The Feast site at Nkhwazi has been operational for three years now. Brethren that congregate in Lilongwe, the capital city of Malawi, and those from the surrounding districts planned to converge at this site for the Feast. However, Feast preparation did not go according to plan due to the pandemic. The application forms came late because we were not quite sure if we could meet at the Feast. During the preparation period, the government had put a ban on gatherings of more than 100 people. Despite this, we received applications that showed we would have 110 people, and this was our planning figure.

The opening sermon had an attendance of 92 people and over the course of the Feast the figures moved up and down a bit, but with little or no threat of going beyond the government set figures. Our program continued well, with early morning jogging by the whole group and aerobics at our football site every day. Services began daily at 10:30 a.m. with singing, sermonettes, recitation of Bible verses by Sabbath school children and sermons delivered by Cephas Chapamba, Haiton Thungula and Francis Ngopola.

Other activities included afternoon outdoor sports like football, volleyball, netball, group dancing and other activities. The Feast food committee also organized group meals, especially lunch, which was shared by all who attended the Feast.

On the fourth day it rained, which changed the Feast program because the brethren from Lilongwe had to go back home since our make-shift booths were no longer habitable due to the water. The group was split into two. Some continued gathering from Nkhwazi and others at our church campus in Mchesi, Lilongwe. This brought some loneliness to both groups knowing that the planned activities would change, including the speaking schedule. But to everyone’s surprise all went well and the baptismal plans continued. On the Eighth Day four brethren were baptized into the Body of Christ.

God showed us that His plan for human salvation still stands by protecting from diseases. Despite COVID-19 we were protected till the Feast came to the end.

Cephas J. Chapamba