Malawi, Africa: 1996-2013
After completing Scarboro’s lay mission preparation program in 1995, Ray and Beverley Vantomme were asked to begin a new mission in Mzuzu Diocese in Malawi, Central Africa. They began their ministries in January 1996, Ray as a project coordinator and technical advisor for the Medical Missionaries of Mary, and Beverley in the field of psychological counseling, training the staff at the St. John of God Community Mental Health Services. For the next 17 years, Scarboro lay missioners continued to work in the cities of Rumphi and Mzuzu in the Diocese of Mzuzu in northern Malawi. They were also invited to walk in friendship and ministry with the Rosarian Sisters, assisting them in health care, education, HIV/AIDS awareness, pastoral care, and human development with a focus on women and children. Scarboro Father Jim McGuire also served in Malawi in Dedza Diocese as a spiritual director and chaplain. Since 2013, no Scarboro missioners have served in Malawi.