#1 Heading off!

After nine months of preparation and anticipation, the team of 16 are gathered at 1pm at Terminal 2, Tullamarine Airport at 1pm (GMT+10), today 24 June 2025. We will be departing on QF37, the first of four flights (!) via Singapore, Singapore, Addis Ababa, Ndola (there’s no getting off the plane at Ndola), Blantyre and have been advised by our team leader, John, to employ our own strategy for coping: sweets to chew, drinking water every time it’s offered, a book to get lost in, prayer, watching movies on screen … anything that helps or distracts for the total transit time of close to 30 hours and to sleep whenever we feel like it.

As at 22 June these are the on the ground in Malawi, 8,268 Bibles and 3,020 hymnbooks have been printed. We each have a 2pc baggage allowance and we are bringing with us:  

• 1,880 carry bags (for bibles) for the women
• 8,000 C-O-M-A (in the local language) bookmarks 
• Bibles & stationery for Neno Girls 
• 50 Romans commentary for pastors
• 12 ukuleles and 1 flute 
• 12 soccer balls
• 8 children’s talks (complete with visual aids like puppets and props)
• women’s craft material and a myriad of other small gifts 

We arrive at Chileka International Airport (Blantyre) at 12.15pm (GMT+2) Wednesday 25 June , where Colin M'bawa will meet us. There our designated drivers will pick up our four Toyota Hiluxes and make our way to our base, Grace Bandawe. The rest of the day will likely be a walk to the local stores for supplies and SIM cards, etc.

We are grateful for your support and prayers. Please pray for safety on the long flights and that God would use our words and deeds to love and minister well to His people.

In Christ,

the Malawi Bible Mission team