Testimonies

Malawi Outreach Report - July 2009

MUSLIMS BURN BAPTIST CHURCH IN MANGOCHI - MALAWI

My name is Sonny Lufani, a home Missionary (pastor) working in Mongochi District planting churches among Yao muslims. I was a Muslim, born grew up and cultured in a Muslim family. It was in 1969 that I read a Bible for the first time and it seemed as if God was speaking to me directly. I gave my life to Christ on 27th May 1980 and since that time I have been planting churches in every district throughout Malawi. Two years ago, the Lord called me to go and start churches among the Yao Muslims.

Mbaluku Village - Is a predominantly Muslim village which (alongside with other villages) was declared that there would be no Christian Church there but only Mosques. My family and I have been praying for this village to be saved (Mbaluku is my home village and my relatives were dying without Christ). In August 2002, the Lord opened a door so we started a church in this village. It was a long dream come true! We started with five converts and increased as time went by. I baptized 15 Muslim converts and expect to baptize more shortly. At first Baptism was done at night in fear of Muslim authorities but later it was done openly during the day. This has brought anger and they could not hide it.

I built a church 12m X 6m using timber bricks, thatched with grass and an average of 20 people out of 30 gathered in this building to learn about the Kingdom of God and worship together. The church was set on fire by Muslims on Friday 27th June 2003 at 23h00.

It started when 5 al Queda suspects, all Muslims, were arrested and whisked out of Malawi resulting in violence and damaged churches in Mangochi. They accused the government failing to prevent the deportation of al Queda suspects flown out on Air Malawi plane chartered by the United States Embassy. Because many churches were started by Missionaries from abroad, they damaged the churches and burnt my church as well.

Narrow Escape: When we heard that violence had started in town and hired a 7 ton lorry to take our property into the village (Mbaluke village - about five hundred metres away from the church). My wife and children rode behind us in a 1 tin truck and as they passed through the angry mob, they were attacked. They stoned the vehicle, they pulled my children's hair and pushed our youngest daughter so hard that she was seriously bruised on her right leg. After breaking churches and pastors houses and stealing property, they came to our home and found that we had moved to the village. Later in the night at 21h00 a group of young men surrounded our new home. Me and my wife Agnes came out and by the Grace of God, I noticed two familiar faces and asked them what they wanted at this hour. They were ashamed and went back without doing harm to us. At 23h00 they set fire to our church and was burnt down to ashes. We thank the Lord for saving our lives. Pray for us for protection since we are now living in their midst and our lives are in danger.

Way Forward: We are not going to give up, The Lord who has protected us will see this village and continue winning Muslims to Christ until he comes back.

*PRAY FOR US AND WITH US.

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Carol Whitehead 4th July 2003
Teacher, Pastor's Wife, Point of Hope Church, Arlington, Texas

My experience of Malawi has changed my perception of Africa, the world and all that I saw. Before coming I had visions of babies with flies on them, tribal chiefs and witch doctors putting up a resistance to our efforts and people oppressed and sombre.

I was so humbled when people in every village, the chief not only gave permission to share the Gospel but in most cases his wife and himself accepted Christ also. In one village especially my perceptions were shattered when the head chief shared with me that I was welcome and free to share the news of Jesus. He said it with tears in his eyes. It was as if they had been waiting for the hope of Christ all their lives. I suddenly realized that my fears and the fear of my ministry kept these people in darkness. I was so ashamed. Why do we Americans assume people enjoy living in the dark?

Secondly, the people of Malawi are charming and friendly. They are humble and cultured. They may live in a hut but in every other way they are just like me, except they are humble and put others first in their life. What a life's lesson!

As we travelled to different villages we would see the Nyawa people (Men dressed as animals) trying to frighten the villagers. They looked dreadful in their costumes with their faces painted black with mud and their bodies covered in dust. They carried machetes, sticks and bows and arrows. On one particular day our two teams went together to the village of Mtosa. The Nyawa followed us to every visit trying to stir up trouble. In our last moments at the market place we shared the Gospel. 3 Witches gave their lives to the Lord and renounced witchcraft. They wanted Bibles immediately and asked that we plant a church on the very spot where they met Jesus. Though these people were deep into the occult it was a simple gospel message that brought them from the darkness into the light. We shared 1John 4:1-6 with them. They were filled with peace and the entire village was filled with joy. Next time I would like to share directly with the Nyawa people.

On conclusion the people of Malawi are family orientated, polite and joyful. They are very content with their agrarian lifestyle. They don't beg and they don't hang their heads in sorrow. They have something many Americans don't. They have learned to be content in every circumstance and persevere without making demands on anyone.

God has changed my perspective on His view of the world. Though I may think
15 300 salvations are significant, He has revealed to me that millions have yet to receive the light because we don't do the work He has called us to. And these millions have been waiting. God through His Spirit had already revealed Himself to them and they were waiting for someone present the way " How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in, one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them.? And how can they preach unless they are sent?" Romans 10:14-15

Oh when will we Americans stop building our churches and do the work of winning souls for Jesus? How many will die without Christ because we fear Muslims, or witch doctors or poverty? I risked nothing in coming here except missing one of the most powerful movements I have ever witnessed. The blind now can see, the deaf hear, the lame walk, the people in darkness have received the light! To God be all the Glory.

Carol Whitehead
4th July 2003

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Bill Nevius Malawi 2003
CPA, Arlington, Texas

Some members of the Naphini church accompanied Marcel and I to a village that did not have a church. The village was named Siya Siya. Most of the people had gone to another village. The men from Aphini started singing to attract anybody that may still be in the village. An elderly lady showed up and soon many others came. The people kept on coming and the Word was preached to them. 80 people gave their lives to the Lord. When the preaching was finished the older lady stood up and said that she was representing the chief. She thanked us for coming to the village and said "this is the greatest day of my life and the greatest day ever in this village." What was to me just another presentation of the Gospel, was a life changing experience for others.

Another experience, a man came to my interpreter for prayer. He said that 4 men had killed his son and that they were being held in a local jail. His intentions were to seek revenge on these men, but after having the Word preached, he said that he would not seek revenge.

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Allen O'Neil
Arlington, Texas

June 2003 to July 2003

This Mission trip has been the greatest highlight of my Christian life. I have never been one to boldly share my Christian Witness with others. It is very difficult for me to approach someone about their salvation. This week has taught me the importance of sharing the Gospel with non-believers. For me to go into village after village and from house to house has given me the confidence that I can do this in my home church. I now know that I must get involved in the outreach Ministry of my church.

Thursday as we were walking to the lake for the Baptism service, I was struck by the thought that not many people where I live would walk 7 miles round trip to be baptised. If they had to walk that far they probably would not show up.

This trip has impressed me of the value how important it is to sharing my testimony and sharing Christ with others. It is very important that we confront Islam and the Jehovah Witnesses. We cannot let them continue with their false teachings. We cannot let our fear get in the way of our duty to God and Jesus for not sharing the gospel.

May God bless all people of Malawi, South Africa and the United States of America that participated in this great mission opportunity.

Allen

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