Dear one,
Nineteen dead?
Such was the report we received three days ago, when once we learned that political unrest now characterizes peaceful Malawi. Elections were held on May 21, during which the ruling party retained its power; but those parties in opposition have since contested the results, claiming voter fraud. Thus rock throwing, burning and looting, and death—and the inept handling of the reelected, Mutharika government—have tainted results otherwise validated.
From what I have heard and observed—hardly am I an expert on Malawian politics— the country has suffered under the aegis of Peter Mutharika’s leadership: graft and corruption, cronyism and nepotism seem to reign, but he and his seem deaf to the cries of chronic shortages, including daily blackouts in Lilongwe, the nation’s capitol.
As a consequence of what news we received, we then wrestled: Should I seek to postpone or even cancel my forthcoming trip to and pastoral retreats in Malawi—I am scheduled to fly from Indy to Lilongwe on 24 July? With this wrestling, I also sought the counsel of four Malawian pastors, typified by this composite response:
“Malawi is well and very safe. Recently political demonstrations have taken place across the country, but have generally been peaceful. The situation is calm. Ministers have responded positively and are eager. So no need to cancel the retreat. It will start and end in peace.”
With this counsel, and with further discussion, thought, and prayer, we have decided to continue as planned; and equally, with this counsel I realized that I must once again trust; and in this instance, I need to trust His people, through whom I might hear our Lord’s Voice.
From the first, this was also true for the Apostle Paul, who depended upon other believers: they helped him escape from Damascus and later from Thessalonica (Acts 9:25ff.; 1710); they provided him refreshment, when he journeyed or as he suffered imprisonment (Philemon 22; Philippians 4:15f.); and when execution neared, he still depended upon their aid (2Timothy 4:13f.). Community and trust were fundamental to his ministry.
Inter-dependence and believing other believers: this is not a new, Christian phenomena; rather, it is often wondrous in matters great and small. Theologically, relationally, physically, and financially—with time, talent, and treasure—we entrust ourselves to one another. Nonetheless, most surely do we entrust ourselves to one another with that most precious of gifts: the love of Christ—a love that compels us to “bear one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2).
Thoughtfully,
Stan