With God all things are possible in HIM! We have been able within two days to settle our housing situation and found a automobile to purchase that fits into our budget. God is good all the time and HIS Word tells us that HE is good to those that wait upon HIM. We have been in Malawi since 2-9-09 and have been looking everyday for housing & a car that we could afford. After looking at so many different ones, it became very tiresome indeed!
So, today as we attended CC Lilongwe, we were able to share our blessings with them in regard to our faithful heavenly Father and how HE always provides where HE guides. I began a series of teaching on Sunday mornings in the Book of Ephesians and on Wednesday nights will be doing a series out of Joshua as soon as the pastors Seminar is concluded on March 9th, being led by Pastor Demitri of CC Cape Town South Africa & Pastor Mike Portland of Paarl, South Africa.
There is a clear move of God here in Malawi and we as the Church of God can be a part of it in our prayers, our giving, and in our active participation in listening to what our Lord has to say to each of us individually. Nora & I are truly blessed to be here and watch the Holy Spirit work among His people, stirring them up to love and good works.
There is so much that can be done, so if you have any leadings from the Lord about coming to Malawi, for either short term or long term missions work, please contact us. You will be blessed. Please continue your prayers for us and we remain,
In HIM,
Steve & Nora
Steve & Nora
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Update # 2 from Malawi
12-24-09
We have been going everyday, attempting to find a house to rent and a vehicle to purchase and to date no success! Everything here is so expensive and everyone and everything moves at a much slower pace than we are accustomed to in the U.S. We have been out to visit outlining villages churches, outreaches in the village where Pastor Tom's church is located which has about 30,000 people, have had the blessing of teaching on three occasions, and just basically busy. The raining season is here and it has been raining a lot, but that has not stop what we are doing. A team from Cape Town South Africa led by Pastor Demitri will arrive on Monday and there will be a week long pastors seminar put on at CC Lilongwe. We have a team arriving March 28th from Calvary Chapel Monterey Bay, and another team from Germany in may, and a team from CC Wahiawa Hawaii in July.
Somewhere in between, I will begin the Pastoral Training & Discipleship School and Nora has assumed the leadership of the Women's Ministry and will be starting her training of the women at the same time. There is so much God is doing here and we are so blessed to be here. The people of Malawi are wonderful people, so eager to learn and very teachable.
The paryer needs we have are:
1. House to rent.
2. Car to purchase.
3. Pastor Seminar next week.
4. Getting more organized and in step with the leaders here.
5. God's annoiting on both Nora & I so we can be used by God as HE directs.
6. CC Lilongwe is in vital need of a used 4 wheeled drive vehicle to able to go out to outlining
villages.
More update later, keep us all in your prayers. Both Nora & I are well and very happy to be here.
Love,
Steve & Nora
We have been going everyday, attempting to find a house to rent and a vehicle to purchase and to date no success! Everything here is so expensive and everyone and everything moves at a much slower pace than we are accustomed to in the U.S. We have been out to visit outlining villages churches, outreaches in the village where Pastor Tom's church is located which has about 30,000 people, have had the blessing of teaching on three occasions, and just basically busy. The raining season is here and it has been raining a lot, but that has not stop what we are doing. A team from Cape Town South Africa led by Pastor Demitri will arrive on Monday and there will be a week long pastors seminar put on at CC Lilongwe. We have a team arriving March 28th from Calvary Chapel Monterey Bay, and another team from Germany in may, and a team from CC Wahiawa Hawaii in July.
Somewhere in between, I will begin the Pastoral Training & Discipleship School and Nora has assumed the leadership of the Women's Ministry and will be starting her training of the women at the same time. There is so much God is doing here and we are so blessed to be here. The people of Malawi are wonderful people, so eager to learn and very teachable.
The paryer needs we have are:
1. House to rent.
2. Car to purchase.
3. Pastor Seminar next week.
4. Getting more organized and in step with the leaders here.
5. God's annoiting on both Nora & I so we can be used by God as HE directs.
6. CC Lilongwe is in vital need of a used 4 wheeled drive vehicle to able to go out to outlining
villages.
More update later, keep us all in your prayers. Both Nora & I are well and very happy to be here.
