If you love Sally Bryant, your help is needed!
Sally is preparing for her 13th trip to Malawi this summer. Over the years, she has faithfully built relationships, taught the truth, and seen miraculous transformation as a result.
Four years ago, in a rural area where girls are rarely educated, she and local leaders took a bold step: opening a high school that educates girls as well as boys. New Man, New Woman, New Life is a key component of Sally’s teacher training program.
This month, the school will hold its first graduation! Your help made this possible. Would you consider helping us again? Your support will help Sally travel to Malawi, conduct workshops, and continue to bring positive change to families in rural Malawi. Make a secure donation here.
In gratitude,
Carrie Miles, President, Empower International Ministries
Here is Sally’s report:
“Aren’t women responsible for all the trouble in the world?” …
“If a man’s cows dies, it’s a tragedy; if his wife dies, she is easily replaced.” …
“If my husband doesn’t beat me, how do I know he is interested in me?”
These are just a few of the comments about women and marriage we hear from participants when we present the New Man, New Woman, New Life workshops in Malawi. These cultural beliefs impact both men and women in negative ways.
Cultural traditions and a poor hermeneutic of scripture have caused harmful misinterpretation of God’s intention for man, woman, and marriage. During our workshop, men and women discover what God’s word really says about marriage and God’s intended one-flesh relationship between husband and wife. The NMNWNL workshop sets men and women free! Husbands find new freedom in openly showing love to their wives and children; wives are set free to be an equal partner to their husband. It is truly remarkable to see the work of the Holy Spirit in these workshops!
Remarkably, these workshops increase willingness to invest in education for girls. In many parts of Africa, educating girls is seen as an unnecessary expense: Why bother to educate a girl when her only purpose in life is to serve as a source of sexual satisfaction for her husband, produce children and provide food for the family? After learning about God’s view of women as an ‘ezer kenegdo, a help equal to the man, a true partner, people change their minds about the importance of educating girls.
Early marriage is closely linked with lack of access to education. Girls without an education tend to marry early and have children early. Malawi has one of the highest rates of early marriage in sub-Saharan Africa, with about 50 percent of girls marrying before age 18. Children born to mothers with limited education are 40 percent more likely to die before they reach the age of five. Many studies show that when you educate a girl, you educate the community. Education, especially education grounded in the gospel, can change a country. But poverty, along with a misunderstanding of the Bible’s view of women, is the main barrier to girls’ education.
Pastor Arnold Phiri, Empower’s Coordinator in Malawi, approached me four years ago about starting a high school in a rural part of Malawi. Thanks to an initial contribution from my home church, Saratoga Federated Church, we started a high school next door to our orphanage. Seeds of Hope High School offers the only educational opportunity for miles around, and is providing an excellent education for many students who otherwise would have been unable to attend school. Students also learn about the redemptive love of Jesus.
On June 23, our first class of students will graduate from high school. For many, graduation is an unimaginable dream, a longed-for future, a means to escape poverty and cultural superstitions. Without the work of Empower International Ministries, seeking to combat the root cause of abuse, abandonment, and injustice, this school would not exist. But in just a few weeks, more than 50 girls will graduate from high school, an amazing statistic in a village where many lack even basic literacy. Today, gospel-centered education is helping us change the culture in this community.
You can be a part of bringing this life-giving truth to people who need it. Your support will help us conduct training and will help girls attend school. Click here to access our secure online giving page.
