Indianapolis, Indiana … For several days the African News Services was filled with news about the record-breaking cyclone that struck Malawi (a small and peaceful country in east-central Africa) in the middle of the night. Named Freddie, the storm had traveled across the entire Indian Ocean, then inland to strike a catastrophic blow to southern Malawi and the nation’s commercial center, Blantyre. Roads were taken out, villages washed away, families killed, and commerce disrupted for what will be months to come. Unlike Western nations, which have vast resources to focus on disasters, Malawi was helpless to rush assistance to its people. Months later the problem remains, even though the media coverage has long ago ended.
Learning about the problem shortly after it took place families from the Eagle Creek Church of Christ in Indianapolis went through clothes closets, kitchen storage, garages, and anywhere they could locate unneeded items that could help the people of Malawi. The congregation stepped forward to adopt the Malawi Project and partner in ministry on behalf of Malawi.
As is often the case current circumstances soon force their way onto the front page of the news, and sad but true, the problems of yesterday become, “out of sight and out of mind.” When the media moved to other problems and no longer reflected the plight that was ongoing in Malawi, the congregation at Eagle Creek remained faithful to not forget the people of Malawi, and they remained focused on getting assistance to those who were (and are) still suffering the effects of the storm.
Near the end of the year Eagle Creek continues to aid Malawi. Here one of the ministers at the congregation, Lamarr David (Center) along with Jim Messenger (Left) and Bill Miller (Right) from the Malawi Project, load a container with clothing and other needed supplies.