Pastor gets car gift from church
Reverend Likius Nambili Namutewa of the Ohalushu ELCIN congregation at the weekend received a surprise token of appreciation after church members bought him a car.
The congregation has been raising money for months and decided to reward their long-time pastor with a new Toyota Hilux pick-up. After serving Ohalushu for the past 14 years, Namutewa has been transferred to the Engela parish. Namutewa has been credited with uniting families and the community of Ohalushu.
“We decided to thank Reverend Namutewa for what he has done to our community that he found in mess. He has managed to restore order during his time here,” said church member Kapuka Nghilundilwa. Businessman Philip Hikumwah, who chaired the fundraising committee, said many people who benefited from Namutewa’s guidance and leadership contributed to the cause.
“Through my telecommunication company, I created a WhatsApp group on 1 June. I was then advised who to add to this group. We had 58 members who made a donation. On 18 June, the members’ pledges were already over N$200 000 and were enough for the targeted gift. We then negotiated with Indongo Toyota so that we can use their account for members to deposit their pledge directly to them. It was smooth and faster, only that many were disappointed when they heard that money was already enough, while they still wanted to contribute,” Hikumwah explained. The Toyota pick-up cost around N$224 000 from the car dealer, but the amount went up because it was customised. The emotional Namutewa said he only learnt about the news when he received a surprise call from Indongo Toyota in Windhoek asking for his particulars.
“It was like a dream to me and I could not believe it - until today when I saw the car. I was a teacher for ten years before I went to theology college, but what I have achieved in 14 years as a pastor, I could not achieve when I taught. What happened today is not an achievement; it’s only a reflection of my achievement in Ohalushu for the past years of great dedication,” he said.
ILENI NANDJATO
The congregation has been raising money for months and decided to reward their long-time pastor with a new Toyota Hilux pick-up. After serving Ohalushu for the past 14 years, Namutewa has been transferred to the Engela parish. Namutewa has been credited with uniting families and the community of Ohalushu.
“We decided to thank Reverend Namutewa for what he has done to our community that he found in mess. He has managed to restore order during his time here,” said church member Kapuka Nghilundilwa. Businessman Philip Hikumwah, who chaired the fundraising committee, said many people who benefited from Namutewa’s guidance and leadership contributed to the cause.
“Through my telecommunication company, I created a WhatsApp group on 1 June. I was then advised who to add to this group. We had 58 members who made a donation. On 18 June, the members’ pledges were already over N$200 000 and were enough for the targeted gift. We then negotiated with Indongo Toyota so that we can use their account for members to deposit their pledge directly to them. It was smooth and faster, only that many were disappointed when they heard that money was already enough, while they still wanted to contribute,” Hikumwah explained. The Toyota pick-up cost around N$224 000 from the car dealer, but the amount went up because it was customised. The emotional Namutewa said he only learnt about the news when he received a surprise call from Indongo Toyota in Windhoek asking for his particulars.
“It was like a dream to me and I could not believe it - until today when I saw the car. I was a teacher for ten years before I went to theology college, but what I have achieved in 14 years as a pastor, I could not achieve when I taught. What happened today is not an achievement; it’s only a reflection of my achievement in Ohalushu for the past years of great dedication,” he said.
ILENI NANDJATO
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