Malawi (MNN) — Mathew and Heni Wylie of Teen Missions International are seeing God open doors as they minister to the Yao people of Malawi.
In the Mangochi district, the area with the highest population of Yao, many Islamic leaders have protested their work, but their ministry is expanding.
By Sept. 1, they hope to have the Yao BIBLE, MISSIONARY & WORK Training Center (BMW) they envision up and running as a Bible school. One village has given them permission to set up an Orphan Rescue Unit. Though currently it can only be established if staffed by Muslims, they are looking for a piece of land to build it on and waiting for God to change the village leaders' minds.
Throughout the country, the Wylies' Bible school students go out weekly with Proclaimers–solar-powered audio Bibles–sharing the New Testament in the people's language. Just last week, 11 Yao came to Christ through this outreach.
Mathew Wylie said in an update on the Teen Missions Web site that they were preparing for their annual Boot Camp to train and send out 300 teens, "and then the government stepped in. One week before the closing of school, they announced that the children would not have a holiday (of more than 1 week) until June 2011! Needless to say, nobody was really happy about this (the kids or us), but we know that all things work together for good for them who love God."
In addition to this, the government has also made it more and more difficult for missionaries to even get into Malawi, let alone stay. However, as they are teaching the Yao, they must also trust God to see them through.
"One of the most common problems in Malawi is leaderless churches," Wylie said. However, "I am so thankful that the Lord is raising up Malawian believers to fill the gap."
Though there is much against the Wylies' ministry, God is still working. Please join them in pray, for these doors that have swung wide open to remain so. Currently, they are looking for 1000 prayer partners as they continue this spiritual battle. Click here to become a partner and to read more about the opportunities the Wylies have had.
