2/1/06 - The Pastor, his Family, Sis West and Bro Robert/Sis Linda Silvey headed for San
Francisco International Airport. The Pastor was hoping to have one last good American meal at
Fisherman's Wharf. His stomach had different ideas as he was unable to eat and watched us
all eat crab and shrimp and the like. At 3:30, the Pastor said teary goodbyes to his children,
wife and the rest of us. We were sad to see him go, but proud of his desire to do the work of
the Lord. He was able to get through security and we waved a last goodbye.
Here are some pictures from the Airport:
The Pastor with his family just before take-off.
Our Pastor - Taking the Word of God into Africa. "Go Ye into all the world..."
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2/2/06 - Pastor landed safely in London, England and decided to spend his 8 hour lay-over
seeing the sites in London. The easiest form of travel was "the tube" (a subway???). He saw
London Bridge, Westminster Abbey and a couple other sites. He decided to head back to the
airport early because it was snowing and cold and he did not have winter clothes on. He left
that afternoon, and after a couple connecting flights, arrived safely at the compound in Malawi.
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2/3/06 - Pastor has spent one day and one night on the compound. No new news to report.
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2/4/06 - Pastor provided the following information to his wife:
Kwatani was pastor of a church in the village of Cherawzu for 6 years. He passed away. He
was having surgery on his prostate and didn't make it through the procedure. They went to
see the body and visit the family. The burial will be on Mon. They had to travel about 5 hours
round trip to see them. They will have dinner at about 9 pm and off to bed.
Sunday, 2/5/06, they will get up at 4 AM to pray and prepare for the day. After breakfast, they
will travel about 3 1/2 hours to Mehawka to preach. They will try to preach at several churches
that day.
Upcoming on Tuesday, 2/6/06, Pastor, Bro. Padilla and Bro. Halliman will go to the Mozambique
consulate to get visas for all of them. This takes about a week.
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2/6/06 - Here is a report from the Pastor's wife:
I spoke to Pastor for about 25 minutes. It was so good to hear his voice.
Sunday (2/5/06) They traveled 4 hours and about 55 miles to the village of Lihaka. It had
rained the night before and the roads were full of mud. They preached for Abusa (which means
pastor) Ural Phiri Sidi. The last song sung was the one that we know and sing. He was very
blessed by this. He shared with the church about his family and that they sing that song. The
people were excited. They left at 5:15 am and got back at 6:15 pm. They picked up several
Pastors for the funeral on their way back.
Monday (2/6/06) They left at 4 am for the funeral. It was for Abusa Quatani who was also the
chief of the village. He pastored LMBC of Quatani. Pastor had time to visit with some of the
Pastors before the funeral and question them on doctrine. He found them to be sound and was
blessed by this time. Abusa Quatani was Dixon's Pastor and so he led the service. Chris was
asked to preach the message. He was awed by this. They estimated that there were about
800 people at the service. Amazing!!
On the way back Pastor enjoyed great fellowship with Peter. They had a time of iron
sharpening iron and found each other to be quite sharp. Amen.
Tuesday (2/7/06) They will go to see if the suitcase came. If you call, they say they will get
back to you, but they never do. They will get their visas for Mozambique and hope to leave on
Fri. Brother Peter and Pastor will be there a week. They will spend the next few days working
around the compound and preparing for that trip. He hopes to get online on Tuesday to send
pictures and check email.
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2/8/06 - Today was a great day as far as having the ability to speak to the Pastor over email
for the first time on this trip. Furthermore, we gathered after our Wednesday evening services
and called Pastor on Bro Joe's phone. Pastor is getting along great but he is also planning
some very strenuous and rural trips in the coming days. Tomorrow, he, Bro Joe and their
interpreter Bro Eric are heading into the bush for three days to preach to three different
churches and anyone else who will come. Upon his return, he will head out with Bro Peter for a
week long trip into Mozambique. While on email, Pastor sent us this photo of him preaching in
one of the Churches. He also sent Friendship the following message:
Dear FMBC Family,
I pray this email finds you in great spirits and walking close with our Lord and Savior who gave all for
us, and it demands that we give all to Him in return. I write this after having left Sacramento just 5
days ago. It is Monday evening, yet it seems that I have been here for much longer than that. I
stop and think that I only left last Wednesday and it took me 2 days to get here. And I only gained a
half day , arriving at 11:00 on Friday.
