15 30 MINUTES WITH
Karilyn
Karilyn Ewings, a fifty something from QLD, is currently serving on a six
month stint with Global Interaction in Malawi. She has been helping out
cross-cultural workers Tim and Mel by tutoring their boys in distance
education and supporting the team with administration. This enables
Tim and Mel to spend time out in the villages building relationships,
discipling local believers and sharing their faith.
How did you sense God calling you
to Africa?
Our church did a series called “Fan or
Follower¹” in 2013, during which I felt a
strong call to do something. One day
I was reading Resonate magazine and
inside the back page was an advert
saying that people with all sorts of skills
can be used in mission, even admin
people like me. I also heard that the
Downes family had really valued a six
month visit from a teacher so Mel could
spend time in the villages. I thought
I could give it a go too! I went for six
months in 2014 and had such a great
time that I’ve come back.
Thanks for the plug about Resonate!
It sounds like it was a pretty simple
process for you.
If I’m honest, it wasn’t. My mind filled
with many reasons why I should not
go; What about my job? What about
the house I am paying off? My mum
lives with me – she will be lonely. And I
certainly don’t have enough money! But
it’s amazing how God gave me peace
about these things.
What have been your impressions
of the country?
I enjoy going to the markets and
engaging with people. There is a fair
selection of seasonal fruit and veggies.
The avocados are nearly the size of
coconuts. The second hand clothes
market is fun – at times you can even
buy snow suits!
God has put a great love in my heart
for the Yawo people. They are friendly
and are happy to help me learn the
language. They have a good sense of
humour; there have been many laughs.
So you are loving it. Can you let us
into the tough stuff?
I attend the Ladies’ Bible Group with
Mel but without the language I don’t
know what they were saying. I simply
find the same chapter in my Bible, read
along and smile. I now understand how
critical it is for cross-cultural workers
to invest time in learning language.
I’m attempting to learn what I can. It
doesn’t come easily to me but hey, I
want to get to know these women.
How have you encountered God
in Malawi?
I used to worry that I wasn’t doing
enough. People in Australia are
supporting me; was I justifying their
partnership? Then, beautifully, God
said to me, “It is not about what or
how much you do, but that you be. Be
where I want you to be.” How amazing
and liberating! I know I am where
God wants me to be and that’s what
matters.
1
Notafan.com
tips to move from Fan to Follower of Jesus
Take a moment to ask yourself
if your love of Jesus affects all
areas of your life? It’s easy to
compartmentalise our time,
money and possessions to
please our own ambitions.
If God moves you to action,
don’t hesitate. Don’t let it
go and forget about it. Give
Him all the obstacles and
watch Him respond!
Remember that you do
have something to offer.