Missionary profile – Daniel and Falida Phiri

By Mercy Kambura

Daniel and Falida Phiri

Missionaries from Malawi to the Yao people of Malawi

The call came at 3 AM. We were preaching and training pastors for missions 100 km away – our home was under attack by thugs. Our daughter was at home. They had super glued her eyes together in an attempt to torture her into letting them in. Despite this anguish, we couldn’t leave to be with her. Other missionary friends and leaders came to her rescue. That was one of the heaviest prices we’ve had to pay in our lives as missionaries, but the Lord Jesus paid even a heftier price.

We are missionaries with CAPRO, serving among the Yao people of Malawi – our own tribesmen. We have planted seven churches by God’s grace. We are trusting God to plant 15 churches by 2025. We are also training churches on missions through our new ministry – Share Christ.

We’re both Muslim-background believers. I got saved while working as a language helper for an Australian missionary couple. Falida and the rest of my family were still Muslims. But I became a changed man, a good man.

When they asked what happened to me, I explained that Jesus had changed me. Falida asked me to take to her to the people who had preached to me.

Falida:

I asked, “Who’s this Jesus who can change my husband so much?” When he explained to me, I said, “I need to see that Jesus.” We went to see the missionary couple and for three days they shared the gospel. After those three days, I too, became a Christian. Later, we got baptized.

God saved us through a missionary, so we wanted to serve God and present this Jesus to other people. We received a gospel tract about missions, contacted the missionaries, trained and went to reach the Yao. We planted our first church in Malombe Lakeshore village. When they could sustain themselves, we moved on to another village.

Every believer is commanded to be in the Great Commission. Don’t carry your church practices – saying amen, closing eyes e.t.c. – that language is very strange to them.

Reaching Muslims needs love, patience, sacrifice and a big heart that can accommodate anything. Don’t go there to judge them, but approach them with love.

#Pray:

For our lives as a family, we want to finish well and for sustainability of our family and work.
For our first daughter, Shalom. She’s still recovering both physically and emotionally.
For the fruits of our labour to abide and to remain fruitful.
For grace and wisdom in our transition as we fully handle the local work in Malawi.
For more labourers, we are seeking God for a Timothy.
For a reliable means of transport. Our motorbike breaks down a lot, we need a good one to help us go where we need to go.