The dancing began at the offering. As the leader called each group up by their region—including Canada—people filed down their aisle to leave their gifts to God. On the way back, some of the old women began to shuffle joyfully. A moment later, a parade began through the side doorway. Several people, all balancing basins on their heads, brought maize, flour, ground nuts and the other fruits of their labours. As they approached the celebration begins in earnest.
But it quickly becomes a moment of humility for the Canadian guests. As the offerings were collected they were counted, and the amounts read allowed. Those who tried to slip more into the plate by wrapping a larger bill in a smaller one found themselves quickly exposed, and applauded by members of the impoverished church.
That evening it was the Canadian youth who led a Bible study. They chose a well-known passage in Luke. The short but profound story of the widow who, in the midst of the wealthy who come to offer great gifts, slips two small copper coins into the temple donations. (Luke 21:1-4) For those who had given from their wealth that morning, the story took on a new resonance.
“I was angry when I realized they would be reading the numbers aloud,” team leader Heather Paton said. “It meant the focus was on money when it should have been on God. But then I got angry that this is the way the world works; that money becomes the focus where it shouldn’t be.”
“To show our love to our friends is why we give to each other,” said Trinity Mbaloma, one of the Malawian youth.
There are more ways to give than money, the young people suggested. There are gifts of time and talent, or prayer and hope.
“I’m not entirely sure what I’m giving,” Canadian Sarah Smith admitted. “But I know I’m getting a sense of worship as a lifestyle. You all live your faith so vibrantly.”
Magan Haycock agreed. “What the Presbyterian Church in Canada gets from the Malawian church is inspiration. Even before I came, I heard about the size of your congregations when ours are declining.”
Even Nansato, the small rural church where they had spent the morning, with its concrete benches amid chipping paint, holds two packed services each Sunday. But just beyond the current church, the shell of a new church stands waiting to be finished. Many buildings in Malawi are constructed bit by bit as money becomes available. This one had taken three years so far, and it was built with money provided by foreigners.
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