11 minute read
Chakwera - Pastoring a Nation
Operation Blessing - Looking back over the last 8 months
W r i e n b y N i c B a r k e r
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As we look back and consider the first half of this year there have been so many highlights. One that stood out to me was with a local pastor here in SA, who also happens to be a CBN partner. We met him and found out that many in his congregation were struggling. Upon hearing this, CBN was able to assist with some food parcels for those who were in need. He was deeply moved, as he had often watched this sort of thing on the 700 Club overseas, but now it had literally come to his doorstep. Another story, and there are many, was of a woman who started to feed a few kids from her community at the start of lockdown. Because of the negative impact of COVID19 on the families of these kids, they were in great need and what initially started as a few kids became 300 each
Mark (right) handing out food parcels to his congregants in Cape Town. 11
Alvina (second from the right) with her new gas stove.
week! She prayed and asked the Lord to help her. CBN heard about her need and was able to bless her with a heavy-duty gas stove so she could continue to meet the needs of the children. These are just two of many simple stories of God’s abundance. Indeed, this year has been unique, and there is no need to mention why. We have all been affected by the pandemic. And this has influenced the way Operation Blessing has been able to work. One of the first things which happened during COVID19 was that the borders all around the world all began to close. This meant that any planned Clean Water projects in other nations came to an immediate halt. This was exacerbated when countries went into lockdown. Luckily here in South Africa, we were able to get a certificate as an essential service provider and this allowed us to serve our nation in some simple, practical, and down to earth ways. Namely we could provide much needed food parcels and food vouchers, as well as sanitary and hygiene packs. This is the first time we have done relief efforts in such a large scale. And it was a major privilege. Through these experiences we have grown, and we have found the scripture to be true where it says “every good and perfect gift comes from above, and He takes us from glory to glory, and from strength to strength, and He completes the good work He starts in us.” During this time, we have been encouraged to become more adaptable, agile and spontaneous in the best possible way. Because of the generosity of you, our donors, here in SA, we have been able to respond a lot quicker during this time than in previous years. This has allowed us to be on the ground more, interacting with people face to face – keeping in mind social distancing of course! I just want to say a sincere thank you to those of you who have been giving during this tough time. On behalf of all the families assisted, God bless you! You will see the full result of your gifts on that day. I also want to say thank you to those who have blessed us with food items, clothing items, and other gifts in kind. Your generosity has been so beautiful, and many people have been blessed as a result. Be sure to catch me online during the Partner Appreciation week, where I share on the above! Missed the partner appreciation week? All of our videos will still be on Facebook. Otherwise contact us and we’ll send you the details.
Made Complete in Him Wr i e n b y Yo l a n da M ag i da
“For in Christ the whole fullness of the Deity dwells bodily, and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power” - Colossians 2:9-10 These words of scripture. These verses. I cannot tell you what they mean to this little girl playing grown up. This girl who believed a lie for so long that it became truth. “You are not enough,” says the lie. “Something is wrong with you,” says the lie. “You need fixing,” says the lie. “You need to be smarter,” says the lie. “Work harder,” says the lie. “Only then will you be enough,” says the lie. “Get this and get that only then you would be complete, only then will you be at peace,” says the lie. More requirements. More demands. 13 I carried these lies into my walk with God. Quoting scriptures with no understanding or application. Talking the talk but all of it undermined by a lie I wrapped around my heart instead of truth. And there they were. These words! These words of scripture were saying something that I have not been able to hear because of lies I exalted above truth. How can I, when this truth is stranger than fiction? Yet here they were compelling in their beauty, bringing with them keys of freedom that I so desperately needed to set myself free from my own prison. These words were saying something I am hoping will change the trajectory of my existence.
…He has been in me all along! Everything He is. The whole fullness of Deity and everything that comes with it is in ME. Everything I need to be the human I was created to be is already in me and more. This happened the moment I accepted Jesus Christ, the one who is head of all principalities and power. The very same Jesus Christ who I am now a co-heir with. No demands. No requirements. All debts and their legal requirement fully paid in Him. And this is the truth. The good news. The Gospel. The truth I forgot, or perhaps did not fully comprehend its gravity or weight, when I said, “I accept you Jesus as my Lord and Saviour”. These are the words of scripture given to me when I found my identity in Christ being attacked. You are not enough, Something is wrong with you, You need fixing, You need to be smarter, Work harder, says the lie. I respond:
“I am complete in Christ, who is the head of all principality and power,” Colossians 2: 10
“In repentance and rest is my salvation, in quietness and trust is my strength,” Isaiah 30:15 Superbook Good New take the to Redhill!
