Presbyterian Mission Agency A Letter from Paula Cooper, mission co-worker serving in Malawi, Kenya, Rwanda and Zambia Summer 2024

A Letter from Paula Cooper, mission co-worker serving in Malawi, Kenya, Rwanda and Zambia

Summer 2024

Write to Paula Cooper

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Dear friends,

As mentioned in the previous newsletter, I returned to Zambia on August 1, 2023, to resume working with our international partners after spending over 14 months in the United States. During that time, I was recuperating, visiting doctors, and having tests performed. You may recall that I had been admitted twice (one week apart from the other) to Medland Hospital in Zambia, where I spent three months recovering from COVID-19 and then Pneumonia twice. It was a close call, but I have been saved, thanks to God and your prayers!

In this newsletter, in your spiritual mind, please join me as we leave Zambia in late August 2023. We will visit Southern Malawi to conduct ministry site visits and learn what God is doing in Zambia through PC(USA) partnerships with Zambian partners. Together we witness to the marvelous acts of Jesus Christ who brings us together. I serve as the link and the bridge between the U.S. churches and Zambian partners and am privileged to be your eyes and ears on the ground.

Our first visit takes us to the 34th Biennial Assembly of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian’s (CCAP) Blantyre Synod. The business meeting occurred in a multipurpose hall of the impressive red brick building with a very high ceiling at the Saint Michael and All Angels Church.

One of the locations of the Muliko Literacy program in Magochi. Muslim women are being taught how to read Chichewa. The lessons teach valuable lifelong lessons through Bible stories.

Selling items at these colorful street markets is how many African families support themselves and send their children to school.

Behind the table from left to right are Rev. Baxton Maulidi (deputy general secretary), Rev. Dr. Humphrey Ngambo (newly elected moderator) and Rev. A. Kapinda (newly elected vice Synod moderator) standing during the second day of the assembly.

The CCAP Blantyre Synod's education department recognized and gifted two male students who were rated by the government for having the highest scores in the country in their grade levels.

I had a meeting with representatives from The Mulanje Mission College of Nursing and Midwifery. From left to right: Mrs. Fika Musyani (head of the nursing department of the Nursing and Midwifery departments), Rev. Innocent Chikopa (moderator of Mulanje Mission station), Rev Baxton Maulidi deputy general secretary) Rev. Jordan (chaplain), and Mr. Robertson Bakuwo (registrar of the College of Nursing and Midwifery). Pittsburgh Presbytery has a partnership with Blantyre Synod; hence, the name of the hall

I had a meeting with the officials at Zomba Theological University. From the left to right, we have the Rev. Brian Theu (registrar), Rev. Takuze Chitsulo (vice chancellor), and Mr. Isaac Chibowa (deputy vice chancellor) standing outside of Zomba University's female hostel.

From left to right, Rev. Innocent Chikopa (moderator of Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) Blantyre Synod's Mulanje Mission Station) and Rev. Baxton Maulidi (Blantyre Synod's deputy general secretary).

We drove over this bridge that experienced the Freddy Cyclone to Mulanje Mission Hospital. It was a scary ride because the bridge and surrounding area were under construction.

Rev. Dr. Humphrey Ngambo, elected moderator of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) Blantyre Synod in August 2023.

Rev. Esau Mbonda at CCAP Blantyre Synod's 34th Biennial Assembly. He and I worked together with the Theological Education by Extension in Zambia (TEEZ) in 2016.

At the business meeting, I had the honor of meeting the newly elected officers of Blantyre Synod, which included the Reverend Humphreys Ngomba as the Moderator, the Reverend Annie Kapinda as the Vice Moderator, and the Reverend Anderson Juma as the General Secretary (GS). I also had the privilege of delivering greetings from our Africa Area Coordinator, the Reverend Cheryl Barnes, to the entire assembly.

At the assembly, I had the chance to meet and greet a few pastors. One of them was a former student of Justo Mwale University, who now serves a church in the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian Blantyre Synod. The other was a former colleague from Zimbabwe, Rev. Eaus Mbonda, with whom I worked at Theological Education by Extension in Zambia (TEEZ) from 2017 to 2018. Greeting them and reminiscing about our short periods together was a pleasure. Other pastors included the Reverend Baxton Maulidi (Deputy General Secretary (DGS)), the Reverend Gertrude Kapuma (DGS for the CCAP General Assembly), Moses Kastomu (Education Director), and the Reverend Billy Gama (former GS).

