With a lot of excitement in our hearts we are announcing you that our minibus has finally arrived home! This vehicle is the answer to our prayers before the Lord for one important need in the ministry in Malawi.
Every year we have teams of guests coming, Brother and Sisters that partner with us in Malawi. Since 2013 we've been renting a minibus, but we all found out some worrying truths: the vehicles we afford to rent are in very bad shape and those that are good are way too expensive.
We've had it happen to us when one Sunday morning the rented minibus did not start; or when the brakes gave out on the way to the airport; or when we ran out of fuel in the middle of the road without even realizing since the fuel indicator never worked; or when I got fined for over speeding although the speed gauge, again, never worked.
On the other hand, good vehicles from known companies (such as AVIS) are not found in our town and are expensive to rent, above our guests' budget.
In this way way, a need was created and God had already prepared an answer to that need; and what an answer!!!
Here are some of the specs:
Toyota Quantum (known also as Hiace).
2.5L, turbo-diesel supercharged engine.
standard transmission
14 seats
2014 model
GL type (Grand Luxury).
Unlike the minibus we used to hire, which was actually a van with windows and locally-made seats, the car we have is made to transport people. Every seat can recline and has its own seatbelt, cup holder and handle.
More than that, for the comfort of the passengers, the minibus has 12 vents that provide adequate A/C flow. In our initial test, it took less than 1 minute for the whole minibus to be comfortable although the outside temperature was at 84 degrees Fahrenheit.
The specs are excellent, the car drives very well and we are very excited and thankful. First of all, we know very well that God prepared this car just for us even from the very first day. Although our friends that brought the car for us spent 2 weeks in South Africa, the minibus we have today is the first one they looked at. They moved up and down, saw many vehicles and tested most of them, but at the end of the day the returned to the one prepared by God.
We are also thankful to all those that sacrificed and gave towards this need. Thank you for giving yourselves to God and obeying His voice. God works through people and we are humbled to see how he used so many of you. Without you we are sure we wouldn't have the minibus today and we would not have been here altogether. Thank you!
Even though I am now the owner of the car, we still have a few steps left to sort our everything. For these steps we would appreciate your continual prayers.
Monday I will have to take it to Blantyre Port or the Customs will take another look at it and issue me with some more papers that will facilitate the registration. After I get this papers, I will have to take it to the Police HQ to get another clearance after which I will be able to get local plates. As of now I am driving around with the temporary South African plates the car came with. After all these papers, the Road Traffic Police will do the Certificate of Fitness and I will need to buy insurance. The steps are fairly simple and clear, though things can get complicated very fast, especially since I am a foreigner and life is hard for the Malawian people.
Only after I get the local license plates I will be able to say that everything is done.
Although the hard part is already behind us, we still need your prayers for wisdom and open doors.
Since I mentioned prayer requests, allow me to remind you that the ministry in Malawi continues and this minibus is not the only thing in our plan for 2016. We are praying for the Bible School, our next important project and we need you to pray with us.
The Christians in Malawi lack Biblical knowledge and there are many churches that don't grow because no one there knows even the basic stuff. The Bible School we need to open and start will help the local churches while in the same time be a launching pad for the future pastors, ministers and missionaries. Our plan is big but it is in the hands of God who is infinite!
Pray for us!
Pray for Malawi!
Labels: answered prayers, Hope for the Future, Malawi, minibus, ministry, missions, prayer requests, Toyota Quantum, work
