This is the mission of Inacio Fio and his wife Idalina who live with their three children in an isolated mountain village, away from the comforts of modern civilisation like running water, electricity and telephones. When Inacio first ventured on to this mountain, in November 1993, his small team was secretly followed and closely observed by two armed Mukuando, ready to kill them. Since then he has earned the respect, trust and love of the Mukuando people who had no church before Inacio arrived.
He heard of the Mukuando in 1993, while doing the first Discipleship Training School in Angola. There were people in his own country, he learned, who had no church and never heard the Gospel in their own language. Inacio and his wife were troubled. They had a new baby girl, Graca. The Mukuanda lived several days travel away on a mountain. To move the family amongst this community was a hard decision, yet one they have not regretted.
The purpose of coming, they said, was to bring the Word of God. One night the chief told them that "In the beginning, when the God made the world, one people lived happily on a mountain. Then they did something very terrible and started to quarrel. There was much disagreement and confusion. People suddenly couldn't understand each other any more. Eventually several could communicate with each and they moved together. Our group, the Mukuando," he said, "went to another mountain where they hunted elephants. One day they followed two big elephants to this very mountain, Omunda Yowamba. They killed the elephants and prepared the meat to dry. In the meantime they investigated the area and found fertile soil and plenty of fruits. Eventually they brought their families and stayed.
The YWAMers were amazed and pointed to the story told in the Bible, where the people had one common language (Genesis 11). The Mukuando were also 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 that he come with them to the city where surgery might restore his sight. He agreed and walked down the mountain with them. Surgery was successful and the chief was ecstatic. While he was 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 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 them 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
- 1989 Inacio makes Jesus his Lord
- 1993 Inacio and his wife Idalina attend first ever DTS in Lobito. Their first daughter is born.
- 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, initially for one year, but decided to stay longer
- 1997 eleven Mukuando were baptised
- 1997 Introduction to Cultural and Etnolinguistics Studies followed by extensive research into language and culture of the Mukuando. Writing down phonetics. Production of a booklet presently awaiting government approval. Prayer meetings, Bible Studies, teaching on basic discipleship issues, on-the-job-training in construction, carpentry, agriculture, children ministry, church government, guitar.
- 2002-- 47 people baptised. About 80 adults and same number of children attend church. Now 6 children workers. Church works with four Unreached People Groups (Mukuis, Mukubal, Mukilenge, Muhumbi)
- Pray for them, their family, ministry, health, financial support and more workers--Cross-cultural trainers are needed to teach new believers to reach out to further Unreached People Groups with totally different cultures and languages from that of the Mukuando.
- Contribute financially. They need US $300 per month to live reasonably healthy. For further needs click here.
- For staff needs click here
YWAM in Angola: Huambo, Kunene, Lobito, Lubango, Omunda Yevambo.
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