Not only did I attend the Biennial Assembly, but I also took advantage of the time in Blantyre to conduct site visits and learn how our international partners are partnering with God to accomplish God’s purpose for God’s people. These site visits also ensure that the interests and donations of our U.S. constituents are being met. Many constituents cannot make the trip, so I am their link. I am your eyes and ears on the ground. I also seek to build bridges with our international partners and U.S. constituents.

Moses Kastomy, the education director of the Synod of Blantyre, arranged for his driver to take me to Zomba, Malawi, and Mangochi, Malawi, for site visits of ministries of our partner church, CCAP Synod of Blantyre. The ride to Zomba from Blantyre was about three to four hours, and it was another four hours to Mangochi. I went there to continue conducting site visits as I did in Zambia and learn how they were partnering with God to accomplish God’s purpose for God’s people.

These site visits ensure that our partners know that we are accompanying them in their work and that the interests and donations of our U.S. constituents are being met. Many constituents cannot make the trip, so I am their link. I am their eyes and ears on the ground. I also seek to build bridges with our international partners and US constituents.

I met with the Reverend Takuze Chitsulo, the Vice Chancellor of Zomba Theological University (ZTU) in Zomba. The Reverend Brian Theu, the Registrar, and the Reverend Isaac Chibowa, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, were also present. We went out for lunch and discussed the university’s challenges. One of the biggest problems is the lack of internet accessibility and equipment, compounded by the damage caused by Cyclone Freddy. The university needs financial support from the Synods, who are also facing difficulties.

After our visit and a lovely time for fellowship and lunch, we continued our journey on the Mangochi, which was another three to four hours. The countryside was beautiful, and as we went through other townships, we found many vendors and people shopping on the roadside. Chancy Gondwe met us at a nearby church so he could ride with us and guide us to the village where one of the literacy programs was in session. More information about the Literacy program can be accessed HERE.

Chancy took me to visit two groups of Muslim women participating in the Muliko Literacy program. The program was very inspiring. I met approximately 17 women in one group and 14 in anothergroup. We met the two groups’ tutors. I had the privilege of witnessing Muslim women learning to read materials that demonstrated survival life skills in their Chichewa language.

The lessons are presented through Bible stories, so they are being introduced to Jesus Christ. A few of these Muslim women converted to Christianity. Mr. Chancy mentioned that some of their challenges prevent other women from attending the program because it is presented from a Christian perspective. The lesson that I witnessed appeared to teach the women how to care for their homes, including sanitation or farming. While I was there, the lesson demonstrated how to sanitize for Malaria. Malaria is a deadly disease endured by Malawians especially during the rainy season (Learn more HERE).

The day after, the Reverend Maulidi took me to Mulanje. This was another three-to-four-hour trip. The trip covered a lot of countryside and there were many places that were affected by Cyclone Freddy on the way, he showed me the aftermath in the nearby villages and talked about the difficulties and needs of Blantyre Synod. At Mulanje Mission Hospital (MMH), located on the grounds of the Mulanje Mission Station, I had the opportunity to meet with Dr. Arie Glas, the medical director. Although busy, he assured me he would write an article about the latest developments at MMH. Please enjoy the latest Mulanje Mission Hospital Newsletter by clicking this link or accessing this site MMH-Newsletter-April-2024.pdf.

I also met with the Reverend Innocent Chikopa, moderator at CCPA Blantyre Synod’s Mulanje Mission Station. The Mission Station was established by Scottish Missionaries in 1890. Please click the link above for a closer look. I met with Reverend Innocent, Reverend Jordan, the chaplain; Mrs. Fika Musyani, head of the nursing department; and Robertson Bakuwo, registrar of the Mulanje Mission College of Nursing and Midwifery.

They shared that many of the villagers desired to learn at the school. We discussed the many challenges faced by the Mulanje Mission College and the surrounding villages. They also shared that the college’s infrastructure is ending challenges. Working in hospitals and clinics requires more space and resources for practical skill training, computer labs, equipment and machinery. Additionally, there is a need for more living accommodations for staff and students and space for staff and lecturers. I also heard about their accomplishments and concerns and encouraged them to write an article showcasing their stories. After our meeting, I had lunch with the Reverend Chikopa, Reverend Jordan, and Reverend Maulidi.

We are grateful for your partnership with us. Please continue to pray for our international partners and their ministries. Thank you for your prayers, your financial support, and for joining me on this journey.

May God continue to bless you and yours.

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Paula

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Tags: Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Zambia