The first day wound up being a settling in day. Since I did not have my main suitcase, it only took
about 30 minutes. Bro Peter took me to show me the farm. The man is a visionary and he never
stops. His decisions are well planned and prudent. He is ever in motion from the time he gets out
of bed until he settles back into bed.
The 3 days following my arrival have been so filled with excitement and numerous events that it has
taken 24 pages in my journal to cover only the high points of the days.
Each day starts at 4:00AM This is a time for personal Bible study and prayer until about 5:30 when
we eat breakfast. Then from 6:00AM to about 7:00PM is cram packed with activities. Then it is time
to clean up and eat dinner and fellowship. That time flies and by 9:00PM you are ready to crash.
In brief, We have traveled all over Blantyre. We had an 11 hour round trip to preach in the village of
Lihaka. I enjoyed the greatest session of iron sharpening iron I ever have. In summary, Bro.
Halliman can in no way be a heretic since he just like me!! :)
I was privileged to preach a funeral for a pastor and tribal chief named Abusa (pastor) Quatani. He
was Peter’s great friend and a huge asset to the work in Malawi that drew a funeral crowd of more
than 800 people, not including children. I honored him by preaching the gospel he lived. I am
leaving much detail out, but have it in my journal, along with pictures that I will share upon my
return.
The only agony in it all is that I miss my family and I miss you all very much. I am aching over the
situation that one of our dear families are enduring because I am not able to be there to help. I
rejoice in the early reports of Bro. Joseph Jaco’s diligence in filling my position in my absence. I do
miss you all and look forward to our being together again.
I cannot thank you all enough for the opportunity you have provided me to follow the leading of the
Lord to this place to work with Bro Joe and Bro Peter. The Lord is graciously shaping my own life and
walk and blessing me with the great joy to preach the Word on the other side of the world. Thank
you for letting me “go into all the world…”
I am praying for you all daily and request you do the same for me as well.
I have one request…everybody give everybody else there a hug for my. I love you all.
Abusa Silvey
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2/10/06 - The Pastor's wife spoke to the Pastor today. He and Bro Joe's trip to "the bush" got
cut short. They visited the first Church on their scheduled journey and had services with them.
Some of the men from the second Church they were to visit showed up at the first Church and
told them there was no one at the second Church because they were out seeking employment.
Those men from the second Church met with them at the first Church's services. When they
were ready to leave, they decided to head to the third Church on their planned journey when
they came to a river where the bridge was out. The drove several hours seeking a way around
that obstacle but there was none. They spoke with a police officer who asked them of their
destination and he confirmed they could not reach it. The police officer asked where they were
heading back to because he had an off duty policeman who need a ride to Blantyre. Since they
were returning to Blantyre they gave the off duty policeman a ride and they talked with him
about the Bible. Turns out he knew the Bible very well and they had a great time of fellowship.
"And we know all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called
according to His purpose." Rom 8:28
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2/14/06 - Deacon Silvey constructed a list of questions that are the most common that he has
heard pondered around the Church. Here are the questions and the Pastor's responses:
1) Describe your living conditions.
a - I have my own room in Peter's house. It is the one Joe stayed in until he moved next door.
It has 4 drawers and a chair. Actually the bed is comfortable. After a week, he brought a fan
into my room - praise the Lord!! When we are in the bush, we are camping in tents.
2) Describe what you are typically eating.
a - Peter pays a boy by the name of Winston to cook the meals and clean the house everyday.
He pays him $60 a month, but he is worth $600. He is a great cook and I have eaten very well.
