Mission Moments: Malawi

Ngoni hands raised for Jesus

Story by Gary Fallesen, president of Climbing For Christ
with reporting and photos by Damson Samson, missionary to East Africa

Damson Samson shared Biblical truth with 40 chiefs from the Ngoni tribe during our April outreach in Central Malawi. “I was teaching these leaders from the Book of Isaiah (chapter) 37, verses 8 to 20,” Damson said. “I titled my message ‘A King Who Fears the Lord.’ I was highlighting how Hezekiah responded to a letter he got (from the commander of the Assyrian forces).”

Hezekiah “read the note from the king of Assyria, he took it to the temple and spread it out for the Lord to see. Then he prayed” (Isaiah 37:14-15). Damson asked the chiefs how they respond to issues in their community. Do they go to the LORD with their problems and questions?

“If you fear God, you cannot only speak it, but you can do well to show that you totally depend on God,” Damson said.

About two dozen chiefs had been expected at this training. “Lo and behold we had 40 who attended,” Damson said. “They very much appreciated C4C for bringing such an opportunity and their chance to hear the truth from above.”

In fact, 10 of the chiefs attending surrendered their lives to Jesus.

“Why did we involve traditional leaders?” Damson said. “They are the heads of the village; transforming one of them means you have changed the villages.

“For example, the group village head from Kasale said that she has come to know the truth and has discouraged people in her area from selling beer all but two days a week. No one would be drunk and keep on shouting in the street (every night). This keeps the village quiet, no night dances, for the night is for people to rest and think about what to do the next day.”

This three-day outreach was the second of four planned visits this year among the under-engaged Ngoni, a people group we felt led to reach beginning with Mission: Malawi 2017.

The Ngoni, an offshoot of the Zulu people in South Africa, were the first group to invade what is now Malawi during the 19^th century. Following the death in 1848 of their leader, Zwangendaba, and division among the Ngoni people, the group dispersed in several directions. Many settled in the Ntcheu District of Central Malawi. Ngoni also are found in Tanzania, Mozambique and Zambia. The Malawi Ngoni, who number about 1.9 million, generally practice traditional folk religions, although many have been and are being led to Christ.

Kasale village head encouraging people to make Jesus the foundation of their lives, above. “She thanks Climbing For Christ for the commitment to reach Ngoni people,” Damson said. “This will really change the community.” Below, praying with new believers in Kasale.

Damson visited Kasale after the training with the chiefs and held a time of worship, which was attended by more than 130 villagers. He delivered a message near and dear to his heart: why do most widows suffer? Since January 2016, Damson has focused on serving “widows in their distress” (based on James 1:27). In Kasale, Damson taught from 1 Timothy 5:1-16, which is a Biblical guideline for those we are called to assist. After this message, 37 villagers asked to call Jesus their “Lord and Savior.”

Gathering at Masitmale.

“Then we continued to Masitmale, where we had a great harvest of 71 people who gave their lives to Christ Jesus,” Damson said. “We gathered over 170 people and preached to them from John 3:16. Many sick people were prayed for.”

Additionally, Damson visited 30 homes in the villages. “It was a great time in every home we visited,” he said. “Christ Jesus was preached and over 20 people accepted Christ. In total 138 people came to Christ. It was a great revival. Praise God!”

Damson distributed 177 pieces of cloth, blankets, and four Bibles among these Ngoni people.

Chiefs with gifts received from Climbing For Christ, above. Below, 94-year-old widow Aness Wvatama, who said she was rejected by her sons and grandchildren. Only one grandson ever visits her. “I encouraged her to forgive them and start anew living in Christ Jesus for He is the only hope for our lives,” Damson said. “I further said to her that we need more preparation for the life to come. She was very happy for my visiting her and confessed her life to Jesus.”