Love,
Steve & Nora
Monday, February 16, 2009
Update from Steve & Nora
2-13-09
To all of our loved ones:
Nora & I arrived at the airport from South Africa on 2/9, greeted by Pastor Tom & members of his congregation. As we came out of customs, they broke out in songs of praise for us arriving to join them. That was followed by lots of hugs from everyone, & then we loaded a bus to drive to their church location. They sang the entire trip (30 minutes); you cannot envision the beautiful sounds they are able to make without any instrumentation. Absolutely marvelous and I know that it must have been pleasing to our Lords ears!! It sure was for Nora & I, as we made our way back into Lilongwe proper.
Their church facility is in the middle of their village, and it is able to seat over 200 people. Pastor Tom indicates it is full every Sunday & Wednesday for the services. There are several buildings on the property that house a Christian School, from K through 8 and also a High School 9-12. These buildings are very simple structures, but functional for their purposes. It is also where the Pastoral Training & Discipleship School will be located. We will be sending lots of pictures soon.
Pastor Tom is so organized as well as excited about what God seems to be preparing us all for in expanding the ministry into many parts of Malawi. Their needs are many, but they make use of what they have and do not let their lack from stopping them from sharing the gospel wherever they can get to, to do so. Pastor Tom and a group of other Pastors have planted 29 small little churches through out the surrounding areas. We will be updating what their needs are specifically, so if anyone who may be interested and able, might want to contribute towards. Lack of Bibles is a major issue. Any gifts toward any specific need can be handled through CCMB with a note attached stating what area of ministry their gift is to be directed. Please know all designated gifts are used only for that purpose and not used for general expenses. Getting to these places is very difficult and gasoline is roughly $10.00 per gallon. The necessity for a good 4 wheel drive or comparable vehicle is a real & current need to be able to travel in difficult terrain. Their roads are primarily very rough dirt roads and it is the rainy season right now, which starts in November & runs through March. Efficient/safe transportation is high on the prayer list in or out of the rainy season.
I taught this past Wednesday night at their mid-week service, followed up by Nora & I having dinner with all the fellowship. They are such a gracious people, full of the love of God! Our goal is to get to know them well as soon as possible, for in Africa, not much can be accomplished without first establishing a good relationship with the people. They are so ready to be taught in the depth of the Word, and Pastor Tom is so open to having that done in his fellowship.
The team from South Africa, led by Pastor Demitri from Cape Town, along with several other Pastors are coming to do a four day Pastor Seminar in early March. In addition, Laura Bomarito and Laurel Fuge will be arriving on March 28th and will stay for two weeks, using their medical skills within the church at CC Lilongwe as well other places. We are so blessed and excited about their upcoming trip, & they are taking their shots right now and have already purchased their airline tickets. PTL !!! We have also had some others tell us they might be coming in April and others in June.
So as one can see, God is not wasting any time getting more people involved in giving away the gifts they have been given by the Lord, to share with those who have so little. Both Nora & I are so extremely blessed that HE has allowed us to come & serve here in Malawi. After being picked up at the airport, we drove to Pastor Tom’s church facility, where we met yet additional people from the church, and both Nora & I had the opportunity to share with them through an interpreter, and to see their joy in their faces is a sight we will never forget!
We were then driven to Annie’s Lodge where we will be staying for a while until we have housing, which we hope & pray God will provide for us at a rental rate we can afford. We want a home where we can put up teams coming to minister here, so please pray that God will show us where and how! Later that evening a couple we met in 2007 while in Lilongwe invited us to their home for dinner. They are a Belgium family, Christophe & Sabine Horvath, along with three beautiful children, Jonas, Lila & Katayana. They are a most gracious and hospitable family. We were truly blessed by the whole day of events; God is truly blessing us and showing us we are just where HE wants us to be for this season.
Today (2/10) we are resting, praying and studying for tomorrow night at CC Lilongwe. We are at peace with our Lord and with each other, ready to begin in earnest this new chapter of our lives & ministry. Our entire trip over to both South Africa and now Malawi has gone without a problem. All of our bags were there when we arrived at each location, although one of them has been ruined due to hard handling, but we have not lost any of our belongings. Quite different than in our last trip here when our bag with all of our valuables was stolen in Johannesburg.