Everything is natural and fresh and well rounded. So I am feeling great. I am pretty sure I
have lost some weight already, but will definitely drop some poundage in Mozambique this
week and next.
3) How much are you preaching?
I have preached 6 times since I have arrived and have preached one funeral for one of the
pastors in front of 800 adults and who knows how many children. My intensity grows with each
new sermon. Edwin is my favorite interpreter because he will use all the same gestures I do
and just as loud or intense as I do. And he loves to sing and praise the Lord. The sight of my
guitar made him light up. When I played and sang Dzina la Yesu, he shouted. We have sung
that song at every service since. Eric also loves signing praises to God with the guitar. I am
glad I brought it.
4) Has anyone been saved under your preaching and the convicting power of the Holy Spirit?
I have not seen a public confession of salvation, however I know that there has been revival in
the churches and pastors. The funeral service was a very intense gospel message, we will
never know what seed will come from that. But I do know that I have been His prophet to
these people already, and pray only for His will and His glory.
5) How long are your sermons with being translated?
About 1:15. My last sermon to the pastors yesterday was only 15 minutes or less, but I was
dripping wet, had no voice left, and the men shouted and jumped up and started praising God.
Hallelujah!!!!
6) Have you done any driving/riding the motorcycle?
Not til we get back form Mozambique. I will be doing a lot of bicycle riding in Mozambique. It
will be very hot and humid there. I guess Malawi is just the "stretching exercise" with regards
to heat, humidity and mosquitoes!!!
7) Describe the weather.
Hot and humid, I am always sweating. But it is not intolerable. It really does remind me of a
humid Hawaii (just don't look around you, plug your ears and don't sniff...! ). I have seen some
pretty intense rain and got some great shots of a lightning storms striking over and over in a
huge cloud.
8) Describe Bro Joe's physical condition. Do you have a picture?
He is still heavy, but not as bad as when he left. Here is a picture of Joe with his truck.
9) Describe Bro Joe's spiritual condition (growth?)
He has grown and learned a lot. But he also has a ways to go. He has been very willing to
listen to my council and take it to heart.
10) Describe the condition of the missionary efforts of Bro Joe. And the same of Bro Peter.
The two are working in the same work. The only difference is that sometimes they divide up
when visiting churches. I can tell you that I have an even stronger respect for both of them,
and especially Peter. His intensity for serving the Lord matches and even rivals my own. He
deserves triple the pay he gets and, even then, he still wouldn't spend it on himself. He lives
exactly what he preaches. It is not a show for me who is visiting, you can't make this stuff up.
11) How many Churches/indigenous preachers exist?
All the churches have their own pastor except for the post left behind by pastor Quatani. There
are 32 in Malawi and 15 in Mozambique.
12) Did they find your luggage?
It was found and they did not check it. Everything was present. Praise the Lord!!
13) Have you been to the farm property? Describe it and what is needed there.
I have been there. It is in two words, perfect & impressive. I am confident that it is a Godsend.
Much is needed there. I will have full video including his tour. I think Joe is committed to it.
Pray to that end. More to come on this one....
14) What are the immediate needs of the work from your perspective?
Every dollar is used of the Lord and for His work. Peter is the most unselfish person I have
EVER met and Joe is learning. They take care of 47 churches and their pastors in every
emergency. Money is well used and goes fast. I just handed them mine and said use it. I
bought a container of ice cream as a surprise. Peter's eyes got like trash can lids and he said
he hadn't had any since returning. He is as real as it gets. I am ashamed of my greediness and
comforts.
This is one of the greatest experiences of my life. It is worth its weight in gold.
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2/21/06 - Report from Pastor:
Dear Church and all family and friends who are following this journey.
I have completed the first 2 and a half weeks of this trip and the time is swiftly coming to close.
The experiences I have enjoyed and the leadership of the Lord and the Holy Spirit has proven
itself over and over and I have no doubt that God has me here for his purpose.
He has placed me in this 3rd world classroom to teach me that it is His work, done where and
how He chooses, by the people of his choosing. And, at the end of the day, the purpose is so
that His elect in this country can be reached with the Gospel message of our blessed savior
Jesus Christ.
