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LUBAGHA MISSION  NEWSLETTER a a January 2010
Flo and I are sure thankful that 2009 is over with. After her bout with cancer we thought all our health problems were behind
us. She had rotator cuff surgery, carpel tunnel surgery on both wrists, cancer and then the other rotator cuff required surgery.
She is still working on getting that back in shape with exercises, etc. Then yours truly decided to have heart problems and required
2 stents to clear up that mess. Yes, I know, I'm working on losing weight and exercising. (Our girls bought us a Wii for Christmas
and I have added the fit plus to it, so that should get me back in shape). Everything else is checking out okay with
my health, psa, cholesterol, etc. So, we have purchased our tickets back to Malawi, leaving in April. We heard from the mission and they are running short
of funds due to the falling dollar exchange rate. They need funds to finish building the house for our gardener, diesel
for the truck to pick us up at the airport, and supplies for the school. They have been a real boon getting the school supplies
for the past year. All toll we need to raise an additional $1800 to take care of these items.I mentioned in my last newsletter that we have six students from Mozambique and
one from Zambia that will begin classes this year. Did I mention that I offered them a transportation deal? I told them if the churches
could get them from Mozambique to Blantyre, we would get them the rest of the way to the school. Blantyre is the farthest
city south of us and entails a substantial output of funding for transportation. The churches have agreed so all I have
to do is raise more money to get them the rest of the way to the school. Anyone out there that can help us to fund these special
projects would be greatly appreciated.The
work goes well at the mission. Apparently our two functioning campuses are going great and we will be entertaining the prospect
of beginning a third this coming year. I'll have more on that as the information comes in. The outreach program has reached new heights and Mr.
Kalua is reporting many baptisms from our programs, more especially the correspondence courses that he handles personally.
Hopefully, the public school program that is aimed at reducing aids in Malawi is producing the desired results, but that is
a little more difficult to see. God is blessing this work in a very special way and we are so blessed to be a part of
it. I hope you all feel the same way!!The
proof reading for the new Teacher's Commentary on the Old Testament has reached Jeremiah and we hope to have it completed
by next school year. The New Testament is already in use in our Bible Institute for those students who have reached that pinnacle
of their studies. Please continue to pray for our efforts as we seek to make Christianity THE religion in Malawi. Our love and gratitude for your support,Bob & Flo a a Malawi News
March 2010
As the time of departure to Malawi nears I felt I had to share some good news with you. There is a tractor that has been developed especially
for Malawi. It is called the V-tractor and can be viewed online at www.malawiproject.org . I have made contact with the Stephens whom we had met previously in Malawi through Blessings Hospital.
This time their outreach to Malawi involves the distribution of the V-tractor. Why am I so excited about this project? Because
as soon as I get back to Malawi I am going to meet with the area chiefs to discuss the possibility of obtaining a tractor
for our area. I have submitted a proposal to the company that builds the tractor. My proposal is that the tractor would be
used in a specific area that the government of Malawi had donated to members of several villages. This area has to be used
to raise cash crops, in other words they cannot use it to raise their own food but must sell whatever they grow. The idea
is to help the area obtain items that they otherwise could not afford. In addition we would use the tractor to cultivate and
plant on the mission.
This tractor is unique in that it also carries its’ own water supply so that a second crop can be planted in the dry
season. This crop could also be used for a cash crop to raise the standard of living of the people in our area.
Lubagha mission would then be seen as helping the community even more than we do now. We try to get the people to see Lubagha
Mission as one that has the communities interest at heart and this project would go a long way toward that goal. Meeting the
physical needs is important as a prerequisite to meeting their spiritual needs. There is also another opportunity that has arisen that
may contribute to the good will we desire. We are also going to see if we can meet the medical needs of the clinic in our
immediate area as well as the hospital in Rumphi, our closest city. Flo and I appeal to you all for your prayers for these endeavors to succeed.
Monthly support for our University is desperately needed as the costs to continue to offer education in training evangelists
has climbed due to the falling dollar exchange rates. We have become internationally known in Africa and have students applying
for admission from other countries. The cost to transport them is enormous for us but minuscule in comparison to the costs
of education in the USA. We can support all of our students plus two campuses for less than $8000 a year. We are
going to trade in our duplicator for a larger one that connects directly with our computer in order to speed up the distribution
of materials necessary to continue the schools. Obtaining textbooks, bibles and other materials from South Africa, while very
inexpensive, does require a substantial part of our budget. Any help that can be given will be gratefully appreciated. I remind
you all that a New Testament Study Bible can be printed, hard bound and shipped to us for $3, a pretty inexpensive way to
fulfill the Great Commission, especially for those who cannot for one reason or another “Go and Teach”.
Even small amounts of monthly support add up when several people get involved. We do pray that you will help us!? For our Master,
Bob & Flo Calderwood
202 Palm blvd. Lubagha
Mission Parrish, FL 34219 PO Box 136, 941-776-0758 Rumphi, Malawi malawibob@tampabay.rr.com lubaghamission@yahoo.co.uk _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ January 23, 2007 Just to let you know: Your missionary has been chosen as the International Association Bob Calderwood
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