Baptising Kazambi 
Praying for Kazambi after she's baptised.
Kazambi's face beams when a MP3 player is put over her ears - she can hear!
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Kazambi
Kazambi's Story
Kazambi is a young girl about 16 or 17 years old. During our June/July outreach, she met God in a powerful way. This is her story...
When Kazambi was about 1 year old, her brother passed away. For fear that she would lose another child, Kazambi's mother took her to the witchdoctor to give her "medicine" so that she would not die too. After that visit, Kazambi became deaf and dumb. Her mother took her back to the witchdoctor, so that he could "heal" her. The witchdoctor made cuts into her tongue to "loosen" it, but it did not help and Kazambi remained deaf and dumb.
It is hard to imagine the life of hardships that faced a child like this. Village life is hard enough without any handicaps. She was a girl-child - in her culture women are seen as objects and posessions. She would be seen as a "worthless" or "damaged" posession. If she would ever get married, her parents could not expect a high bridesprice ("lobola").
Then something else happened... Kazambi became pregnant. She did not know and couldn't explain who the father was. The conclusion was made that she was raped. She did make an easy target, because she was unable to utter any sounds or screams.
This would have been a tragic story if it had to end here, but God had a plan for Kazambi. He knitted her together in her mother's womb. He knew the number of hair on her head. He loved her like no other could...
During our outreach, two team members visited Kazambi's village. They met her mother, who asked them to pray for her child. They laid hands on her and prayed for her in Jesus' Name. She started to make noises that sounded like "ma....ma....ma"! Her mother was overwhelmed. For the first time since she was 1 year old, she produced sound!
A few days later these team members shared Kazambi's story with the rest of the team. God laid it upon their hearts to baptise Kazambi. Kazambi did not understand with her mind what was going on around her, yet she was willingly led into the water and baptised. It was as if her spirit could perceive and comprehend what was happening to her. The team prayed some more for her and she continued to make sounds.
The next day, Kazambi and her mother arrived at the camp where the team members stayed. All of the team members laid their hands on her and prayed for her again. She started to make even more sounds - it was like she was trying to say something, but no one could understand her. A smile lit up her face. The team members asked Kazambi's mother if she had ever made sounds like this, but she said that this was the first time ever! Arthur felt led by God that he should put his MP3 player on her ears. He was standing behind her and could not see her face, but the other team members did (see picture)! She was absolutely beaming and clapping her hands. The look on her face and on that of her mother's was priceless. Kazambi's and her mother's face beamed the joy they felt. It was obvious that God had performed a miracle! She could hear and talk! Because she had lost her ability to speak and hear at such a young age, she had never acquired a language. It would take some time before she would be able to make sense of what she heard and before she would be able to produce intelligble speech. But the process had already begun...
The next day was Sunday and Kazambi and her mother came to church. Kazambi clapped with the music - at first without any rythm, but later she was able to clap more and more to the beat of the music. Already her brain had started to make sense of what she heard!
The night before the team left, Kazambi walked from her village to sleep at the clinic nearby, so that she could greet the team. In the words of one of the team members "I realised once again what a huge impact the 10 days (of the outreach) had on one life. To God belongs all the glory!!!"
When Kazambi was about 1 year old, her brother passed away. For fear that she would lose another child, Kazambi's mother took her to the witchdoctor to give her "medicine" so that she would not die too. After that visit, Kazambi became deaf and dumb. Her mother took her back to the witchdoctor, so that he could "heal" her. The witchdoctor made cuts into her tongue to "loosen" it, but it did not help and Kazambi remained deaf and dumb.
It is hard to imagine the life of hardships that faced a child like this. Village life is hard enough without any handicaps. She was a girl-child - in her culture women are seen as objects and posessions. She would be seen as a "worthless" or "damaged" posession. If she would ever get married, her parents could not expect a high bridesprice ("lobola").
Then something else happened... Kazambi became pregnant. She did not know and couldn't explain who the father was. The conclusion was made that she was raped. She did make an easy target, because she was unable to utter any sounds or screams.
This would have been a tragic story if it had to end here, but God had a plan for Kazambi. He knitted her together in her mother's womb. He knew the number of hair on her head. He loved her like no other could...
During our outreach, two team members visited Kazambi's village. They met her mother, who asked them to pray for her child. They laid hands on her and prayed for her in Jesus' Name. She started to make noises that sounded like "ma....ma....ma"! Her mother was overwhelmed. For the first time since she was 1 year old, she produced sound!