Superbook had the opportunity to send resources to the children whose homes burnt down in the informal township called Redhill. Operation Blessing assisted the families with food and building supplies and it felt fitting to bless the children with Superbook supplies as well. We thank the Lord for the opportunity to give and to share the good news through Superbook despite the devastating event. The children were excited to receive the activity books, crayons, slap wristbands and a flash drive with Season 1’s episodes.
Responsibility to care for
W r i
our environment
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Orphans Promise has been supporting OVC children in the Chibote School in Zambia since 2019. These children come from extremely povertystricken circumstances. But with OP support, their school fees are now paid, they receive stationery and school clothes and can attend school and because of this support, they are given a future and a hope! Mathias Nama, the principle of Chibote School, shares a testimony from the school with us.
“The love of God is stronger than death,” scripture tells us. Many people do not truly believe this saying unless God reveals Himself. Working with these orphaned children is the most amazing thing one can ever imagine. These children were recruited using a very strict method of finding the most vulnerable children in Chibote community/society.
Hundreds of them showed interest in becoming beneficiaries of the Orphans Promise Chibote Project. Amazingly, most of these children were selected when the number of possible learners increased from the initial 35 to 65. Since Orphans Promise started supporting these OVC children in 2019, the working relations with these children has been outstanding
as most of them have proved to be hard working inside and outside the classroom situation. On Wednesday, 5th August, 2020, some of these learners joined their peers in clearing the bush which had been a hive of activities for lunatics who did all sorts of evil activities. These activities ranged from gambling, to drug abuse, and even promiscuity. This bush has been a danger, not only to the school, but to the community as well. Since the school is not fenced, there was a need to clear the nearby bush and make it safe for our children. With much joy, the children supported by Orphans Promise
together with other learners, took responsibility for the potentially harmful area next to the school by helping to clean it. God has given us so much and as humans, we need to take care of what has been placed in our hands. They have done it with such a positive attitude, not working as a punishment, but to prove that as an African child, such works are part of our rich culture and prepares one for adulthood and for a better future. There is honour in work and the fruit of your hands. Blessed be the hand that giveth!! We are proud of our children and the characters they are developing into.
President Chakwera - Pastoring a Nation W r i e n b y I a n W a l o n
In July this year Lazarus Chakwera became Malawi’s 6th President after an amazing turnaround campaign ‘resurrection’ in which the Constitutional Courts overturned the 2019 election results. Born in a tiny village to a poor rural family, he was the Pastor of an AOG church in Lilongwe before sensing God’s call to enter politics just 6 years ago, culminating in his campaigning for Presidency. His amazing, unexpected success in this is also a victory for democracy and for free and fair elections. Having had the privilege to talk candidly with him on a Zoom call a few weeks ago, I now also believe that his appointment to the highest office of Malawi also provides Africa with the rare opportunity to showcase and experience genuine servant leadership. For President Chakwera, as an experienced pastor and family man, serving people and Godly governance go together hand in hand.
In his election campaign last year he spoke of doing all he could to build
How foreign this kind of leadership language is to most of the world right now!
At this early stage of his term, he has impressive support and goodwill amongst his people in the warm heart of Africa (just look at the comments about the interview on our CBN Malawi Facebook page). But even as this inevitably wains after the honeymoon period is over, his leadership mandate runs far deeper than the positive sentiment of his people. Like he said in the interview, “One man with God is a majority”. Far more striking
and important than his popularity is the humble yet resolute conviction he carries – the confidence and authority of a man responding in obedience and faith to the call of His Father God.
Watch our full conversation with him on our YouTube channel to get a sense of the man that is President Chakwera, as well as to get an idea of how he plans to honour the Godgiven calling he has bravely, yet humbly stepped up to fulfil.
Topics touched on include: - Godly governance - Facing the Covid19 giant - Staying faithful to the Lord’s calling - Corruption in Africa - Pastoring a Nation vs Pastoring a Church At CBN South Africa we firmly believe God gave us this interview opportunity so that President Chakwera’s bold, practical faith and Godly wisdom can be shared and celebrated – in a world where strong servant leadership from political leaders is so desperately hard to find. Please join us in praying for him as he seeks to honour the Lord in this position – that he remains true to his calling to be an instrument of blessing and righteousness to the wonderful people of Malawi and beyond.
To watch the video, go to our CBN South Africa YouTube channel. Be sure to subscribe and share!
