Malawi Mailings

Sarah Schofield, Rodney Schofield

Description

Malawi is full of surprises for the first time visitor. Theologian Rodney Schofield and his wife Sarah Schofield in this book document their experiences of missionary life in Malawi.

Informations

• Publié par: Mzuni Press
• Date de parution: 22 janvier 2014
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9789990802528
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 9 Mo

Extrait

 Mzuni Books no. 15  ISBN 978-99908-0246-7 This book is part of Mzuni Press which offers a range of books  on religion, culture and society from Malawi

Malawi Mailings

© Copyright 2014 Rodney and Sarah Schofield All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmltted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission from the publishers. Published by Mzuni Press P/Bag 201 Luwinga, Mzuzu 2, Malawi ISBNϵϳϴͲϵϵϵϬϴͲϬϮϰϲͲϳ(Mzuni Press) Mzuni Press is represented outside Africa by: African Books Collective Oxford (also for e-books) ([e-mail] ) www.mzunipress.luviri.net www.africanbookscollective.com

Malawi Mailings Reflections on Missionary Life 2000 – 2003

Rodney and Sarah Schofield

Mzuni Press 2014

Dedicated to the memory of Fr Rodney Hunter, ‘missionary, pastor and friend to the people of Malawi’. Previously published titles by Rodney Schofield Jubilee Reflections: Rich and Poor in Christian Perspective(2001) Mystery or Magic: Biblical Replies to the Heterodox(2004) Bordering on Faith: Developing Orthopraxis in Response to Spiritual Need(2009) The Emerging Church: Christian Communities in the Earliest Times(2012)

Acknowledgements We are very grateful to friends in Zomba from whom we learnt so much about the country, especially Stephen Carr and John Wilson. We were also given many insights into African religion during our preparation at Selly Oak, Birmingham by both Patrick Kalilombe and Allan Anderson. Thanks go as well to many friends and parishes in England who supported us during our four years in Malawi, and to whom these monthly reports were sent.

Rodney and Sarah Schofield served as missionaries with the United Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Zomba, Malawi, Central Africa from 2000 to 2003. Rodney, who prepared the text with Sarah’s help, taught at the ecumenical Zomba Theological College (ZTC) and for a time was also parish priest of St George’s Anglican Church. Sarah, who drew the illustrations, was involved with orphan care in their home and in Songani Community Care Group as well as teaching English and crafts at ZTC. Their previous experience in Africa was in Lesotho from 1984 to 1986 when Rodney was Warden of Lelapa la Jesu Seminary in Roma.

CONTENTS Introduction Page 1 Partnership in Faith – First Impressions Year 2000 Page 11 Drinking in the Atmosphere – An Overview of Theological Training The Common Good – Breaking the Silence – Jubilee South – Faith in the Future A Clash of Cultures – Protective Magic – African Christianity Language of the Heart – Challenges and Constraints – Putting Down Roots Year 2001 Page 59 The Role of Repetition – Looking Ahead – Life in the Raw – Proverbial Sayings Out and About – A Week in the Diary – The Impact of AIDS – The Response to AIDS New Developments – Orphan Support – The Need for Reparation The Ethical Dimension of Community Year 2002 Page 103 Witchcraft Beliefs – Contemplation and Struggle – The Maize Crisis – Child Labour A New Diocese – Poverty Issues – Africans Abroad – Veneration of Ancestors Fishing Tactics – The Hunger Months Resume – Coming Soon Seasonal Meditations Year 2003 Page 143 Resilience and Joy – An Interregnum – The Anglican Heartland Provincial Autonomy – Power Crisis – Our New Bishop – The Process of Formation A Beautiful Country – Ntiya News – Links and Plans Postscript Page 181 Poinsettia

 H T X  C  U X site for the projected Leonard Kamungu Theological College (LKTC) Anglican C St George’s Anglican Church H Our house at the far end of Mulunguzi Road T Zomba Theological College (ZTC) U University of Malawi (UNIMA)  Zomba Catholic Cathedral and St Peter’s Seminary are SW off the map. ZOMBA is a growing town in the Shire Highlands of Malawi, formerly the colonial capital. When President Kamuzu Banda moved government headquarters to its present more central location Lilongwe, a number of the redundant buildings were re-used for archives and various academic or research purposes. Some of them form part of the University of Malawi which Banda also founded. With secondary schools as well as Zomba Theological College and St Peter’s Catholic Seminary, Zomba is thus the main educational centre in the country. SINCE INDEPENDENCE in 1964, Malawi’s population has grown 5 fold to around 13m – including many refugees from war-torn countries such as Mozambique. This has put great strain upon the infra-structure, land and lake resources, and the natural environment.