Surprisingly, I have found myself thinking about and praying for Malawi often in these recent days. When the other countries in Africa had their protests earlier this year, I read about them, had concerns about them, but did not think of them the way I am thinking about Malawi. Why is this? It’s because I know somebody in Malawi.
It’s that human relationship that makes the difference. A year, or so, ago my life’s path was allowed to cross with another life’s path by something that only God could have been behind. It was one of those very special God-things that bring tears to your eyes when you think about it. So through a set of unique circumstances, I met Ann. We were both part of a prayer group that prayed fervently for a group of young men we were all connected with. I communicated, by email, with Ann on many occasions. Our hearts were bound by prayer. I’m sure if we ever get the blessing of meeting face to face we will get along famously. Sometimes you just know that another is meant to be a friend.
Ann has a family with children that range in age from young to young adult. One of her young adults has been posting on Facebook about the struggles and I’ve read a few articles in the news. All of these tug at my Mother’s heart. It’s different somehow because a heart I’ve grown to care about could hurt so deeply from what is going on around her. Malawi is in a severe economic state. They are experiencing fuel shortages, financial crisis, and many human rights abuses. Free speech is being squelched so that truth is not easily communicated outside of their borders.
We are so removed from these events and yet we’re not. This world is not the big expanse it once was. All of us have become interconnected and what happens in one country has a ripple effect that impacts all the other countries. Of this I am certain, all of these countries with wars and rumors of wars are full of families with mother’s like my friend, Ann, who only want a secure future for their children. All of these countries are full of people, young and old, who deserve a chance at life without oppression and most importantly a chance to learn the truth about their creator God and His great love for them.

Blantyre, where many of the protests have been and where my friend lives. The city of Blantyre is named for the birthplace of David Livingstone in Scotland.
According to Wikipedia, David Livingstone discovered Lake Malawi.


The above pictures are from postcards that Ann sent me from Malawi. It’s a beautiful country!
May the Lord bring peace to Malawi. May Malawi be blessed with freedom of speech, freedom from tyranny and may the gospel go forth in that country to bring it the truest freedom of all.