July 28, 2018

When reflecting on the happenings of today, two events immediately come to my mind as most inspiring to me, a visiting Daughter.

Following the Opening Mass on Saturday morning (beginning at 6:00 a.m. to accommodate the Bishop’s schedule), the Daughters organized a parade from the church through the nearby village to an open-air market on the main road.  Dressed in their uniforms and singing and dancing for Jesus, the parade is a powerful visual evangelism tool. During many parades, the Daughters break off from the line to greet passers-by.  In this instance, some of the Daughters take a “fuel” break, stopping at the market to purchase sugar cane to eat during the final leg of the parade back to Malosa Secondary School.

The election of the National Office Bearers is conducted Saturday afternoon immediately after lunch.  To prepare for elections, the Daughters first sing songs of prayer.  Then, before addressing the Daughters, prayers are offered for the speaker.  The speaker instructs the Daughters on the qualifications they should look for in the candidates for the National Office Bearers, especially the National President.  The candidates should be spirit-filled; they should be good domestic managers; they should have a knowledge of God; and they should be of good character, exhibiting traits of humility and perseverance.  After that preparation, the elections went smoothly.  Bahati Kaliyah (Diocese of Lake Malawi) was elected president; Florence Mdala (Diocese of Upper Shire and one of the team accompanying me on my visit), vice president; Carol Mphande (Diocese of Lake Malawi), secretary; Jacqueline Chidandale (Diocese of Upper Shire); vice secretary; and Agnes Salaka (Diocese of Southern Malawi), treasurer.

The rhythm and pattern of the day reminds me of Triennials in the U.S. because Daughters are gathered into both the business sessions and teachings with music.  We are invited to “stand up and sing to Jesus.”  I retire this night with the tune of one of those songs of praise playing in my head.