Hear lately

One of the things that I’ve really noticed since I’ve been here in Zimbabwe is the difference in how we measure time. Time is definitely not the same here in Africa as it is in the States. Many people do not even acknowledge the time throughout the day. Its kind of the “I’ll get accomplished whatever the day allows me” mentality. There’s never really a sense of urgency or the need to be ”in a hurry.” I can appreciate it though. Its much more relaxed here and people seem to live a lot more stress-free. Although I’ve had to do a lot of adjusting (due to the fact that I am very conscious of time), it’s been good. I think that we tend to make life too complicated sometimes. We make things too complex. Things here in Bulawayo are much more simpler. And a simple life can honestly be quite Biblical. We need to not be so concerned with the day to day. We need to think beyond where we are currently. We have to resist the urge to control our every movement and allow God to be the focus and allow Him to be the One that is in control. However it does require a lot of faith and you have to put that faith into action. I’ve been growing a lot in this area personally over the past few months. Our flesh tells us that we need to be the one that’s calling the shots. It tells us that we are supposed to rely on our strength and our past experiences to bring us through. The fact is though, we need His grace on a daily basis so that we can continue to move forward and take hold of that which lies before us.

The past two weeks have been quite different. The Cornerstone family had to deal with the loss of a dear brother and we also had to host the annual Word & Spirit regional conference. The funeral services went as well as one could have hoped for and it was very encouraging to see how we all came together as a family to remember Honest. One of the things that was spoken about was the need for us all (especially the youth and young people) to continue on with the work that Honest was so passionate about. He would’ve wanted the conference to be a success and I believe that he would’ve been happy with the results. We had our youth conference last Thursday and I had the privilege of sharing the message that the Lord had placed on my heart. The teaching was on Perseverance. I often remember how Kevin (our young adults pastor at Springhouse) would frequently share during his sermons that he was teaching on something that he, himself, was going through. I too, feel the same way now when I teach. I find that the Lord has been speaking to me about things that I need to apply in my own personal life and then He gives me the opportunity to share “my” lesson with others. Our youth conference seemed to have a really good turn out. I was told that there were about 70 youths that attended. I spoke for close to an hour. I couldn’t believe it when I looked at my watch when I took my seat. For someone who has never really enjoyed public speaking, fifty minutes standing behind a pulpit is a really long time. It didnt seem like it though. I covered almost all of the material that I had prepared and afterwards several people told me that what I had shared had ministered to them. Even if only one person was encouraged or was able to relate to what I shared, then it was all worth it.

Our conference continued on Friday and Saturday and we had many different sermons that were shared by ministers and pastors from all over Zimbabwe. They were all good but there were a few that really stood out and ministered to me. One was the issue of “Dealing with the Edge.” Where as the edge represents your fears to move forward into the unknown or the transition from one area to another. The edge also speaks of an area of boundaries or limitations. Dr. Mutsemi spoke on this during the Thursday evening session and it was very powerful. Then on Saturday morning, Pastor Sebele shared a message that had a lot to do with how we should be concerned with what we’re leaving behind for future generations. This was something that he had shared with me following Honest’s passing and was really something that we are all trying to apply to our own individual lives. We may never enter into the land that has been promised to us but we need to prepare the way for our children and our children’s children to occupy the promises that the Lord Has given us.

This past Thursday, I was able to share with the kids at Petra Primary. I spoke on a topic that was about Jesus and how He was just like you and I. Even as I was speaking to them, I realized that I was speaking to myself. Jesus had to deal with the same things that we do. He was born into an environment that was not perfect or ideal. He grew up in a polluted world where He faced similar challenges and obstacles. He was even tempted in some of the same ways that we are. He was able to defeat those attacks and He eventually would conquer the enemy once and for all and finish the work that God, His Father, had sent Him to accomplish. He claimed the victory on our behalf the day He was crucified on that cross. I thank God for that sacrifice. By His stripes, we are healed.

As far as my life goes, things have been going well. I haven’t been anxious or homesick or anything like that. I’m enjoying my time here and I’m really trying to take it to the next level as far as my ministry goes. There is plenty to be done but not many people that are willing to do it. I need to step my game up and make up for the lack of laborers. I’ve realized that each and every day I need to be more and more productive and I am purposefully making myself more available for ministry.

