A letter from Martha Sommers in Malawi
November 2011
Dear friends and family,
It is 8 pm, and I am at a friend’s house in Lilongwe, awaiting word of whether or not my friends have succeeded in obtaining petrol for my car. They went at 4 am this morning with some jerry cans and money, following leads on where a tanker might arrive. If they do succeed, I will be able to attend my meeting and return to Ekwendeni. Last night we had failed after following up three leads, and the vehicle, with the red light signaling it is out of fuel, is parked. These days and weeks with no fuel at the fuel stations, black market fuel sometimes contaminated and always expensive and sometimes shut down by the government, and fights at the fuel stations when the fuel does arrive leave everyone frustrated.
The president’s wife famously remarked that most of the population does not own cars, so they should not be concerned about the out-stocking of petrol and diesel. This fueled increasing anger, with many editorials pointing out that fuel is needed to transport goods and people to and from the villages, to run ambulances, and to keep hospital generators running during the increasing blackouts. At Ekwendeni Hospital alone our regular mobile clinics to do preventive under-5 care, antenatal care, and family planning in the villages are usually canceled. Nurses have had to give care some nights by candlelight. Emergency surgeries are more frequently being done with the help of flashlights. Most frustratingly, the staff and families have had to watch patients’ conditions deteriorate and patients die who were improving with the help of oxygen concentrators when no diesel was available to keep the generator running.
Malawians, already living in one of the ten poorest countries in the world, are anxious. The scarcity of fuel and Forex worsens the economy and severely limits essential imports such as medicines. The violence during the July 20th demonstrations, a rash of arsons at the city markets and targeting activists, and the recent murder of a student activist and the closure of the main campus of the University of Malawi over academic freedom make people fear for the future. Published quotes attributed to the president, including that the antigovernment protesters are working for Satan and that he was naming a “war cabinet,” add to the tension.
We know we are far from the peace on earth proclaimed by the heavenly hosts on Christmas. During this time of Advent, as we prepare for Christmas, please pray for Malawi, as we hopefully move toward peace. Pray for the softening of hard hearts. Pray for the courage of those targeted for telling the truth. Pray for the on-again, off-again U.N. mediated negotiations. Pray for the people, longsuffering and losing patience. Pray for positive change.
Wishing all a joyous Christmas and New Year.
Martha
Addendum: My friend did succeed in getting petrol. Police at one point fired above people’s heads as there was lots of fighting, pushing and yelling. The attendants would only sell 10 liters of fuel to those in line without a fight and usually a bribe. Besides those who have lost their lives, the minibus drivers and taxi drivers are certainly losing their livelihood.
The 2011 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 67
The 2012 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 106
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