Reaching the Konongo

“I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need…."   Philippians 2:25

God’s work is astounding.  He puts people in our path to guide us, or we meet someone who knows someone who knows something – it is just amazing!

This verse from Paul’s letter to the Philippians speaks of Epaphroditus – we want to introduce you to Faraja (Fa-rah-jah).  He is a brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier. He is God’s appointed guide as we seek to go to Konongo villages.

Faraja together with his sister run a local restaurant.  (Actually, I think his sister does most of the running! – Faraja is in charge of procuring the food for her to cook.)  Rice, beans and a bit of beef in a tomato broth is on the menu today and it is quite tasty. Sitting outside in plastic chairs that have the words “Glory to God” imprinted on them, we discuss the Konongo people.  Both Faraja and his sister are believers; however, their father is not. 

Welcome to Inyonga

We will talk more about the Konongo people next week.  Today we want to look at Inyonga town, the largest town in the Konongo area with dreams to expand.

With many shops, adequately stocked, Inyonga is reminiscent of a big village; there remains the quality of everyone knowing everyone else.  For sure, everyone knows we are here.

The market opens early and we are in search of breakfast.  Afterwards, we are to meet Faraja and head to some Konongo villages.

While not bustling this early, some sellers are open and the little restaurants inside the market area all seem to have a fairly brisk breakfast business.

Yesterday we had chapatis and tea here. We could have indulged in chapatis with boiled chicken and broth; this seems to be what most of the customers (men for the most part) are eating -- probably the only thing they will eat until late at night when they get home from work.

This morning we walk around hoping to find something different and we are rewarded for our diligence.

We find a small establishment in the corner of the market – a bakery of sorts. The bread rolls, already baked for the day, are in the display case while the mandazis are being fried.

Sitting down, we watch the early morning market activities with a cup of sweet masala tea and some bread rolls, spreading on peanut butter that we bought at a stall just outside the restaurant.

Freshly ground peanut butter
from the market

Schoolchildren especially seem to come and buy a roll or two as they head to school -- probably their lunch.





There are Konongo people in Inyonga town, there are also several churches. The Moravian church in particular would like to help reach the Konongo.  Faraja is from the Moravian church. We stopped at the church yesterday, meeting the current pastor and the retired pastor.  Both are excited that someone is interested in ministering to the Konongo people.

*Pray that God would open the hearts of His ambassadors to step out of their comfort zone and reach the Konongo people with the truth of salvation by faith in Christ.

*Pray that God would be readying the hearts of the Konongo people for the Word to be planted; that they would see the futility of their ancestral worship and understand the truth of God in the face of Christ.