At our last St Mary’s Evening we had the great opportunity to catch up with two of our long-term mission partners, Steven and Jo Wheatley, who are living in a small town called Nanjoka in Malawi. It was a joy to Zoom into their front room and hear from them live (thanks to God for amazing technology) …… as they updated us on what’s been happening in their lives and what God is doing in that area of Africa.
Steven and Jo have been partners in mission with St Mary’s for many years and have a deep heart for Africa. They are currently in Malawi, but have previously been based in Mozambique, and have also lived in other parts of Southern Africa. Last Thursday we heard how they are getting on in their current location, having returned there only recently having spent a couple of months on furlough in the UK over Christmas. Life in the region they are in can be hard for many of those who live there, as most rely on locally harvested food to get enough to eat and sell to live on. Currently the rains have been poor causing concern for the harvest and whether there will be sufficient to get them through the remainder of the year.
The church Steven and Jo attend has been without a pastor for some time now, but they just heard that someone will be coming to take over the leadership of the church, so that’s great news. His name is Blessings Milisi and he has a wife and children, so we should definitely pray that he and his family settle in quickly and that God uses them to bless and lead the church well in that area.
It’s quite full on for them both as they help support local pastors and also participate in many practical activities in and around the area they live in. Sometimes it can be quite discouraging when people don’t come to church, or are reluctant to attend Bible studies, but Steven and Jo are seeing God do great things around them in many different ways. Jo also helps in local clinics for disabled children, and this work can be very demanding as facilities in the local area are very poor, but she is able to use the skills God has given her to make a difference in the lives of those she serves. Please pray that they can both be wise as to how they share their time and God’s love with those they live amongst.
Life in Africa can also be very different from life back in Maidenhead – recently they had trouble with baboons causing damage on the farm they live close to … that’s something we typically don’t have to be concerned about!
Please also pray for their children – their daughter Sarah is studying in Chester to be a teacher; their son Peter lives in Canada, and he and his wife Lina have been blessed recently with the arrival of baby Saraiah – so Steven and Jo are now grandparents!
In a recent update letter, Steve and Jo included this prayer, written by Teresa of Avila – it seems so appropriate for them and for us are we continue to support each other:
“Jesus, you alone are enough. I cast my fears on you this morning. You are my rock. You are my provider. Your presence and your love give me stability. Jesus, you alone are enough.”
If you want to find out more about Steven and Jo’s work, or be included in a regular email update they send out, please contact Chris Jobson (chris@jobsonfamily.org).