UNIVERSITY OF LIVINGSTONIA
MALAWI, AFRICA
News from The College of Theology: November 2006
Malawi News Update * From Debbie at the College of Theology * November 2006Dear Friends, Warm greetings from “warm heat of Africa”! Indeed, more than warm, it has been extremely hot here in Malawi. This week, however, the rains have finally come, on time (thanks be to God), to refresh, renew and nourish the land and its people. There is much hope in these rains: hope for a plentiful harvest and hope for life in the midst of death that daily encompasses us. As you know poverty has taken its toll in Malawi these past few years. The rising number of deaths from hunger, HIV/AIDS and malaria has left us with nearly a million orphan children, and stolen the most productive members of our society, the well-educated, in the prime of their lives. While Malawi struggles to find a viable alternative export to tobacco, the economic situation deteriorates, though at a slower rate these past few months after reaching an all time low of kwacha 139 to the dollar. Some have made the dire predication that this is a formula for chaos! Hope and Promise But like the hope and promise of the rain so has been the long hoped for wondrous news from the International Monetary Fund of nearly 100% Debt Cancellation of Malawi’s 3.1 billion dollar international debt! “Wonder of wonders, miracles of miracles!” Or as Christians in Malawi would say, “God is good all the time. All the time God is good!” Hopefully, these funds that will now remain in the country will be used for development: for education, food security, irrigation, medical care, and industry. May the Lord give knowledge and integrity to Malawi’s leaders for the wise use of these resources! A New Name
Livingstonia Theological College is
now a full- fledged member, one of the five constituent colleges, of
the University of
Livingstonia. The other four
colleges are the College of
Education,
College of
Technology,
College of
Nursing
and College of
Commerce.
It, therefore, seemed fitting that September’s Synod Assembly
approved a new name for the college, one that reflects the new
covenant relationship of being a member of the family of the
University of
Livingstonia.
Thus, our new name: University of
Livingstonia,
College of Theology!
University Insignia: Courage, Excellence, and Confidence
Ordination of Ministers Our first class of students (all 25), who graduated a year ago, have successfully completed a year of licensed probation as pastors of congregations and have been approved for ordination. We have received many invitations to attend these ordinations in the various presbyteries in which they serve, covering fifteen of the Synod’s nineteen presbyteries. Needless to say we are able to attend only those that are near, two of which took place last week at the Ekwendeni Church. It was joyous occasion. We rejoice and celebrate with all twenty-five who are serving faithfully. Thanks be to God!
Rev. Luneta Ng'ambi and Rev. Samson Kaonga Families (Mrs. Rev. Kaonga) Celebrating at the saying their Ordination Vows ordination of Rev. Kaonga and Rev. Ng’ambi Completion of Academic Year and Beginning of Practical Work Our new class of thirty students, who matriculated in January of this year, completed their first year of studies in October and are now serving with supervision for six weeks in various congregations. They are performing well and we look forward to their return for their second year of studies in January 2007. Building Projects – The Challenge Our building projects continue to be a challenge with rising costs and difficulties finding reliable laborers, since we try to keep our labor costs at a minimum. Nevertheless, by the grace of God and through the understanding of faithful donors, we hope to complete the four classrooms by the end of this year so that we can temporarily move our offices, library as well as classes into these four classrooms on the new campus. In the meantime, we are progressing in our plans to upgrade and expand to a bachelor level programme while seeking funds to accommodate this expansion: our next projects are a house for female students and an administration block to free all the classrooms for teaching. Continuing Education for Ministers and Visitors from Eastern Oklahoma Presbytery The College of Theology hosted its first Continuing Education Event for serving ministers October 23rd through November 10th of this year. Thirty ministers from nineteen presbyteries came for theological nourishment and spiritual renewal. The theme of the event was “Developing Theology in an African Perspective.” Courses offered included Preaching the Old Testament, Preaching the New Testament, African Christian Theology, African Traditional Religion, Islam, and HIV/AIDS. We were honored to have amongst our lecturers two Reverends from Eastern Oklahoma Presbytery, who blessed us with their teaching and brought each participant the newly published Africa Bible Commentary: A One-Volume Commentary Written by 70 African Scholars (including three from Malawi). The partnership continues: Blessing and Being Blessed! Gifts of renewal, refreshment and the glory of God abound in partnership and our cup overflows.
Rev. Dennis Ritchie teaching “Preaching the Old Testament” to Livingstonia Synod Ministers
Rev. Judy Henderson and Rev. Dennis Ritchie receiving gift from Minister Participants Let us Give Thanks Midst all the difficulties and challenges, discouragements and losses, the grace, the promise, the hope, and the gifts of the Christ Child abound through the children of God! May the Joy and Hope of the Christ Child be yours this Advent-Christmas Season and Always! Debbie Rev. Deborah A. Chase CCAP Synod of Livingstonia P. O. Box 112 Mzuzu, Malawi Central Africa debbiechaseccap@malawi.net http://www.pcusa.org/missionconnections/profiles/chased.htm
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