Malawi is experiencing great darkness and hopelessness at this time. Her economy suffered a massive blow in November when the currency was devalued by 44%. This caused an immediate rise in the cost of the basic commodities essential for life, such as sugar, oil, soap, food, fuel, seed and fertiliser. In 2021 a 50 kg bag of fertiliser cost 35,000 Kwacha. This was considered then to be too expensive for the great majority of people. In 2022 the same size bag doubled in price to 70,000K. That caused a widespread failure of harvests early in 2023 because people were unable to afford fertiliser. In December the price had risen to 120,000K! The impact on the poor of the nation is predictable.

Keep in mind when reading this that the great majority of Malawians do not have employment or any form of regular income. What money they get comes from the sale of their crops. Their ability to survive the coming year has been made even more difficult.

These men have temporarily replaced the absent leaders in Nsanje and recently met with John for a couple of days teaching 

Many of the churches in the Nsanje region in the south of Malawi have lost their leaders in recent months. This is due to them leaving for South Africa in search of work. The new leaders really do need our prayers. The problem of hunger has become acute in the country. The poor harvest combined with the devastation of the floods at the beginning of 2023 have caused most village people not to have any food in their homes. Literally!

The Church of the Disciples of Jesus (CDJ) started distributing maize aid to the neediest people in their churches just before Christmas. With so many churches this was a massive effort. In the course of 2023 SaltMalawi has given £30,000 to CDJ to enable them to buy maize when it has been available in anticipation of this situation. Thank you to those of you who have helped to make this possible. Please pray for God's protection over the team who will be serving in this manner and the maize that has been stored in preparation for this exercise.

A newly planted church in Mozambique visited by John & Charles in October 

The Church of the Disciples of Jesus (CDJ) has been growing into Mozambique this past year. In October John led a group to visit and encourage new churches that have been started by people who have left Malawi to live in Mozambique. Please pray for the growth and maturity of these new churches.

A new church plant in the district of Nchisi 

There is also a new church plant in the district of Nchisi north of Lilongwe. John & Charles visited to teach and meet for the first time early in December.