A few days later these team members shared Kazambi's story with the rest of the team. God laid it upon their hearts to baptise Kazambi. Kazambi did not understand with her mind what was going on around her, yet she was willingly led into the water and baptised. It was as if her spirit could perceive and comprehend what was happening to her. The team prayed some more for her and she continued to make sounds.
The next day, Kazambi and her mother arrived at the camp where the team members stayed. All of the team members laid their hands on her and prayed for her again. She started to make even more sounds - it was like she was trying to say something, but no one could understand her. A smile lit up her face. The team members asked Kazambi's mother if she had ever made sounds like this, but she said that this was the first time ever! Arthur felt led by God that he should put his MP3 player on her ears. He was standing behind her and could not see her face, but the other team members did (see picture)! She was absolutely beaming and clapping her hands. The look on her face and on that of her mother's was priceless. Kazambi's and her mother's face beamed the joy they felt. It was obvious that God had performed a miracle! She could hear and talk! Because she had lost her ability to speak and hear at such a young age, she had never acquired a language. It would take some time before she would be able to make sense of what she heard and before she would be able to produce intelligble speech. But the process had already begun...
The next day was Sunday and Kazambi and her mother came to church. Kazambi clapped with the music - at first without any rythm, but later she was able to clap more and more to the beat of the music. Already her brain had started to make sense of what she heard!
The night before the team left, Kazambi walked from her village to sleep at the clinic nearby, so that she could greet the team. In the words of one of the team members "I realised once again what a huge impact the 10 days (of the outreach) had on one life. To God belongs all the glory!!!"
Friday, August 10, 2007
The Aftermath
Herbert was one of the team members on West Zambia Outreach 2007. We would like to share with you his testimony of how God is still working in his life as a result of the outreach. Here's an excerpt from the letter he's written to us...
Herbert's Letter
"...I would from my side just like to also give you feedback and GOD PRAISE.
Remember during the outreach you and the team prayed again over the stronghold of asthma in my life ..then during the visit by Bishop Peter another prayer was done with anointing oil included in this.............Well it is with great thanks to our SAVIOR AND HEALER that I can testify that my asthma is nearly totally gone......I do get small wheezing attacks in the early morning just after I wake and must still use my inhaler every 3d day or so but in ratio to the way I had it in the past this is AMAZINGLY BETTER.....All the glory and honour to GOD OUR FATHER.
I also want to thank you for the way that you conveyed the message that God put in your heart on RIGHTEOUSNESS.......I have started applying this more and more and when Satan comes knocking it is easier to send him away ............this is not all ........because I keep saying this my mind is starting to actually get rid of the lie of Satan of past and its starting to believe the TRUTH that I am RIGHTEOUS and saved and cleansed by the BLOOD OF THE LAMB.........Because of this "new" truth in my life it is getting harder to do the "wrongs" and say "BUT I'm only human" God is really helping me with this .....although I sometimes still stumble I can go back to Jesus and receive His blessing and forgiveness much quicker than in the past. I used to confess my sins and ask forgiveness but through satans lies would end up feeling guilty for days which would then in turn cause me not to praise and pray and receive and give the way I should. Through the renewing of the mind with the teaching we received I get back into Gods grace at a quicker pace allowing me to praise and love sooner and through this NOT WANTING TO SIN......
Thank you for the way you are spreading the WORD and upsizing the KINGDOM......I sense FATHER GOD and JESUS is enjoying every minute of it.
Please send our love and good wishes to Bishop Peter and his wife .....to Godwin and Chico and their loved ones.
We pray a BLESSING over you and your family and all others involved there
God bless
Love
Herbert
Herbert's Letter
"...I would from my side just like to also give you feedback and GOD PRAISE.
Remember during the outreach you and the team prayed again over the stronghold of asthma in my life ..then during the visit by Bishop Peter another prayer was done with anointing oil included in this.............Well it is with great thanks to our SAVIOR AND HEALER that I can testify that my asthma is nearly totally gone......I do get small wheezing attacks in the early morning just after I wake and must still use my inhaler every 3d day or so but in ratio to the way I had it in the past this is AMAZINGLY BETTER.....All the glory and honour to GOD OUR FATHER.
