As it has been reported in international news I thought it best to give a short reassurance to those who follow us here in Malawi.
Since the start of September there has been increasing civil unrest in the southern part of Malawi (the part we are in) surrounding rumours of “blood suckers”. Fear has been stoked with xenophobia until vigilante “justice” has started to happen. Last week roads were closed and two people were killed in Blantyre, the city we live in.
Before judging Malawians for their superstition consider what fear and xenophobia have done in other parts of the world, some of them Western nations. I am currently working on a much larger piece trying to make sense of the blood sucker saga but until then, suspend judgement for the fear. At the same time, the violence is deplorable and should be roundly condemned.
We are safe. The US government has published some very sensible bulletins and we are abiding by their advice. As well, we are in very regular contact with our local Malawian friends who are helping us a great deal. None of the us have been near violence or been threatened. We are in regular contact with the Presbyterian Church in Canada and they are prepared to aid us if need be.
Missional-aries 
I am concerned about your recent news, I pray for the safety of you and your family. Be Safe! Blessing from North Vancouver, B.C.
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Last night, I asked two Malawian friends who live in Canada about superstitions and the current violence in Blantyre. They confirmed that this is a longstanding aspect of life in that country. A house would be identified as being inhabited by witches or the subject of witchcraft and as children they would be told to stay away from there. Unfortunately, this was associated with illness or physical deformities of an inhabitant at times. Albinos are sometimes persecuted, for example. A related behaviour could be the tendency in some Christian minds that a tragedy such as death in a car accident or a still birth is punishment by God for sin by the person or a family member. Or more starkly, burnings at the stake of witches in early days by settlers in America.
I hope that peace is restored soon in Blantyre and that people will learn from this experience about the perils of superstition.
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