Church in Malawi

Here is the church we’ve gone to our first 2 weeks here. It is Blantyre Community Church, which meets in the dining building on campus.  Although half the church is on holiday right now, things will pick up come September with Sunday School for the kids during the morning service.  Half of those who attend are Malawian and half are expats (international), so we are looking forward to connecting with both communities in worship in English.

Blantyre Community Church

It is convenient, since we just walk down our lane, turn left onto the campus road and take the worn foot path across the yard to the church.  After church, there are tea, cookies and fellowship.  You may have this sort of thing at your church as well…but what do the kids at your church do during this time?  I bet they don’t get to chase chickens around the yard, like Micah and the other children do! :)

Doing the dishes after fellowship time (and yes, that is a John Deere shirt!)

Looks like Micah is chasing a girl, but the chicken had just gone around the bush...

Today (8/26/12) was our first Sunday at a Malawian BIC (Brethren in Christ) church.   About once a month, we hope to visit BIC churches in the area.  These services are largely in Chichewa (national language), but often have someone who can serve as a translator, at least for parts of the service.  We have the hymnal* that is used in Malawian BIC churches in both Chichewa and English, so although we sing in Chichewa, we can at least look up what we are singing.  Although we forgot to take our camera this morning, we did take our voice recorder, so here is a sampling of the worship (the picture you see is from Maone church, taken during our vision trip 2 years ago):

We only caught the second half of the first song you hear, but it is a favorite of ours, so wanted to include it:

Pass Me Not*

Pass me not, O gentle Saviour,

Hear my humble cry:

While on others Thou art calling,

Do not pass me by.

Saviour!  Saviour!
Hear my humble cry:
And while others Thou art calling
Do not pass me by.

Let me at a throne of mercy
Find a sweet relief;
Kneeling there in deep contrition,
Help my unbelief.

chorus

Trusting only in Thy merit,
Would I seek Thy face;
Heal my wounded, broken spirit,
Save me by Thy grace.

chorus

Thou the spring of all my comfort,
More than life to me;
Whom have I on earth beside Thee?
Whom in heav’n but Thee?

chorus

*Hymns for Malawi.  English Version of Nyimbo Za Mulungu.  Revised Music-Edition (Chichewa) July 1974.  This English Edition June 1975.

This song was later in the service, but represents the type of singing that is common in many African cultures.  There is a call and response (leader and group), different clapping patterns and even some hearty “yells” for lack of a better word.  What you can’t see is that everyone is also moving – just can’t help it with this song!  Now, what are we all singing about?  We didn’t catch the song number on this one, so we’re not sure…see if you can hear any words you recognize.