Chieftainess

A group of us from Action Zambia visited Chieftainess Mwenda who resides on the outskirts of Chikankata, Zambia.  Her people are the Tonga people.  There are approximately 98,000 people in her kingdom.  Over the course of our 4 hour plus meeting with the Chieftainess she expressed: her commitment to Christ, the challenges that she faces, the need for the headman in her chiefdom (approx 300) to come to Christ, the need for more missionaries who will learn about and live with her people, the complications surrounding ancestral shrines, the need for education.

For me it was my first time to see the Chieftainess’ chiefdom area on a map. Showing us a map of her kingdom, she pointed out the most remote and unreached areas.  She said that some in her land hadn’t seen a white man before while others rarely see a motor vehicle (every 4-5 years).  Some of the areas can only be reached on foot.  With an open invitation from the Chieftainess and what seems to be a still apparent need for Gospel proclamation, I feel like we have an unprecedented opportunity before us.

The above picture of me was taken with Her Royal Highness E. M. Kalichi Chieftainess Mwenda at the Bansanje Royal Establishment (a.k.a. her palace).  You can also view a video of her pointing out areas of her kingdom that are unreached for Christ.