It is with great excitement that I share this report of the mighty “One New Man” work God is doing in Africa. I have participated in numerous mission trips over the last few years and have not seen such favor and breakthrough as we did in Malawi, Africa. Malawi is desperatly poor, destitute, and languishes under an oppressing epidemic of AIDS (over 50% of its citizens are either infected with AIDS or have full blown AIDS). Malawi is 156,000 sq. miles of land (about the size of Virginia) and has a population of 12 million people. Malawi is known as the “Warm Heart of Africa” which was self evident in the warm smiles, greetings, and friendly salutations we received everywhere we went throughout the country

Pastor Swanie Brayboy and I left Virginia on April 23rd and after two grueling days of flying arrived to the Southern Hemisphere in Malawi, Africa. Upon our arrival we immediately departed to the Hotel in the capitol city of Lilongwe for some much needed rest. On Monday, April 26th, our first full day in Malawi, we headed to the office of the Mayor of Lilongwe to meet with the assistant Mayor. The current Mayor was campaigning for the upcoming May 18th 2004 National Elections in Malawi. This meeting with the Assistant Mayor began our spiritual breakthrough on this trip, let me explain.

Father has taught us so much over the last several years regarding the “One New Man” of Ephesians 2:15 and Spiritual Authority. The “One New Man” that Paul writes about in Ephesians 2:15 teaches us that all walls of division and separation between Jews and Gentiles have been removed by the blood of Yeshua. Walls and division of race, class, religion, and theology are man made and not of God. Combined with this there is a spiritual authority granted to every nation and it’s leaders. There are two scriptures that explain this.

1. Acts 17:26-27(CJB). "26From one man he made every nation living on the entire surface of the earth, and he fixed the limits of their territories and the periods when they would flourish. 27 God did this so that people would look for him and perhaps reach out and find him although in fact, he is not far from each one of us,”

2. Romans 13:1-4(CJB). “1 Everyone is to obey the governing authorities. For there is no authority that is not from God, and the existing authorities have been placed where they are by God. 2 Therefore, whoever resists the authorities is resisting what God has instituted; and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers are no terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you like to be unafraid of the person in authority? Then simply do what is good, and you will win his approval; 4 for he is God's servant, there for your benefit. But if you do what is wrong, be afraid! Because it is not for nothing that he holds the power of the sword; for he is God's servant, there as an avenger to punish wrongdoers.”

These scriptures tell us that God has made all nations and has put their leaders in place and given them their authority and if we do what is good we have nothing to fear. Unlike missionaries in days of old, we did not enter the country to espouse American or European culture and change the people to our culture. We came only to convey a message of the “Good News” of Messiah Yeshua and His salvation. We honored the governing authorities of these countries and cities and recognized that they are there because God has placed them there and we submitted ourselves to their authority. To truly have a breakthrough in sharing the Gospel in foreign lands one must have permission to operate in those countries by the leaders of those countries. That is why we met with the Mayors of the two major cities we ministered in. Romans 13:4 states those leaders are there for our “benefit”!

We met with the Assistant Mayor of Lilongwe (sorry but I do not remember his name) before we conducted any business or meeting in the country or city. We met him at 10:00AM on Tuesday, April 26th 2004, our first full day in Malawi. Pastor Brayboy, Pastor Ngwira and I were ushered into his office and he asked how he could help us. I introduced ourselves and explained that we were ministers of the Gospel from America and that we were invited to Malawi by Pastor Ngwira. I explained to him that we had new revelation of Spiritual Authority from the two scriptures I referenced earlier. I then asked his permission to allow us to minister in his city and country and would he give us his blessing. I then presented him some gifts from America representing our home state of Virginia and America. I then explained that we are learning about the “One New Man” and that the bride of Christ is made up of many Nations, Tribes, and Tongues. I share that we have not come to change culture or espouse some other culture. I shared that we would only be ministering the gospel to the lost and healing the sick and that we again desired his blessing and permission and honor him since God had placed him in his position of leadership. He received the gifts with thanks and fell silent for a long pause before he answered. He looked at us and shared that no one had every done such a thing as this before. That most missionaries boldly come into their country and do what ever they desire without permission and also attempt to change the culture of the people. He thanked us again, again, and again. He gave us blanket permission to move about the capitol city of Lilongwe and he blessed us and our mission. He then shared that he was a Christian and that Malawi needed Yeshua if it was every going to prosper and be set free from poverty, sickness, and despair. He then took numerous pictures of us with him and blessed us again in thanked us unceasingly.

Rabbi Eric, Pastor Brayboy, Pastor Ngwira, and the Assistan Mayor of Lilongwe in blue suite with blue shirt.

