Thanks to those who have commented and sent personal messages on Leaving Season Part #1. Yes, leaving season is difficult. I think we’ve done fine with it, all the more for knowing others support us. The sadness is multifaceted and I’d like to point to some other, perhaps more theological, angles today. We experience the … Continue reading Leaving Season Part #2
I wrote this a few months ago and in the hum and drum of the break combined with a semi-sabbatical from social media, it didn’t get posted. Now, we got word today that other friends are heading home to Australia. As well, the plans that the Executive Director for TEEM had to move on to … Continue reading Leaving Season Part 1
While I don’t do development projects here in Malawi, the PCC does and Vivian works for Churches Action Relief and Development who does do projects. One of the issues that aid organizations face is the effectiveness of their efforts. One article can’t answer all the questions that arise from this but this one gets at … Continue reading Longer Read – Effective Aid
How we talk about wealth and money is important. Churches are very guilty of crying poor when in reality they hold assets worth millions. This articlehttps://www.aljazeera.com/amp/indepth/opinion/2017/05/africa-poor-stealing-wealth-170524063731884 describes a more accurate understanding of wealth in Africa. Continue reading A Longer Read – Africa is rich
Life isn’t fair. My kids remind me of this frequently, especially when it relates to how much dessert they did or didn’t get. I can relate. I’m a twin, and as a child I often felt that it wasn’t fair that my twin didn’t have psoriasis (something I’ve struggled with since I was four years … Continue reading Malawian Envy
A part of my role at Zomba Theological College is to mentor three doctoral students. These are my colleagues who have been selected to study at the University of Aberdeen. Those who have earned doctorates know how challenging it can be, even with the support of a residential community with quality academic resources like a … Continue reading Mentoring Doctoral Students
My parents are visiting Malawi right now. Like my in-laws, who visited earlier this year, they consume a good amount of news. I remember sitting downstairs watching the National and the Journal with them 30 years ago (Knowlton Nash – come on it is right in the name KNOWlton; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knowlton_Nash and Barbara Frum; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbara_Frum). All four … Continue reading Longer Reads Recommendations
This is a little different than our normal posts in that it is more personal and not directly related to Africa (although nostalgia for music and movies is part of the ex-pat experience). I wrote this last Friday, May 11, but waited till now to post so that others, including Vivian and my friend mentioned, … Continue reading Baptism and Frightened Rabbit
Last week was a busy one. I started teaching two Zomba Theological College classes, one on the minor prophets and the other on practical theology; I gave a talk about reading the Bible with youth to a group of Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) and Anglican youth leaders; I preached at a mid-size CCAP … Continue reading God Speaks Elomwe and Chichewa
(photo by: Albin Hillert/WCC) Too Long This day was too long. I was exhausted by the end. It has been a push to get through all the days and participate fully. I really zoned out after “passing” the Call to Arusha. I get that organizers want to maximize the time together and that people have … Continue reading Reflections on day six #CWME #WCC
Missional-aries 