Oh, we have a wonderful story to share. When we were here in 2007, the manager of Annie’s Lodge, who is a Christian brother, attended all of our sessions we held there and was full of questions on each session. He shared with us that his heart was to be a full time minister of the gospel. So we prayed over him and asked God, if it was HIS will, to grant Joel the desires of his heart. Well, we just learned that he is now a full time minister, traveling all over Malawi as an evangelist and teacher! God is so good, praise HIS Holy name! We will be meeting with Joel in person on 2/13 to get up to date with he, his family and his ministry. His prayer for us in 2007 was that we would return to Malawi to teach his people, as he was so encouraged through our teachings. And lo and behold, here we are!
Thank you for your prayers and support, we have seen so many answers already. Continue to pray for open doors and receptive hearts as we move forward. God bless each one of you and we remain,
In HIM,
Steve & Nora Braselton
To all of our loved ones:
Nora & I arrived at the airport from South Africa on 2/9, greeted by Pastor Tom & members of his congregation. As we came out of customs, they broke out in songs of praise for us arriving to join them. That was followed by lots of hugs from everyone, & then we loaded a bus to drive to their church location. They sang the entire trip (30 minutes); you cannot envision the beautiful sounds they are able to make without any instrumentation. Absolutely marvelous and I know that it must have been pleasing to our Lords ears!! It sure was for Nora & I, as we made our way back into Lilongwe proper.
Their church facility is in the middle of their village, and it is able to seat over 200 people. Pastor Tom indicates it is full every Sunday & Wednesday for the services. There are several buildings on the property that house a Christian School, from K through 8 and also a High School 9-12. These buildings are very simple structures, but functional for their purposes. It is also where the Pastoral Training & Discipleship School will be located. We will be sending lots of pictures soon.
Pastor Tom is so organized as well as excited about what God seems to be preparing us all for in expanding the ministry into many parts of Malawi. Their needs are many, but they make use of what they have and do not let their lack from stopping them from sharing the gospel wherever they can get to, to do so. Pastor Tom and a group of other Pastors have planted 29 small little churches through out the surrounding areas. We will be updating what their needs are specifically, so if anyone who may be interested and able, might want to contribute towards. Lack of Bibles is a major issue. Any gifts toward any specific need can be handled through CCMB with a note attached stating what area of ministry their gift is to be directed. Please know all designated gifts are used only for that purpose and not used for general expenses. Getting to these places is very difficult and gasoline is roughly $10.00 per gallon. The necessity for a good 4 wheel drive or comparable vehicle is a real & current need to be able to travel in difficult terrain. Their roads are primarily very rough dirt roads and it is the rainy season right now, which starts in November & runs through March. Efficient/safe transportation is high on the prayer list in or out of the rainy season.
I taught this past Wednesday night at their mid-week service, followed up by Nora & I having dinner with all the fellowship. They are such a gracious people, full of the love of God! Our goal is to get to know them well as soon as possible, for in Africa, not much can be accomplished without first establishing a good relationship with the people. They are so ready to be taught in the depth of the Word, and Pastor Tom is so open to having that done in his fellowship.
The team from South Africa, led by Pastor Demitri from Cape Town, along with several other Pastors are coming to do a four day Pastor Seminar in early March. In addition, Laura Bomarito and Laurel Fuge will be arriving on March 28th and will stay for two weeks, using their medical skills within the church at CC Lilongwe as well other places. We are so blessed and excited about their upcoming trip, & they are taking their shots right now and have already purchased their airline tickets. PTL !!! We have also had some others tell us they might be coming in April and others in June.
So as one can see, God is not wasting any time getting more people involved in giving away the gifts they have been given by the Lord, to share with those who have so little. Both Nora & I are so extremely blessed that HE has allowed us to come & serve here in Malawi. After being picked up at the airport, we drove to Pastor Tom’s church facility, where we met yet additional people from the church, and both Nora & I had the opportunity to share with them through an interpreter, and to see their joy in their faces is a sight we will never forget!
