First steps taken for Malawi relief

The first steps have been taken on the long road to recovery in flood-ravaged Malawi. In January, flash floods damaged or destroyed countless homes, fields, and communities. An estimated 3,200 member families of the Lutheran Church of Central Africa – Malawi (LCCA) alone have lost their homes. And, the rainy season will continue for months.

LCCA leaders have received many calls from local congregational leaders who are seeking assistance for members. To begin, LCCA members and Kingdom Worker volunteers have been helping to distribute supply buckets with sheet plastic, nails, and blankets that can provide temporary housing. New permanent housing is still months away. In addition, nearly 20 LCCA church buildings have been completely washed away or damaged.

Malawi missionary Rev. Mark Panning and Christian Aid and Relief anticipate a three-step approach to aid. First is to meet the immediate need for temporary housing through the supply buckets. Distribution takes time, but is ongoing. Second is to repair or rebuild the damaged and destroyed LCCA churches. Malawian builders and contractors are in high demand; it could take quite a while to get on a builder’s schedule. The third step looks ahead to predicted food and water shortages. Many crops and fields were destroyed and water supplies tainted—ongoing food and water needs will have to be met.

So far, your generous gifts have provided about 500 of our brothers and sisters in Malawi with temporary assistance. WELS Christian Aid and Relief is accepting donations to its “Flood Disaster Relief” fund and will continue to send aid to Malawi as needs are determined. Please continue to keep our LCCA family, and all affected Malawians, in your prayers.

Read more from our WELS Missions blogs.

Serving in Christ,
President Mark Schroeder