Posts in category: Picgrimage

Pic: Please pray for their safety and God’s guidance. We couldn’t go to see them. There was a gunfight between gangs in their neighborhood. Mannenberg is known for gang activities. +

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4:31‭-‬32 NIV +

Written by Jung

How Did God Forgive Us?

There is a Vuku leader who had a troublesome son, dealing with issues such as drugs, alcohol, and stealing. She expressed that there was so much hurt over the years, and she couldn’t take it anymore. You all know the story; it happens to us and around us all.

What she did was very courageous. She decided to share Jesus’ love with him. As in Meeting 4 – Forgiving My Family, she chose to focus on what he needed to live a life experiencing Jesus’ love rather than trying to force him to quit drugs and stealing, which were causing so much trouble.

When I returned from the Malawi trip, she was thrilled to share that her son had responded to Jesus’ love and had truly transformed. She couldn’t believe it herself. He had overcome drug addiction, and he was doing things he had never done before, such as being there for his own family and helping out in various ways.

About a month later, we were discussing forgiveness. I asked her, “You have shared that there was so much pain that your son caused. How did you come to forgive him?” She replied, “No, I never had to. Now, every time I think of him, the only thing that comes to mind is how to help him live a life in accordance with Christ’s will. When I think about that, it fills me with excitement and joy.”

Forgive each other as God forgave you through the love of Christ.

Pic: We are brothers and sisters in Christ, because we seek him together. With ANMC Dunoon Vuku leaders. +

But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.
Philippians 3:7‭-‬9 NIV +

Written by Jung

What does a life in faith look like? I believe that’s the central question for understanding what Paul is referring to. He rejects all our efforts to achieve salvation or righteousness, considering them as worthless and a loss compared to living a righteous life that comes from God through faith in Christ. The more I try to achieve on my own, the less beneficial it becomes.

Someone might claim that we do the right things and keep the law because we believe in Jesus. This might seem like living in faith. However, the difference lies in the extent of it. Our lives are often confined to our own strength and understanding, limited by what we think we can achieve and what makes sense to us.

Living a life of faith means going beyond who I am and what I can do. It’s not about challenging ourselves to do more or take risks; rather, it’s about humbly surrendering ourselves and faithfully following the path God reveals to us. In simpler terms, it’s not about facing challenges like parting the sea, but about living our lives today in accordance with God’s will.

Frequently, we hesitate to take obvious steps due to fear or personal preferences. We find ourselves making excuses, such as ‘What if?’ or ‘I can’t,’ and live in accordance with our responsibilities in the world.

Ultimately, it boils down to your choice. Are you willing to live a life that may frighten you? Are you ready to have faith that no matter how fearful you are, if you are with Jesus, you will be better off?

You have come this far because of Jesus, not because of your wise choices. You chose Him for eternal salvation, and your faith in Him has brought you to this point. Let’s praise Him for what He has done and continue to follow Him faithfully.

Pic: This is Gift, and he is from the nation of Burundi. I met him for the first time through Vuku Leader’s training at GTC early this year. He has been working with Lucious, another Vuku leader, and what Jesus has done in him is very apparent. +

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Matthew 5:9 NIV +

Written by Jung

What is a peacemaker?

According to a dictionary, a peacemaker is a person who brings about peace, especially by reconciling adversaries. This raises an important question: What kind of peace is worthy of the children of God?

Every crisis brings an opportunity. The world seizes these opportunities to benefit and profit. Much wealth and favorable positions have been created during crises such as conflicts and changes.

As children of God, we should view every opportunity as a chance to reveal Jesus and His love. To achieve that, we need to help both parties feel and know that God is with them, providing a sense of security. Then, they can set aside the fear and worries that lead to agitation and conflict. This way, we can focus on His love and provision. With these established, we can arrive at a resolution that aligns with God’s will for both parties.

This is the kind of peace that the children of God would bring, not just as negotiators or mediators seeking a win-win situation or remedying our failures.

We may not have the power or wisdom to solve all the problems in the world, but God has blessed us with a ministry of reconciliation through Jesus. When we help others reconcile with God, our hearts will be aligned to see beyond our limitations, and God’s will shall be done.

Pic: By wonderful Vuku leaders in CMC Church in Bloekombos, Abohna had an opportunity to tutor all these children. They will meet every Monday. +

“I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.
John 21:3‭-‬7 NIV +

Written by Jung

Do you remember how Simon Peter met Jesus fir the first time?

In Luke 5, Simon Peter met Jesus by catching a large number of fish. The first thing he said was, “Go away from me, Lord; I’m a sinful man.”

