Author: Vanessa Moonkie

I am sorry. Had a hectic day BUT as l promised; the first chapter of our fictional book is here. It’ll take most of our chilled Thursdays. Hope you enjoy it.

PART ONE

Young Malusi stirred awake, the lingering mist of his dream slipping away as his mother gently shook his shoulder. The small hut was dimly lit by the dying embers of the fire, casting flickering shadows on the thatched walls.

“Malusi, my son,” whispered Nandi, her voice soft yet urgent. “You were calling out again in your sleep. What did you see?”

Malusi rubbed his eyes, still half caught in the realm of dreams. “I saw a great light, Ma,” he murmured, his voice filled with wonder. “It was like the sun, but it spoke to me.” Nandi’s brows furrowed with concern. In their village nestled among the rolling hills of Southafrica, dreams were taken seriously. They were believed to be messages from the ancestors or the gods. But a light that spoke? That was unheard of.

“Tell me, Malusi,” Nandi pressed gently, “what did the light say to you?”

Malusi hesitated, his mind racing to grasp the fleeting fragments of the dream. “It said… it said I must prepare,” he finally managed, his voice barely above a whisper. “Prepare for what, Ma? I don’t understand.”

Nandi held her son close, her heart heavy with worry. The elders would need to be consulted. Dreams of this nature were not to be ignored. But as she gazed into Malusi’s earnest eyes, she saw something more than fear or confusion. She saw a depth of conviction that spoke of something beyond their understanding.

In the days that followed, whispers spread through the village like wildfire. The boy who spoke to the light. Some spoke in hushed reverence, believing Malusi had been chosen for a great purpose. Others murmured darkly, fearing that he was marked by the spirits of the ancestors for sacrifice. They said he would be killed and given to the gods as food. 

Nandi watched her son, Malusi, standing before the elders in the flickering light of the sacred fire. Her heart clenched with fear as she saw the gravity etched on their weathered faces. The murmurs of the villagers swirled around her, a mixture of anticipation and unease.

As the eldest elder listened intently to Malusi’s recounting of his visions, Nandi felt a chill run down her spine. She had heard tales whispered late at night—of children who, blessed or cursed by visions, were taken away to the hills, never to return. Taken by the spirits, they said, to serve in ways mortals could not comprehend.She remembered the stories of mothers who had lost their sons in such ways. They spoke of grief that never healed, of unanswered questions that haunted their dreams. Nandi’s grip tightened on Malusi’s shoulder, a silent plea for him to remain rooted in the present, to stay with her where she could protect him.

But Malusi, unaware of his mother’s inner turmoil, continued to speak with a conviction that both comforted and terrified her. His voice carried across the sacred grove, weaving a tale of light and peace, of paths yet to be taken. He spoke so casually but his audience was getting more and more anxious as did his mother. What would it be? Would his life be taken like that of his friend Samu? The decision was left to the elders.

{Chapter Two – Saturday 27/07}

I have been stuck on this image of wheat for a little over a week now. When I feel choked by the emotions stirred up from current trials , I remember this and I’m strengthened. One of the hardest things to do is to worship in the valley. To praise when your voice is toiling off. How did Zechariah still serve as a priest , interceding, serving when his own promise was not yet fulfilled? How did Abraham keep building altars of worship to a God who said “l will” when it felt like “He was not.” How do you tell Hannah “we’re going to Shiloh,” knowing she has been going there and coming back without the one thing she wanted, a child because my darling people will ask. I’m reminded of a scripture by David in the book of Psalms;

“Day and night my tears keep falling and my heart keeps crying for your help, while my enemies mock me over and over, saying, “Where is this God of yours? Why doesn’t he help you?””
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭42‬:‭3‬ ‭TPT‬‬

He says there are people who are not interested in asking how I am doing. They don’t want to know about any other thing. The only question they keep asking is “Where is this God of yours and why doesn’t He help you?” . In a time where you hang onto God not even knowing what is the cause of the storm , David says I have been hearing my enemies mock me. That these people are not only mocking David but they’re mocking the God of David. They did this to Jesus on the cross. “You have been healing people, why can’t you save yourself !” But He fixed His focus and attention on purpose – the cross.

