This could seem like an ordinary or boring Quarterly Newsletter to you from Ruth’s Shawl. But, if, you are seriously storing your treasures in Heaven, being faithful to your privileged status as an ambassador for Christ, thankful for the fact that your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life and praying for souls to hear the Gospel and receive Christ; this report will be refreshing and a blessing to you as it is to our Father in Heaven. Add to this, the angels rejoicing!
Luke 15:10
“Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
What a precious peek into Heaven dear Jesus gives us here because of one who repents.
The team presented The Jesus Film on a cold August night (remember it is winter in Malawi) in a small village just beyond the Ruth's Shawl Pavilion in Chorwe. To show the film, the team first met with the chiefs and elders of the village to receive permission. About 100 people attended the viewing and after 10 prayed to receive Christ! RS is following up with the new believers to be part of a Discipleship Bible Study Fellowship to grow and learn to live in the Truth of God’s Word.
RS is so thankful for all the prayers and funds to support this mission and many others out in the remote areas; 10 out of 100! That is 10 Christians more than there was before in this village. Pray for these new brothers and sisters!
Hallelujah, for the fields are ripe for the Harvesting. We cannot grow weary; we cannot lose our heart for the lost and we cannot lose our First Love! Jesus, what a beautiful Name!
A Note from Funa, Executive Administrator
The second quarter of the year has flown by very fast as Ruth’s Shawl has been busy proclaiming the Gospel. We have stayed focused on being ambassadors for Christ in Malawi. Each department has made steady progress in accomplishing its goals and objectives set out at the beginning of the year with the overarching theme of teaching, training, and making disciples for Christ. Here are highlights from the second quarter of 2024.
Programs, Media, and Logistics
We celebrate our four intern students in our education sponsorship program who have all passed their Junior Certificate of Education (J.C.E.) exams. We are also giving thanks for the provision of two new laptops to replace the old ones which were dying. There is always a need for more equipment, please pray!
Training and Discipleship
Eight new adult literacy teachers have been trained for new adult literacy classes. Regular visits are made by the staff to each class location to bring resources to the teachers and continue to encourage them in Lord.
Administration Building Progress
RS is so thankful for the completion of the foundation for the new Administration Building, which we hope will serve as the base of operations in Malawi in place of our current rented space. RS asks for prayer for funds to complete the building so it can be used soon.
Children and Youth Ministry
The ministry to the youth has seen so much growth in many areas. One of the objectives in children’s ministry is to have the children memorize 36 Bible verses by the end of the year and so far, they have memorized 19 verses. With the initiative of teaching the youth how to share the Word of God, 20 young Malawians went out on a charity and evangelism outreach where they visited three different homes and their elderly residents. In our girl’s ministry, the netball team entered a tournament and they are doing very well (currently in second position!). Four girls of other teams have professed Christ as Lord and Savior through the witnessing of our RS girl's team.
Prison Ministry
We continue to visit the youth inmates in Bzyanzi Juvenile Prison on a weekly basis to teach Bible Studies, provide prayer, and distribute hygiene products that are not provided by the prison. Currently they are studying the book of Romans and several have come to Christ! The ministry continues to seek to prepare them for a new life outside of prison, starting first with discovering a new life in Christ.
Steve and Nora Present at the Mission Conferences in Yorba Linda, CA and Rosarito, Baja, Mexico
Ruth's Shawl had two opportunities to share about the ministry and engage in many personal interactions at two missions conferences: Saving Grace World Missions Conference in Yorba Linda (June) and the Calvary Chapel Rosarito Conference in Baja, Mexico (August). Both the conferences had the goal of sending out missionaries and church planters to where God has led them to serve as ambassadors for Christ.
The privilege of participating and being part of this move of God’s plan to take His Gospel to the unbelievers of the world is beyond any words to try to describe. He wants the lost to be saved! He is Majestic in His Holiness and Splendor!
In each instance, Steven and Nora focused on sharing about the three most important foundations for the Ruth's Shawl Ministry: God's Word, God's Power, and Prayer (John 17).
Here are the two mission mindsets Steve and Nora focused on:
That Biblical instruction is the best way to be refreshed, edified, renewed, equipped and (re)affirmed in your calling as missionaries.
That the Spirit will provide assurance and understanding of a call to missions; an especially important mindset for instructors as they learn to serve, encourage, strengthen, and Biblically prepare new students as missionaries for Spirit-led service in missions.
Our prayer is that many souls repent and receive Christ as each of the missionaries and church planters that attended these conferences step out to minister to the communities they are called to serve.
We are so thankful to our Heavenly Father for all He has done to raise up laborers for the Harvest is Ready!
A special thank you to Roman and Yuri Padilla for co-laboring with Steve and Nora through the giving of their time, much prayer, preparation, and travel back and forth. You are much appreciated!
Over 600 attended the Mission Conference.
Pastor's wives hold a Q&A for attendees.
Prayer for the team
heading out to plant the
52nd church that church in
Rosarito planted.
Prayer Petitions
God’s wisdom and provision ($22,000) for the second phase of the RS building on the RS acreage just outside of the capital city of Lilongwe. Currently the open land is used for outdoor Youth and Children’s ministry activities in the region and the new building will provide increased ministry opportunities for this location. God’s Will be done.
For all the new believers that have repented and received Christ through our ministries at the prison, after a viewing of The Jesus Film, through the Youth/Children’s ministries, and through the Adult Bible Studies and Literacy Classes. May they grow into spiritual maturity and learn to walk and live in the Truth of God’s Word.
For all who attended the two Mission Conferences and the current students at Saving Grace Missions School. That they are ready to be sent out to fulfill their part of the Great Commission, confident in the Lord’s working in their lives to raise them up, and willing to step out by trusting and obeying Him in all that’s ahead.
For an increase of teachers, helpers, resources, and prayer warriors. They are greatly needed for the Gospel to spread into the hidden and remote areas only God knows how to reach.
The RS team would like to thank you for your continued prayers as we minister each day to do God's work as He leads. Please share this newsletter with your friends and church family and encourage them to pray for the work in Malawi.
Should you have any questions or have an interest in ministering with Ruth's Shawl in Malawi please contact us at contactus@ruthsshawl.org. or visit our website at www.ruthsshawl.org
