Revelation 12:11 says: “They
overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; …”
When we tell testimonies of the Lord God’s power and saving grace on our lives,
the devil slinks away tail between legs. So, let us share our amazing stories
of God’s love in action and shame the evil one.
We look forward to reading your
own story of faith in the coming weeks. Your well-written story should be about
800 – 1000 words. Send your story to: barbarankala@gmail.com.
Selected stories will be compiled into an anthology of stories of faith.
Here is
today’s story of faith told by Martin Mlilo. Enjoy! Look out for the next story
of faith in two weeks.
Martin Mlilo
A SONG IN MY HEART
“I will sing to the Lord, for he is highly exalted” Exodus
15:1
I love songs. My voice may not be the best, but still I love
making up my own songs, especially those of praise and thanksgiving. If it were
not for the Lord, I do not know where I would be. I believe I’m a living
testimony. I have been hard pressed on every side, knocked down by life, in
despair, but my salvation has been to make those feelings scram to the dungeon
by humming a song in my heart. I remind myself that, my Lord and my God says, “I
know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans
to give you hope and a future” Jeremiah 29:11.
I completed
my academic learning in 2006 and did very well. I looked forward to pursuing a
degree course at varsity or at some other college. But I failed to get the
money to pay fees. It was so disappointing to miss an opportunity to further my
studies. I sat and pondered what next. Most young people were tracking to South
Africa, known to many of us as eZansi. I scraped around and managed to
get enough money to apply for a passport so I could head that direction. Who
knows …?
It was not
an easy decision to make, but I could not continue to be an extra burden to my
parents. While on one hand I eagerly looked forward to getting to eZansi, the
land of opportunity, my mind was also filled with trepidation as time drew near
to travel. We often witnessed those in eZansi sending groceries, clothing items
and money to their relatives back home. I thought it would be wonderful to get
there and be able to send good things to my parents. On the other hand, stories
of those who were food for crocodiles in the Limpopo River sent shivers down my
spine. Some were robbed by way layers on both sides of the border. I thanked
God that I had a valid passport. There were sordid stories of brutal beatings
and all forms of harassment meted to foreigners. That was unsettling, but I
wanted to focus on the good I had heard. Yes, I was going to seek greener
pastures eZansi.
Each person
was busy trying to make a living there. I was happy enough to find work as a
security guard as I needed to save for fees at College. Life was not as simple
as had been shared by friends. Fees were astronomic. So, I opted for a course
in Welding. I was delighted that I had managed to pursue my studies.
Unfortunately, my savings did not go far. I needed to have saved a lot more. I
tried all ways of raising adequate fees, tried to seek loans from friends and
relatives to no avail. I prayed and fasted, but all my attempts failed. I was
so disappointed and discouraged. When you have no job, you become a burden even
to friends and relatives. I had to eventually swallow a bitter pill by taking
the decision to go back home in 2018. I did try to encourage myself with a
constant song in my heart, though at times I felt like a complete failure. I had
no money. But, the song in my heart seemed to pulsate and resonate deep within
me saying that was not the end of life. The song assured me God would make a
way for me to attend college.
Love has no bounds. I met this pretty girl that I developed
a close relationship with. Unfortunately, we went a bit far and she told me she
was expecting my baby. That was both exhilarating and frightening. I was struggling to make a living but had now created
an extra problem. How would I protect the love of my life from the wrath of
family? She had just completed her ‘A’ Level studies and was supposed to pursue
further studies. I felt sore that our inability to wait was now going to affect
even her life. I loved this girl very much and looked forward to the baby. I
had started a project of rearing road runners or free-range chickens. The
project did not bring much, but little was better than nothing. The baby came,
and the responsibilities intensified. I wanted the best for mom and baby. I
wanted to pay lobolo for her one day and marry her. But I was living in a dry
and thirsty land. This was the climax of my suffering. The only consolation was
the song in my heart that deepened.
I always
attended musical shows to enjoy others’ expressions and also to learn from
them. I wanted to compose and sing better songs too. It was in such a gathering
at the end of July in 2019, that I met this kind old lady who enjoyed my praise
music. Those who knew her well called Makhulu. It felt good chatting with
Makhulu that I unburdened myself to her. What happened in the next few days
still boggles my mind. Makhulu seemed to take me under her wing and recommended
me to a close family friend who offered me a job as a welder. That put a new
song in my heart. I soon was composing more meaningful songs. I could not believe the change that would
come to my life and those I love, through this job. My songs of praise on God’s
faithfulness and amazing grace bubbled within me. I seemed to compose a new
song each week. Makhulu went further to link me with some good Samaritans. That
was in September 2019. I could not believe my ears when they said,
“What can we
do for you Martin?” Was God answering my prayer in a dramatic fashion? Was my
dream for college coming true? I was short of words. I was overwhelmed with
mixed emotions and stumbled over my words.
“I want to
go to college to pursue a course in mechanical engineering.”
“When do you want to start?”
“During the
next semester in January 2020.”
“Go on and
apply then.”
Did I hear right? Unbelievable! My friends had been laughing
at me and saying school was too late for me. Had I forgotten it was fourteen
years since I completed my ‘A’ Level studies? Family members were also saying I
should stop dreaming and work hard to look after my family. It was not easy to
turn a deaf ear to such disparaging comments. The song in my heart gave me
confidence. Could this then be a double blessing for me? These generous good
Samaritans even wanted to sponsor me on a full-time basis, but I opted for a
part time course so that I could continue working and care for my love, and for
my precious baby. A job would enable me to marry her sooner.
No words can portray adequately how I feel. I have pinched
myself numerous times to see whether this is just a sweet and passing dream or
not. How do I thank such generous people? How do I thank God most of all?
When 2020
started, I was at work. I also started as a student at the Bulawayo Polytechnic
College doing Mechanical Engineering. I attend classes on Mondays, Wednesdays,
Fridays and Sundays. I enjoy the theory classes. On Sundays we have practical
sessions, and for me that is a joy ride as I do that daily at my workplace. I
hope to complete my course at the end of 2021, and after I do, I hope to open
my own engineering workshop. That is the song in my heart.
***
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