George Phiri

December 1961-May 2009

I’d like to thank all of those who prayed for me and our village manager George during these past weeks while I was in Malawi. It was a difficult time during his illness, death, burial, and especially so on his 4 orphaned children left behind.  The Bible says in Isaiah 41:10 “Fear not, for I am with you: be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” I can certainly say I felt the Lords hand with me during these past weeks.

In a message I spoke in church this winter I said “A God ordained vision can appear impossible, they are too big for us to handle, there are obstacles and many unanswered questions but an assurance that God has called you into uncharted waters for a divine purpose. During times of uncertainty it is our job to do what we know how to do and wait on the Lord to reveal the rest“. What I knew to do during this recent trip to Malawi was care for and nurse George through his illness with unconditional love and mercy.  I will forever be thankful to the Lord for His divine timing of allowing me to be in Malawi for George who had lost his wife the month before and for his children.

The Lord called George and me together for the purpose of McKallie’s Home of Future and Hope Children’s Village. George’s job must have been finished. The Lord used George as a vessel for creating meaningful relationships within the village in such a way the people are happy we are there to help them. George was a loving, caring, Christian father, partner and friend who will be greatly missed.

The Lords Faithfulness to the Village

As I was caring for George, the Lord began to make the path clear as how to proceed with the village. The steps were already in place but those of us left behind had no idea it would be implemented so soon.  Two young men who have been with us from the very beginning, who graduated from the University of Malawi this June, had been working with George for the past two years. Prior to George’s death he had even said “Mike was his left hand”. These Christian men Mike and Drycon along with our teacher Patrick have all clearly been called to this vision just as George and I had.  During this difficult time all the other village workers carried on as if George was there out of love and respect for him. They have continued to do the same since and will into the future.

Drycon, Mike and Patrick

The timeline for the village remains the same with completion of 2 of the 4 orphan houses being fully finished by the end of September and the other 2 to be enclosed with roofs on. We will work on furnishing these 2 homes in the fall and be preparing for orphan placement. The other 2 will be finished as resources allow. We are prepared and taking the steps necessary for the electricity to be placed in the village which will be a huge asset to the surrounding village and community. As well the fish farm concept for revenue generating and community development is starting to take root. Other agricultural activities also.  We are praying for the Lord to bring forth a second teacher as we have the room for another classroom of 30 to 40 community orphans and vulnerable children to attend school.

This fall we will again be having revival in the children’s village for the surrounding village children with vacation bible school, adult bible teaching, health education and a team with the Jesus Film Ministry to show the film in the Chewa language as well to train a team of local evangelists to take it out into parts of Southern Malawi.

As for George’s four children the Lord has been faithful and the details for their care are being worked out. Continue to pray for these children as we listen to the Lord’s leading for their lives.

May God continue to give us the strength and guidance that only He can give,

Tracy Hills