Mangochi CCAP charity shelters late pastor’s wife

There was glamour, jeers and ululations at Kamwaza Village, Traditional Authority (T/A) Sitola in Machinga last Thursday when members of Mangochi CCAP’s ‘Utumiku Wachifundo’ handed over a house constructed for Gogo Margaret Lumbalo— the late pastor Tenson Pemba’s widow.

Lumbalo, who congregates at Mtubwi CCAP in the district, has been in need of a proper shelter and other necessities.

This compelled ‘Utumiki Wachifundo’, through Mayi Busa at Mawira CCAP, Mervis Mulele, to respond to her plight by constructing the house worth about K1.2 million.

Speaking when handing over the house, Mangochi CCAP pastor, the Reverend Manford Kutani said Christianity has no boundary; hence, he urged Christians in the country to take a leading role in assisting the needy.

“We embarked on this initiative after learning that the woman was struggling a lot. Her situation touched us to the core, because she is a widow of one of pastors who served Blantyre Synod diligently,” Kutani explained.

He added: “Therefore, irrespective of us not being in the jurisdiction of Mawira, we saw it fit to address her situation.”

On his part, Utumiki Wachifundo chairperson Aggrey Mfune, who is also an elder at Mangochi CCAP, said they helped Lumbalo because they are God’s stewards.

“We exist to help the less-privileged in the church, communities and the country at large. Therefore, the terrible story of this woman, which is in line with our core mission, moved us to construct this house,” he said.

While pledging to continue doing similar tasks in future, Mfune urged Christians in the country to contribute significantly towards the welfare of church ministers and their families.

For a good gesture like that one, Gogo Lumbalo, 76, was all thankful , saying she has never witnessed such a helping hand in her life.

“People have struggled, but my situation was worse. Imagine being a former pastor’s wife but staying in a house that leaks heavily and on the verge of collapsing. Isn’t that enough testimony of suffering?” she asked

To this effect, she encouraged Utumiki Wachifundo to extend their charity to others in need like her.