Bringing
Christianity to Africans, that is. For
this had become quite a large part of Southern slavery by the time of the War
(if ‘slavery’ is even the right word for it; Henry Hughes’s ‘warrenteeism’, or
perhaps ‘paternalism’, might be better words, for Southern slavery differed
greatly from the crushing, grinding slavery of the ancient heathen empires and
of the modern sweatshops in places like Vietnam).
So
a Southron’s heart ought to cheer to read reports like this one from the
Orthodox Mission Fraternity about the work being done in Malawi. It begins,
It
is true that we often hear about the difficulties, obstacles, problems that
concern the local missionary divisions. Many times, however, theory differs
from reality.
Going
to Malawi,
you experience this reality, from the way you are treated by the natives, from
various third-world diseases and more generally from the adversities of
everyday life. Amid this difficult situation though, abounds the grace of our
Lord Jesus Christ. How? Not through reasonable explanations, neither through
mathematical operations, nor through inductive reasoning but through the
miracle of faith and prayer.
A
basic principle for the person in charge of the Mission is prayer. That is why every time he
asks us for it. The Salutations, the Compline and every kind of service
accompany us on our missionary trips. The cross, the prayer, the rosary are all
irresistible weapons against hostile machinations.
Admirable
effort is made regarding the translation of the sacred texts. A painstaking,
costly and deeply spiritual work, which, as it appears, will constitute a huge
legacy for the people of Malawi
one day. As regards the sacrament of baptism, it is performed with all due
solemnity and only if preceded by at least one year of catechesis.
. . .
Source:
Emmanouil Karakoutsis, ‘Malawi:
The Fertile Field of Christ’, http://orthodoxmission.org.gr/2016/02/malawi-fertile-field-christ/,
accessed 19 Feb. 2016
Þrough
(Through) our prayers, almsgiving, and other actions, let us in Dixie and any
other good-hearted folks help the Fraternity in Malawi and everywhere else they are
active, as best we can.
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