Pic: This is a picture of one of the Vuku groups planted in Lilongwe. +
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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: 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.
Pic: Namhla hanging with youth after service at CMC Church in Bloekombos. Love is exciting! +
1 Corinthians 13:8-13 (NIV) Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. +
Written by Jung
This passage hit me a little deeper today. It talks about how all things are limited, such as speaking in tongues, knowledge, and even prophecy, which were known among the Corinthians.
They couldn’t see clearly that all the things they were known for were limited and couldn’t provide them with a bigger and clearer picture. Paul compares it to a reflection in a mirror. Back then, they didn’t have nice mirrors like we do now. It could be compared to taking a photo with an iPhone 14 Pro versus using a 10-year-old phone that takes a good 3 seconds to capture an image. The difference in image quality would be very noticeable.
Paul is saying that as we mature and grow spiritually, we will understand things more completely, and we will see as clearly as a photo taken with an iPhone 14 Pro that…
The only things that remain are faith, hope, and love, but the greatest of these is love.
Do you see that love is the greatest? Have a Christ-love-filled weekend, Vuku Family!
Pic: This is when we visited Revonte’s school in Mannenberg. These ladies suggested that we do voice note Vuku Daily Devotions. What do you think?+
Isaiah 43:16-19 (NIV) This is what the LORD says—
he who made a way through the sea,
a path through the mighty waters,
who drew out the chariots and horses,
the army and reinforcements together,
and they lay there, never to rise again,
extinguished, snuffed out like a wick:
“Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland.+
Written by Jung
Perhaps it narrates how we lose sight of Jesus.
We all agree that He has been there for us. He has been our strength and encouragement as we live our lives.
What the LORD is saying through Isaiah is that He loved, protected, and brought victory to Israel, but Israel lost sight of Him by continually expecting the same thing over and over again. When challenges came, they placed their hope in idols and foreigners.
Jesus is not only a helper who makes our lives a bit easier. He is the one who will lead us to the kingdom of heaven. This means our journey with Him will often be unpredictable and scary.
When this happens, don’t expect the same provisions or comforts that were given to you before by Jesus. Instead, fix your eyes upon Him and see what new things He may be doing.
These new things will help us grow, become stronger, and experience even more joy.
It is a tough journey, but a wonderful one.
Pic: This is Rosie. She is 8.I pray for her to be loved and cared for in Jesus’ name. +
He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”
Mark 9:36-37 NIV +
Written by Jung
How do you welcome anyone in Jesus’ name?
Welcoming anyone in Jesus’ name means doing so without personal prejudice, preference, or principles. However, it can also extend much further than that.
“Welcoming children in Jesus’ name” implies that we are representing His truth and love by embodying those qualities ourselves, especially towards those who are weak or less privileged than us.
This principle applies to every aspect of our lives, from beginning to end. In everything we do and every person we encounter, our aim is to act not according to our own principles or desires, but to become a true representation of our Lord Jesus.
Today, let’s strive to live our lives as a pleasing offering, even in small ways. This is how we welcome our Father in heaven.
Pic: Pastor Mzukwa and his brethren discussing what love is, ‘Meeting 6 – What is Love?’ +
The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
1 Peter 4:7-8 NIV +
Written by Jung
When the end of all things is near, why is love important?
Why does Paul emphasize loving one another as we stay alert?
It is because the love of Jesus Christ covers a multitude of sins, and sins blind us from seeing God and deafen us from hearing God.
When the end of all things comes, we need to fix our eyes on Jesus and be alert. Unless we have His love in our hearts, we will miss Him and fall.
Cherish the love of Christ that was shown to you, and share that love with others.
Therein lies salvation.
Pic: We visited 4The1 (Tracy) Organization’s Friday event for children to meet these wonderful children. +
Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
Matthew 11:4-6, 11 NIV +
Written by Jung
“When John the Baptist sent his disciples to ask if Jesus was the one who is to come, Jesus answered it this way: ‘Go and report to John what you have witnessed.’
Then, Jesus praised John as the greatest. John fulfilled the purpose God had given him without a hiccup or hesitation. His dedication to the deed was unmatched by anyone.
Yet, Jesus adds that the least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than he. It literally means that any of you are greater than John the Baptist without his dedication or the sacrifices he made.
How, you ask? It is because you know exactly who Jesus is. It is because you can recognize his voice and have no doubt.
It is our given privilege as those who have received salvation through Christ.
So, brothers and sisters in Christ, what is he doing around you now?
‘But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.’ – Matthew 13:16
Let’s open our eyes and ears and seek him.
Pic: This is Julia’s member Nkuli. Can you tell that she would become an amazing Vuku leader? I sure can. +
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV +
Written by Jung
Can you picture the scene that Paul is describing here?
Imagine yourself running a very important race. You are surrounded by numerous people who want you to win. They are all encouraging you and cheering for you. They trust you and have faith in you. There is Jesus, who has already endured inevitable hardships for you, waiting with a crown of victory.
May this be your life this week as you run a race that you have already won in Christ.
Bless you, for He who is with you is the Most High.