President Nangolo Mbumba has encouraged all Christians to support modern-day mission work through financial contributions, volunteering, and involvement in church activities. Mbumba made the remarks at the 154th Etumo Festival held at Omandongo in the Onanyena constituency of the Oshikoto region on Saturday, to honour and celebrate the Finnish Missionaries who arrived in Omandongo village in July 1870. Mbumba said that Christians should endeavour to live out their faith by adhering to the biblical teachings and reflecting compassion, love, and support to their neighbours and those in need as demonstrated by the early missionaries. Christians, he added should never be discouraged, dismayed, or disheartened no matter what difficulties and or hardships they face and should also remember and honour the extraordinary legacy of missionaries who came before them. 'Their work has transformed Namibia and shown us the profound impact of faith in action and as we celebrate Etumo festival, may we be inspired to conti nue the whole noble mission of service and sacrifice to our fellow human beings with favour and dedication as we witnessed from the pioneering missionaries in Namibia,' said Mbumba. He pointed out that Omandongo was the first Finnish Missionary station in Namibia that brought with them the first method of modern medicine, built clinics, hospitals, and schools, and introduced vocational training to the Northern rural areas that were denied these lifesaving basic amenities. 'Their teachings on social justice and equality of mankind inspired many Namibians to take up the cause for the freedom of Namibia,' Mbumba said. According to the Namibian Leader, many Namibian liberation struggle leaders are products of missionary or church schools such as in Ongwediva, Engela, Oshigambo, Odibo, Dobra, Okombahe, Gibeon, and many other church stations. 'In Namibia, Christianity and the work of the Christian Church in particular is intertwined with the struggle of the Namibian people for freedom from Apartheid colonialism ,' he added. The festival is hosted by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (ELCIN) and ends on Sunday. Source: The Namibia Press Agency