We were then driven to Annie’s Lodge where we will be staying for a while until we have housing, which we hope & pray God will provide for us at a rental rate we can afford. We want a home where we can put up teams coming to minister here, so please pray that God will show us where and how! Later that evening a couple we met in 2007 while in Lilongwe invited us to their home for dinner. They are a Belgium family, Christophe & Sabine Horvath, along with three beautiful children, Jonas, Lila & Katayana. They are a most gracious and hospitable family. We were truly blessed by the whole day of events; God is truly blessing us and showing us we are just where HE wants us to be for this season.
Today (2/10) we are resting, praying and studying for tomorrow night at CC Lilongwe. We are at peace with our Lord and with each other, ready to begin in earnest this new chapter of our lives & ministry. Our entire trip over to both South Africa and now Malawi has gone without a problem. All of our bags were there when we arrived at each location, although one of them has been ruined due to hard handling, but we have not lost any of our belongings. Quite different than in our last trip here when our bag with all of our valuables was stolen in Johannesburg.
Oh, we have a wonderful story to share. When we were here in 2007, the manager of Annie’s Lodge, who is a Christian brother, attended all of our sessions we held there and was full of questions on each session. He shared with us that his heart was to be a full time minister of the gospel. So we prayed over him and asked God, if it was HIS will, to grant Joel the desires of his heart. Well, we just learned that he is now a full time minister, traveling all over Malawi as an evangelist and teacher! God is so good, praise HIS Holy name! We will be meeting with Joel in person on 2/13 to get up to date with he, his family and his ministry. His prayer for us in 2007 was that we would return to Malawi to teach his people, as he was so encouraged through our teachings. And lo and behold, here we are!
Thank you for your prayers and support, we have seen so many answers already. Continue to pray for open doors and receptive hearts as we move forward. God bless each one of you and we remain,
In HIM,
Steve & Nora Braselton
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Arrival In Africa
Well, after flying 27 hours, we arrived safely in South Africa. We are currently staying with Pastor Chad & his family of CC Johannesburg. They are great hosts and we have truly enjoyed our time of resting & fellowship. They got back at about the same time we did after their two month furlough in CA.
We will be leaving for Malawi in a few days and start our new life & ministry in Lilongwe. Both Nora & I are in good health and excellent spirit, looking forward to complete our trip to Malawi.
Please be praying for us to find a home to rent, a good deal on a purchase of an automobile, and our ability to get settled quickly in our new surroundings. That we will be well received by all and that God would help us to find favor with the people, so we can move quickly & smoothly in the areas of ministry. For the Pastor Seminar to be held March 4-7th in Lilongwe as Pastor Tom Mambo hosting the seminar, with Pastor Dimitri of CC Cape Town South Africa as well as other South African pastors including Pastor Chad doing the teaching.
Continue your prayers for us & all our brothers & sisters in Southern Africa as we reach out to the needs God has shown us. That we follow closely HIS directions and not get side tracked with other needs revealed to us. That we stay on course with HIM & HIS agenda, not ours! We love you all and you are in our prayers. More to follow as we proceed on The Road to Malawi.
Steve & Nora
We will be leaving for Malawi in a few days and start our new life & ministry in Lilongwe. Both Nora & I are in good health and excellent spirit, looking forward to complete our trip to Malawi.
Please be praying for us to find a home to rent, a good deal on a purchase of an automobile, and our ability to get settled quickly in our new surroundings. That we will be well received by all and that God would help us to find favor with the people, so we can move quickly & smoothly in the areas of ministry. For the Pastor Seminar to be held March 4-7th in Lilongwe as Pastor Tom Mambo hosting the seminar, with Pastor Dimitri of CC Cape Town South Africa as well as other South African pastors including Pastor Chad doing the teaching.
Continue your prayers for us & all our brothers & sisters in Southern Africa as we reach out to the needs God has shown us. That we follow closely HIS directions and not get side tracked with other needs revealed to us. That we stay on course with HIM & HIS agenda, not ours! We love you all and you are in our prayers. More to follow as we proceed on The Road to Malawi.
Steve & Nora
Monday, January 26, 2009
Dovojana
Well, the day has arrived as we leave tonight for S.F. to spend the night & then to the airport at 6am to check-in & are scheduled to depart at 8:30 am on Tuesday. We fly to Minneapolis-St.Paul, then to Amsterdam, & then on to Jo-Burg South Africa.
