A Time For Everything

“We are coming to your house tomorrow.” announced the voice on the other end of the phone. At the time, we were having dinner with guests and should have ignored the call. But like Pavlov’s dog we have been trained to answer when the phone rings.

“Who is this?” I inquired. “This is the St. Andrew’s Church Women’s Guild, and we are coming to your house tomorrow at 3 o’clock.” Slightly taken aback I replied in my politest voice: “We will not be here tomorrow afternoon because we will be working at the Nursery. But you are welcome to visit us there.” The caller persisted: “We don’t know how to find the Nursery so we will come to your house.”

Eventually, the Women’s Guild relented and at 3 o’clock the next afternoon a small pick-up truck, bulging with a gang of Presbyterian Women, pulled into the Nursery courtyard. As they disembarked they also unloaded a truckload of goodies—sugar, potatoes, soap, soft drink, etc.

After a quick tour of the Nursery we shared devotional time led by a member of the Guild. Then came introductions, a few short speeches, and 2 presentations. Dada Maliska (Paul) received a brand new shirt from the market and Mama Maliska (Darlene) was presented with 4 meters of beautiful material to be made into a dress. We thanked the women for the personal gifts and also for their generosity in bringing all the sugar, potatoes, etc. for the Nursery.

Only after their departure did we finally get clued in. Not only the shirt and material, but all the food, soap, etc. were gifts meant not for the Nursery but for the minister and the minister’s spouse. It is the duty and privilege of the Women’s guild to look out for the well being of all the pastors (Muliska) related to their congregation. This was not a spur of the moment drop in just to interrupt our busy day to say hello. This was a well planned care program for me and Darlene. The women raised the funds, purchased the gifts, and actually called (a highly atypical concession to us Americans) to announce their arrival.

It is the first time in my 36 years as a pastor that we have received such a visit. And the first time we received a chicken from the church.

NOTE: In addition to being director of the Crisis Nursery Paul also serves as the associate pastor of the 1200 member congregation of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Mzuzu.