THE STORY OF GINFORD MKANDAWIRE
My name is Ginford Mkandawire. I was born in 1964 at Chonanga village in Chilumba area, Karonga, Northern Malawi. My mother was the third wife of my father who was polygamous with four wives. I am the fourth born child to my mother. I have three sisters.
One of my best memories as a child was when I was selected to go to secondary school. Out of many students who sat for the Primary School Leaving Certificate Exams, I was among the few who qualified to go to secondary school. That, is my fondest memory!
Being the only boy in the family and being the first born, I used to help my mother with kitchen chores such us fetching firewood, sweeping the compound and drawing water from the well. This strengthened my bond with my mother. I occasionally spent time with my father. Most of our time spent together was when he visited my mother’s house, then we would eat together. I also used to herd cattle with him.
My saddest moments were when I lost my dear mother and when I was told by my polygamous father that I could not continue with my education because of lack of money for my school fees. That affected me psychologically and I ended up messing up in my life. I lost my sense of direction and I felt unworthy and I thought that life was very unfair!
I met my wife during the time of frustration! I eloped with her and felt that was one way of burying my grievances. She is a very wonderful, hardworking and patient woman. God has blessed us with ten children of which, three are no more. We have five grandchildren.
I first came to our present village of Kajalajata because of my father. He had a plot of land here and we Ives on his piece of land until 2011 when my wife and I acquired our own piece of land where we have built our own house and we have some land for cultivation of corn and cassava.
My best friend has been my half brother, the son of my father’s second wife. He has been a very wonderful confidant and a source of my encouragement.
When I look back to my past, I feel so much grateful to God for His grace. Despite my past mistakes and frustrations, he has given me hope by first of all forgiving my sins and allow me to become his child. He has also blessed me with a good wife and wonderful family! Again I thank God for choosing me to be one of the beneficiaries of the CROP Project.
Because of what God is doing in my life, my family and I are seeing a brighter future. Through some of the skills I am acquiring from the meetings I have with my fellow beneficiaries and through my contact with Bishop Gondwe and Andy Nyirenda, I am able to see a better future for me and my children and even their children! I now have a generational vision.
When I will see Jesus one day I will say; thank you Jesus for changing my life and enabling me to live a productive life. And I will ask him to do that to others so that they can experience what I am experiencing.
To those reading my story I say, God is awesome and gracious. He is able to transform broken lives and bring restoration. I am that person who has experienced that Love of God. Do not focus on your present situation but rather fix your eyes on God. He will give you the desires of your heart according to his will and abundant grace!
Thank you all for the wonderful support that you have been giving us through CROP. Your love which has been demonstrated through action has lifted my spirit and I am not the same. May the Lord continue to richly bless you. Thank you for praying with / and for us.
