The Reverend's Children's Weddings

While he was in Blantyre, Rev Chienda had the opportunity to witness the weddings of some of his children.

The first wedding in the series was between his first born daughter, Mercy, and Herricks Gwazeni. It was officiated at St Michael and All Angels Church on 18th September, 1982. Rev Chienda bought a whole cow in Chikwawa, had it slaughtered there, and hauled the beef to Blantyre to feed guests to the wedding.

Next was Glady's wedding to Patrick Chimutu. Prior to the wedding the couple had a traditional engagement ceremony, which was ably hosted by the Reverend's cousin, Mr Kafumbi Njewa in Limbe.

The actual wedding took place on 3rd September, 1983. Like Mercy's wedding, this one too was officiated at St Michael and All Angels Church. A day before the wedding, Rev Chienda got news to the effect that his lifetime friend, Rev Abyud Mndala, was hospitalised in Lilongwe with a heart problem. Rev Mndala had wanted Rev Chienda by his bedside, but sadly this was not possible since the latter was deeply involved in the wedding arrangements of his daughter. Subsequently, Rev Mndala died. The Nkhoma Synod entourage to the wedding was split, with some people leaving Blantyre for Salima to attend Rev Mndala's burial, while a few remained to attend the wedding.

The third wedding taking place while Rev Chienda was resident in Blantyre was Cliff's to Ivy Sapangwa. It took place in August of 1985, after Rev Chienda had left the Bible Society. At that time he was with African Evangelical Enterprise. Ivy was the grand-daughter of Mayi Florence Tsamwa, a prominent member of Malawi Congress Party Women's League, who was a close and trusted associate of His Excellency Dr Kamuzu Banda.