Remembering Mwamba Chibuta

It has been said by some women looking for life partners that a good man is hard to find. Perhaps from their perspective they could be right. A good and godly man then should be even harder to find. In remembering Mwamba Chibuta who went to be with the Lord on 3rd January 2014, one could say he was both a good and godly man. I would like to reflect on the life of Mwamba from three perspectives: Mwamba as a friend, Mwamba as a family man and Mwamba as a Bible teacher.

Mwamba Chibuta ministering at church

Mwamba as a friend

I first got to know Mwamba Chibuta at Lusaka Baptist Church in the late 1980s where we both members. He struck me as a cool and thoughtful brothers always looking out to meet the needs of the Christian family. It is not surprising that he served as a deacon at Lusaka Baptist Church. A faithful deacon I must say! One example of Mwamba's thotfulness that comes to mind is in 1992 when I lost my dad. Mwamba opened up his home for me to refresh myself during the week of the funeral. I found this kind gesture very helpful as I mourned my late dad.

Chishiba and Mwamba Chibuta in Ndola, 1997

Mwamba as a family man

Mwamba got married to his lovely wife Chishiba in November 1995 in Kitwe. I travelled for the wedding with one of close friends Cheta Musonda who gave a tribute of Mwamba at the funeral. From the time Mwamba got married his love for his wife and children: Mutale, Kombe and Mwape was such a great example to follow. He worked hard along with his wife to provide for his family. Whenever chance could allow, Mwamba would take his family for holiday's for a time of rest and reflection. He would also regularly attend Christian Conferences with the wife. I recall him and the wife attending the Reformed Conference in Ndola in 1997 (see photo above) and the Sola 5 Conference in Harare in 2010.

Mwamba as a Bible teacher

Mwamba was a seasoned preacher of the Bible. His sermons were clear and well illustrated. Whether it was a sermon meant for Christians or non Christians, the sermon was saturated with God's word. During the Sunday morning bible study group that he led, he would afford almost everyone an opportunity to explain their understanding of the topic under study and allow for questions to be asked. For those that were going astray in their interpretation of God's word, he would wisely steer them back to a sound biblical interpretation of the topic under study.

We thank God for the privilege of lending Mwamba Chibuta to us as an elder, friend, family man, worker, brother and on and on I could go. In the words of Moses one could say of Mwamba that he walked with God, and he was not, for God took him (Genesis 5:24).

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