I think, therefore I am: 2015

Sunday 11 January 2015

Witchcraft, i just don't get it...

Imagine you are sleeping at night, and out of the blue you hear footsteps on your roof.
What do you do?
Let me tell you what I'd do.

I'd pray

Witches are scared of Jesus.
There is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. (Acts 4:12).

I don't understand why people perform witchcraft.
Why they want to hurt another person.
Why they want to see another person suffer.
Why they want to kill another person.

These people are not happy with themselves , thus the need to crush another person's spirit.
Because they feed off our pain and suffering.
They feed off our sadness, tears and blood.
These people are not of God.

I will never understand why people visit witches to cast a spell on other people.
Why don't they live their lives and forget about other people?
If that person has done you wrong, why can't you pray for them?

Many people are victims of witchcraft today.
Because of jealous people who are society's losers and underachievers.
In have read/heard many scary stories about witchcraft.
Like burying an animal/ human head in one's yard preventing them from e.g getting a job, becoming successful, getting married etc.
Not only do they bury animal or human heads, but they do other things that I really don't want to know about.
Why would you consult a witch to do that to your neighbour? Friend? Sister? Or cousin? Or whoever?

If you have been a victim of witchcraft/ someone has cast a spell on you and your family,

Please know that we worship a God who does not sleep nor slumber.

A God who sees what is happening during the day when we are awake, and at night when we are sleeping.

A God who will never forsake nor abandon us.

A God who will protect you all the days of your life.
A loving God, who will not allow you to suffer as a result of your enemies.

I want you to know how powerful Jesus' name is.
Jesus' name heals.
It makes the demons tremble with fear.
It breaks all the curses cast upon you.
It drives out demons!

There is power in the name of Jesus to break every chain!
Thus no sword formed against you shall prosper!
Because you belong to the God of Abraham.
Of Elijah.
Of King Solomon.
Of David.
Of Noah.

And most importantly, of Jesus Christ!

So do not be afraid, because He who watches over you does not sleep nor slumber.
Put all your faith in him.
Be firm in your faith, prayer and in God.
Do not be afraid. "I have not been given a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7

If you have been a victim of witchcraft, please pray with me.

Father God,
Today I come before you and I'm asking for your guidance and protection.

I break and release myself from every curse spoken against me and my family in the name of Jesus Christ.
I break and release myself and family from all curses of poverty and suffering in the name of Jesus Christ.
I break and release myself from all curses of witchcraft, sorcery and divination in the name of Jesus Christ.
I break and release myself and family from all curses of debt and lack in the name of Jesus Christ.
I break and release myself and family from all curses of premature death, accidents and mental illness in the name of Jesus Christ.
I break and release myself and family from all curses of rejection cast upon us, in the name of Jesus Christ.
I break and release myself and family from all curses of unemployment, in the name of Jesus Christ.
I break and release myself and family from all curses of homelessness, and diseases in the name of Jesus Christ.
I reverse all the curses cast upon me and family, in Jesus name.
I pray and hope that you continue to guide and protect me all the days of my life.
In Jesus name we pray.
Amen.

I want to share with you today a few verses, hope you find meaning in them.

Psalm 109.

Of David. A psalm.

My God, whom I praise, 1
do not remain silent,
for people who are wicked and deceitful 2
have opened their mouths against me;
they have spoken against me with lying tongues.
With words of hatred they surround me; 3
they attack me without cause.
In return for my friendship they accuse me, 4
but I am a man of prayer.
They repay me evil for good, 5
and hatred for my friendship.
Appoint someone evil to oppose my enemy; 6
let an accuser stand at his right hand.
When he is tried, let him be found guilty, 7
and may his prayers condemn him.
May his days be few; 8
may another take his place of leadership.
May his children be fatherless 9
and his wife a widow.
May his children be wandering beggars; 10
may they be driven from their ruined homes. [a]
May a creditor seize all he has; 11
may strangers plunder the fruits of his labor.
May no one extend kindness to him 12
or take pity on his fatherless children.
May his descendants be cut off, 13
their names blotted out from the next generation.
May the iniquity of his fathers be remembered before the LORD; 14
may the sin of his mother never be blotted out.
May their sins always remain before the LORD, 15
that he may blot out their name from the earth.
For he never thought of doing a kindness, 16
but hounded to death the poor
and the needy and the brokenhearted.
He loved to pronounce a curse— 17
may it come back on him.
He found no pleasure in blessing—
may it be far from him.
He wore cursing as his garment; 18
it entered into his body like water,
into his bones like oil.
May it be like a cloak wrapped about him, 19
like a belt tied forever around him.
May this be the LORD’s payment to my accusers, 20
to those who speak evil of me.
But you, Sovereign LORD, 21
help me for your name’s sake;
out of the goodness of your love, deliver me.
For I am poor and needy, 22
and my heart is wounded within me.
I fade away like an evening shadow; 23
I am shaken off like a locust.
My knees give way from fasting; 24
my body is thin and gaunt.
I am an object of scorn to my accusers; 25
when they see me, they shake their heads.
Help me, LORD my God; 26
save me according to your unfailing love.
Let them know that it is your hand, 27
that you, LORD, have done it.
While they curse, may you bless; 28
may those who attack me be put to shame,
but may your servant rejoice.
May my accusers be clothed with disgrace 29
and wrapped in shame as in a cloak.
With my mouth I will greatly extol the LORD; 30
in the great throng of worshipers I will praise him.
For he stands at the right hand of the needy, 31
to save their lives from those who would condemn them.