I also want to thank you for the way that you conveyed the message that God put in your heart on RIGHTEOUSNESS.......I have started applying this more and more and when Satan comes knocking it is easier to send him away ............this is not all ........because I keep saying this my mind is starting to actually get rid of the lie of Satan of past and its starting to believe the TRUTH that I am RIGHTEOUS and saved and cleansed by the BLOOD OF THE LAMB.........Because of this "new" truth in my life it is getting harder to do the "wrongs" and say "BUT I'm only human" God is really helping me with this .....although I sometimes still stumble I can go back to Jesus and receive His blessing and forgiveness much quicker than in the past. I used to confess my sins and ask forgiveness but through satans lies would end up feeling guilty for days which would then in turn cause me not to praise and pray and receive and give the way I should. Through the renewing of the mind with the teaching we received I get back into Gods grace at a quicker pace allowing me to praise and love sooner and through this NOT WANTING TO SIN......
Thank you for the way you are spreading the WORD and upsizing the KINGDOM......I sense FATHER GOD and JESUS is enjoying every minute of it.
Please send our love and good wishes to Bishop Peter and his wife .....to Godwin and Chico and their loved ones.
We pray a BLESSING over you and your family and all others involved there
God bless
Love
Herbert
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Alta se getuienis
Zambië 2007Alta Ferreira was een van die spanlede op hierdie jaar se uitreiking. Ons deel graag haar getuienis van wat die Here in haar en ander se lewens gedoen het. As jy deur haar getuienis aangeraak is, laat weet ons asb. deur 'n comment te los...
Dit is die week voor Zambië en met my persoonlik gaan dit “bad” – ek begin twyfel oor myself en wie ek in Christus is – hoe sal die Here ooit so ‘n GROOT sondaar soos ek kan gebruik. Die aand voor ons Zambië toe ry vra ‘n vriendin vir my of ek regtig dink die Here wil hê ek moet Zambië toe gaan. Ek is geskok om nie dadelik vir haar ‘n antwoord te kan gee nie. Miskien was my oortuiging verkeerd (Mat 28:19-20), want ek het daaroor gebid, maar in my hart het ek geweet dalk het ek te min gebid. Natuurlik weet ek ook glad nie wat my “ministry” is nie – Piet praat van Jesus film, Herbert – wel hy is uniek en Marie-Louise en die kinders praat van die kinderbediening. Ek, wel ek weet nie wat ek juis in Zambië gaan doen as ek wel sou gaan nie. Met my sendingbesoek aan Indië het ek net geweet dat die Here die verlore mense liefhet en dat ek almal in Indië net ‘n drukkie wou gee – wel amper almal.
Ek gaan huistoe en sit by die Here en vra Hom reguit, die tyd stap aan en ons ry reeds 3uur die volgende oggend. Ek wil beslis nie gaan as dit nie in die Here se Wil is nie – dit sal die grootste fout van my lewe wees as ek gaan en dit is nie in Sy Wil nie. Tyd wag vir niemand nie. Ek skryf in my dagboek “Here ek het nodig om te glo - ek het nodig om in my hart die Woord van die Here te weet, te beleef, seker te weet. Een ding weet ek en dit is dat ek die Here lief het. Die Here gee my Skrif en ek weet ek moet gaan. Een is Johannes 13 vers 5 – Jesus was Sy disippels se voete en ek weet die Here se ek moet gaan dien – in die groep waar ek kan, maar ook die mense wat ek sien. Nog ‘n Skrif is Isaiah 40 vers 4 “Every valley shall be lifted and filled up, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked and uneven shall be made straight and level, and the rough places even” (Amplified Bible). Ewe skielik is daar vrede in my oor Zambië. Wat ek ook besef is dat ek beslis nie uit my eie die 2 weke sal maak nie – die Here het sekerlik ‘n plan. Op pad Zambië toe besef ek dat ek nie die ander mense ken nie, ja, soos in glad nie ken nie. Ons het eintlik net vinnig mekaar gesien by die kerk (waar ek nie eers 6 maande ‘n lid is nie) as ons saam gebid het, maar verder weet ek eintlik glad nie wat op my wag nie. Een ding is seker en dit is die Here het ‘n plan (‘n spesifieke plan) met elkeen wat kom – eintlik kom ons om te dien, maar ek het tog ‘n idee daar wag vir elkeen ‘n tipe groei.
