Mission Moments: Malawi

Delivering life to the Ngoni people

By Gary Fallesen, founding president, Climbing For Christ

Damson Samson prays for some of the 29 Ngoni widows who surrendered their lives to Jesus during worship on Sunday, Sept. 3. (Photos by Philip Mkweza)

The head of one of the village groups rejoiced at the arrival of Climbing For Christ among the Ngoni  people living in Central Malawi. “These people (from C4C) have not brought you money or clothes,” she told those gathered to meet staff member Damson Samson on Friday, Sept. 1. “Rather they have brought you life in Christ, which is the most expensive thing that we need in this life.”

She spoke from experience, having recovered from a stroke that nearly took her life. “But God has given her life back,” Damson said.

This was one of several warm welcomes offered to Climbing For Christ as Damson visited the Ngoni living in the Ntcheu District. It was his first visit since we were blessed to meet with more than 150 Ngoni on June 30 during Mission: Malawi 2017. On that occasion about 60 people accepted Jesus.

The Ngoni, an offshoot of the Zulu 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.

Ntcheu District (red) in Central Region of Malawi.

Ngoni are found in Tanzania, Mozambique, Malawi and Zambia. They are considered “engaged yet unreached” by mission organizations such as ours. Because the Ngoni in Malawi appeared on a list of unreached people groups at the Finishing the Task Conference I was attending in December 2016, I asked Damson what he knew about them and if we could reach them.

“We can reach them very well,” he told me, and we made Ngoni outreach part of our 2017 plan.

Damson was welcomed into the villages on this most recent trip. One group village head whom we had met twice previously “said it is a great honor to have C4C teaching her people for the Lord,” Damson reported. “She said, ‘We are willing and ready to work with you.’”

On day one of a five-day outreach, Damson met with 188 Ngoni people in the Ntcheu District.

The Masitmale group village head (above), and another chief in a traditional head-dress (below), said “we are willing and ready to work with you.”

Another group village head “encouraged his members to welcome this development seriously,” Damson said. “It has a great impact to develop lives which have no hope.”

Damson shares about Jesus on day two.

During Damson’s five-day visit to the Ngoni, he observed “we need more time to free those who are in great bondage because of the fear of death.” Most of the Ngoni in Ntcheu practice traditional folk (or ethnic) religion. God’s timing for our outreach program put Damson in the villages when an annual celebration was scheduled.

“This was a good time of learning more about the Ngoni culture,” he said. “As we were there, the group village head Masitmale told me that it ‘will be high value for you to visit a big occasion, which happens once a year. This event attracts all Ngoni people from around Africa and they come to Ntcheu every year just to celebrate their king, Inkosi Gomani (who is buried there).

“During this event every Ngoni has to come to this grave while dressed in animal skins. When they come they have to kill a cow and drink the blood as part of the sacrifice. Every Ngoni has to drink (homemade) beer to demonstrate the culture.

“People share the boiled blood. Everyone stays until this is finished.”

Damson said the event is so important the president of Malawi, Peter Mutharika, was in attendance.

Damson learns about traditional Ngoni clothing and homes.

Many Ngoni gather, above, to celebrate and, below, to perform ceremonial dances.

On the fourth day of this outreach, Damson was asked to preach at a local church. Many who had been invited on the first three days attended worship.

“I thank heaven and all the glory goes to Him for the 29 widows who gave their lives to Jesus,” Damson said on Sunday, Sept. 3. “I prayed for every one of them for the (redemption) of their sins.”

Monday, Sept. 4 was set aside for planning for the future of Climbing For Christ’s work among the Ngoni.