A letter from Debbie Chase in Malawi
June 2012
Dear Friends,
Warm greetings from Malawi!
As the College of Theology reached the conclusion of its academic year we remembered the challenges of the past year and we rejoiced in God’s gracious surprises that blessed our sometimes inadequate efforts and bore the fruit of new life. Much like the apostle Paul expresses in 1 Corinthians 3:6: We plant and water the seeds and it is God who gives the growth as we tend the garden of candidates for the ministry at the College of Theology.
Due to financial constraints at the college we began this past semester a month late and changed the academic calendar so that we would not lose a full month of teaching. Both students and faculty worked diligently to catch up and pack a full semester’s learning into a shorter period of time. Midway through the semester our students went on strike for a day because of concerns over a change in plans for graduation. In response to their revolt faculty members spent much time meeting with the students to address their concerns. Soon thereafter the college held a retreat. Students and lecturers gathered in prayer, sharing their joys and sorrows and visions for the future. In community we regained our focus and recommitted our energies to the preparation for the ministry to which we have been called.
Thus we ended this academic year on a high note of hope and renewal, and we rejoiced that 14 of our 36 students have completed their course of study in preparation for the ministry. Since we are a constituent college of the University of Livingstonia graduation will take place September 29, 2012, with College of Theology students graduating alongside the graduating students of the College of Education.
For the College of Theology, however, the celebrations began this past week with a special dinner Thursday evening in honor of the graduating students. It was a grand occasion, a time of rejoicing with singing and dancing, speeches and dramas, gift giving and giving thanks to God. The people of Malawi are pros at writing and enacting entertaining dramas, and our students are no exception. See the pictures of two of our students portraying (with a touch of humor) the conversion of a man who had lost his way in life and their fellow students watching and clearly enjoying the entertainment. A time of feasting and gift giving followed. Graduating students received a set of New Testament commentaries. All students received a book on human sexuality and marriage and another on breaking the silence, ending the stigma and preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS.
The celebrations continued on Sunday with those graduating being licensed to preach and serve as pastors of congregations. It was a meaningful service of worship in which these candidates for the ministry spoke words of solemn commitment to serve the Lord and the people of God, and a blessing was bestowed upon them. Following a year of faithful service in congregations they will be ordained as Ministers of the Word and Sacrament to serve the people of Malawi and people throughout the world wherever God leads.
Those of us who teach and sometimes wonder if we have made a difference were greatly encouraged by the moderator and deputy clerk of Ekwendeni Presbytery (congregational pastors) who officiated over this meaningfully service of worship and licensing. Both are former students. It was with great joy that we experienced their mature leadership and sound spirituality, giving thanks to God who gives the growth.
At the College of Theology our vision for the future does not diminish as we persevere through challenging times. At the end of July a new class of students will join our third-year diploma students and our third- and fourth-year bachelor degree students to begin the 2012-2013 academic year. As we go forward into God’s future we envision new programs and have plans to build a new dining hall. In all this we remember that we plant and water the seeds to give our students the knowledge and skills and spiritual guidance for their future ministries—and it is God who gives the growth, the gift of abundant life!
May God’s richest blessing be yours as you tend with love the garden that gives life to all God’s people!
Grace and Peace,
Debbie
Rev. Deborah A. Chase
The 2012 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 106
Write to Debbie Chase
