President Peter Mutharika’s speech on the occasion of the 120th anniversary of St. Martin Anglican Hospital
(Mangochi, 08 November, 2018) As we celebrate St Martin Community Hospital today, let me congratulate the Hospital staff, the Anglican Diocese of Upper Shire and all of the partners that support the Hospital. You are doing a very good job. Keep up the work!
As partners, we are making real progress in improving health services in this country. We are reducing the number of deaths of women associated with pregnancy and child birth. We are reducing the number of deaths of children under the age of 5 years from preventable causes. We are reducing the number of deaths from high burden infectious diseases such as HIV & AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, among others. Above all, together, we have improved the life expectancy of Malawians from 37 years to 62 years during the time the DPP has been in Government from 2004.
This celebration tells us that whatever we see in this country, there is a history behind it. There is a beginning for everything. But very often, we take things for granted because we do not care about where we are coming from. We take what we have for granted. We take what we are for granted. We take everything for granted because we do not often care about those who struggle and suffer for things we have and now enjoy.
I would like to commend the Anglican Church for the social services you provide to Malawians. You have some of the best secondary schools in this country. And you provide dependable health services to the people. Keep on with your mission. Maintain your prophetic role. Do not sell your soul for a few political kwachas as we saw recently.
As Government, we appreciate the role you play in the development of this country. Government and the Church have one common goal. We both serve God’s people.
In fact, I personally believe that leading a country is a calling from God. Just as David was called by God, I count my service to my country as my service to God.
But every calling by God is a journey of trials. That is why I believe in prayers. I believe in prayers and every morning I pray. And I find it wise to forgive.
I do not believe in fighting hate with hate. I have learnt to forgive my enemies. I fight hate with love for those who hate me. And I remember Jesus telling us: “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you.” (John 15:18)
And in my life as a servant of the people, I learn many inspiring lessons from King David. David faced many trials. David was not a perfect man. But by faith, David prevailed over his trials. There are times when some sought to destroy his innocent life. There are times when people became jealous of David just because he was doing his job right on the battlefield.
And there was a time when David’s own son rebelled to overthrow and kill him. This is a son David himself raised. David named his son “father of peace”, for that is what Absalom means in Hebrew. But his son brought him war. And David prevailed because he had faith in God.
I also know that as a Church, you face many challenges in your service to God. I know you meet many challenges in providing education and health services. Sometimes, people do not care to appreciate. But what you are doing is a service to God. No challenge will stop us from serving our God.
“And let us not grow weary of doing what is good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” The Bible tells us in Galatians 6 verse 9. Let us keep on fighting the good fight.
You and I will fight the good fight of developing this country. Those who want to stop us, in order to stop development, cannot stop the Almighty God we believe in. This is our calling!
In our service to our country, we should never be distracted by those who serve other forces. We should never be surprised when they fight to discourage us because light and darkness cannot walk together. Even when they gather to outnumber our cause, our faith, God assures us that He will set confusion in the camp of the enemy. And we only need to “Be still and know that He is God.”
Let me promise that as Government, we will continue supporting you as a Church. I also promise to continue bringing developing to this community and the people of Mangochi.
We have brought more piped water to Mangochi. We have built a community technical college. We are building a beautiful road from Liwonde to Mangochi. And we are going to build the road from Mangochi to Makanjira.
And we will bring to Mangochi a five-star hotel and an international airport. I promise what I do. And I do what I promise.
Together, let us develop this country!
Together, let us love on another!
May God Bless You All!
And God Bless Malawi!
Thank You!