(27hours flying time) We will stay with Pastor Chad & Heather for a few days to rest before flying on to Malawi.
We enjoyed our last Sunday for a while at CCMB with Pastor Nate and the fellowship. It was one of those bittersweet days, joy in receiving all the love & prayers of the saints we so love, but very difficult in saying "Dovojana" (Till we meet again") to all of our love ones! Nora & I have been blessed to serve at CCMB these past 29 years at CCMB & having the privilege knowing so many wonderful people. We too shall miss all of you so very much, but GOD.....
Once we arrive in Malawi, we will bring all of you up to date on the trip and what we have gleaned from the Lord in HIS direction for the immediate future as well as all of our prayer needs. In the interim, please be praying for a safe trip, good health, and that our Lord will be speaking to both of us as we travel! Also be praying for the widows & orphans of area 44 in Lilongwe & Pastor Tom of CC Lilongwe as they prepare for our arrival & the start of the new Pastoral Training & Discipleship School.
May our Lord bless you & keep you, may HE lift up HIS countenance upon you & give you HIS peace. We love all of you and appreciate all your love & support so very much!!!!
(27hours flying time) We will stay with Pastor Chad & Heather for a few days to rest before flying on to Malawi.
We enjoyed our last Sunday for a while at CCMB with Pastor Nate and the fellowship. It was one of those bittersweet days, joy in receiving all the love & prayers of the saints we so love, but very difficult in saying "Dovojana" (Till we meet again") to all of our love ones! Nora & I have been blessed to serve at CCMB these past 29 years at CCMB & having the privilege knowing so many wonderful people. We too shall miss all of you so very much, but GOD.....
Once we arrive in Malawi, we will bring all of you up to date on the trip and what we have gleaned from the Lord in HIS direction for the immediate future as well as all of our prayer needs. In the interim, please be praying for a safe trip, good health, and that our Lord will be speaking to both of us as we travel! Also be praying for the widows & orphans of area 44 in Lilongwe & Pastor Tom of CC Lilongwe as they prepare for our arrival & the start of the new Pastoral Training & Discipleship School.
May our Lord bless you & keep you, may HE lift up HIS countenance upon you & give you HIS peace. We love all of you and appreciate all your love & support so very much!!!!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Time is short before departure
We have just recently returned from the International Missions Conference at the Calvary Chapel Bible College in Murrieta, Ca. It was a wonderful conference, great speakers, wonderful fellowship and the ability to meet new friends & co-laborers.The food wasn't bad either, good job Bible College staff!
There are just 14 days left before we get on that airplane to head to South Africa first before heading on to Malawi Africa. There is yet so much to get done before we leave, but God.... HE never lets us down as long as we are cooperating with HIM. Last night at CCMB's Missions Prayer Meeting, we were blessed by the people whom we love so deeply, were able to express their hearts toward Nora & myself. It was as sweet and as encouraging as it possibly could have been for us!! Thank you all who are praying for us as well as those who are helping in our financial support, who likewise are praying for us. God has demonstrated HIS love towards us in each of you and both Nora & I want to express our sincere love & appreciation to all of you!!!!
The next two weeks before departure will be consumed by DE-junking our house, cleaning out the loft & garage, moving much of personal belongings into a storage unit and helping our son Tom & his family move into our home in order for them top assume the care responsibilities of Nora's mom while we are away. We are so blessed to have such a great family who look out for one another in times such as these.
Our current plans are to go to South Africa, first to meet with several of the pastors in South Africa, who have expressed a desire to come with teams to Malawi to assist us & the national pastors to grow stronger in the Lord and to plant more churches in Malawi with strong leadership, fully trained to be shepherds to their flocks so they are ready for the work of the ministry. Then by early February, we will be in Malawi, working with Pastor Tom Mambo of CC Lilongwe and all his leaders.
Current prayer requests are as follows:
1.Getting the Embassy of the Republic of Malawi do complete our extended stay visa's on time so we can depart on schedule.
2. Sale of our two auto's - 2006 Ford 500 & 2002 Ford Explorer Sports Trac
3. Sale of our Newport Beach Villa's Timeshare weeks.
4. Complete all that is necessary around our home before we leave.
Thank you all for your love & support, we both appreciate it more than you could ever imagine.