I have been brought to tears when I look at His handiwork in motion-not just in the majesty of
this countries landscape, but even more so in the heart of His people here.
We have just returned from a 6-day journey southwest into Mozambique. The trip is a grueling
9-hour journey. Most of the roads are dirt and full of potholes and obstacles. The weather was
unseasonably hot for this time of the year. The hottest we say was the last day when we hiked
4 miles roundtrip to present the gospel to a new work there. The temperature was 115
degrees and nearly 100% humidity. It will be a long time before I complain of any type of heat
in the U.S. For that reason, I was glad when we returned to the cooler weather of Blantyre.
During our six days, we visited 9 different villages preaching the word. Since 2 days were spent
traveling, it really pinched the visits into 4 days. I preached in the following villages:
Date Village Pastor Sermon
2/17 Dyoka Stephanos Your are bought with a price
2/17 Gadodoni 1 Franciscos The Watchmen and the reality of Hell.
2/17 Gadodoni 2 Pedro Peter preached here
2/18 Maloti Shiku Tali The Love of God Compels Us
2/18 Gadodoni 1 Franciscos Peter Preached here.
2/19 Bompuna Marakos Be Strong in the Lord
2/19 Kukoti Musakaonza The church Model from Jerusalem in Acts 2
2/19 Nepiyalo Elia Obeying the Command of God to go. He provides the increase.
2/20 Villabogai Monish Augustros The Love of Christ that saves His people.
I rode the motorcycle all the way back through the border and back into Malawi. It was a 3-
hour ride like going through Baja. For me, it was a blast. We got back in late on Monday
evening and got a shower and then just laid on my bed with the fan going and praised the lord
for cooler weather.
However, the trip was very successful and we preached until we ran out of churches to visit. In
3 days we will be back on the road to Mozambique east for just a couple days. Joe and I will be
visiting the two churches that he baptized and organized before returning to Malawi. Then we
will visit another church the last Sunday, shopping on Monday for souvenirs, climb the 10000-
foot Mt. Mulanje on Tuesday, and prepare for departure Wed. I leave Malawi on Thurs morning
and arrive in San Francisco Sat afternoon.
I know it will be here before you know it. On one hand, the time has flown by and I can’t
believe it is coming to a close. On the other hand, it seems like I have been here for so long
and I cannot wait to get back to you all.
I love you all very much and am thankful for the opportunity to serve here. It really has
changed me in the best possible ways.
I want to especially thank Bro. Jaco for his hard work and dedication to the work at FMBC in my
absence, It is a very good learning experience for him, but also, I trust you are all praying for
him. He is getting a taste of what it means to be a pastor and I think he is surprised how much
work is involved. Please keep that in mind as you call upon him. Not to take away from all he
has done, but that you would keep him in your prayers and encourage him in the great work he
is doing. And to everyone else that has stood up and taken part in helping the church, my
family, etc. THANK YOU!! I am praying that God will just pile on His blessings for your dedication
and faithfulness.
I am looking forward to seeing you all in the Lord’s house on the 5th. I have so much to share
with you all. I love you all very much.
Pastor.
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2/24/06 - Pastor and Bro Joe headed towards Mozambique East. The road they were to
travel was washed out. Some natives pointed them down an alternate road. After travelling a
short distance down the alternate road, they got stuck in the mud. The following are the
pastor's comments and some pictures (click the embedded links) of that adventure.
For the first time, I did not think I was coming back. We got stuck out in the middle of nowhere
with 4 guys looking on. They could have robbed us and killed us and no one would ever have
found us. We offered them 50 Kwache each (about 45 cents) and they gladly helped. I can't tell
you how anxious I was all that day. Then the sunlight just proves God is in control and
everything will be all right.