This Sunday I’ll be helping out at the opening night of a new cafe called Koinonia. (Koinonia is Greek and translates to mean fellowship or community) To open a place like this has been a desire and a vision that Bishop Sinj has had for a while now and it has finally become a reality. Koinonia will be a place that youth and young people will be able to come to and fellowship, have tea/coffee, eat, play music, recite poetry, etc. I’ve also thought of trying to do something similar back home but I never really put the time into it that it would require. I look forward to being able to serve at the cafe and fellowship with all those that come out.

I also have the pleasure of sharing some really good news. I received a phone call yesterday afternoon that I had been expecting for weeks now. Let me set it up for ya though. I’m on my way home from town and it starts to rain. I then get dropped off by the main road just as it really starts to pour. It’s about a 10 minute walk til I get home and I think to myself, “Well what can you do? Even if you run, you’re going to be soaked by the time you get home..” I then remembered a statement that I made recently, it’s from a quote that I’ve heard before and I even shared it during our youth conference. Its a quote from Vivian Greene, “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass; it’s about learning to dance in the rain.” So of course, I decided that no matter what the weather was like I was going to praise God because He is the One who creates the rain as well as the rainbow. And this is literally exactly what happened. I began to sing, “You are Holy, Lord of ….” and my phone rings. I thought “Ah its raining, I’ll be home soon, I’ll call them back.” I went against my better judgement and answered the phone despite the downpour. The call was from a friend in Harare that has been helping me with my extended work visa paperwork. She proceeded to tell me that my application had been approved and that I was going to be allowed to stay here in Zimbabwe for the next year. Praise God! This has been the one missing piece that I have been waiting for two and a half months to fall into place. It’s all done though. It happened in God’s perfect timing. In the midst of the rain, I decided to praise His name and He delivered once again. He is a good God. There is no one like Him. He is faithful. Always has been, always will be.

Usually this would be the time in which I ask for your prayers and state the needs that I have. Although there are a few minor things that I could mention, I’d ask that you go before God, give your heart to Him, and allow Him to speak to you. I’d ask that you also consider others before you consider your own needs. Not saying that you need to pray for me, just pray for whatever the Lord places on your heart. And be consistent with it. Be faithful with your prayers. Be intentional. Be a blessing.

standing firm, looking forward

Jesse

Life in death

Well this past week has been rough..especially the past few days. When I made the decision to come to Africa, I knew that I would face some challenges and that I would be on some unfamiliar ground. I would be on some territory in which the enemy could potentially try to knock me off of my foundation. Well let me make one thing clear.

I AM STILL STANDING!!

The more I pursue the Lord, the more the enemy tries to move me. At times, I have felt like it is just too much. I am not strong enough to stand but the Lord has given me strength. In my weakness, His strength shows. I still feel pain. I still break down and allow the tears to fall. But I’m still here. I still have a reason to praise His name. He still has a purpose for me here. He has been so good to me and I know that the current situation in which I have been faced with will be used for His glory and that He is able to take such a horrible tragedy and turn it into something positive that brings life and hope into the lives of many. It was through Jesus Christ’s death that we are able to have life, so I am believing that this death too will bring life to those that don’t have it. That people filled with pain are able to experience the love and the grace that God has given to each and every one of us.

One of the last things I expected to face while here in Zimbabwe on the mission field was death. Especially not the death of a close friend. I mentioned the term “unfamiliar ground,” but the fact is that this is not unfamiliar to me. I have lost several friends over the past several years, three of which decided to take their own life. One of those was someone I considered to be one of my best friends. Robert was someone that I could be myself with. Someone that I allowed to see my true self and remove the hardened walls in which I had placed on the exterior. At the time, I was walking in sin and in darkness, as was Robert, but still we had a familiar spirit. We both had so many positive things in which we believed in and stood on but yet are lives were full of the negative. Although I only knew Robert for about three years, we had a bond that was genuine. He helped me get through some tough times. He encouraged me and supported me and I will always have love for him. He past away in July 2008 but I still find myself thinking about him and how things could have played out differently. I’ve released all of the pain and have a peace about his passing though. I believe that his death had a purpose. In no way would I have ever wished for it to end like that, but I know that Robert’s death served as a catalyst for change in my life and I was able to get back in right standing with God soon after.