There are just 14 days left before we get on that airplane to head to South Africa first before heading on to Malawi Africa. There is yet so much to get done before we leave, but God.... HE never lets us down as long as we are cooperating with HIM. Last night at CCMB's Missions Prayer Meeting, we were blessed by the people whom we love so deeply, were able to express their hearts toward Nora & myself. It was as sweet and as encouraging as it possibly could have been for us!! Thank you all who are praying for us as well as those who are helping in our financial support, who likewise are praying for us. God has demonstrated HIS love towards us in each of you and both Nora & I want to express our sincere love & appreciation to all of you!!!!
The next two weeks before departure will be consumed by DE-junking our house, cleaning out the loft & garage, moving much of personal belongings into a storage unit and helping our son Tom & his family move into our home in order for them top assume the care responsibilities of Nora's mom while we are away. We are so blessed to have such a great family who look out for one another in times such as these.
Our current plans are to go to South Africa, first to meet with several of the pastors in South Africa, who have expressed a desire to come with teams to Malawi to assist us & the national pastors to grow stronger in the Lord and to plant more churches in Malawi with strong leadership, fully trained to be shepherds to their flocks so they are ready for the work of the ministry. Then by early February, we will be in Malawi, working with Pastor Tom Mambo of CC Lilongwe and all his leaders.
Current prayer requests are as follows:
1.Getting the Embassy of the Republic of Malawi do complete our extended stay visa's on time so we can depart on schedule.
2. Sale of our two auto's - 2006 Ford 500 & 2002 Ford Explorer Sports Trac
3. Sale of our Newport Beach Villa's Timeshare weeks.
4. Complete all that is necessary around our home before we leave.
Thank you all for your love & support, we both appreciate it more than you could ever imagine.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Happy New Year!
We hope & pray that all of you enjoyed a glorious Christmas celebrating our Lord's Birth with family & friends. We are already 3 days into 2009,with much to do that we are aware of, and so much more we have no idea what the Lord holds for us. But lets all remember, we cannot redo yesterday, tomorrow is never promised for any of us, so today let us be about HIM in all we do, for today is all we have to be obedient to HIS calling!
Nora & I leave for the Missions Conference in So. Calif. from January 5 to 8th and then visiting other churches and ministries there before heading back home to wrap all the last minute details before we leave for Malawi on January 26th. Time is growing short, but with God's help we will get all done before we leave.
Have received three e-mails from from Malawi concerning our anticipated arrival, expressing their joy in our soon arrival! God is so good to us, preparing the way for us, setting up new friends and co-laborers for the gospel of Jesus Christ, We are truly blessed!!
Our prayer needs are many, but are a few:
1.Missions Conference
2.Finalize support raising activities
3.Ability to wrap up all last minute details
4.Sale of two auto's & our Timeshare in Newport Beach
5.Safe & enjoyable 27 hour flight to Africa.
We want all of you to know how much we appreciate you and love your prayer & financial support. We will be attempting to keep you informed on this blog, over the next 23 days before we depart as well as when we arrive in Africa.
May our Lord continue to bless all of you as you serve HIM, we remain,
In HIM,
Steve & Nora
Nora & I leave for the Missions Conference in So. Calif. from January 5 to 8th and then visiting other churches and ministries there before heading back home to wrap all the last minute details before we leave for Malawi on January 26th. Time is growing short, but with God's help we will get all done before we leave.
Have received three e-mails from from Malawi concerning our anticipated arrival, expressing their joy in our soon arrival! God is so good to us, preparing the way for us, setting up new friends and co-laborers for the gospel of Jesus Christ, We are truly blessed!!
Our prayer needs are many, but are a few:
1.Missions Conference
2.Finalize support raising activities
3.Ability to wrap up all last minute details
4.Sale of two auto's & our Timeshare in Newport Beach
5.Safe & enjoyable 27 hour flight to Africa.
We want all of you to know how much we appreciate you and love your prayer & financial support. We will be attempting to keep you informed on this blog, over the next 23 days before we depart as well as when we arrive in Africa.
May our Lord continue to bless all of you as you serve HIM, we remain,
In HIM,
Steve & Nora
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