Pic: Mike and Washington have started visiting members for the meetings. +
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Pic: This is a picture of one of the Vuku groups planted in Lilongwe. +
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Pic: Kholeka is one of the Vuku Leaders in training from Greenvillage Site C Church. As she had her first Vuku meeting with Zodwa, she shared that she gained deeper trust in God through it. +
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Pic: We started Vuku leaders training at the Malawi Leadership Training Vision Centre, Lilongwe. Our first trainees. +
“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. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16 NIV +
During a training session, I asked one of the participants to share their opinion about another person in the meeting. He said, “Oh, he has so much love. No matter what crisis or challenges he faces, he always focuses on helping people receive salvation.”
There is a color called Vantablack, which is so dark that it absorbs almost 100% of the light that shines on it. It appears as complete darkness to our eyes because no light is reflected from its surface.
On the contrary, a mirror reflects all the light that is shone on it and appears the same as the source of the light. That is why you can see your face on it.
Jesus is the light of the world. He shines his light on us, but some people initially absorb Jesus’ love entirely for themselves. However, when they have received enough love, they start reflecting His love outward as mirrors do.
When we reflect His light towards others and the world, we become the light of the world.
Vukukhanye, rise and shine, everyone!
Pic: Please welcome our new Vuku leaders in a village called, Chakana, in Malawi +
At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.
Titus 3:3 NIV +
Written by Jung
One of the lessons that I have learned while doing ministry over the years is that people change.
Even if someone was very immature and mean before, that person could have grown or matured. However, we often stubbornly hold onto our previous views of them.
If we look back at ourselves, it is easy to see how much we have changed (hopefully improved) over time.
Because God enables growth, we need to continually revise our views of others and patiently expect them to mature, even if it’s challenging for us to embrace.
“Love keeps no record of wrongs” – 1 Corinthians 13:5.
Let’s renew our views of others with love and patience, and pray to see what Jesus is doing in them.
Pic: Mama Bukiwe from Greenvillage Site C Church started a new Vuku group with her friend mama Duda. +
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 14:27 NIV +
One of the students asked during a Vuku training, “I have started tutoring a financially disadvantaged 16-year-old girl who happens to be one of my most brilliant students. Recently, I discovered that her step-father has been coercing her into sleeping with him. When she shared this with her mother, she turned a blind eye in order to maintain her relationship with her husband. What can I do?”
In response, I said, “If you confront them, they could deny it and get her in a greater danger. I suggest visiting both of the girl’s parents, accompanied by your wife, and expressing how much you care about her and how bright her future could be. Often, people hurt each other because they believe the other person is worth nothing and that no one cares for them. By showing your compassion for the girl, you express the love of Christ for her. When her parents see that, they might come to their senses.
Sometimes, we must take drastic measures to protect the vulnerable. However, if you have the choice to bring either the police or Jesus, always bring Jesus with you.”
Please keep the girl in your prayers.
Pic: Grace Theological College students in Blantyre, Malawi. +
Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV +
Written by Jung
I am currently working in Blantyre, sharing about the Vuku Family. It is my first trip to Africa outside of South Africa, so I didn’t know what to expect and how people would be. I also wondered if our experience as the Vuku Family in South Africa would be relevant.
During a presentation of the Vuku Family, one of the theological students stood up and said, “We have exactly the same problems in Malawi. What can we do?”
We started with Meeting 1 – “Uziva Unzani?” Let’s Ask Questions, and today I am sharing about the 7-Step Discipleship Process.
May the Lord Jesus equip you with everything good for doing His will.
Pic: In the streets of Lilongwe, Malawi with Mike and Washington. +
Come and see what the Lord has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth. He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Psalms 46:8-11 NIV +
Written by Jun
How would God be exalted? How is our almighty God asserting His power to subdue this world and bring it under His submission? How will He make the world recognize that He is God?
Let’s be still and observe what He does around us.
Yesterday, I provided an introductory lesson on the 7-Step Discipleship model to two key leaders who work with Pastor Huh in Lilongwe, Malawi.
After we concluded, I posed a question to them, “What do you envision? What do you foresee happening if 100 people around you come to know and experience the true love of Jesus, embracing the Complete Joy that the 7 Steps speak of? What if it were 1,000 or even 10,000 people?”
With a glimmer of hope in their eyes, they responded, “It will completely change the world.”
Jesus’ love will prevail.
Pic: Pastor Novulikhlya sent this picture to me and said, “The change has come. To God be the glory.” +
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33 NIV +
Written by Jung
Have you ever overcome anything in life?
I have overcome the fear of failure. At one point in my life, the idea of failing again was crippling me.
I didn’t want to try again, so I kept hiding away. I accepted the fact that there might not be any future for me.
I wasn’t able to overcome it by rising to the occasion like an upbeat and can-do movie. I couldn’t just grit my teeth and try until a breakthrough occurred.
But you know what got me out? Of course, it was Jesus. Let me share how it happened.
Instead of facing my challenges head-on, I served Jesus. I did anything and everything I could because He was the only certainty in my life. The only thing I had faith in was that Jesus was right and would always be right.
In serving Him, I saw myself being used for His good work. I saw myself being used to bring others closer to Jesus.
Then, I started to believe that if I could be part of this amazing work that Jesus is doing, I would surely find a meaningful way to be useful in this world.
We all have a place in this world that God has prepared for us. Find it in Him.
Pic: This is Leewayne, Lynne’s son. We will see him grow up to be wonderful in Christ. +
So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.
2 Timothy 1:8 NIV
Written by Jung
“It is hard. My family members judge and reject me because, in their eyes, I am not worthy. They say to me, ‘You are a Christian, but you have nothing. It is worthless.’ I want to tell them what Jesus does for me. I want to tell them that I might not have much, but Jesus fills me up, and I am content. However, I know they won’t understand.”
This testimony was shared by one of the Vuku leaders in training. It reminded me of the invitation Paul extended in today’s passage.
“Do not reject me because I am in Roman custody, but join me in suffering to show Christ’s love to those who have never seen how wonderful Christ is. He provides for our physical and spiritual needs in miraculous ways. He leads us to a life that is everlasting.”
Especially for myself, I am grateful for how Jesus surrounds me with wonderful, humble, and loving people like you, my friends. I find treasures in your hearts and lives. Witnessing it is truly a daily blessing from heaven.
Please accept my utmost respect.