Taylor Professor Serves in Malawi through Sabbatical

Dr. Phil Grabowski, Associate Professor of Sustainable Development, took a four-month sabbatical with his family in the African nation of Malawi. While living in Malawi’s capital city, Lilongwe, the Grabowskis served with World Renew, an organization committed to meeting the needs of God’s image-bearers across the globe.  

Both Grabowski and his wife, Christa, shared previous ties with World Renew. From 2003 to 2009, they worked with the organization to encourage community development throughout rural Malawi.  

“We asked World Renew if they would host us because we wanted to spend time in Malawi as a family,” Grabowski said. “I've been going back and forth for research and J-term trips, but I hadn't returned with my family for about 12 years. So it was really special that we could all go back.” 

Leaning into Learning 

Through World Renew, Grabowski created lessons about agriculture development and gender roles from a biblical perspective. He taught these lessons to pastors preparing to plant churches in Malawi. Since the nation is largely rural, these church leaders must farm to survive. 

“I wanted to make sure they were thinking about everything from a biblical perspective, in terms of caring for creation, loving other people, and thinking about agriculture as a business that can glorify God,” he said.  

Serving and Resting as a Family 

Grabowski wanted to involve his children in his sabbatical experience, so the family found many outlets for service.  

Together, the Grabowskis helped care for the garden of a government-run hospital connected to Baylor University. They pulled weeds and chopped vegetables for cooking and nutrition classes offered by the hospital staff to mothers of malnourished children. 

Additionally, the family served at different medical clinics, and Grabowski’s oldest daughter volunteered at a hospital weekly.  

However, the Grabowskis also found time for rest and rejuvenation amidst their busy schedules. One weekend, the family traveled to a remote island on Lake Malawi. Together, they kayaked, snorkeled, and spent as much time in nature as possible. 

“The whole experience of cooking for ourselves, seeing all this beauty of God's creation, seeing the sunsets there, and being outside the whole weekend was very special,” Grabowski said. 

Preparing for J-term  

Grabowski also explored new opportunities for his next Sustainable Development J-term trip. 

“I was thinking the whole time, ‘How can I make my next trip to Malawi with J-term students as best possible?’” Grabowski said.  

While on a safari in one of Malawi’s national parks with his family, he met with Africa Parks, an organization that manages the protected area and promotes community development within nearby villages. Grabowski hopes to return there with Taylor students during J-term, meeting with Africa Parks to incorporate aspects of community development into their safari experience. 

J-term students can also look forward to visiting rural churches and communities throughout Malawi. On this trip, Grabowski hopes to showcase how God is using small churches and faithful pastors to further his Kingdom. 

J-term students will also complete a “homestay” in Malawi, bunking with a family from a rural village for a few days. 

“Very rarely can you find this opportunity to go to one of the poorest countries in the world and live with a family for a couple of nights to see how millions of people in the world live,” he said. “And a lot of them are great Christians. It's an opportunity to connect with the body of Christ and see their faith as they deal with uncertainty.” 

Bringing Classroom Lessons to Life 

As Grabowski steps back into the classroom, he hopes to change students’ perspectives on success, encouraging them to work earnestly while trusting in God’s character and timing. Though efforts in impoverished areas like Malawi can seem slow and discouraging, Grabowski seeks to assure students of God’s sovereignty and faithfulness.  

“I think that the perspective I will try and incorporate first with myself and then with my students is that we can trust God and we can rest,” Grabowski said. “We can work hard and pursue transformation and reconciliation, but it doesn't depend on us. It depends on God, and he's faithful.” 

Praying for Malawi 

Though Grabowski has returned to Taylor University, Malawi and its people remain on his heart.  

“Pray that people will be able to feed themselves and worship God,” Grabowski said. Despite the continued progress of agriculture, hunger persists. 

However, amidst the hardship, Grabowski knows God is working. From the classrooms of Taylor University to the rural villages of Malawi, he sees God’s glory shining through the steadfast faith of Christians as they walk with the Lord, one day at a time.