Many believers stop worshipping in their waiting season because to us worship is not a commitment or lifestyle , it is a response to a testimony. People don’t show up for worship nights but call a warfare night , even the witch next door is there. Everyone wants to be where they “feel” they will benefit. When it comes to real commitment to praise, we ask why? “Why should l praise when my child is sick? Why should l praise when the person I married has turned me into a marah? Why should l bother myself dancing when life has given me lemons 😂 and the lemonade l tried to make tastes like poison?” If you think I’m bluffing, tell a Christian , “let’s praise God” their response would be “Why, what has He done?”.

Today I want to encourage my people who are in the season of transition from Moab to Bethlehem. Those like Naomi. The ones who had their hands full of beautiful things then they lost them and now it looks like you never had anything. Those who are in grief and are going through famine. How do you even cry? Or maybe Ruth’s. With an option to go back home and give up. With a choice to follow Orpah and maybe worship other gods or marry someone else but they stay and wait upon the Lord. The Ruth’s who choose God with no sight of a Boaz. They are walking by faith. They are not even focused on a man , theirs is to serve the God of Naomi. The people who have been a support system to others with nothing to gain! The Ruth who followed Naomi with no promise of a better future, not a vision, not a prophecy, nothing!

Ruth was not told that she would meet a whole Boaz in Bethlehem. She knew Naomi was old and couldn’t bear children yet she followed. Followers with no prophetic dream but they believe in God! Those who stand at cross roads and still choose the narrow path. After losing everything they still follow. After returning to Bethlehem with shame of not having a testimony after so many years, they don’t even care to lie to people. Listen, there is a purpose. If only we stay aligned, there is a purpose.

Take a look at that picture above. Does it look like it was once a dry field? Does it look like it was once all dusty with nothing that looks like wheat? But guess what? It started off as just land. Maybe people dumped their trash there. It probably rained or the ground was dried up by scorching sun. What if there was a time nobody took a second look at the land because there was nothing. Look at it now! I found it on the internet! Look at how healthy and beautiful and prosperous it looks! It looks ready to feed families and a whole city of more! It looks like the owner is very pleased! It sure looks nothing like how it was during the seeding time. The farmer must’ve been tired with the sowing and the whole process but what if he gave up?

I’m saying to you , stay in praise. Stay in worship. Stay locked in the ark. The rain will soon stop. The trials will soon come to an end. Esther losing your parents is not the end of life. There is a king that will favour you. Ruth , in a field of many candidates, there is a man of integrity called Boaz who will ask about you. Elijah arise and eat! Joseph interpret the dreams anyway, they may forget you but soooon! We don’t need a reason why, we are those who live a life of worship, NOMATTER WHAT! Find time to worship and praise Him today!

“Those who sow their tears as seeds will reap a harvest with joyful shouts of glee. They may weep as they go out carrying their seed to sow, but they will return with joyful laughter and shouting with gladness as they bring back armloads of blessing and a harvest overflowing!”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭126‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭TPT‬‬

“One day Samson went to Gaza, where he saw a prostitute. He went in to spend the night with her. The people of Gaza were told, “Samson is here!” So they surrounded the place and lay in wait for him all night at the city gate. They made no move during the night, saying, “At dawn we’ll kill him.””
‭‭Judges‬ ‭16‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Is God interested in who we court or marry? What do you think? Do you think God just waits for us to bring the man/woman and He just says OK? Does God not care about who we so closely associate with? Is it okay for believers to involve God in everything especially “financially” and shut the door on Him when it concerns who we “fall in love with?” Do we get to choose who we “think” we’re compatible with or does He have a say? What do you think? If you think He does have a part to play , how come He hasn’t been playing that part in our lives? Here’s the answer: we haven’t been allowing Him the chance to do so.