We are all glad the Pastor and Bro Joe made it through this harrowing event. The Pastor will
spend his final Sunday in Africa on 2/26. On Monday, he plans to climb Mt. Mulanje with Peter
and "the boys" and then on Tuesday he plans to do some shopping for souvenirs. On
Wednesday, he will pack and prepare for the trip home that begins on Thursday. He will arrive
in San Francisco around 1:15PM on Saturday.
We are very proud of our Pastor. He has expressed that he has grown spiritually in Africa. The
members at FMBC know that he was well prepared for this trip and we have seen spiritual
growth in him on a monthly basis. As our Pastor returns to FMBC, we all know he went over to
Africa to accomplish the Lord's will. He took the Gospel with him and preached as often as he
could. We welcome him back to the fold.
"...Beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel..." Romans 10:15
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2/27/06 - Pastor's Final Report.
Dearest family, church family and friends,
This will be my final report for activities during my stay here. I have come to my final week and
the shortness of the time here becomes more obvious.
Part of me wishes that I had another 2 months to continue here. I would be able to help the
missionaries move a majority of their items form the compound to the farm and could even help
with the beginnings of the harvest. But even more important, I would like to have visited all the
churches that are working for the Lord here in Malawi and Mozambique.
I have already begun praying that if the Lord wills it, I will be able to return again. I don't know
when it would be, I know that I would like to return.
The other part of me is very glad to be wrapping up and retuning home. I am torn between the
two for all the right reasons.
This week is another busy one as has been the first three. Today, we actually will act like
tourists. We plan to pack up the vehicle with overnight gear and two of the motorcycles. We
are hoping to climb Mt. Mulanje today and reach the summit before nightfall. We want to get
sunset pictures overlooking the valley.
Tomorrow we will come down early in the morning and get on the motorbikes. Our plan is to
head back to Mozambique and reach the church we did not locate last week. Based on the
timing of our arrival and the ability for the church to gather, we will have services and return to
Malawi the same day. If we cannot make this happen, we will stay the night and have services
on Wednesday with them. We will then return to Malawi on Wednesday.
On Thursday, I will do some shopping for items I want to bring back with me and to pick up
items others have asked for. I will then pack up my suitcases in preparation for my return flight.
I leave Malawi early Friday morning for a short flight to Johannesburg. I then have a 7 hour
layover waiting for the British Airways flight to London. I intend to stay inside the airport for the
layover as Joberg is a very dangerous city and I don't want to get into trouble. Then the flight
to London and a 5 hour layover there before I get on the final flight to San Francisco landing
back in the USA at 1:30 on Saturday.
I truly look forward to being home with my family and the Church and worshipping back home.
Once again, I am truly grateful to Friendship MBC and our Lord for making this trip possible and
allowing me to see the work of the Lord first hand here in Africa.
I am truly grateful for all the hard work of those that stood up to be counted in helping to cover
services in my absence and to help with the needs of the church family.
May God bless you all and I will see you on Sunday.
- Pastor
Some recent pictures:
Bro Padilla Preaching
Bro Halliman Preaching
An indigenous, local New Testament Church in Africa
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3/2/6 - This is the final word we heard from Pastor. The final trip to Mozambique East on the
motorcycles did not go well. They had problem with the motorcycles because of the excess
water they had to ride through due to flooding. Because of this, they did not reach their
intended destination. Word did; however, get to the Church members and they came to where
Pastor and Bro Halliman were stranded and they had services there.
Following the services, Peter had to ride a Bicycle 15 miles to the where they parked the truck
they used to haul the motorcycle. Pastor decided he would get the motorcycle to a point
where the truck could reach him, so he pushed the motorcycle 6 miles. They loaded it up and
headed back to Mt Mulanje and spent the night. From there, they returned to the Malawi
compound.
At the time of this entry, the Pastor is sleeping and will arise to go to Malawi Airport and fly to
Johannesburg (12:15AM 3/3/06 PST). He has a layover in "Jo-burg" of 7 hours, then flies to
Paris and on to San Francisco where his family will greet him and bring him home. Please pray
for the Pastor during his travels. - Bro Robert.
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