"Affirmation" with Mbonisi Malaba

Mbonisi Malaba

It was great having "Bones" come out to Ebenezer and encourage the staff and apprentices. The time spent with the staff was not only motivational but he encouraged the team to openly affirm one another. He spoke about Zimbabwe being in a “turn around” situation but despite that there are many challenges. Paul wrote Philippians when he was in prison and it’s a letter of joy. The Churches in Philippi gave Paul a gift and this letter is one of gratitude. Mbonisi shared from Philippians 4: 4 – 8 “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again – rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus”. V8 “And now, dear brothers and sisters, let me say one more thing as I close this letter. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honourable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” The emphasis was on verse 8, on the things we think about. It’s a verse that “rocks”. We see earlier that Paul and Silas were in prison and they were singing praises to God. Here again Paul is in prison and he says: “Rejoice in the Lord always and I say again rejoice.” It’s really something. Anxiety and following God shouldn’t go together. As our circumstances change, let’s focus on God and on what He is doing. Let’s be thankful despite the cold and the frost that has affected our crop. Let’s be thankful and take value in the people around us as they help us get through difficulties.

1 Peter 2:17 “Show respect for everyone. Love your Christian brothers and sisters. Fear God. Show respect for the King.” In our relationships, we need to show respect for one another. Look at what is Godly, noble, true in each other. None of us can survive a relationship if we are viewed through our worst moments. The antidote when we are in prison, conflict etc is to think on these things and have proper value and proper honour of one another. Your value comes from Jesus. We all have dignity and honour through Him and we need to put “feet” on this, put value on one another.

We then spent some time putting “value” and affirming one another - Speaking about the things that are admirable and praiseworthy in one another.

Want to know more about those qualities of the Ebenezer Staff?…….. Read on…..

By Molly Manhanga