Mission Moments: Malawi
Giving thanks for housing the forgotten widows
By Gary Fallesen
President, Climbing For Christ
Fages Chipesu confessed to feeling as if she was a dog. “Nobody wanted me,” said the widow from Ngoma village in impoverished southern Malawi.
“I am very thankful for this house. Really thanks (to) C4C for such a gift. Since I (moved) into my new house thieves came to take my tent, which was my house then. But now I am covered (by a roof). I thank God for that.”
Fages is one of seven widows to have a new house thanks to a partnership between Climbing For Christ and Hope Lutheran Church in Rochester, NY.
Emily Patisi says she can sleep “like a baby now” in her new house. “I can stretch my legs when sleeping. We didn’t expect such a thing, but now I have thanks.”
Damson Samson, our missionary to East Africa and loving neighbor to these widows, recalled visiting Emily’s old house where “she was sleeping on the floor demonstrating how hard it was during raining season. But now that is the story of the past thankfully.”
Climbing For Christ had rebuilt or renovated 10 houses between April and July as part of our Project 1:27 focus on looking after orphans and widows in their distress (James 1:27).
Project 1:27 began in Malawi in 2010 with the sponsorship of an orphanage operated by Pastor Duncan Nyozani, a Climbing For Christ member. The initiative later spread to Nepal to the orphanages of SARA (Savior Alone Redeems Asians) operated by Pastor Tej Rokka, another C4C member.
A widows program began this year when the Spirit moved Damson to help the many isolated men and women living as the least of the least of these in villages near him. Food, clothing, and sleeping mats were delivered before Damson identified 10 houses that were not providing shelter for widows from rain, cold, animals or thieves.
Damson appealed for US$4,000 to build additional houses. This need was shared by Pastor Larry Stojkovic at Hope church in July and the congregation responded by giving nearly $14,000. The first $5,000 of these funds was used on these seven homes. Another $5,000 will be used on seven more houses to be started in late September.
“I should personally thank heaven for the church, which responded to the call of caring for our widows here in Malawi,” Damson said.
Climbing For Christ rejoices with Damson and our dear friends in Malawi, giving thanks to our loving God who provides for us and sustains us.
Elube Walasi, who is 71 years old and lives in Singano village, is shocked and happy with her new house. Damson (in the photo with Elube) said “she could not say any more, only thanks for such amazing grace.”
Daniel Nathutu of Msema village lost his house during the floods of January 2015. He was given a tent to sleep in, but life for him was very hard. “When I meet him he always says ‘thanks,’” Damson reported. “He can say 10 times within 10 minutes he is a happy man.”
Benedicto Bonongwe of Msema village said it was “only by God’s plan for him to have such grace of having a new house. More thanks to C4C for remembering me in this way. Nobody was there for me.”
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Aggese Nandolo lives in Ngoma village. She said life has been so hard that she felt hopeless. She told Damson “she can’t do anything to keep herself living on earth. Nobody was there to help. Now she can smile whenever I get her. She feels more covered and very thankful for being born among thousands of widows in Malawi.”
Estery Zachariah lives in Singano village. She said her life has never seen such wonderful miracle house. “She is very much appreciating to God who has seen her through,” Damson said. “It was very challenging since the husband left. She had no home to stay.
“Sometimes she has been talking to herself, (saying) ‘my parents have gone without seeing these things that only I have seen.’ She had no hope of getting a house big enough for her and other orphans.”
But God provided. He is “Father to the fatherless and protector of widows ... in His holy habitation” (Psalm 68:5).
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