Y-Malawi

1.4 million : number of children dying each year from lack of clean water

400,000 : number of children dying each year from diarrhea linked to contaminated water

1,800 : number of children under five dying EACH DAY from Malaria (disease carrying mosquitos are breeding near these unprotected water sources)

If these numbers bother you, you’re not alone…so what can you do about it?!

For the 4th year in a row, on this upcoming New Year’s Day you will find a group of fun-loving people on a mission: to provide clean drinking water to communities in Malawi, Africa.  How are they choosing to do this?  By jumping into the arctic-like Pacific Ocean in the annual Polar Bear Plunge! (don’t worry, if this isn’t for you…you can just support the people crazy enough to do it!)

Bret Daniels has led the charge over the past few years to raise money for those in desperate need of drinkable water to avoid water-borne diseases that are so prevalent in Malawi, and around the world.  In the past three years, supporters have given a total of over $16,000 for this wonderful cause and we’re hoping to see this number increased in a BIG way.  In 2010, Bret’s seemingly far-fetched goal of $6,500 was shattered, so we know that his goal of $7,000 this year can easily be accomplished!

In a video we recently posted (here), we see that a staggering $450 Billion is spent on Christmas every year, while $10 Billion could provide clean water for the entire world.  After seeing this a few years ago, Bret decided to take action…and we hope you will as well.  While we greatly appreciate any amount, we are encouraging gifts in increments of $40.  Why?  Because this is the estimated cost to save a child’s life through clean water.  Want to save several lives this Christmas?  Just multiply that number by $40!

Do something really meaningful and memorable this Christmas by providing life-saving water to those in need.  And if you’re feeling brave, come join us in jumping into the ocean on New Year’s Day!  See you at the Plunge! (click here for more details and the simple, quick way to give)

Merry Christmas! We are so thankful for all the Lord has allowed us to accomplish over the past year, and now we want to take the time to share how you can take part in saving hundreds of thousands of lives, physically and spiritually through our goals for the new year. Read on!

First things first, let’s END MALARIA!
We have exciting plans in progress to completely eradicate malaria in our two project areas. What once seemed like just a far-fetched ambition, can actually become reality with your help and support!

• Over 1,800 children under 5 are dying every day from this deadly infection.
• It is the number one killer and debilitating health problem in the Nkhoma/Chilenje Valleys where Y-Malawi is focused.

Witchcraft is the #1 non-health-related issue in Malawi!
We are committed to pressing back and wiping out this enemy plot and protecting the people, especially vulnerable children, with the love and knowledge of Jesus through increasing discipleship and prayer. Through Y-Malawi’s support of partners on the ground this year alone:

• 34,000 men, women and children in Malawi gave their lives to Christ.
• 2,000 chiefs and their wives are attending weekly Bible studies in Nkhoma/Chilenje, who are then impacting and leading their entire villages.
• 7,941 people received personal counseling from our partners during Jesus Film follow-up visits.

We can’t do it without your help!
The goals we want to accomplish this year are bigger and more audacious than ever. Our ministry depends on support but honestly, we haven’t done a great job of conveying our needs to you, our faithful financial supporters. Your investment in lives is desperately needed and we’d like to make this our biggest Christmas gift ever!

Would you please consider a tax-deductible gift to Y-Malawi of $50, $100 or whatever you feel led to give this Christmas to see lives and souls of the Malawian people saved! These gifts will meet the shortfall needs in our ministry, and will continue to keep our partners moving forward without hindrance.

You can give by:

• Simply clicking on the Giving Catalog to the right and place your gift amount into the “Most Pressing Needs” box to donate by major credit card.

God bless you and your family in this Christmas season and in the upcoming year!

Together for the people of Malawi,

John Gash
Director

“So two good things happen as a result of your gifts–those in need are helped, and they overflow with thanks to God.” 2 Cor 9:12 (TLB)

If you were to guess what the #1 issue in Malawi was according to several of our key Y-Malawi partners, we might guess things like hunger, malaria, access to clean water, extreme poverty, or something else along those lines, right? However, the greatest issue resounding from the voices of our Malawi Christian ministry partners is the issue of witchcraft.

The Y-Malawi Program Area of Nkhoma/Chilenje is certainly not exempt from the influences of witchcraft either. In many ways the presence of extreme hunger, sickness, poverty, and death are in fact evidence of this region being a stronghold for evil. Although there is a powerful and ever-growing Christian presence in the Nkhoma/Chilenje valley (and undeniably because of this reason), we have tangibly seen the progression of witchcraft over these 5 years working in the region. It is both an undercurrent of the culture and also visible in ways including various forms of ancestral worship, mask dancing, night gatherings in the cemeteries, talisman charms worn on the necks, wrists, and ankles, and even more disturbing ways.  By the fear-based instruction of “witch doctors” in the community promising protection or prosperity, sadly these precious people have have been instructed that they must do things like eat feces, participate in cutting themselves, and practice ritual sacrifices. These practices are in direct opposition to the God’s Word and pose a spiritual, physical, and societal threat to the health and well-being of the people and future of the community.

The Y-Malawi church partnership has now raised the battle flag to put an end to this fear and evil in the Nkhoma/Chilenje community. We have seen that when witchcraft is confronted by believers operating in the power and authority of the Holy Spirit of God, evil flees and people are set free. Our Y-Malawi partners are committed to this end and understand these forms of witchcraft and how to combat and defeat it.  We are committed to come alongside them in this winnable fight in a bigger way going forward . This includes supporting more training of prayer intercessors, building up the Malawian church, minimizing the influence and visibility of witch doctors, empowering village Chiefs who are in a position of spiritual authority to take a bold stand against it, and implementing intercessory prayer specific activities and trips.  Also we are committed to informing you, the U.S. Church about this issue and inviting you to pray against it and for the partners’ efforts in the fight, as well as for the Kingdom of God shine so brightly through the darkness, chasing away all evil and fear.

Together, we are taking a firm stand now! Victory has actually already been won. May we enforce the victory and may the Lord be glorified. The first trip focusing on discipleship including fighting witchcraft is happening this summer, July 20-Aug 5. For more information email Stan@FaithQuestMissions.org.