JCM makes connections from Malawi to Minnesota

Rev. Joel Gaertner June 7, 2019

A partnership between Jesus Cares Ministries (JCM) and Kingdom Workers has helped 53 volunteers serve more than 350 people with special needs in Malawi, a landlocked country in southeastern Africa. Recently, JCM programs in America got to see this ministry through the eyes of Davie Duwe. Davie has spent four years with Kingdom Workers as a Field Assistant in Malawi. He traveled to the United States in 2017 to update congregations and friends of JCM about the work of sharing God’s word with people with disabilities in Africa.

Davie’s trip brought him to Hope Residence, a ministry of The Lutheran Home Association that provides an extensive array of services to support and enhance the lives of residents dealing with disabilities. Residents at Hope can participate in JCM Bible studies and Worship at the Cross, and several residents were part of JCM programs throughout the United States before moving to Hope.

Davie_Hope.jpgWhen Davie arrived, Hope resident Jacob Bartels was the first person to welcome him and gave him a detailed tour of the campus. The two (pictured, right) connected instantly.

“Jacob is a nice guy; he likes talking. Later on we played a game I never played before, and he taught me how to play it. I spent almost a day with him,” Davie said. “Jacob was a very good friend of mine the first day I arrived at Hope Residence. I will miss him.”

Jacob has lived at Hope Residence for 10 years. He has a job at New Options, likes hip-hop and drinking pop, and attends JCM Bible study and Worship at the Cross because it teaches him things.

“I like to learn,” said Jacob, who first attended JCM at Bloomington Lutheran Church in Bloomington, Minn.

Jacob wishes he could visit Davie in Africa so they would have more time to hang out.

Davie’s younger brother has Down syndrome, and Davie is passionate about helping him and others with disabilities “because they are like anyone. The only difference is some things they cannot do by themselves, hence they need help from us.”

Even with the efforts of Kingdom Workers, JCM and others, deep disparities remain for those with special needs in Malawi, Davie said.

“Caring for people with special needs is difficult because we do not have good facilities. Even some food you serve, we cannot afford,” Davie said. “Another thing is that some people with special needs are employed in the U.S., while in Malawi most of the disabled do not work and rely on help from well-wishers.”

“The way you care for residents at Hope shows that you have a heart for helping people with special needs,” Davie said.

Your gift makes a difference in the spiritual lives of those with disabilities here and in Malawi. A simple, flexible way have an impact is by including TLHA in your will or living trust. Find out how.