Testimonies

Testimony of Paulendo Mwaungulu

Paulendo is a Pastor from Chilumba Village in the northern Malawi. He is 40 years old and was born on Dec.28^th 1965. His first language is Tambuka, though he completed Standard 8 in Chichewa, and then taught himself English by reading dictionaries and getting his hands on as many English books as he could manage. He is a carpenter, making sofas, chairs, tables, and cabinets, to earn a living. He came to Harvest Bible College in 2003, and has now completed three terms. We have asked Paulendo a few questions, to help you get to know him.

Paulendo, you were brought up in the African Church – What is the African church? It is a church begun by a Malawian in the northern region. Even though the Bible is preached the people are allowed to practice polygamy, drunkenness, believe in witchdoctors, and even teach people to speak to the spirits of dead ancestors. I attended this church ever since I was a young boy up until the day I became a Christian through an Iris Africa evangelistic outreach in December 2003.

Can you tell us about your family? I married my first wife in 1986, and have had 8 children (4 boys & 4 girls). The youngest is 3 years old and his name is Henry. After my first wife committed adultery, I divorced her and married a second wife in 2002. I met Grace in the African church that I was attending. I asked her to marry me and she accepted. Her first husband had died of sickness. We do not have any children of our own.

What was your life like at that period back in 2002? It was not good. The problem that my wife brought upon me caused me great concern. My 7 children were left with me and I had no idea of what to do. I was not a Christian at this time – I was just a religious man. There was no one to teach me how to receive Jesus and how to be a true believer and follower of Jesus. I attended my church every week and I was the secretary to the pastor. When I was in the church I was just enjoying it because everyone was permitted to live like the world, drinking beer and taking more than one wife. During this time I was drinking too much beer – all types of beer – even traditional African beers that are made from sugar cane and maize husk.

Why did you drink? Because the church allowed us to do everything and we enjoyed being drunk. All my fellow friends were drinkers and we would drink until we got drunk and then we would go home. I was wild – took money and purchased beer instead of feeding my family. I was not happy inside – when the money finished I was asking myself, ‘What have I done?’

How did you become a Christian? Pastor Ali preached the Gospel when he and a team came up on an evangelistic outreach in December 2002. I heard about this and asked questions about what was preached. My nephew, Daniel, was present when Ali was preaching and told me all about what was spoken as well as giving me a tract. I took this tract home, read it, and that night welcomed Jesus Christ as Lord. I repented, and surrendered my life fully into the hands of the Lord. I immediately called for my wife, and told her that I am leaving my old church because now I have a new spirit as a born again Christian. Then I started my own church. The first members were my wife and children. After starting the church I joined up with the other men who had also been born again after hearing the Word spoken by Pastor Ali. And so, the church of Partners In Harvest – Iris Africa began in the north.

How did your church grow? I began preaching within my village about receiving Jesus as Lord and Savior. When people heard this Good News, some of them were wondering, “Is this for true – has this beer drinker left the beer? Maybe he is just going to cheat us.” But when they saw me continuously praying at my house, after 4 weeks three more members came and joined me. After that, I continued preaching in and around my village, then six more came and added to the new church. In February 2003, the team of Iris Africa commissioners and missionaries came to teach the new believers in the north. All the new Christians in the area came and heard the teachings. They preached at my church and 35 more members were added to my church. Today, there are about 57 members in our church. The Iris Commissioners put together the northern region church committee at this time. I was chosen to join that team.

In April 2003, Paulendo was invited to attend his first year of Bible school at Iris Ministries base in Bangula. He traveled the 38 hour trip by bus from the north with 2 other pastors from Karonga district.

What was it like coming to Bible school? What did you learn? What happened in your first year of school? I came to school with only one eye functioning. My right eye was completely blind and it had been that way for six years. I was told by the doctors simply that it was a disease and they failed to give me medicine. One day at Bible school I complained about pain on the side of head by my eye. Pastor Mo prayed for the eye and encouraged me that it would be alright. After prayer, the pain went away and I started to see little glimpses of light. Mo and other pastors continued to pray for the eye. There was a conference for pastors in Bangula with Rolland & Heidi Baker present to teach. I was prayed for again that night by Heidi and I started seeing everything. I was very happy with my new eye that the Lord had given me. I fear nothing. I love how the Lord calls me by name, out of the evil of this world, and into a new relationship with Him.

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In October, 2005, Iris Africa hosted a 3 day conference for the area churches. There were close to 600 people who attended that conference. All the pastors who were currently in their 3^rd year of Bible school were part of the ministry team. Paulendo was glad to be home for those few days before traveling back to Bangula to finish his studies.

While he was home he received some sad news. He heard that his youngest son, Henry, was sick. In fact, his blood had been tested and found that he was HIV positive. At first, Paulendo was wondering ‘what is happening to me’ – after this decision he surrendered himself to the Lord once again, entrusting his son Henry into the hands of the Lord. This boy is still living with his mother. After Henry was tested, his mother was also tested and found to be positive. Paulendo was concerned that he and his current wife be tested as a result of hearing this news. Both were found to be HIV positive.

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What feelings did you experience when you first found out? I know the Lord will help me solve the problems that are associated with HIV. I have surrendered everything to the Lord, and as I know that the Lord is my Savior. I even beg to each and everyone to pray for me and my family, including my son Henry so that healing will come.

What are your plans as you go forward knowing you have this disease? First thing – putting everything in the hands of the Lord. I know that this body is only temporary but one day I will have a new body in heaven. I don’t really worry about the death of this body for I know I will be with the Lord (Rom.8:35-39). Second thing – I want to put things at home in order for my family so that when I die, my children should not suffer. My plan is to continue my job as a carpenter but with the vision of training my eldest son how to be a carpenter like myself. He then will have the wisdom and experience to continue and will be able to support the family in my absence. I want him to continue to go to school so that he will be smart. Third – I know that I need to take care of myself, eat well, and take every illness that I may suffer seriously so that I can be properly treated at hospital in light of my condition. I must keep the body strong (exercising) and not overwork out in the hot sun.

I wish anyone who can help me, please help me. Help me by prayers – pray that I and my family will be healed – pray for my children that they would have Godly wisdom. Pray that I would find nutritious food in order to help keep my body strong, tools to replace those that were stolen, fertilizers so that I can plant a good garden, and the wisdom to train my son to be able to sustain the family.

As I have said about my positive living, I am not afraid about this. I am ready for anything. Because I have my Lord who is saving me and my family. Whatsoever is coming to me, I know it is my Lord who will come to my rescue. My Lord is supporting me. To my fellow positive living, I encourage them that they should not fear if they are positive. God loves them as He loves me. God will be the provider – new life, …if you are not repentant, I encourage you to surrender everything to the Lord and receive the new life which he alone gives. God is ready to save you.

Paulendo showed great courage in sharing this news with his fellow pastors at the college. They, in turn, responded with great love and mercy, in prayer and friendship. Paulendo has given us permission to share his story with you. This story will often be repeated, as 1 in 6 is HIV positive in Malawi.