OUR LOCAL CHURCH PLANT Joining a local church was very important to us as we settled into our new home in Mzuzu. There were several churches that were bible teaching and we loved the worship and prayer as we visited. With not wanting to sound critical, we found too much emphasis on our presence and on financial giving, and we desperately wanted the focal point to be on Christ himself. So, last year, we stepped back to pray and consider what the Lord would have us to do. As we had church in our home, God brought others. Before long, two missionary families and a local pastor started Community Church. Our home church outgrew our back porch so we moved to Kusintha Farms (Crown Ministries and Foundation for Farming), run by the missionary couple Mark and Ronel Beckett. This is where we continue to meet. Our three families, us, Mark and Ronel, and Maxwell and Grace Chimbazi are praying for where God would provide a building. We are blessed with having two properties through the mission groups and are praying for the building. We have begun the process of fundraising for our Discipleship Center, which would be an ideal place for weekly church services as well as all of our community projects and discipleship groups.
March Newsletter 2021
Nov Newsletter 2020
COVID-19 UPDATE
Thanks to your generosity, we are able to place hand washing stations, soap, masks and COVID-19 instructions throughout our village. We are grateful for all your help in keeping Malawi safe during these uncertain times.
COVID-19
Malawi is one of the few countries in the world still not reporting cases of COVID 19. Listed as the fifth poorest nation in the world, the virus will very quickly overwhelm the healthcare system system once it spreads. We are doing our part to protect the community we live in. Since soap is a luxury for people living on less than $1 per day, we will be providing soap to as many families for as long as we can, along with some form of hand washing station. We are also making 2 masks per person for as many as we can with the help of our seamstress, Glory. Going house by house, explaining the intensity of this virus, providing hope and praying over the people in our village is invaluable. Thank you for those of you caring for the Malawians from across the world!
We hope this update and our future ones will be an encouragement to you and bless you as we see God work in this land.
Pass-along Program
It is always fun for us to explore new mission ideas! We had the opportunity to visit a ministry that uses pigs for their pass along program. We would like to do the same thing for families in our area. It was a very informative and exciting day
Kids Classes
Saturday was a busy day at the Trussell house! We are excited to say that our English classes are growing in numbers! We love working with these sweet faces.
Little Buckets
No matter what you’re carrying, it’s always carried on your head! They make it look so easy, but I guess we aren’t as talented in this department. It’s always fun seeing the little ones following their mama’s with little buckets on their heads too!
Adult English Classes
English tutoring is a big part of our Saturday mornings. We currently have several children and a few ladies coming regularly, and we are excited to have more! It is a special treat when we see them improving and the joy they get because of it!
Craft Time
Craft time is always a good time, especially when you get to help the little ones color!
Carlton and Camille
Earlier this summer, Elisabeth had two of her childhood friends here to help lead a VBS for kids at Upendo Children’s Village. They spent the week sharing the word of God, enjoying simple games, soccer, craft time and lots and lots of bubbles! The jam parties and Hawaiian leis were super fun too!
Girl Time
Our monthly women’s gathering has become a very special time! It is awesome to see God working in these ladies lives and how much closer the women in our community are becoming.
Youth Project
Part of our mission is discipling young men through practical life skills. We loved teaching some basic wood working skills to the boys from Upendo Children’s Village. It was a great week making corn hole games out of recycled pallets for them to enjoy!
Tippy Tappy
It is a great day when we see new skills being put in action! We’ve been teaching families in our area how to better their health and sanitation by using tippy taps. We are excited to see more people using this idea and always having water at their disposal.
Baking with Friends
Saturday afternoons are super fun at our house! We love inviting the women in our area to come and learn how to bake and enjoy fellowship. The most exciting part of our time together on Saturdays is seeing their faces light up with pride when their dessert is finished! They love sharing something they made with their friends and family.