[Sonlifeafrica-newsletter] January 2004 Update

["Mark Tittley" <mark@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dear friend

What an incredibly start to 2004 we have just had. Our new ministry
developer, Colin Phelps, stated in our new office on the 5th of January and
we flew to Malawi on the 7th for ten days of training, coaching and
mentoring leaders in that central African country. I will let Colin share
with you details of the trip - see his report below my signature.

On the first day back in the office after the Malawi trip we had the
privilege of presenting the Strategy seminar to a group of Youth For Christ
team members who are being trained just south of Johannesburg. Edgar Ramsami
presented the Foundations seminar to a group of team members who completed
the first level in 2003.

We are starting to finalise details for a trip to Nigeria in February - we
plan to train in four key cities - taking the movement in Nigeria to the
second phase of development. Pray for us as we finalise our plans for this
trip.

Thank you for your prayers as we start and oversee disciplemaking movements
in countries right across Africa.

Regards

Mark Tittley
Director, Sonlife Africa
info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://www.sonlifeafrica.com

-----------------------

Early Adventures in Sonlife

Monday the 5th of January and I set off earlier than necessary to officially
begin my ministry as Ministry Developer of Sonlife Africa.  I'm very excited
about all that lies ahead.  I'm eagerly anticipating the new opportunities
that will present themselves, but also apprehensive and nervous.  Have I
made the right decision? Am I really doing what God wants me to do?  It
would definitely be safer and more comfortable to be driving to the college
to the lecturing with which I've become so familiar.

Day 1 is spent setting up computers, fax machine's, filing cabinets and
making sure the kettle works.  Day 2 is fairly frantic.  We're leaving
tomorrow for Malawi and we need to make sure we've got all our equipment,
training materials and everything we need to take.

Day 3 dawns and Mark and I set off to the airport for my first trip
representing Sonlife, my first chance to present Sonlife training, my first
opportunity to travel with Mark.  After a pleasant two hour flight we
arrived at Chileka International Airport, Blantyre.  Connex Ijalasi, the
Sonlife Malawi leader was waiting for us along with James Mkwezalamba,
Connex's close friend and colleague, and Francis, a young pastor.  We are
driven to Connex's home where his family warmly welcomes us.   It is a
constant challenge to see the way in which we are welcomed into the homes of
Malawians.  They really do represent what their country is called.  "The
warm heart of Africa."

Day 4 and we're at the Evangelical Bible College of Malawi and I've got 32
delegates sitting eagerly awaiting to go through the Sonlife Strategy
Seminar (1st level).  I'm on my own, Mark is in the room next door teaching
the Vision seminar (3rd level) and Connex is teaching Foundations (2nd
level).  What a day! Six hours of teaching with translation.  Sore feet and
a slightly strained voice, but a deep sense of satisfaction as the delegates
grasp, and become excited about, the material being presented.  The evening
is spent in Connex's home interacting with a variety of pastors, friends,
and seminar delegates.  We are also taught the traditional Malawian game of
Bao,  a game of strategy and counting with marbles, or stones, and a wooden
tray of holes.

Days 5-6 are the continuation of the training seminars.  What a privilege to
be part of what God is doing in preparing emerging leaders.  I longed to
introduce my friends to some of the wonderful people I got to train.  Pastor
Gilbert Momora, who interpreted for the three days even though he had buried
his wife just a week earlier.  Stuart Banda, a young Bible school student
who came to me afterwards and said he was excited about implementing the
strategy at the church where he was ministering.  Alice Khota, girl's
ministry coordinator for the Zambezi Evangelical Church for the whole of
Malawi, and so many more.

Day 7 and it's Sunday and it's off to Ndirandi, the other side of Blantyre,
to preach at two of three morning services, the first, an English service,
and the second the same sermon but with interpretation.  God is alive and
well in Africa and his people are worshipping him in spirit and in truth,
there are quality leaders, but there is such a need for more, and for better
training of the existing leaders.

Day 8 and we drive 700 kilometers north from Blantyre to Mzuzu. This
provides a wonderful opportunity to see a large part of Malawi, a country
blessed by God with an abundance of resources and an industrious, creative
people.  We are greeted in Mzuzu by Rev. George Mwase, a student I got to
know while teaching at BTC Southern Africa.  Supper is with his family that
evening and we turn in early in preparation for the next day's training.

Day 9 and we're up early and waiting for the delegates.  It looks a bit thin
at first but by mid-morning we have 17 delegates from 8 different
congregations.   It's exciting to get know them and realize that we have
some key people in the region.  Mzuzu is not often visited and so training
conferences are few and far between, and it is obvious that we are very
welcome.  The first day goes extremely well, but as we are wrapping up the
shock comes.  Connex receives a phone call to say that his best friend,
James, who met us at the airport, has just been killed in a head on
collision.  This leads to Connex and his wife, Synollia, heading back to
Blantyre immediately to attend the funeral, casting a real gloom over
proceedings, but also a stark reminder of the frailty of human life and the
importance of what we were doing in training people to reach others for
Christ.

Days 10 - 11.  Mark and I share the remaining teaching of the seminar and
are humbled and challenged by the hunger to learn.  Listen to some of the
comments by the delegates.

"The seminar has been very effective and successful.  It has helped me much
so that I have found where to start from.  Now well equipped!" -  Tennyson
Ngwira

"This seminar is very important for we have grown more strength and I can
feel from this seminar I will train my fellow youth how to equip, build,
multiply and win others.  My concern is that you should not take a long time
without visiting countries for we are still babies who still need help from
you." - Misheck Banda

"It is my prayer that God willing we must have another training so we can
further extend our understanding in growing a good healthy youth ministry in
our church." - Rev. Harold Nyirenda

Day 11 ends with Mark and I getting on to a bus to get back to Blantyre.
Day 12 sees us arrive in Blantyre 12 hours later, tired, but grateful for a
safe journey.  We rest and then spend the day wrapping up the trip,
including finishing off the Chichewa translation of the manual for our first
level of training, Strategy.  The value of this is emphasized as one of the
delegates from the Blantyre seminars confirms with Connex that he was
organizing a Strategy seminar to take place at the end of February.  Connex
will do the training, with no need for Mark or I to be there.  Our goal is
to multiply what we do and hand the training over to local believers with
our role becoming one of encouragement and building into the lives of the
leadership in each country.

Day 12 and we're off home after a quiet morning finalizing last minute
details.  It is wonderful to get home to the family, but it's also hard to
leave and say goodbye to our Malawian friends.

I'm looking forward to getting into the office this week and seeing my
duties take shape and reflecting on my first, of what will hopefully be
many, such wonderful trips to countries throughout Africa.

Please pray for
- The movement in Malawi and Connex Ijalasi as he leads it.
- The necessary finances to do all that we believe God wants us to do.
- Our next trip that will probably to Nigeria in February.

Regards

Colin Phelps
Sonlife Africa, Ministry Developer
colin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx