The April St Mary’s Evening provided an opportunity for us to hear an update from Steven and Jo Wheatley, partners in mission with St Mary’s and living in a Nanjoka, a community near to Lake Malawi in Malawi.
We had hoped to have a live interview, but unfortunately this was not possible on the night and instead we were able to watch a video of them. Nevertheless, it was good to see their faces and hear their voices – and there was quite a funny moment when one of their dogs Mowgli arrived and wanted to take part! The fact that we had to see them in this recorded video does remind us that the environment they live in in Nanjoka is very basic, with none of the many comforts we take for granted here in Maidenhead and the UK.
Indeed, life recently in Malawi has been made quite difficult for the people there due to a mixed rainy season. Initially the rains were good, but didn’t last very long and even though they did return, the expectations for the harvest this year are not wonderful. As most of the locals rely completely on what they grow and what they can store for later in the year, or sell for essentials, this results in a lot of concern and stress in the community. Steven and Jo would really value your prayer in this area for wisdom as they seek to help where they can – both physically where possible, and spiritually by sharing God’s love and his desire for justice and mercy.
They would also value your prayer for the church in the area they live and the pastors and elders within it. Training in God’s word and how to share it effectively is sometimes patchy, and often it can feel like a struggle as Steven and Jo try to encourage and support the leaders amongst the local fellowships. It might take seeds a long time to grow, and ultimately God’s promises will only be fully appreciated when we are in heaven.
Jo is still busy helping in a number of clinics, supporting children and their families as they cope with disabilities. This can be very demanding work, often with little progress seen amongst those who are most in need. Resources are very limited, and hunger and malnutrition make this all the worse. Please pray that her work will bear fruit – in whatever form, physically or spiritually, as the Lord wishes it.
2025 will see the end of their posting in Malawi – so they will probably be returning to the UK at the end of the year. What happens next is definitely up to God; again, they would so value your prayers as they seek his will for their lives in what comes next. Their hearts are very much in Africa and amongst its people, having spent something like 40 years there. God definitely has plans for them: may he open the right doors over the next months.
Steven and Jo, along with us and all Christians round the world, have just celebrated Easter, and so it seems appropriate to echo the words they use at the end of their recent prayer letter:
“He is not here, he is risen.” (Matthew 23:6)
Indeed, it is only because Jesus is risen that we can have confidence to continue to serve and worship our God – may Steven and Jo know that deep in their hearts over the next months as they prepare for this major adjustment in their lives.
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) or ask at the Church Office.