After 10 hours on treacherous, dirt roads we finally saw it before us-- Omunda Yevambo (the villages of the mountain). The next morning we braved that magnificent mountain and hiked for 8 long hours until we were met by Inacio Fio (Angolan YWAMer) and the Mukuando villagers. They shouted with joy and ran toward us. They had been eagerly anticipating our arrival. We gratefully accepted the cold water they offered us.
Why would a bright young family man like Inacio Fio choose to live in this remote place? I wondered. He told me how he had first heard of the Mukuando in 1993, while doing his Discipleship Training School. Together with three others, Inacio walked for two days after being dropped off by car. Two armed men observed and followed them the last part of their journey, although they were unaware. They were ready to kill the small band of missionaries, but instead chose to question them and then led them to Chief Kafrangenge. "We heard you don't have the Word of God," they explained. "We bring it."
Gradually trust replaced suspicion and the chief told them about his people. "In the beginning, when 'the God' made the world," he explained, "one people lived happily on a mountain. Then they did something very terrible and started to quarrel. There was much disagreement and confusion and the people couldn't understand each other any more. So the people who could understand each other chose to live together. Our group, the Mukuando, went to the mountains where they hunted elephants. One day they followed two big elephants to Omunda Yowamba. They killed the elephants and prepared the meat to dry. In the meantime they investigated the area and they found fertile soil and plenty of fruits. Eventually they brought their families and stayed.
The YWAMers were amazed and pointed out the story in the Bible, where the people had one common language (Genesis 11). The Mukuando were surprised and very happy that 'the God' knows them. They invited the team to stay and tell them more about 'the God'.
This was the beginning of Evangelism and Church Planting amongst the Mukuando of Omunda Yevambo.
On one of several subsequent visits the YWAM team noticed Chief Kafrangenge gradually becoming blind and suggested he come with them to the city where surgery might restore his sight. He agreed and walked down the mountain with the team. Surgery was successful and the chief was ecstatic. While recovering from surgery in the city he discovered many new wonders of civilisation. He became quiet, very quiet. Because a chief can't be asked any questions, uninvited, the team was worried and wondered what was going on?
When Inacio and Idalina came to stay amongst the Mukuando in 1995 they started nightly Bible Studies. The people appreciated the YWAMers learning their language. However, there were many limitations regarding language, culture and how to go about church planting. In 1997, Family Fio took several months off to attend the Introduction to Cultural and Etnolinguistics Studies. They returned with a renewed vision of bringing the Gospel to the Mukuando in a way they could understand. The school helped the Fio's greatly and soon many came to Jesus. Inacio wrote songs in Olukuando, drawing also on the local style of music. It was a great success. He continues to encourage local people to write new songs, which helps the Mukuando to worship from their heart. They typically express great happiness by rolling in the ground. One believer wanted to do just that during worship.
Facts and Figures
- 1993- first visit to the Mukuando
- 1994 -YWAM team stayed for one month, later Inacio led a DTS outreach team amongst the Mukuando
- 1995-The Fio Family came to stay
- 1997- eleven Mukuando were baptised
- 1997- Fio Family away several months for training
- 2002- 47 people baptised. About 80 adults and same number of children attend church. Now 6 children's workers. Church reaches out to four Unreached People Groups (Mukuis, Mukubal, Mukilenge & Muhumbi).
YWAM in Angola: Huambo, Kunene, Lobito, Lubango, Omunda Yevambo.
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