“It began in 2009,” remembers Marion Engstler, speaking of the fuel shortage in Malawi. “We had to plan our trips carefully because not every gas station would have fuel. Somehow, we could always find a place to fill the tank.” Over the past few months, the fuel shortages in Malawi have only gotten worse. “Fuel available at filling stations is now a rarity,” wrote Engstler recently. “If someone says that a certain gas station will be supplied, a long line forms in a very short time. Queues of 100 to150 cars are not uncommon; some drivers even sleep there.”

Our missionary team has noticed that Malawi’s economy is suffering greatly. Fertilizer which was needed during the rainy season arrived in the stores too late to be of use. Diesel and gasoline prices are 40% higher than just a year ago, and that increase has driven up the price of everything else. The poorer rural population suffers the most.

The Chisomo Bible Training Centre provides its own electricity through a diesel generator. In order to conserve fuel, the school has been running the generator only about half as much as before. But this has also cut the amount of water available, as an electric pump is needed to fill the overhead tanks.

The good news is that the missionary team recently experienced God's provision in an amazing way. “We heard about a station about 12 miles (20 km) away that was receiving a delivery of fuel. When we arrived there was no line – and we were able to fill all of our tanks. After eight weeks of ‘dry’ gas stations, this was a special miracle for us and we see this as God's provision.”