Our dear friends. We would like to begin by sending our best wishes to you and prayers that 2010 will be a year of great blessing from our Lord, and thanking those of you who have sent news via the internet, and some who actually sent Christmas cards! We found it an interesting exercise to try and guess who the senders were from the writing on the envelope-must be getting old!!

Family news :- In September 2009 we came of age in Africa-21years.Not sure whether we have the' key to the door'-- in fact pretty certain we haven't! Africa and Africans continue to surprise. Thank God for the fact that 'Jesus knew what was in man----' etc. May we continue to be His humble learners.

In November we were planning to take a break in South Africa, and meet Martin's sister and her husband. Just prior to this Marian was diagnosed with a parotid gland tumour which needed immediate excision. How wonderfully the Lord undertook-up to that point there was no specialist in Malawi. A general surgeon said he could operate but would rather not-(the op is delicate and entails laying open the facial nerve which controls among other things eye and mouth movement etc.) A scan had been done and to confirm the diagnosis this man sent the images to his son-in-law who happens to be a top radiologist with the U.S. navy. Then even better news - a Brazilian 'face and neck' surgeon who had been planning to work in Sierra Leone decided instead to come to Malawi .The man was a Christian, had just done a similar op. and in the theatre he offered up prayer before the op. all was successful. How good is the Lord!

We did go to S.A. but had to fly rather than drive. Our daughter Joanna and husband joined us there. Unfortunately Tom,(sports coach, P.E .teacher, and Mr Outdoor man), severed the tendon in his right arm, necessitating an operation - will not be right they say for a year. On top of that I,(Martin) have severe tendonitis in both upper arms/shoulders.

Any who know me and the practical work that surround us will understand I find this frustrating to say the least. But the Lord is still good!! Much of this letter seems to be about family so I think I must move on to:-

Country news:- This is interesting. During November when we were planning to drive to S.A. the whole country ran out of diesel! .Many hours were wasted queuing only to arrive at the pump to find all sold. A few weeks later - no petrol! The president won a landslide election victory recently and there is now no effective parliamentary opposition. He closed all the independent Forex bureaux in August saying that the Asians were cornering all the hard currency. None have been allowed to re-open However he has bought a private jet plane and apparently lent Zimbabwe K200 million US$. Some tobacco buyers have been deported, and the title 'Ngwazi' now appears before the President's title.(This was the title Dr Hastings Banda, Life President of Malawi used).So where is it all going to? Our recent visit to Immigration enquiring after our Permanent Resident Permit revealed that 'some papers have been lost'-we are told to re-submit whatever we have asap-you will remember our case of personal documents was stolen in March 2008 so we don't have much to submit!

Church news:- Things seem to have continued well in our absence .We will be sending further students to the Evangelical College of Malawi for some basic training and are thankful for extra sponsorship from unknown donors to facilitate this.

We were very happy to host a visit from Jeremy and Joyce Clarke in Oct/Nov .Our visitors ministered at the District Pastor's meeting, the churches, the widows meetings and Marian's ladies meeting. Thank you J&J for coming and the work you did Jerry on the bikes for our pastors. Points for prayer;-

*Our future here or wherever.

* Marian's health in particular- recovery seems slow.

* Students settling into college and support for their wives and families while they are away from home.

We send you our love in the Lord Jesus.

Martin and Marian

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Dear Friends and supporters .

We hope you are all well and rejoicing in the Lord. Time for a little update from us here as we await the coming of the rains.

Family news :- We are both fairly well and enjoying some 'mod.cons' in this house e.g fairly constant water, good security and other 'blessings' like lovely bird life in the garden that our heavenly father has seen fit to provide for us at this time.

We were very pleased to be able to drive to Zimbabwe staying at Nyanga for one night early in September en route to Grace Valentine's wedding to Bruce Campbell. Great to see old friends John and Celia, and several others who remembered us from our time in Zim 15 years ago. Sad to see the effects of the traumas farmers and others had passed through including physical attacks and murder of loved ones. All trading done now in US dollars and plenty in the shops if you have the money!! How the village people survive we cannot imagine!!

Church news:- We have just had a short visit from Dr Miles Thomas, Chairman of Chisomo Trust, UK and Martin Simpson. culminating in a 4 day conference for Rock Springs Baptist Mission. About 200 were present with the visitors and myself sharing the preaching ministry. We felt the Lord was glorified, some good work done in hearts and that the whole thing was well put together considering the almost total lack of space and facilities,(e.g. all water had to be fetched, and cooking was on the traditional fire of three stones in the open air.)

About four weeks before the above, the roof timber work on the church/orphan shelter at Pastor Chambo's was in process, and in addition ,office shelves, and toilet doors .at the New Life H/Q Very pleased to say the roof is now on that building and the 40-60 orphans who meet daily for porridge and some schooling, mentioned in our last letter, are now sheltered from the sun, wind, dust and,( soon to come) heavy rain. Thanks Peter Leloup for giving up your time, energy and finance to this - wish there were more like you!

District pastors meetings:- Since Phill Harvey is no longer with us I(Martin), am doing all the teaching in these. We are happy that the Lord has continued to provide the finance for this as we feel they are very important. As well as ministry there is opportunity for the brothers,(and occasional sister or two),to get into each others hearts. Just a day before the next meeting, we are hosting a special day with a film, the evening before and 'practical' demonstrations on a minimum tillage system of farming called ,'Farming God's Way'. This system seeks among other things to do away with much of the making of ridges - on which Malawians traditionally plant and to minimise the use of chemical fertiliser which is so expensive now in Malawi.

The fortnightly meetings with the local widows continue with about 60 attending every week. It is a great opportunity for the gospel especially as their time comes to pass from this earth- we trust to something far better!!

Marian has started a tambourine band with her ladies meeting. First public performance was at the above mentioned RSBM conference, where she also took the 'ladies circle' ministry meeting.

Lots more to say as usual but time to sign off we send our love in Jesus to all who receive this-thank you for your support.

Martin and Marian

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Food relief at Kachule village

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