Steve Mbewe and his delightful wife, Rhoda, have been our hosts in the Lilongwe area for the past several weeks. Both in their early 30’s, this couple exemplify the energy, dynamism and hope for the future of Malawi and for the United Methodist Church in Malawi. They have been wonderful hosts, teachers and have become friends as well.
Steve is the pastor for churches in the Bethel Circuit, which encompasses the area north of Lilongwe. He grew up Presbyterian but became disillusioned and became an independent pastor. He became well known for his speaking and oratory skills and caught the eye of Methodist folks in Blantyre. After trying out the Methodist system for awhile he decided this was to be his faith “home.” He has had some higher education and is very eager to have more extensive theological training. He and Rhoda are from the southern part of Malawi called Chikwawa and she still has family there. Steve’s parents are in Lilongwe.
Steve has continued to delight us with his beautiful deep voice and easy laugh and smile. He amazes us in his ability to preach and work an audience. He said he really thinks he has a gift and we agree. That deep voice of his booms and trembles when he gets going and he has listeners hanging onto his every word. It is fascinating to watch and hear and inspiring to see and feel his conviction as he speaks. And, oh, to hear him sing! Between the clapping, stomping and dancing in rhythm and that really BIG voice, he doesn’t need any musical instruments! And during our time together we have seen him show wisdom beyond his years. He has given us so many insights into Malawian culture and life as well as politics of the Malawi church. He is a born leader who can both demonstrate integrity and instill confidence. We think we will hear much more about Steve in the coming years.
Steve and Rhoda have two children, Elias, who is about 12 and Thandie who just had her 10th birthday. Elias is at boarding school now and Thandie will go in January when both children are entering a boarding school in Mchinji, about an hour west of Lilongwe. Elias is a quiet, serious young man whom we have met several times. Thandie is a quick little elfin sprite of a girl with a dazzling smile just like her mother. She gives us hugs and tries to teach us Chichewa vocabulary…and she has us completely charmed.
Rhoda is an extraordinary young businesswoman who has opened a small “tuck shop” from their parsonage in Area 25 of Lilongwe. Area 25 is a residential area about 20 minutes from town and is what would be considered a working class neighborhood, with tiny businesses tucked in here and there or along the roads which are graded but not paved. Many of the modest houses here are walled with metal gates and her shop consists of a hole cut into their wall with a small structure built around it in their yard. Since we have been here, Rhoda has expanded the shop and moved her refrigerator out to that area. She sells daily items like soap, candy, cell phone unit cards, bread, eggs, water, some canned goods and other stuff, including now things that need cooling, like milk, yogurt and juice. Her day begins at 5am when the shop attracts folks on their way to work, then kids on the way to school. She stays open all day and up into the late evening. Everybody helps out in the shop and even Thandie can make change in her head and knows all the prices. Rhoda has been quite successful and would love to open a shop in town. She keeps everything well organized and is always looking for opportunities. She even got some green mangoes cheap along the road when we went to the lake and brought them back to sell…and for Thandie to enjoy a few, too. Rhoda is also a lovely person and beautiful as well. We are fascinated to see how she has her hair fixed in fancy braids or updo’s or in an elaborate headwrap. She always looks stunning. She leads women’s activities for the church and is a great role model for those wanting to start small businesses. And she taught Sue how to cook nsima!
Steve and Rhoda Mbewe make a good team. In fact, they are part of the new Malawi where husbands and wives work together as partners sharing in responsibility and decision-making…a rarity in this traditional culture. We have been blessed by their open hearts and touched by their commitment to ministry in the face of severe financial constraints and cultural challenges. What a couple! And both of them cute as a button!
|  | 
|