When Jesus appeared to his disciples after the resurrection, he approached Simon Peter again. As you read in the passage, Jesus helped him catch a large number of fish in a similar way. When Simon Peter realized it was the Lord, he jumped into the water to come to Jesus.

For Simon Peter, Jesus reminded him of his initial love for Him. The way he repented at first was rekindled after he had denied Jesus three times.

We all fall and make mistakes. Sometimes, we feel terrible and don’t know how to find our way back to Jesus.

I believe this is how He brings us back—by reminding us of our initial love for Him and the very reason we decided to change: repentance.

It’s not just for us either. Let’s also help those around us find their way back to Christ in the same way.

Pic : This is Ntloko Family introduced to Vuku family last week.They have hope in Jesus and its amazing how thirsty and hungry they are for the love of Jesus.The Guy between is one of our new Church members – Pastor Novulikhalya from Green Village Sote C Church. +++

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
Matthew 5:14‭-‬15 NIV +++

Written by Jung

Let me share a story. It is supposedly an encounter between an American Naval vessel and Canadians.

Americans: “Please divert your course 15 degrees to the North to avoid a collision.”

Canadians: “Recommend you divert YOUR course 15 degrees to the South to avoid a collision.”

Americans: “This is the captain of a US Navy ship. I say again, divert YOUR course.”

Canadians: “No, I say again, you divert YOUR course.”

Americans: “THIS IS THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN, THE SECOND LARGEST SHIP IN THE UNITED STATES’ ATLANTIC FLEET. WE ARE ACCOMPANIED BY THREE DESTROYERS, THREE CRUISERS, AND NUMEROUS SUPPORT VESSELS. I DEMAND THAT YOU CHANGE YOUR COURSE 15 DEGREES NORTH. THAT’S ONE-FIVE DEGREES NORTH, OR COUNTERMEASURES WILL BE UNDERTAKEN TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THIS SHIP.”

Canadians: “This is a lighthouse. Your call.”

As Jesus said, you are the light of the world. The world will try to discourage you and convince you that you are not of any significance.

However, the world needs the light in you. Even though you might feel smaller than what you are facing, you have the truth in you that never to be shaken or discouraged, as the lighthouse in the story.

Stand your ground in Jesus.

Pic: Linda’s group with Mrs. Nondabula is going well. Pastor Nobulikhalya said she is giving thanks to God for sending Linda at the perfect timing. +

Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.
Matthew 10:38‭-‬39 NIV +

Written by Jung

I’ve always thought that carrying a cross for your own crucifixion was a very cruel punishment. What if a prisoner had to go to a market and buy the bullet before their execution? Can you imagine?

The cross carries significance for all of us. It represents love, truth, hardship, and atonement through His blood – all the reasons why we are Christians.

So, what does it mean to carry your own cross? It means that merely desiring what Christianity is isn’t enough; you have to be one. You must walk the walk and talk the talk. You have to live your life according to what Christ means to you.

Today, live your life as a reflection of the Christ you know. Jesus is there to guide you.

Pic: These ladies will form their own groups. Mama Dorothy on the right was not concerned, but she smiled very late. +

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:2 NIV +

Written by Jung

At one of the Vuku meetings, one of the pastors shared that he struggled greatly to follow God’s direction. He expressed it as if he had gained an understanding of what Jesus wanted him to do, yet he had been failing to follow through, and make it happen.

Even though he spoke as if he were lost, perhaps that’s what the passage is talking about. When we hear His voice, there’s always a chance that we might have misunderstood it, and that’s okay. We should continue trying with humility, and through our search, we will often discover what He truly intended. How He guides us is through the relationship we have with Him. Our willingness to follow His guidance makes us disciples.

Therefore, the point might not be to get it right on the first try but to learn to enjoy the journey of realizing God’s pleasing and perfect will for our lives.

Remember, Jesus is with you today whether you’ve got it perfectly or not. Go out and enjoy it!

Pic: Sharing a meal with His people is something special. PFA Training Centre Lilongwe, Malawi. +

Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.
Isaiah 55:6‭-‬7 NIV +

Written by Jung

We are the ones who sought and found Him.

We are the ones who called on Him while He was near.

We are the wicked who have forsaken our ways and unrighteous thoughts.

We have received His mercy and been pardoned.

No one can do this on their own. Otherwise, Christ’s love would have sprung up in many different places around the world. It had to be shown through Jesus and spread out through His people.

Because of Jesus and His people, we were able to turn to the Lord.

What we are and what we have today is owed to Jesus and His people. That is why we humbly share what we know with those who are lost.

His mercy and love belong to them. Let’s help them turn to the Lord.

For He is good.