Chinsapo Children and women ministry

We were asked to give a little presentation at IBF church coming Sunday about the ministry we do in Chinsapo. I decided to post it here so that you have an overview of the ministry as well. For more stories just view my other blogs as well.

The bridge is still fine for pedestrians and bikes, not anymore for cars and donkey cart's

Where: Chimpangu community in Chinsapo; Area 46 Lilongwe

(Mchinchi road, passed Children of the nations, left on dirt road for about 4km, across the broken bridge.)

How it came about: Grace and Bernard Muhone bought land in Chimpangu and build their home. They saw many needs; spiritual, emotional and physical. In God’s providence Miriam and Grace became IBF church friends and shared a burden and compassion for the community. Miriam has many years of experience in children evangelism. With the approval of the village headman we started a children’s and women ministry.

What we do for the children and why:

Every Thursday we teach two groups of 200 kids.

First we gather with children between 3 and 10 under the public tree (bwalo). We teach them Bible stories, memorize verses and Bible songs, do Bible quizzes and color Bible story pictures. Once a month we hand out bread. On special occasions we hand out donated clothes (eg. Christmas) or any other useful materials we receive.

 We also run a group for 11-16 year old kids in our home made shelter and do the same activities yet at a higher level. We give opportunity to perform prepared drama or choir , linked to the Bible lessons. We encourage them to read by giving them the story each week. We play games sometimes.

When ever we see special needs, we try to help. Eg. Tiya a 14 year old disabled girl, was raped, had a baby but couldn’t feed the baby properly. We assist with milk and porridge. We also give medical assistance in emergencies. We sponsor some kids who were never able to go to school, due to poverty.

We do this because many kids don’t have parents who teach them the value’s of Gods Word and care for their kids as they should. We pray God will use these programs to touch the lives of these young people so that they may know God and glorify Him forever.

drama team

What we do for the women and why:

Most women in Chimpangu community cannot read and write. We organize and teach literacy classes. Meanwhile we teach them Biblical value’s for life, encouraging them to make the right choices (eg. Brewing and drinking beer verses cultivating vegetable, taking care of their children). The ability to read will help these women to read and study Gods Word for themselves but also understand more of the world around them.

Future plan’s: The village headman appreciates what we do in his community. He has offered us a piece of land for building a proper facility. We are now pursuing the possibility of land and building. If it is Gods will we would like to expand the ministry with a Christian community pre-school, a speedschool for older kids who don’t go to school to catch up with their peers and literacy programs for women. Making good use of the facility.

Running back to the car after the program.

How you can be involved:

-prayer

-donations (clothes, towels, blankets, soap, crayons, medicines, money)

 (when the pre-school is reality: puzzles, books, toys etc)

-come along and help teaching (Chichewa required)