That afternoon, at our first meeting, outside the building before we even entered Pastor Brayboy led a young Malawi Man to Yeshua at the doorway. This was a powerful example of the favor and grace that was poured upon as we were given the authority to perform ministry by the leaders of Malawi. In our 5 meetings in Lilongwe over the next week over 800 were saved and hundred were healed from Malaria, various bone disorders, tooth disorders, numerous diseases and hundreds were filled with the Holy Spirit for the first time. In our last outreach in Lilongwe on Shabbat (May 1st, 2004) Pastor Ngwira hired a well known local worship leader and his choir. In an open field of a township of Lilongwe a temporary slab board stage was erected. A generator was rented and a PA system set up. At around 2:00PM the Worship leader and his choir began praise and worship. By the time of our arrival at approx 4:00PM over 2,500 people had gathered in this open field and were prepared to receive God’s word. Over 600 received Yeshua that day (including numerous Muslims) and hundreds more were healed and set free from various maladies. What a difference it makes to be in harmony and shalom with the Kingdom of God, the Holy Spirit, and the leaders of the land! The people were also fed at the meetings! People listen to the “Good News” much better on full stomachs!

Receiving Yeshua in Malawi

We also spent several days in Blantyre, the second largest city of Malawi and the capitol city of the southern province of Malawi (Malawi is comprised of two provinces, the Northern and Southern). Again, before conducting any ministry or meetings, we met with his Honor John Chikakwiya, Mayor of Blantyre who is also the Governor of the Southern Province of Malawi. Mayor Chikakwiya ushered us into his office and asked what he could do for us. I explained as I had previously with the Mayor of Lilongwe that we were ministers from America and that we are learning so much from the Word of God. I explained about spiritual authority and that we recognized his authority, that it came from God, and that we submitted ourselves to his authority as guests in his country, city, and province. We gifted him with gifts that represented America and our home state of Virginia. We then asked his permission and blessings to perform ministry and share the Gospel of Messiah Yeshua to his people. I again explained that we were not there to change culture or oppress people, but rather we wanted to set them free by the blood of the Lamb, and to heal and reconcile them back to God. He paused, gave us a long, incredulous gaze then spoke strongly and with great authority. He gave us permission to move freely about the province and city and gave us permission to speak to anyone we desired and to conduct as many outreaches as we desired.

From Left: Michael Ngwira (Howards Brother, Pastor Brayboy, Mr Ken Mhango, Rabbi Eric Carlson, Mayor Honorable John Chikakwiya

He then shared that he is an Ordained Minister and that although he understood what we were doing, he had never seen anyone do it before, especially not in Malawi. He said he was greatly honored and that if anyone gave us any trouble we were to call him personally as we were traveling about his province as his personal guests. He then got up, picked up his chair, set it in the middle of our group, sat down, and asked us to pray for him as he needed more of Jesus to carry out his duties and for prayer for the upcoming elections! We prayed for him and the country, took several pictures with him and then he walked us back to our vehicle for one more blessing before we left. In this meeting we had with Mayor Chikakwiya there was another person present who introduced himself as Mr. Ken Williams Mhango. He is the personal assistant to his Excellency Dr Bakili Muluzi, President of Malawi and is the National Director for orphanages and non-profit aid disbursements (what a divin appointment as we had been discussing shipping containers of aid to Malawi with Pastor Howard). Mr. Mhango made several phone calls attempting to get us an audience with Dr. Muluzi. The president was returning from meetings in South Africa and could not see us at that time but made us promise that when we return we schedule a meeting with him as he will grant us an audience! This is testimony to the power of God’s word and the great favor that is bestowed upon us when we follow His plan and order! Our meetings in Blantyre and the Southern Province city of Bangula were great successes. Over 200 were saved as Pastor Brayboy and I ministered the Word of God. In our meetings were ten Pastors, 6 from Malawi and four from Mozambique, Zambia, Tanzinia, and Zimbabwe. One young Pastor walked all night long, over 60 kilometers to attend our meetings.

There are 43 Pastors associated with Pastor Ngwira in Malawi. Of those 43, only 4 had Bibles. The other Pastors would visit those Pastors who had Bibles, hear the word of God and return to their respective villages and share that word with their villagers. We purchased 62 bibles (in their native language of Chipwirta) while in Malawi to insure that every Pastor had a Bible. We also purchased 4 bicycles, 1 each for 4 Pastors there (one especially for the Pastor who walked 60 Kilometers from Mozambique) and we purchased a good condition 1990 Toyota Camry for Pastor Ngwira so he can visit all the congregations throughout Malawi. We helped them to legally incorporate under Malawi Law and helped them set up their board of advisors with By-Laws.

Pastor Ngwira and new car!

We lifted up the arms of Pastor Ngwira and stood with him as the “One New Man”, empowering them to spread the good news and to reach people in all areas of Malawi and the nations of Tanzinia, Zambia, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe. The people of Malawi are on fire for the “One New Man”. They fully understand the Biblical implications and importance of Israel and Jerusalem in these end days. Pastor Ngwira told me that for years they have been praying and fasting for Israel. I, somewhat in disbelief, asked him why (this was a stupid question on my part but it just blurted out)? Pastor Ngwira replied “Because the bible tells us to”. I find this so amazing and powerful, these believers have not been polluted with theology, doxology, or any other teachings of man. They just read the Bible (those who had them) and do what it says! It sounds oversimplified but that is exactly what God wants us to do! The Pastors and people excitedly received the “One New Man. Despite their poverty and disease, the people are warm, joyous, and full of the Holy Spirit. They are submitting themselves to God and the Hoy Spirit, receiving Yeshua the Jewish Messiah as Lord and Savior, and standing with Israel in prayer and fasting. God is blessing them and revival is happening in Malawi!