Malawi News Update * From Debbie at the College
of Theology * December 2009
Dear
Friends,
Joyous
Advent Greetings from Malawi!
Advent
marks the beginning of the New Year in the Christian Calendar. During this
season we reflect upon the past year, and we ponder anew the wondrous gift of a
wee babe in a manger through whom the whole creation has a new beginning,
through whom “the hopes and fears of all the years are met.”
New
beginnings are exciting as well as anxiety producing. New beginnings involve change and challenge. As
we journey into new beginnings we experience the joy of the new, the fear and
trepidation of the unknown and the hope that a new beginning will lead to new
life given through the grace and love of this child. As the prophets foretold:
“The sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings” (Malachi 4:10);
“justice will roll down like a river” (Amos 5:24); the wolf will live with the
lamb…a little child will lead them…they will not hurt or destroy” (Isaiah
11:6,9); and “they will obtain gladness and joy” (Isaiah 51: 11).
For
the College of Theology this past year has been filled with these new
beginnings. In February we welcomed our first two female students. Their daily presence has changed our lives. We
noticed immediately that these women were very serious students. When not in class, they are most often found
in the library, inspiring our male students to frequent the library more often.
In class discussions a woman’s voice has brought fresh insights, new perspectives
as we consider the challenging issues of life.
Theirs is a voice often filled with the hope of new life that comes to
us through these new beginnings.
The
college also experienced the new beginning of offering students three courses
of study: licentiate of theology, diploma in theology and bachelor of theology
degree programs. This new beginning
continues to be a challenge as well as a blessing. Insufficient classroom space and difficulty
finding well qualified faculty to teach the various courses for each of these
programs inspires our creativity in order to provide quality education for our
students. In addition, the college lacks
adequate housing for new faculty and insufficient resources to pay competitive salaries. Nonetheless, the grace of God is at work
through the patience, perseverance and gracious spirit of students, faculty and
partners, such as yourselves, has enabled the college to successfully complete
this semester while receiving the blessing of the great diversity of students who come to us through these three programs.
In
early November the college experienced the new beginning of its first
university graduation. Seven of our students,
who had completed their studies last year and are now serving congregations,
received their diploma in theology along with College of Education bachelor
degree students at the third University of Livingstonia Graduation Ceremony. Indeed, what a joyous occasion!
The
semester later culminated with our first class of nine bachelor degree students
completing their studies. They will
graduate at the 2010 University of Livingstonia Graduation. These accomplishments are the life giving
fruit of new beginnings. At our closing communion service the message was about
the surprises of redeeming life that God has in store for us as we journey into
God’s future of new beginnings.
After
the service of worship and closing speeches I bid farewell for a season to
commence preparations for the new beginning of a six-month Interpretation
Assignment in the U.S. This time apart
with folks in the States to share about the University of Livingstonia, the
College of Theology and the people of Malawi is always a time of overflowing
blessing filled with great expectation of new possibilities for new life for us
and the people of Malawi as we find new ways to build partnership to bring hope
and life to one another and the people of the world.
As
I shared with you in my April newsletter, January through June 2010 I am scheduled to be in the U.S. on Interpretation Assignment. I would be greatly honored to receive an
invitation from your church or organization to tell you more about Malawi. To date I am scheduled to speak at churches and
gatherings in Oklahoma, Kentucky, Alabama, North Carolina, Washington, Oregon,
California, and Michigan. There still
remain many weekday slots to fill and the weekends of March 20-21, March 27-28
and May 29-30 remain open, awaiting your invitations. To schedule a speaking
engagement, please contact me (dachase26@africa-online.net)
or Julie Burton, Eastern Oklahoma Presbytery Director of Congregational
Resources (1-800-533-1324 or eop-rc@sbcglobal.net).
As
Christ comes into our hearts this Advent-Christmas Season may the wondrous hope
and redeeming life of new beginnings be yours!
Grace
and Peace,
Debbie
Rev. Deborah A. Chase, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Mission
Co-Worker
dachase26@africa-online.net http://www.pcusa.org/missionconnections/profiles/chased.htm