for what? Would you do this?
For the LORD, for His glory, and for the good of His people! I don’t understand when GOD’S people will tell me that it’s so difficult for them to get to church, or do the LORD’S Work, when most things they have work, and function nicely and they are for the most part not put out in any awkward way.
May the LORD give you understanding as you consider His blessings upon your life where you live and worship.
In His Name,
Missionary Peter Halliman
End of Part Two