We have given the chance to friends to “match make” , to advise, to tell us their opinions but we deny Holy Spirit an opportunity to speak His mind. I don’t know about you but I’ve made a couple of mistakes relationship wise and even when God spoke I wouldn’t listen. I told myself that God will “support” my choice. Let’s take a look at Samson.

We all know Samson’s story with Delilah but have we ever read his full story? He lived in consecration since childhood , praise God for parents who train up their children in holiness. As a parent never exalt your child’s bad behaviour like people are doing in this generation. You find parents super proud of silly children and even posting about it for likes. That child will grow and guess what? They will grow up to be your headache, the one that grandpa can’t cure. If you don’t teach your children how to live , later you’ll need more than one roll of tissue to wipe your pool of tears. Stop laughing in a situation that requires prayer. Always learn from Hannah.

Samson’s downfall was not caused by his parents not following the instructions of the Angel. His downfall was not caused by addiction to porn or drugs. This could be the case for some people, I urge you to seek for deliverance. If you struggle with those things , don’t condemn yourself. The prodigal son said, “I will go to my Father”, do that as well.

Samson didn’t decide to cut his hair oneday because he was “different”. I’m sure there were people who wondered why the young man had all that hair. I’m just thinking about how a spirit can dwell upon a person because of hair. There’s a religion that encourages dreadlocks. Even when we were growing up we always imagined witches to have long nails why? Spirits can capitalise on things that we overlook. I did not say don’t do your nails – I am going to do mine o. Back to the story; Samson didn’t cut his hair even when it would make him look different. The young man stayed on course until there was an issue with love.

The enemy didn’t bother giving him a taste of alcohol , he had tied up the ends on that issue. It the fact when he had a problem with falling in love with wrong people. “It’s not important, l will love again” okay but what if like Samson it becomes a cycle? How come you always get the bad ones? How many people left church because of a relationship? How many stopped praying? How many moved away from God because they fell in love with a Delilah or a prostitute. Delilah was not Samson’s first mistake. He had started with sleeping with prostitutes. Casual meet ups. Fornication appointments. A little fun. Nakedness Infront of the wrong people. Vulnerability with the wrong person. He had a past of putting himself in compromising positions that could lead him to danger. Is it because nothing bad had happened to him before and he thought it would always be like that? You never got pregnant so it will always be like that? He never hit you, so it will always be like that? She didn’t emotionally abuse you, so it will always be like that? Does the hair mean you’re automatically wise? No my love.

“I love him. God will change him. He is the one and I know it.” And you’re referring to the prostitute from Gaza? And you’re referring to Jezebel? You’re talking about a whole prophet of Baal? Is that the one God should change to make suitable for you?

What shall it profit us to gain “l have a man” or “l have a woman” and lose our own soul? Does God have a say? Let’s continue tomorrow.

Please consider these things.

”I LOOKED WITHIN AND I SAW NOTHING.”

Hey family. Please pardon me for posting late especially this week. I am trying to do all l can to be more efficient however from next week l should’ve locked into a good routine becauseeeeeee I’m bringing Christian novels for you!!! Anyhooo let’s do some reflection. I have something to share with you that may help you now or in the future.

I grew up a flexible child. By flexible I mean, I was quite good at school, good at singing, good at writing and story telling, good at acting and just getting things done – leaning more to the creative side. I had lots of setbacks with my education. I did many things past the time I was supposed to. I was delayed in getting employment. I had to take a lot of part time jobs that paid close to nothing. My many talents were hidden and no matter how much l dug , l couldn’t find the treasure within. Boy I worked hard in music, l gave it my all. I did beauty. I did medical stuff. I was a Jack of all trades just seeking for a door to open for me “please!”. At some point I had throat infection for not giving my voice rest and still .. there l was .. no proof of “life” nothing to show that truly I was not a dumb lazy girl, nothing to show that I had talents and was working hard .. and family doesn’t make it easy for those people.

