[ACNS by Rachel Farmer] The congregation at a church in Malawi had a surprise visitor bearing gifts last Sunday when the country’s President Arthur Peter Mutharika arrived for the service bringing 1 million Kwacha (approx. $1,400) and 100 bags of cement.

Bishop of Northern Malawi, the Rt Revd Fanuel Magangani, was informed the president planned to visit St. Marks Anglican Church in Mzuzu as he was in the area. He said, “Most of the time when the Head of State comes for worship you are likely to see some changes to the programme, but it was different this time. Everything went on as we do when we have a joint Sunday service between our English and Chichewa service. We asked him to greet the congregation just like any other visiting member of the congregation and it was during this time that he announced the gift contributing to the construction of a new church building. He offered to the congregation MK 1,000,000 and 100 bags of cement.”

This project at St Mark’s began some five years ago and the congregation have been fund raising at the same time as continuing to construct the building which is now nearing completion.

The Bishop said, “This offering is coming at the right time and it will push them further to the finishing of the project. When it is completed we shall indeed worship the Lord in the beauty of Holiness.”

Speaking to the congregation the president said that the church contributes significantly to the government’s development endeavours and therefore, it also needs to be supported in its projects.

The Bishop thanked the president for his visit to the church and the donation, saying it would boost the church’s construction work.