A small group of Adventists in Malawi planned to hold evangelistic meetings. On the first night of the meetings we were disappointed when only a few people came. We prayed, but attendance hovered around 30. Some suggested that we cancel the meetings, but the speaker refused. If we pray earnestly, he said, God will make something happen.

Image © Providence Collection from GoodSalt.com

The next evening the meeting opened with the same 30 people. We sang and prayed, then the speaker stood up. Suddenly a commotion of clapping and cheering drowned out the speaker.

The commotion increased as a crowd of people following a nyau [nee-ow]-a spirit worshipper dressed in swishing grass skirts and rags and wearing an ornate headdress and mask-approached the meeting place. The nyau probably was on his way to a graveyard.

When the nyau came nearer, he stopped dancing and turned toward the speaker. The crowd following him stopped, and the nyau didn’t move. Instead, he leaned against a wall, apparently planning to listen to the evangelist. The crowd following him stopped clapping and listened as the speaker quickly resumed his message.

The nyau listened quietly to the rest of the sermon. Someone estimated that 200 people who had been following the nyau listened as well. The speaker was nervous, but he continued with his presentation about Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in Daniel 2. After the closing prayer, the nyau and his followers continued toward the cemetery.

The next evening the meeting started with the same 30 people, but as the program progressed, more came. Even the nyau, dressed in his mask and swishing skirts, came with his followers. He didn’t stand outside the meeting place this time, but entered the tent and sat down. His followers sat down, too. The speaker couldn’t be sure that the nyau was the same who had come previously, but he recognized many of the nyau’s followers. Other visitors came, curious to know what was being preached in their neighborhood that could possibly interest a nyau. That night almost 80 people attended the meeting.

Attendance at the meetings continued increasing. A few nights later, the speaker invited listeners to accept Jesus as their Savior. That evening 95 people accepted Jesus and asked for further Bible studies.

The next night close to 200 people came to the meeting, including two more nyaus, dressed in torn clothes and wearing leafy branches to cover their faces. That night an additional 50 answered the call to accept Jesus.

The meetings continued for 21 nights, and baptismal classes followed. On the day of the baptism 145 were baptized. Among them was a man who identified himself as the nyau who had interrupted the meeting when he stopped to listen that first night. This former nyau continues to be faithful to Jesus.

Today the little group that prayed and worked to increase their membership are now worshipping in a larger church. Their previous church was too small to accommodate all the new members and those who continue to come, curious about the message that attracts devil worshippers to worship the living God.

___ Willan Mkandawire is an active lay worker in Lilongwe, Malawi.

Produced by the General Conference Office of Adventist Mission.
Find more mission stories at www.adventistmission.org

Print/PDF/Email