Amnazo’s Story of Survival
A refugee mother’s courage, faith, and the power to change lives
Imagine facing mortal danger out of nowhere, fighting to survive, with no time to think, pack, or say goodbyes. You find yourself out of breath, scampering for safety after running for hours. When you finally glimpse the horizon, you’re forced to cross hippo-infested rivers and skim through barbed wire to evade capture.
This is what Amnazo, and thousands of refugees, endured to reach Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Malawi after fleeing their war-ridden country of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Living in hopelessness
Amnazo is a 50-year-old widowed refugee and mother of eight. She fled the DRC with her children after losing her husband. “What made me flee from my home country was the war. One day, people came into my house, took my husband, beheaded him, and made us run,” she begins.
Amnazo can’t read or write and is unemployed. She struggles every day to provide for her family. As a widow, Amnazo has suffered loss, shame, and insecurity. “I miss the comfort of my home and my husband, the pillar of the house,” she says.
Amnazo lived in her hopelessness for years as the conditions at the camp offered nothing. She realized she couldn’t overcome the hurdles on her own. She yearned for hope, and she found it at Pastor Shaban’s church, Calvary Chapel.
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The refuge
Pastor Shaban established the first Bible League programs in the camp in 2023, founded Calvary Chapel, and introduced Bible League’s Bible studies there. He also trained Pastor Gerere (story, page 6), who now trains leaders throughout the camp.
Amnazo heard about Calvary Chapel at the camp and began attending the women’s Bible study—the same one Adela attends (story, page 7). She listened to oral teachings of Bible League materials since she couldn’t read.
In 2024, Amnazo participated in Bible League studies and gave her life to Christ. “Being a follower of Christ is priceless. I feel happy because God loves me,” she says. Amnazo continues to attend the church and listen to God’s Word. She now evangelizes her refugee community at the camp.
The women find meaning in learning the Bible and sharing their faith and hope with each other. It’s a safe space for women to share their fears, hopes, and challenges. They empty their hearts, share each other’s burdens, and find assurance that they’re not alone. In this camaraderie, they find joy, hope, and security in God’s people.
A Bible of her own
“I didn’t have a Bible; I only got one here at Calvary Chapel through Bible League. The Word of God is encouraging me to keep going,” says Amnazo. And it’s helping her to leave a legacy of faith. Even though Amnazo can’t read, her children read her Bible League materials together. “They read and interpret for me, and I listen. As they read to me, I also began to understand.”
Though Amnazo still endures hunger, harsh elements, and dilapidated housing, she remains thankful and filled with hope. She recognizes she’s fortunate to be alive and grateful for the little blessings. “This is not a good place, but the country we fled was worse. I faced insecurity in my country, but here, I have food and shelter. I give thanks to Almighty God,” she says.
Hope dawns
Thanks to the hope she found in the Gospel through Bible League programs, people at the camp have now dubbed Amnazo a Woman of Good News. She loves people and always shares the Gospel. She has led many to Christ. With a smile, she asserts, “Many are changed because of my good character and how I speak kindly. The church is changing people and stabilizing them.”
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