Email from Julian - 5th May 2009

We have been through a large number of major changes in the past 6 weeks.  Not only have we have moved away from Lilongwe to Dedza, together with John and his family, but also Cameron has moved to Thete which is near to our church in Nyombe. We have all made this move in order to be able to spend more time with the church in the Dedza district – this includes Nyombe and Nkhanganya (a new church plant). Charles remains in the Lilongwe district where he has moved out to Msundwe to be close to our churches around the Nsaru area.

Before we returned to Malawi we sensed that the Lord would have us (the Lotts) invest more energy into one community rather than spreading ourselves as thinly as in the past over a large number of communities. On our return we felt strongly that this ought to be at Nyombe, where previously we had made visits on a monthly basis only. As we began by making weekly or twice weekly visits it became clear that this policy was immediately bearing fruit, but also that I could not continue to maintain that commitment whilst still living in Lilongwe – it would take 1 ½ hours tough driving to reach the church from our former home (and of course the same returning home after a full days ministry).

We knew the Lord wanted us where we are now, as door after door opened for us. The opportunities for ministry here are numerous. I have begun to disciple one individual I have met in the town; John and I have been invited to begin teaching/discipling the workers (300 men) at a wood mill that neighbours our home, and John has established many contacts with men and women in the area around his home too.

In addition to this, we have recently begun a church plant into a new village (Nkhanganya) which is about 8 kms from Nyombe. We are also being called to do likewise at Chinyama (nearer to Nyombe). All in all this has been a very interesting beginning to life in a new area. I am continuing to meet with Charles (we have seen him twice since our move) as he leads the village church leaders in the area around Lilongwe, whom we have taught in the previous 6 years. Charles and his team have begun a church plant into the village of Dzoole.

If this wasn’t enough, we have also begun the process of following up a link we have had with a group of what are commonly known as ‘churches’ – but where the people are not yet born again – in the far south of the country in an area called Nsanje. This is the hottest area within Malawi, and a full 2 days journey away from Lilongwe. A mosquito infested area that is far from the relatively civilised world of Lilongwe. Charles took a team there for a week in March and found great hunger for God’s word, but no understanding whatsoever of the basics of the gospel.

We have prayer requests and would be grateful if the church would pray for us and our team in the following matters;

• The church plants at Nkhanganya and Dzoole. Particularly so that the locals would understand the gospel.
• The development of the relationship between Charles and the team he is now leading – and that they would not feel isolated from the rest of the work.
• For the Lord to prepare the hearts of the men working at the wood mill so that when we begin our work of teaching there we will find fertile soil.
• For wisdom as to how we might begin to help the ‘churches’ at Nsanje and the people at Chinyama.
• For George that he might know the Lord and begin to walk in his way.