Mission Moments: Malawi

Celebrating spiritual independence

By Gary Fallesen

Inside Mulanje Prison. (Photos by Damson Samson)

July 6 was Independence Day in Malawi and staff worker Damson Samson used the opportunity to offer spiritual freedom at Mulanje Prison. This was Damson’s first visit to the southern Malawi prison since CHRISTmas day.

“I prayed for heaven to intervene for the sake of my brothers and sisters in Mulanje Prison,” Damson said. “I looked at the Independence Day we had and I was able to see that it was to be a celebration where Malawi received that freedom, but now I saw it as a different thing. It could be a life transformed through Jesus Christ, and only this could bring freedom to mankind.”

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” – John 8:36 (ESV)

Damson’s team prepares to serve the prisoners.

Damson led a group of 20 pastors and church leaders on this prison visit. Climbing For Christ provided support to feed 450 inmates and for the distribution of gifts of soap and lotion.

He preached the Word, sharing how Christ Jesus has set us free from sin and death (Romans 8:2) and we do not need to be “subject again to a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1).

“It was raining this day and I had to stand in it to share the Word to everyone,” Damson said. “Talking to those who accepted Christ, I saw over 200 hands up. It was an amazing time.”

One prison staff member called it a “demonstration of God’s love at work.” Many thanked Damson and Climbing For Christ for serving through this ministry.

“I personally request to those who might feel led to support this ministry, they should come,” Damson said. “There is more to do with those who are in prison.

“It remains a prayer to see this ministry growing.”

Most inmates are in prison for stealing. Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world and repeat offenses of stealing are common because, Damson noted, “when they are out most don’t have anything to do (for work) and it drives them to stealing again.”

Murder, resulting from fights (usually alcohol or drug related) or killing albino people (there is a market for the bones of albinos to be used in witchcraft), the abandoning of families, and smuggling are other crimes leading to imprisonment.

Gary Fallesen is Climbing For Christ’s founding president. He has led all of C4C’s missions to Malawi since 2010 and is preparing to GO again in August on Mission: Malawi 2018.