Blacksburg Presbytrian Church:
Malawi Partnerships
History and Background
For more than 10 years (1995-96), this congregation has had ties to Malawi, a small country in southeastern Africa which borders Zambia, Tanzania and Mozambique. The first connections to Malawi were through Chrissie Chawanje, a graduate student at VT on a Fulbright Scholarship. She became a faithful and regular member of our church and introduced us to her special country. As part of our relationship to Chrissie, the congregation helped to bring her son, Jerome, to Blacksburg, to go to school and live with his mother.
Soon after Chrissie and Jerome returned to Malawi, the church was blessed to have other Malawians arrive in our midst (2002) – William Susuwele, Edith Mmela, and Wotchiwe Kalande, among others. All three of these graduate students became regular and faithful members who brought with them their rich Presbyterian faith and sense of discipleship. During the time these Malawian students were with us, the congregation also was introduced and connected to Dr. Sue Makin, a PCUSA medical missionary serving in southern Malawi. Dr. Makin came for a visit, preached in our pulpit, and helped us know the problems and possibilities for mission work in Malawi.
By the time the Malawian graduate students were completing their degrees and returning home (2003), our sense of call to this far-off place was taking shape. We were sensing a call to help with educational needs, related to the work of our Malawian students and members, and to help with medical mission at Mulanje, where Dr. Makin served. In June of 2004, four members from Blacksburg Presbyterian Church (Lynn Barber, Charles Good, Barbara Michelson, and Alex Evans) traveled to Malawi to explore the various possibilities for our church’s involvement. We were hosted by Dr. Makin in Mulanje and by our former members and friends Edith, William, and Wotchiwe in the Blantyre and Zomba regions.
Partnerships
From these initial and deeply personal relationships, and through the support of the church Endowment Funds for mission and outreach, the church has developed significant partnerships and projects.
Mulanje Mission Hospital
For more than 5 years, the church has sent $10,000/year for the general support and work of the hospital. These funds go to support the work of Dr. Makin and have helped with various projects, crises, personnel issues, buildings, and more at the hospital.
Mulanje Mission Primary School
Located adjacent to the hospital and a key component in the area, this school has benefited from our church’s care and support. We have helped to build latrines for the school children, improve teachers’ houses, plant trees, provide a kitchen for the school feeding program, and more.
Mulunguzi Primary School
Our church was introduced to this school by William, who knows the staff and the ethos of the school. Our church, across three years, has built new school buildings, upgraded old buildings, offered supplies, and encouragement. A struggling, dilapidated place is now a vibrant community of learning and support that serves 15 villages near Zomba.
Externships
During 2005 and 2006, BPC has sent recent college graduates to Malawi (Sandy Evans and Annie Moore in 2005 and Emma Hayes in 2006). These young people from our church have served for extended periods (3 months in 2005 and 6 months in 2006) teaching school, helping, assessing, and overseeing our projects, and representing our church’s love, presence, and care to the people of Malawi. Sandy taught at the Mulanje Secondary School and lived at the Mulanje Mission Hospital. Annie lived in Zomba and taught at the Zomba Primary School. Emma lived with Dr Makin at the hospital in Mulanje and taught at the Apatsa School in Mulanje. All these young people gained rich experience in serving God, representing us and sharing God’s light and love. They have also been ambassadors for our partnerships and projects since their return.
Malawian Students
With our increasing connections to Malawi, the church has also become a sponsor and partners with VT in some new graduate students from Malawi. Currently, Ndalapa Mhango and Absalom Phiri are supported by the church in their doctoral work in education. They will be in Blacksburg for three years and the church provides care and support for them. It remains another important and personal link in our growing and deepening ties to the people and partnerships in Malawi.
Travel and PCUSA Malawi Network
With all these projects, partnerships, and connections the church feels increasingly called by God to this work – to help the hurting, to relieve suffering, to heal the seek, to serve God. And in so doing, we are deeply blessed by the faith and commitment, the rich traditions and sincere Presbyterian ties, and the hospitality and care we have known from our Malawian sisters and brothers. We see these relationships growing and continuing as we continue to go and come from there. We also remain committed to the PCUSA Malawi Network, a connection of Presbyterians serving in Malawi.
For more information and to become involved in our Malawi partnership projects, you may contact the church office or be in touch with Barbara Michelsen or Lynn Barber.