In die bos wag daar iets anders...Ons ry van Livingstone agter in ‘n Landrover en die spasie raak minder soos die sand en stampe meer word, maar almal is opgewonde – dit is asof elkeen net in hom/haarself sterf vir die oomblik – ons is besig om in te beweeg in iets wat BAIE groter as onsself is.Tot en met Dinsdagoggend (26 Junie) is daar net gery en kamp opgeslaan en dit is eers dan wat ek weer by die Here kan gaan sit. Dit is “awesome” daar is geen werk/selfone/persoonlike dinge wat kan roep en pla nie, dit is ek en die Here in Stilte. Ek vra weer vir die Here hulp vir Zambië – voel eintlik heel onbeholpe - die res weet presies wat verwag word – die Here antwoord en gee 1 Cor 1 vers 5, 7 and 9: “So that in Him in every respect you were enriched, in full power and readiness of speech [to speak of your faith] ans complete knowledge and illumination [to give you full insight into its meaning] 7 that you are not [consciously] falling behind or lacking any special endowment or Christian grace....” (Amplified) Eintlik die hele hoofstuk – te veel om nou hier neer te skryf, maar beslis ‘n bevestiging vir my dat dit nie ek is nie, maar “Christ in me”. Arthur begin “teaching” te doen oor “righteousness” en hoewel dit selfsugtig klink weet ek dat dit een van die redes is hoekom die Here wou gehad het ek moet kom – ek moes dit hoor en nie in ‘n vinnige Sondag preek nie, maar goed oor 2 weke lank en ek leer dit is tyd om myself te vergewe vir my verlede – dit is verby. Punt.
Ons gaan die middag uit na ‘n naby geleë “village” en praat oor Jesus en doen selfs ‘n gebed saam met een van die vroue. Ons gaan ook na ‘n tweede “village” en na ons die Boodskap gedeel het, bid ons vir ‘n man wat lyk asof hy nie te lekker kan sien nie en ook vir ‘n vierjarige seun wat vir 3 dae al in die bed lê met asma. Ons neem ook ‘n paar foto’s saam met die mense van die “village” Op pad terug na die kamp hardloop die seuntjie (vir wie ons nou-net gebid het) ons in en vertel hy is gesond – ‘n wonder op sy eie en hy hardloop en gaan speel met die ander kinders by die kamp. Die aand gaan ons die Jesus film wys by Munyonga en soos Godwin sê dit is “not too far...” ek sou gou leer dat elke aand se film “not too far is” ongeag van die afstand – of so het dit gevoel tussen Piet en Godwin voor in die Landy. Ek bid die aand vir die eerste keer self vir mense vir genesing saam met Chico (1 van die tolke). Dit is asof die Here oorneem en ek maar net bid wat in my gees opkom. Ek bid vir ‘n vrou vir pyn in haar maag en bid sommer ook dat die Heilige Gees haar moet vul en Hy doen. Dit was definitief vir my ‘n dag van BAIE groei en ek hoop dit sal in my bly en dat ek daarop kan bou wanneer ek weer huistoe gaan.
Woensdag is weer ‘n “awesome” tyd met die Here en vir die dag deel Hy met my 1 Cor 2 vers 16 “but we have the mind of Christ and do hold the thought of His heart” (Amplified). Dit is die dag van Kazambi en ek voel nederig en baie geseënd om elke keer te kon by wees wanneer daar vir haar gebid was – Kazambi is vir my persoonlik ‘n antwoord op gebed vir meer geloof – en ook ‘n voorbeeld – moeilik om te beskryf, maar sy het my gewys hoe dit in my gees was voor ek Jesus begin volg het (doodsheid, hopeloosheid) en na ek Hom aangeneem het (‘n “joy”). (Kazambi was doof en stom sedert sy 1 jaar oud is, vir meer as 15 jaar, maar sy is gedurende die uitreiking genees – haar volle storie volg later – Liezl)Donderdag ry ons na Mungambwa - verder wes voel dit vir my - en ons leer van kululu (dit is nou ‘n haas) en hulle (die tolke) leer van kulula.com. Ek leer dat Godwin ‘n baie goeie humorsin het en dat Chico baie opgewonde oor die Here is en hy loop ver in “villages” om te sê ons is daar met die film. Ek begin met die kinders speel en ek leer dat deur skewe gesigte te trek en net sommer simpel te wees mens ‘n kind se hart kan wen. In Zambië wen jy ook hulle harte natuurlik as jy ‘n bal in jou hande het – ek leer ook dat Jesus-liefde alles kan oorwin selfs die feit dat jy nie hulle taal verstaan of praat nie en as jy net saam het hulle kan “be” is dit goed.
