The Funeral

The body of the deceased was taken to College of Medicine mortuary, getting there just before 06:00 hours in the morning of 9th May. A brief vigil was held during the day at my home.

The General Secretary of Nkhoma Synod, Rev Chifungo and the retired Rev Dr Mgawi, a very close associate and brother to Rev Chienda travelled all the way from Nkhoma to be with us and to be part of the funeral procession as we travelled to Lilongwe later in the day. It had been decided that the deceased would be laid to rest at Nkhoma Misison, but it was felt necessary that the body be taken to Lumbadzi, where he had been living, before proceeding to Nkhoma.

The Blantyre Synod was so gracious as to organise a special send off function in Blantyre, to pay their last respects to the departed man of God. Therefore, after a prayer at home, we left for the mortuary about 14:30 hrs to pick the body and take it to the Multipurpose Hall at St. Michael and All Angels Congregation, which hosted the send off ceremony. I was surprised to see so many people who came, obviously at very short notice, to witness the function.

Eulogies were given by the two General Secretaries, Rev Chifungo and Rev Kadawati, followed by a sermon by Rev Nzunga, who affirmed that like Paul, Rev Chienda had "fought a good fight and had finished the course." In attendance was the Blantyre Joint Choir, whose musical contribution was much appreciated by the family.

The procession left for Lilongwe about 16:30 hrs, arriving at Lumbadzi around 21:00 hrs. The following day, another function was held at the deceased's home, starting at 15:00 hrs. Several people spoke including a family representative. Thereafter, Rev Kachipanda delivered a sermon on the three types of calling we all get from God - calling into the world at birth, calling to serve him and calling to leave the world through death. He pointed out that many people avert the second calling but that nobody can run away from the third calling, after which one's destiny would be decided by their response to the second calling.

We left for Nkhoma soon after the preaching, and spent the night there. The body was placed in the multipurpose hall, and the guests spent the night at the Josephat Mwale Theological College hostels.

Te following day, the function started around 11:30 hrs with viewing, and thereafter the body was taken into the Church. Many people stayed outside, as the Church could not accommodate them.

It was a very well conducted function with Rev Kamwendo as director of ceremonies and Rev Nkhoma leading the music. Among the many dignatories that came was the Rev Dr Billie Gama, presidential advisor on religious affairs, who represented the State President.

A number of people gave their touching eulogies, including the Presbytery Moderator, representative of the General Assembly, the Evangelical Association of Malawi and the Bible Society; Traditional Authority Mazengera, the Member of Parliament, Rev Dr Gama, the General Secretary of Nkhoma Synod and the Vice Moderator of the Synod. Jeremiah Chienda (my son) also briefly narrated his recollections of his grand fathers life. The main theme threading through all the eulogies was that Rev Chienda had left a legacy of humility, simplicity and extraordinary commitment to his work for the Lord.

The preaching was taken by the Synod Moderator, Rev Kachipapa Banda. He said people who work for God, like the deceased had done all his life, are supposed to be of good reputation, filled with Holy Spirit and full of wisdom like Steven in the book of Acts was. The burial service was led by Rev Dr Kawale, and people left the cemetery around 17:00 hrs, after celebrating a life truly well lived.

The entire ceremony was recorded by Zodiak Radio Station, and was broadcast to the nation in the evening of the same day.