All Malawians have shoes on Sunday. (Someone should tell Tom.) Shoes on Sunday are a reminder of the humblest offering. You can only get so many days out of a pair of shoes. Wear them only on Sunday and you’re sure to outgrow their wear.

Shoes are not the only offering Malawians have to bring on Sunday. The offering of surplus grain stretches to the back of the church and far beyond. The grain is given to those in the community who are in deep need. The primary recipients are the hospital’s sickest without guardians. There are no complaints of socialism on Sunday – after all, capital is not a word common to Malawians. What is extra is given to families or friends in need, often as a means of survival.

On Sunday in Malawi, I can’t help but think of the first Christian churches, described in the book of Acts:

During those days, the entire community of believers was deeply united in heart and soul to such an extent that they stopped claiming private ownership of their possessions. Instead, they held everything in common. Everyone was surrounded by extraordinary grace. Not a single person in the community was in need because those who had been affluent sold their houses or lands and brought the proceeds to the emissaries of the Lord. They then distributed their funds to individuals according to their needs. –Acts 4

Instead, they held everything in common, everyone surrounded by extraordinary grace, not a single person in the community was in need, distributing offerings according to their needs. This is the Church of Malawi.

“In this yoke lies their true freedom; they stand tallest when they bow.” –C.S. Lewis