Many will have heard with very deep sadness of the tragic the death of Rev
Levison Ntonio during the evening of Monday 12 March. His vehicle was attacked while he was driving from Blantyre to his home in Namisu and Levison
died of gunshot wounds. Levison was in his early forties.
This
dear man visited the UK on two occasions, most recently in July last year, and was known and loved by many friends here. In Malawi he gave outstanding service
as Co-ordinator of the Zambesi Evangelical Church Relief and Development department and was the dedicated pastor of a number of ZEC Churches including those
at Balaka and Mitsidi. For the last year Levison has been the Field Co-ordinator for Aquaid the UK based charity which is constructing an orphan village
community at Namisu.
John Searle, the UK Director
of the Aquaid Lifeline Fund, was in Malawi at the time of the tragedy and was invited at very short notice to give an acknowledgement of Levison during
the funeral service. The words spoken of Jesus in Acts 10:38 came quickly to his mind and he was able to base a brief but very sincere and apt appreciation
of this very dear man upon this Scripture verse.
Levison showing John Abrey from the UK
a crop development project last year
Bill Wilson,
ZM's director in Malawi, then brought an appropriate Bible message from 1Peter 1: 3-4
We
expect to have many more opportunities to thank God for the life of this gracious, humble and loving
father, pastor and friend and will eventually give news of a Memorial Fund we hope to set up and a
Thanksgiving Service we expect to arrange here in the UK. But for the moment we ask our praying friends
to join us in remembering ~
~ Esnart, Levison's wife,
her eight children and six orphans in their home, and all who looked to Levison's leadership and care in the Namisu village community.
~ Ruth & Abraham Folayan and Myra & Bill Wilson, our ZM workers in
Malawi, all of whom were closely attached to Levison, as they play a key role in helping the close relatives
and the wider ZEC family at this tragic time.
~ John Searle from Cambridge, the UK Director of Aquaid, who returned to the UK at the end of last month. Levison had dropped
John at Abraham and Ruth's home only shortly before the attack took place and John had the unenviable task of breaking the news to Esnart and the children.
He now needs Heavenly wisdom and our practical help as he considers the future of the Namisu Orphan Village Community which is being sponsored by Aquaid.
This
is a distressing and difficult time for us all but together we look to the God of all comfort and we
are very thankful to Him for caring, praying friends. We will be in touch
again soon but please do not hesitate to phone Colin
Cresswell (01638 780537) or David Faulkner (01302 344419) if you would like more immediate information for prayer.
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