I’ve always wanted to go to Africa, it has been on my heart since I was young. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that I would actually go. So when I heard about STORM- Student OutReach Malawi, I knew that this was an answer to prayer. STORM is a Cardiff run mission organisation where a group of students around the UK come together to share the love of Jesus out in Malawi. After hearing a presentation in my Christian Union about the organisation I quickly jumped to the chance and filled out a form. The trip was going to be two weeks and as this was a once in a life time opportunity I wanted to make the most of it and stay longer. Once again my prayers were answered and it was planned that I stay with Alan and Sandra Skene for two weeks after STORM. So it was set, I was going to Malawi for a whole month.
A Short-Term Mission Diary
Rachael Davies
We did a lot of street work with the children, which involved playing games, singing songs- their favourite being the hokey kokey and sharing the love of God with them. The smiles on their faces were just so overwhelming. We went to one of the orphanages and stayed overnight. Whilst here we sang, played games with the children and took an assembly where I had the opportunity to do puppets and share the gospel with them. It was fantastic to bring some joy into those little children’s faces. I also met a young girl called Joyce who had lost both parents and had just found out her aunty had died. She said she was very lonely and I was able to tell her that she isn’t alone because God is with her and that He loves her very much. It brought a tear to both our eyes.
Once the team had gone, Sandra picked me up from Fishermans Rest. I received a warm welcome from both Alan and Sandra and I felt right at home. Whilst staying with them I was helping Sandra with the women’s training where we looked at the Beatitudes, we did four each. At first I was slightly nervous but once I was up the front it is amazing what God puts on your heart when you start speaking. I think the translator had a slight problem at first with my Welsh accent, but she soon picked it up. There were 11 women and it is such a good system as this training is for them to take back with them so they can train others. The love that these women have for God is amazing. It really does open your eyes to see that even though these women may have nothing, they are so rich in spirit. The presence of God was felt throughout the training and I was truly blessed by this experience. I was able to use my puppet in the churches we went to and their faces just lit up every time they saw it.
I was able to pray for the sick and share the love I have for God with so many people. I love the African dancing and singing and I hope to bring it back to Wales. One Sunday, Sandra and I took bubbles to show the children in the village, they were amazed by them and their faces were full of smiles.
This whole experience out here in Malawi has been an amazing blessing to me, words can’t describe how overwhelming it has been. Malawi suffers so much, nothing is easy here but the buzz and joy I’ve seen in people’s lives who truly believe in God is just so encouraging. The humble and giving attitudes of the people out here is something which I hope to take back with me. I believe that since I’ve been here many seeds have been sown, I’m now handing it over to God to water those seeds. I can say that I will definitely be back!!
