Steadfast Progress & Special Thanks!

The above pictures are great - showing the progress on the walls and the proximity of the ministry center to the local community. We are so thankful for the work that is being done and for the support from around the globe.

A special thanks goes out to the Global Sharing Fund team from Mennonite World Conference for recently providing a grant for the project. This Fund is available throughout the world for worthy projects within the Anabaptist community. We are trusting in the Lord Jesus to continue to move people in various places and situations to come along side the project.

Please be aware that during a recent major thunderstorm lighting affected the power transformer that supplies the Maone property. It has been taken in for repairs but no word as yet about how long it will take to get back on line. We appreciate your prayer support for the good folks in Malawi. If you would consider making a contribution it is easy to do by visiting the BIC website at http://www.bic-church.org/wm/give/partnership/malawi/ and scroll down to project 1280.

Thanks kindly for your consideration. Til next time, Blessings.

One Wall Up

Here is a recent picture of one of the center's walls completed up to the lower beam height! This is good progress for sure and thanks to the team on the ground in Malawi for this fine workmanship. Carry on friends, carry on!

2012 - Target Year!

Happy New Year to you! A brand new year has begun and this is the year that the BIC Church in Malawi has targeted to see the Maone Center completed. The hope is to have a grand opening in November of 2012. The above pictures are of the structural columns which are now finished up to the design height for the main walls. Great to see the continued progress including the laying of the brick exterior walls up to the window sill level.

May the Lord bless the work of the hands that are building this ministry center. May many offer their support as funds are needed to buy the balance of the materials. May this be the year to celebrate the opening. All the best to you as you begin this new year too and what might be in store in your lives. Thanks for your continued interest in encouraging the church in Malawi.

Columns, bricks and the Inspector!

As you can see from this week's progress photos things are moving up. First, a visit from the City Building Inspector where Mofart Louis and company got a good word about the quality of work being done and the approval to keep on building. We must say it took a couple of weeks to get a visit arranged given busy schedules, lack of fuel and transport, (BICC Malawi were even trying to arrange to transport the building inspector to the site). Work continued as the main column supports are being raised up and the brick walls in one part of the building are up to the level of the window sills. We are now awaiting the transfer of funds for the purchase of the next supplies needed. Rainy season is soon to be upon the work site so hopefully the needed supplies of sand and bricks, etc., can be sourced in a timely fashion. Thanks for your interest and support everyone. More later.... please keep those involved in your prayers in these days where the building effort begins to see people working at higher levels.

3 Courses Laid Down

Above are two photos of the recent brick work on the project and we are excited to see the first few rows of bricks being laid. 55,000 bricks are on site along with 130 bags of cement. We await an inspection from the City Building Department hopefully by end of today and then the bricklayers will start again. The heavy rains are not far off which makes everything more challenging so join us in praying that the needed materials can be sourced and delivered before those rains start. So thankful for your interest in the Maone Church Center. More later to come I am sure. Notice the walls are made of a double row of bricks - this ministry center will stand for many, many years to come. Thanks be to God!

Flag Wavers - Building Together in Faith

We have received word that there is a concerted effort underway in Malawi these days to invite the members of the 45 churches in Malawi to contribute to the giving campaign, "Building Together in Faith" for the Maone Church Center. A group of Flag Wavers, as they are called, head out to the various regional areas to encourage the locals as they give an offering on behalf of the project. Reports this week indicate enthusiastic responses. Having been there and watched as people come to the front of the church and give their offering, this is no small thing for these people to give towards this cause. 50 kgs of maize being hauled up to the platform, an offer of a plate of beans is called out or just the line up of people dancing up to give their few Kwacha. So when an offering of 15,000 comes in in cash from a service this is reason to rejoice indeed.

Why not consider being a "Flag Waver" too? Your donations will really help and be a great encouragement. You can give at http://www.bic-church.org/wm/give/partnership/malawi/ and scroll down to the Maone Church Center. Thanks and if you can't make a donation just now - offer up a prayer for the Flag Wavers in Malawi today.

Slab Floor 100 % Complete

It was great to see updated pictures recently from Project Manager Mofart Louis showing the main slab floor now complete, including the baptistry. Lots of work went into levelling the 150 mm of concrete... The platform area is done too. Good work team! The concrete is covered with sand to act as a barrier for helping with the curing process. The rebar and column boxes are being formed as you can see and soon we are hoping bricks will arrive and walls will begin to go up.

A word of thanks for any of you who have donated recently - as you can imagine - lots of funds are still needed. We are praying for generous donations to help finish the Ministry Center. If you have any questions please feel free to be in touch. Til next update, hope you are doing well.