Well here I am, four years later and I feel the same pain as I did after Robert’s death. Since I have been here in Bulawayo, I have been able to develop some relationships with several people. I consider them to be family and friends. One of the people that I had gotten closest with was a young man named Honest. He was 23 years old. He served in several areas of the church and had a similar passion for the youth. We instantly connected with each other and over the past seven weeks we had really gotten close to one another. He had a lot to do with me being able to find my feet here and making the transition smooth. He sacrificed so much of his time in order to make me feel at home here. Our relationship was similar to the one that I had with Robert. I was able to talk with Honest about anything. I was able to share with him from my heart. We shared so much in common, I knew that this relationship would be one that lasted for a lifetime….I had no idea that his life would soon come to an end. I learned early on Tuesday morning that he had passed. It was such a shock to me. I had just been with him the previous day. I remember the last thing I said to him was, “I’ll see ya tomorrow.” I had no idea that that would be the last time we spoke. His death has caught everyone within the Cornerstone churches off guard. Honest knew everyone and he did so much within the church. His presence will be greatly missed. He was such a bright young man with a heart for God, a passion for the youth, and surely a very bright future ahead of him. For whatever reason though, he decided that it was his time to go. I can not put into words the pain that it has caused in the lives of so many. My heart breaks for his family. So many people are asking so many questions, but I know that the result is all the same. His life here is over. I am confident that we will, however, spend eternity together. Death never comes at a good time and it is always hard to deal with. Although, I’ve been here before, it still hurts. The difference now is that I have comfort and peace in the Lord. There is no reason for me to ask the “Why’s” because I know that it is the Lord who works all things together for the good. It is difficult to look at death as something that is positive but I believe that the Lord will use this situation to heal people from their brokenness. When I first heard the news, a Scripture came to mind (Psalm 34:18). I was able to call my best friend back home and talk with him for a few minutes. It was in the middle of the night (because of the time difference) but he still answered his phone and I knew that it was only by God’s grace that he heard his phone ring and picked up. It meant so much to me. I had just lost a brother but I had another brother in the Lord that was there for me in a time of need. He shared with me a Scripture from Psalm 147,

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.

I felt a peace after I had read that passage. I knew that He was close to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34) but the Word tells me that not only will he heal our pains but that He also knows our names and that He understands what we’re going through. Even though my human mind does not understand it, He does. He knows the end from the beginning. It is so difficult to get a hold of that though. He knows the conclusion to the story before we even picked up the book to read the title. You know what the catch is though? For those that believe in Him, His death, burial, and resurrection, there is a “To be continued” at the end. We have life even after death. Although our heart stops, our spirit does not, we too will be resurrected with Him and seated in the heavenlies where there is no pain, no sickness, no death. Praise God, Hallelujah!

Yesterday afternoon, before we met for a service at his parents home, I really felt that I should not be mourning his death but celebrating his life. I don’t mean the type of celebrating or rejoicing in which I am smiling from ear to ear or jumping up and down, but one that is thankful for his life and the time we were able to spend together and grateful to God for allowing me the opportunity to get to know Honest and for him to have such an impact on my life personally. I hope that this situation will be used to glorify the Father who breathes life into us and that we all continue to place our hope in Him and rest securely in His Almighty hands.

I thank the Lord for such time as this. I thank the Lord that I had the opportunity of getting to know such a wonderful man and I pray that others who might not have known Honest will come to know the Lord through his death. May the Kingdom increase and may the name of the Lord be praised.

I ask that you please pray for the Munyanyiwa family as well as the entire CFI family and for all of those that were friends with Honest. Pray for the Word & Spirit conference that begins next Thursday, specifically for the youth and all of the young people as they sort through their emotions and deal with this unfortunate situation. Pray that the Lord gives peace and comfort to all of those that need it. May He give them beauty out of ashes, joy to replace mourning, and praise instead of despair.

May the life, love, and passion of Honest Komborero Munyanyiwa be carried with us in our hearts as we continue to seek the Lord in the midst of this storm

a broken man dancing in the rain,

Jesse aka “Sweets”

I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I WILL NOT BE SKAKEN. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body will also rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.     Psalm 16:7-11