As many of us know, Steven and Jo Wheatley have recently returned to the UK after serving God faithfully for over 40 years in Africa – most recently in Malawi, but also in Mozambique, Zambia and Nigeria. They have been working for the mission organisation SIM and will continue to work with them until the end of the year. Right now they are visiting their supporting churches, such as St Mary’s, and other individuals who have walked alongside them during this period.
It was good to hear from Jo at the September St Mary’s Evening as she gave us a brief recap of what both of them have done over those 40 years. Unfortunately, Steven was not able to attend as he was feeling unwell, but Jo provided an enthusiastic and insightful overview of all God has been doing through them during this time.
Jo was able to share that having left Malawi her work as a physiotherapist was being continued by a local Malawian, Chisomo. This was wonderful to hear, as often when missionaries move on from somewhere, keeping in contact and seeing how God has continued to work can be very difficult. Jo asks us to pray for him as he helps the young and disabled – often they can be overlooked as resources in Malawi are very scarce.
Please pray too for the local church they have left – pray for wisdom for the leaders and for the congregation to really commit to their walk with the Lord. The church is in a very difficult area, with a strong animist religious culture, and being a Christian there can be quite hard. Pray too for the local pastors – training is not very extensive, and this was one area Steven worked on. May God bring forward pastors who really want to understand the Bible and are able to share that knowledge with others. Steven saw some fruit in this area, but it requires continued prayer. Also please pray for Malawi as a country – the economy is very fragile, and many people are very dependent on the harvest and the weather.
Also please pray for Steven and Jo as they seek God’s wisdom as to their next steps. They would love to continue to work with SIM supporting missionaries as they prepare to serve in Africa, or return for furloughs in the UK, or leave the mission field. SIM are looking at ways they could develop this work – Steven and Jo pray that
they might be able to be part of that, as they have many years of experience in helping missionaries adjust to the culture and environment where they will be living. But so far this is only in discussion, and concrete details are not finalised. In the meantime, please pray for them both as they travel around the country. They will spend some time soon based in St Neots but beyond that there are no definite plans. During this period please pray that Steven and Jo would find refreshment (they have moved many times and this is very tiring) and soon get a sense of where God is leading them.
Also please pray for them as a family – their daughter Sarah has had ongoing health issues but is now quite settled in Chester working in a school there. Peter, their son, lives in Vancouver and is married to Lina with a daughter Sariah, but Canada is a long way away!