Quarterly Report

March 2025

A Note from Steve and Nora


Early Friday mornings are very special for us, as we start receiving all the detailed weekly reports, prayer needs, and ministry updates emailed to us from each department head of the RS team in Malawi.  Since Malawi time is 9 hours ahead of California time, their day is ending as our day is just beginning….. So, both night and day RS Prayers and thanksgiving are being offered up… Hallelujah!


For us, every Friday is a time for praise, thanksgiving, prayer, and worshipping the Lord for all He has done in the hearts and lives of men, women, and youth/children in Malawi.


As you will see in this Newsletter, there are many accounts of how God has led the team to teach, train, and disciple in the (Word of God) Bible so they may become believers and are strengthened to become ambassadors for Christ in Malawi.


Please join RS in prayer for “God’s Will” for a ministry trip to Malawi in late summer or fall 2025.  The purpose would be to come alongside and encourage the RS team for growing ministry of Inductive Bible Study training, Marriage/Family, Book of Revelation, Men’s Discipleship, Children’s Ministry and Home Fellowships.


We invite you to join RS in prayer and if the Lord puts on your heart to serve Him in Malawi, please contact us so we can talk and pray together.  God has His Plan for Malawi and you may be part of it.



In Him, Steve and Nora

“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints.”

Psalm 116:15

Jim Canner, his wife Alisha and their daughter Judith came to serve with RS in Malawi.


Here is Jim assembling the many needed reading glasses for the Adult Literacy Classes, he spent many hours working happily here at this table, and he also served with the RS team teaching the Bible studies in the remote villages.  


Thanking Jesus for Jim!

Sue Wulfmeyer and her late husband, Jack, were the first encouragers and prayer partners many years ago, when Malawi became a vision for our next step with the Lord .. they had been standing and serving for the Gospel to reach all Africa with the Jesus Film.


Sue also encouraged (Campus Crusade for Christ team ) that the “Walking With Jesus” 5 video teachings be in Chichewa for Malawi. It is still being used today, as is, The Jesus Film.   Sue also dedicated part of the sales of her published books to RS ministries.

RS and eternity will always be indebted to Jim’s and Sue’s commitment to pray, trust, obey, serve and support the Gospel in Malawi.


The Ambassadors for Christ Jim, from Pennsylvania and Sue, from California have a new address:


“So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.“   

2 Corinthians 5:6
 

A Note from Funa – Excutive Administor


The year 2025 is off to a great start amidst challenges, so much has already been accomplished and we thank God for all the open doors for the gospel and all the ministry opportunities. 


After returning from a refreshing Christmas break, we were excited to return to open doors for advancing the gospel and pursuing the spiritual growth and maturity of men, women, youth and children in Malawi. 


Our outreaches to Chorwe and Chigwirizano have not yet started as we wait for the end of the rainy season and harvest. This waiting time presented us with a great opportunity to pray and refocus on goals, aims and objectives in the different departments within the ministry. 



Please pray for the fruitfulness of the word planted in every one of our outreaches and for provisions and resources to sustain and grow the ministry of Ruth’s Shawl.

Children and Youth Ministry


A much-needed shelter/gazebo is under construction in Chigwirizano where the children and youth can sit and learn and be covered from the hot sun and the rains. Our funds allow for only one shelter at the moment though we need at least three shelters to cater for the number of children and youth who attend meetings weekly. 



Our goal is to raise more shelters to accommodate all the groups that we work with from elementary to older youth. 

Sponsored Students

Lamek

Debora

Enock

Programs and Logistics Officer-William shared the Sponsored Students Program currently has three sponsored students.  Pray for additional students for this Youth ministry of reaching students for discipleship in the Lord as they continue with their high school education.

Training and Discipleship


This year the program aims to achieve several goals including: 

1.    to equip adult literacy learners with inductive Bible study skills and tools 

2.    to provide continued training for the RS teachers 

3.    to increase male participation in the adult literacy program 

4.    to reduce school dropout rate 

5.    to provide capacity-building training

6.    create systematic registration for participants and increase participation at

Chorwe Bible Study, to increase visibility and presence. 


Thus far this year the department has enrolled 215 students in 11 classes spread across Ntchisi. All of the classes have two teachers and are supplied with all the necessary teaching materials. 


Allan and William took one supervised trip to visit the current classes in February, however, they were only able to supervise a few of the classes due to the condition of the roads in this rainy season. 



Another supervised trip was made and now all of the supplies are distributed for all the classes. Answered prayers!


Juvenile Prison Ministry


On Tuesday RS Staff taught from the Book of Ephesians 1:7-14. The main focus was the identity of the Believer and the privileges found in Him. The emphasis was that we receive, forgiveness, redemption, and blessings on the condition that we are only found in Him.


We were also able to provide hygiene items such as soap, lotion, Colgate, and toothbrushes to the inmates. They were very grateful and happy for the items presented.



Approximately fifteen inmates responded to the altar call to receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and personal Savior. They will receive follow up course of study to discuss what entails in the decision made to follow Christ.

Office Building Project

The construction of the foundation and the slab for the new office building was completed in 2024. Our goal is to have this project completed by 2026. 



Please join RS in prayer to see this project completed for use this Fall. God Willing, ready when the RS mission trip becomes a reality.

Ruth's Shawl Provides 

Audio Bibles 


Funa giving 10 RS Audio Bibles in Chichewa to Ben, a ministry colleague, to assist him to start up a new Bible study. He was also encouraged to start an Adult Literacy Class for those who cannot read.


RS is thankful for opportunities to help and give for the spread of the Gospel. Each of your prayers and 

financial giving make these gifts possible. 

Please pray for Ben!

Prayers and Petitions


  1. Please pray for the fruitfulness of the word planted in every one of our outreaches and for provisions and resources to sustain and grow the ministry of Ruth’s Shawl. 
  2. Funds to repair the cars we currently have and to purchase a third
  3. Funds to build more shelters, and construct the much-needed Office Building
  4. To find those (individual or group) to support the endeavor to grow the sponsored students program.
  5. Roads would clear of water to make them passable
  6. Prayer for the teaching of inductive bible studies
  7. Ben’s new Bible study, and possibly the start of an Adult Literacy Class for those who cannot read.
  8. RS to assemble a ministry trip to Malawi in late summer or fall 2025.  
  9. Prayer for 2 additional vehicles to replace the older and worn-out ones.

Learning to read unlocks the Bible and

changes lives forever!

The RS team would like to thank you for your continued prayers as we minister each day to do God's work as He leads. Please share this newsletter with your friends and church family and encourage them to pray for the work in Malawi.


Should you have any questions or have an interest in ministering with Ruth's Shawl in Malawi please contact us at contactus@ruthsshawl.org. or visit our website at www.ruthsshawl.org 
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