I would look within and find nothingness. I found emptiness. I know your story may be more intense but it’s not a competition of whose is worse, it’s in the courage to even tell the story. I didn’t see a butterfly in me (my name means butterfly by the way) I just saw a worm. I functioned like a worm because as a man thinks so is he. With everything God put in me – l felt like I was nothing. That’s how it is yes? When you’re not serving your generation with a product, a solution or a skill, you feel like you’re a dead person walking. Casper the ghost?! I’m sharing all this with you to pull you out from that room of darkness. The room is dark because you switched off the lights. The light within you.

I tried to escape. I started applying for visas and guess what? That failed too. I prayed. I fasted. I served. I loved my God. I gave it my all. Double Guess ? Everyone who applied after me got their visas and left. There I was .. with a brain I knew was not dull. With energy for dayyyyys! With capacity. With a plan but with no way forward. I would look at myself in the mirror and hate myself. I hated myself for not being like others. I hated my parents for not giving me a silver spoon. I hated rooms full of curious people. I hated the questions , “Where are you in life? What are you doing? When are you getting married? Did you end up graduating? Everyone has gone overseas why’re you still here?”

I hated questions that threatened the peace I fought so hard to keep. My mind was a battlefield. Trusting God seemed like trusting a boyfriend that just cheated 5 times in a month. I will be real with you. While serving on the pulpit sometimes I’d cry not because I was overwhelmed by worship but I was saying within myself , “l am pouring my empty self to happy people and I’m here not even sure what I will eat.” So I’m not the child that nags her mom. Nah. I don’t nag anyone except my brother lol. To me, my mom had done enough already, I needed to find my ground and not keep pulling her purse for what’s left.. I was “worming” through life. Full of skill. Full of talents. Full but empty. A treasure that caught so much dust it now looked like an old piece of metal, rusty and invaluable.

I don’t even know I’m led to share this today. I’m not big on “share your story”. Don’t get me wrong I love to testify but l am not an open book lol yeah I’m a mystery. Solve math not me 🤣. Anyhoo, long story short , God gave me a gift that I myself don’t understand. I promise you , I don’t understand how!! When l get a keypad or a pen and paper, I no longer see Vanessa the worm, l see Vanessa the butterfly. I find treasure within me!!! I find purpose. The mirror gets cleaner and clearer. It took time and SELF REFLECTION. Yes. That’s where this is going. It took digging a little more. Oh I’m lying not a little more, dig , dig, keep digging wells like Isaac! Then l realised; within us shoooo! Within us are treasures God Himself put knowing full well that when we discover them we will smile.

I’m saying to you, you may be looking for treasure in the wrong places. You’re the house of treasures. You! You sit. You pray in the spirit! “Lord I keep seeing a worm but l know there’s more to my life than a couple of rejected cvs. I know there’s a blueprint of greatness. Lord my eyes keep seeing Vanessa the nobody, the one who can’t attend family gatherings because we go with joy and leave with depression , Lord l keep seeing an empty vessel, rusty and good for nothing, show me what you put in the inside of me!!!”

I close by saying, I am proud of myself. This is the first time since l was born that I say this about myself 😭🥹😮‍💨. Vanessa I am proud of you. (Yeah l made it bold) You are a butterfly and more! This is not pride. This is a break out of low self esteem. This is confidence. This is healthy. When you reflect , you’ll find many things to be proud of. Today l present to you, my pride. Click on the link below and see the things God put in me that l never knew of. There’s more in us. There’s so much more. You could be depressed because of your background but eiii when you discover the giant within , David, Goliath will be the boy and you’ll be the giant because there’s only room for one giant and that’s YOU! Stop worrying. Don’t live like I did, anxious, trying to prove a point to people, pressures from social media, no my love. It’s on you! I pray that as you reflect , you find the goodies and gold within YOU. I love you.

Dear brethren, think about these things.