Die kinders van Zambië kruip in my hart en ek kan dit nie keer nie, my hart breek vir die gebrek aan warm klere en die aand staan talle en bewe van die koue om my – ek begin te wonder waar hulle slaap, wat hulle eet, ek sien dogtertjies van 10 -12 jaar en ek wonder hoe lank sal hulle nog hulle onskuld kan behou en net kind kan wees. Ek begin te wonder oor toekomsverwagtinge, ek begin te wonder.... Herbert bid die aand vir ‘n vrou wat se een been korter is as die ander been – ek is seker in my hart hy het gegroei, ek het dit gesien, maar dit is net so... (hmmm dit is nou hier waar die woorde te min is in my chemikus brein).
Vrydag kom vra hulle weer vir Kazambi – ons moet kom bid. Dit is die aand waarop sy gedoop word. Die aand wys ons die film by Samenso West naby Bwina. Dit is Jairo se “village” en ons ontvang selfs ‘n hoender. Daar word ook gesing toe ons aankom – daar is ‘n verwagting in die lug. Ek leer weer om net om saam met die kinders te “be”. Ons bid vir genesing vir hoofpyne en pyne in die bors en pyne in die bene. Wat my opval/pla aanvanklik is die “mildness” waarmee hulle genesing ontvang – eintlik druk ek dit nou verkeerd uit, maar wanneer die tolke vra hoe hulle voel dan se hulle nee hulle is gesond, maar hulle gesigte wys dit nie altyd nie – ek leer dat die mense nederig is en dat hulle gematig is en tog ook sterk binne (moeilik om te beskryf)....
Saterdag rus ons net, Kazambi kom self kamp toe en ons bedien ook daar. Dit is ‘n dag van “be” – hoewel dit nie so gevoel het nie – was dit ‘n rusdag op net die regte tyd. Sondag preek Piet en dit gaan oor ons “reward” in die Hemel eendag. Baie oulike illustrasies en alles – Kazambi is ook daar en sy klap hande saam met ons, aanvanklik nie op die ritme nie, maar later kom sy al hoe meer op die regte ritme. “Awesome”. Ons wys die film die aand by Njai – die pad soontoe is donker en min gebruik – blykbaar is ek die eerste wit vrou wat so ver gaan – ek begin te wonder oor die jong vroue van Zambië – ons het nogals op baie plekke moes bid vir pyn in die ribbekas en dan kan mens nie help om te wonder of hulle bietjie geslaan word nie. Maandag vra ek vir die Here Woord vir die groep - die Here gee my die hele James 4 – ek voel in my hart dat ek darem nie alles hoef te deel nie – miskien spreek dit my meer aan as die res, maar in vers 10 staan daar “humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord” Ek voel asof ek hierdie afgelope 10 dae in die Teenwoordigheid van die Here was en Hy het Sy unieke plan laat werk deur Sy Gees - “life is not about me – it is about God”.
Die aand wys ons die fliek in Kazuzi – daar is die minste kinders en mense nog (of so voel dit vir my), maar die skoolhoof is ontvanklik en ek vertrou dat die Here mense sal oprig om hom verder te leer en te lei en dat daar binnekort ‘n pastoor sal wees in die kerk. Die laaste aand wys ons die fliek in Sejamba en die dag is vol “ministry” in die omliggende omgewing. Kazambi is ook by die film en sy en haar familie slaap Dinsdagaand in die kliniek sodat hulle ons die volgende dag kan groet – ek besef weereens hoe groot impak die 10 dae op een lewe gemaak het – Aan God al die eer!!!
Daar is nog baie wat ek kan skryf oor wat die uitreik vir my beteken het, maar miskien mors ek net woorde of eerder kan ek net nie die regte woorde vind nie. Dit het my geleer van “humbleness” voor God, dit het my geleer dat die die Here jou gebruik al is jy hoe onbekwaam – jy moet net bereid wees om te gaan. Die Here het my geleer dat dit altyd in die sendingveld net oor Hom gaan en as jy selfsugtig is kan jy maar by die huis bly. Ek dink my woorde is nou op, maar ja, ek gaan terug Suid-Afrika toe met baie mense vir wie ek kan bid!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)