Mission Moments: Malawi
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A common Malawi widow’s pose: praising God for what He has done. (Photo by Damson Samson)
Widows declare God’s greatness
By Gary Fallesen, founding president, Climbing For Christ
“Closing our mouths can’t do,” Damson Samson said after the third anniversary of his Climbing For Christ-sponsored widows project. “We shall proclaim the great and wonderful things the Lord has done.”
Hundreds of widows who have been blessed by God through this project gathered on Jan. 4 for a big party. They brought gifts for Damson and his family – and received gifts from Climbing For Christ.
“We had a super party,” Damson said. “It was a great time for our people to confess how much joy (they have experienced) and their appreciation for Climbing For Christ. We heard songs of praise and poems of sincere thanks.”
There also were many dances to celebrate the day.
Damson used the opportunity to share a lesson from 1 Samuel 2:22-26, “being responsible for our kids and having the fear of the Lord in us.” Then a dinner of nsima (ground maize flour that is a dietary staple in Malawi), beef, bread, and rice porridge was served.
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A widow blessed by a meal. (Photo by Damson Samson)
One widow said it had been some months since she ate meat and “awhile since I have been as full as today.” She had been surviving on vegetables, mostly ocra. “She thanked me a lot and said she appreciated all we do,” Damson said.
Appreciation was shared repeatedly for the many blessings of the past three years: sleeping mats to cover the mud floors, blankets, food, clothing, and in some cases new homes.
The widows project began at the end of 2015. During CHRISTmas that year, Damson felt an urge “to do something that can make somebody smile.” He realized it was God’s will for him to bless some widows and disabled children.
He and his wife used a portion of his monthly salary from Climbing For Christ to prepare a small gift of meat, flour and salt for 22 widows and three children. But, at the time scheduled to deliver these gifts, nearly twice as many widows (41) showed up. There were smiles all around as they found a way to give to each person.
Hundreds upon hundreds of smiles have followed with even more having been done for the many forgotten elderly living in remote villages in southern Malawi, where Damson is based. “We know that God’s hand is working among us,” Damson said.
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Hundreds of widows received sheets of cloth from Climbing For Christ during a gathering on Mission: Malawi 2018. (Photo by Gary Fallesen)
The Word
“Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.” – James 1:27 (NLT)
Helping hands
You can support this widows project by sending a financial gift to Climbing For Christ c/o Malawi widows at P.O. Box 16290, Rochester, NY 14616. Or CLICK HERE and give online via PayPal. In Canada, make cheques payable to The Great Commission Foundation and on the memo line add “Climbing For Christ CANADA.” Mail your support to The Great Commission Foundation, P.O. Box 14006, Abbotsford, BC V2T 0B4. Or CLICK HERE to give online.
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