PEOPLE GROUP UPDATE
GOD IS BREAKING THROUGH!
Visas, work permits, registrations, malaria, finances and staff shortages are obstacles that the Global Interaction Yawo Team have faced in recent years. They are huge challenges but God is breaking through and communities are being transformed by the love and power of Jesus Christ.
Living in towns and villages among the Yawo people in Malawi and Mozambique, the Global Interaction Team can be found interacting with the Yawo in all aspects of life. Whether it be shopping at the local markets, sitting or working in villages, tending maize fields or attending funerals and initiation celebrations, the team is dedicated to learning the local culture and language and building deep relationships with the local people.
Tim teaching Bible stories Photo taken by Mel( Below).
It is an exciting time to be a member of the Global Interaction Yawo Team of Malawi and Mozambique. God is moving and the transforming love of Jesus is changing people and communities.
The Yawo are beginning to reach the Yawo
In Malawi Global Interaction Team member Tim tells of one of the many ways God is breaking through.
Waindi, a Yawo believer, and I were visiting a village group to disciple some believers. A lady asked if we could pray for her sick friend. She had been to the hospital as well as the local witchdoctor and was still no better. Waindi boldly asked her,“ Why have you come here today?”
Her answer was equally forceful.“ I have heard God does miracles in this group!”
Waindi explained to the woman how God gave power to Jesus and through Him, we may have life. He also asked others who were listening to share how Jesus has helped them. In their gentle yet powerful way, about seven people offered testimonies of the power of God in their lives. Yawo people are from an oral society so they are master storytellers!
For the next 45 minutes, we heard story after story of God’ s goodness. Real life testimonies of sicknesses healed, relationships restored, evil spirits cast out and renewed peace- the peace that transcends understanding. If that wasn’ t amazing enough, the group leader then expressed that he thought a few of them could visit the surrounding four villages and share some of these stories. He said,“ God hasn’ t given us these stories just for ourselves. They need to be told!”
So in a few weeks, we will go to the neighbouring villages, sit under their big mango tree and start a journey toward Jesus with them.
Prayer, teaching, leadership training and visits to other villages are among the increasing opportunities to disciple and equip the growing number of believers. Tim works with seven village faith groups, ranging from 10 to 50 members in each and he runs quarterly training camps to disciple leaders. A women’ s group which Melanie has been working with for a few years is now carrying out their own ministry, focusing on children and youth which has 80-100 children coming each week. The Yawo women teach God’ s Word to the children who bounce in the gate every Monday afternoon. Local youth also meet regularly and their numbers are growing; it’ s a very exciting time.
Alongside this, the team has been working with the local Yawo to improve their quality of life through health and adult education, developing a Ciyawo / English dictionary as well as facilitating the translation revision of the Bible in Ciyawo which has seen Genesis, Luke and Acts published, with more books on the way. It is an exciting time in the ministry as the team disciples a growing number of believers through prayer, teaching and leadership training.
4 GLOBAL INTERACTION