Dear Friends,
I hope that you have all had a wonderful Christmas and that the New Year is off to a good start. I know, it’s been more than a month and that Christmas is less than 11 months away, but somehow we seem to gauge our year by the celebration of that momentous event when Jesus came to earth to show us the Father’s love.
Our DCI team in Malawi has had a well-earned vacation, but now are back “on the road”. Having 2 fields trips behind them already this year and currently on their third trip (to Kapando) they have begun a new series of teachings in the villages. Last September, the team visited 8 of the villages where they had completed the trainings, and we received the multiplication charts. When I say, “completed the trainings”, I mean that they have gone to each specific area 3 times for 4-5 days at a time over the course of 5-6 months, teaching the leaders about the Explosive Growth principles…teaching them how to do one-to-one discipleship, the principles of multiplying Life Groups, and training leaders to reproduce themselves. We have heard so many testimonies from those who have been trained about how the lessons have been well received and immediately put into practice. We can count – from these multiplication charts alone – 251 life groups and 275 well trained leaders. Since each training session usually sees between 4-10 potential leaders in attendance, the verse in John 13:35 (“By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”) is proven to be true. Neighbouring villages are asking, “Why are you different? We want what you have!” Unfortunately, we can’t track all the groups, but we know that there are many more! Each life group has an apprentice and a host/hostess also.
These 10 leaders attended at the first training week in Nkhomboli recently.
We know there are well over 400 Life Groups, of between 10 and 40 members each, functioning in northern Malawi – reaching out to their neighbours and family members; discipling those who have come to Christ for salvation. Each leader who has been trained is actively training others who will do the same. Some of the trained leaders have been moved (due to work) and have taken the DCI principles with them to their new villages – this is another way that the work expands even faster than we can keep track of. The Team tries to find a “coach” (or man-of-peace) for each area. We have several men/women whom God has raised up to become coaches. Each one has trained other people
One of the leaders receiving his certificate for completing the Dynamic Basics lessons.
who have become coaches in their own areas. We are beginning to see overlap in the northern Malawi area. This is amazing! We are truly thankful.
In George’s recent report to us, he told us that pastor Owen Tembo from Zambia, who has attended the trainings in Nkhomboli (close to the border), is eager for the Team to come to Zambia to train up leaders there. This area of Zambia is predominantly Tumbuka speaking, so we are thankful for open doors. Please pray with us about this.
Nkhomboli is a very difficult area. It suffers from much witchcraft, excessive drinking, and also false prophets. Here’s a little excerpt from Andrew’s report regarding the false prophets:
”As we were there we saw a big church with grass thatched roof which belongs to a certain prophet. Due to a good interaction with the leaders, we had an opportunity to hear more of what the prophet teaches to the people in the area. The leaders whom we were teaching commented that DCI trainings are good for it clearly teaches us to know that we are saved by grace, and we have acceptance, assurance and protection from the Lord. That means a born again Christian has got 100% protection, acceptance and assurance. Now most of prophets they don’t want to share this knowledge with people. They want that people should remain ignorant and keep on trusting on them – the “man of God” instead of trusting God. … With the coming of DCI teachings here, we know for sure that our area is healed from ignorance for we shall not be quiet but pass on what we have learnt from here so that our people too should have the basic knowledge of the word of God which will help them to identify false teachings, and start trusting in the Lord. And through the teachings of DCI people will know the power that God has given them as they have accepted Christ as their personal Savior.”
For those not yet partnering with us, please consider becoming a partner. The growth of the ministry means there is need for more and more material to be printed, more travel, etc. Please visit http://www.dynamicchurches.org where you will find ways to give online and where you can watch our recent video report which we prepared for the Gideons. For email updates, go to this link: goo.gl/PHU48m
Praise God for His abundant blessings! Thank you so much for your support in prayer and in finances. May God bless you!
With love,
Hans and Elly Timmermans
Malawi Discipleship Experiment 