Psalm 54.
Save me, O God, by your name; 1
vindicate me by your might.
Hear my prayer, O God; 2
listen to the words of my mouth.
Arrogant foes are attacking me; 3
ruthless people are trying to kill me—
people without regard for God.[c]
Surely God is my help; 4
the Lord is the one who sustains me.
Let evil recoil on those who slander me; 5
in your faithfulness destroy them.
I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you; 6
I will praise your name, LORD, for it is good.
You have delivered me from all my troubles, 7
and my eyes have looked in triumph on my foes.

He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken. Psalm 62:2.

Rom12:19. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord".

2 Timothy 4:18 . The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom . To him be the glory forever and ever . Amen

When the enemy shall come in like a flood , the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard' against him. Isaiah 59:19.

Makhubu Nonkululeko Evelyn.

Happy new year!!!

Hello all.
I know I'm a bit late for this, but really, I just wanted to wish you all a Happy new year!

As we enter the year of 2015, I wish happiness, peace and love in your lives.
I pray and hope that God guides and protects you all the time.
That He will never leave you by His side.
That He will never abandon nor forsake you.
And that He continues to bless you as He has blessed you and your family all this time.

I wish the same for my family and I.
Most importantly, I pray and hope that God protects me and my family from the devil and his people.
And that I never lose my faith in Him.

20-fix-me

There are so many things I didn't do right the past year, that I wish to mend this year.
And I'm asking God to give me the strength I so desperately need to make things right.
I had a rocky relationship with God and the son, my faith was shaken and there was a time I felt like I have lost my faith completely in God. This is my chance to make things right with God.
And I hope He allows me.

Broken trust, and relationship with friends and family.
That too I need to mend, cause no man is an island.
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I hope 2015 will open doors for me.
There are so many things I would love to achieve this year, but can only do them if God gives me the strength.
Because I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

On the second of January I had a visit.
From a guy in the neighborhood.
He had come to visit his family only to find out that they no longer stay here.
They sold their house and went to live in KZN.

He was crying. And couldn't believe what his family has done to him.
This guy is a drug addict, he's 22 years old and is homeless, wandering the streets of Joburg.
He had come to wish his mom a happy new year.
Only for him to find the sad news.

He told me that he wants to quit drugs, get clean and find himself a job, but can only do that if he'd stay with his mom in KZN.
I gave him his sisters phone numbers, some bread and R10 to go back to Joburg.
Contacted his sister about the matter, who seemed  not to care.

I am really sad about what they did to this guy.
No human being deserves this.
It's not easy for an addict to quit drugs.
And thus these people need patience and love.

The very same week I met his ex friend, who also was a drug addict.
He's clean now, and has been clean for two years 4 months.
Big ups to him.
Unfortunately for him, he doesn't get the support he's longing for at home.
His mom is an alcoholic, always drunk and I doubt they hardly even have time to talk.
He has a part time job, trying to fend for himself and his family.

Maybe you're wondering why am I telling you this?
Well, like I said before, I'm a humanitarian, I hate seeing people suffer.
I want to Start an organization where I can empower the youth, mainly teen moms and former drug addicts.
Since we can't all be academically gifted, I think they need to acquire business skills so they can be able to start and manage their own businesses.
It doesn't have to be a big business, but they can start small and grow from there.

I don't really have a vision of what I want to do in practice but what I know is I want to empower the youth.

I have been talking about opening my orphanage for a while now.
This all can't be done in a year, but I think it's about time I put my plan into action.
This year I'm hoping to raise funds for both my orphanage and youth organization.
I'm planning on getting sponsors, and necessary information about the matter so I can be able to implement my plan into action.
And no, not all of this will be achieved in a year.
It's a ten year plan, but I'm praying and hoping that in five years I'll be seeing progress regarding my project.
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I hope God will be with me as I am trying to secure a job a teacher this year.
I've been waiting so long for this opportunity.
This is where I feel like I will be reflecting Christ in my work.
As a teacher, I will be playing many roles to the learners I will be teaching.
Not only will I be a teacher to them, but I will also be a counsellor, a friend, a mother, sister, I will always be playing pastoral roles.
This is the platform whereby I will be enabling my learners to succeed, to realise their dreams and goals, but most importantly, their worth.

There are so many kids suffering in the township schools.
Not having lunch boxes/ money.
Coming to school hungry, with torn clothes and dirty clothes.
I know teachers don't earn much, I don't come from a well off family, and yes I have siblings who depend on me.
But.....despite all this, I want to put a smile on these kids.
I know I cannot change the world, make every learner happy.
But I really want to help those kids from disadvantaged homes by: bringing them lunch boxes everyday, maybe two slice of peanut buttered bread, which is better than nothing. : buy them a few toiletries, such as a bath soap, Colgate, and vaseline.

I want to help these kids because I have been there myself.
Going to school hungry, coming back home to an empty house.
Going barefooted to school.
With torn and dirty uniform.
I've been there.
And this impacted on me negatively, almost quit school because of this.
Seeing rich kids with their fancy backpacks and delicious lunch boxes.
I've been there and it hurts.
No child deserves this, and even though I cannot save every child from experiencing this road, I can make a big difference on the child I will be helping.

So as I walk into this teaching profession, I hope and pray that God walks with me as I try to secure a job, and that He blesses me in all that I do. And that I reflect the LORD Jesus Christ wherever I go and in all that I do.
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Today I want to thank time and thank God for what he has done for me.
For protecting me all the time.
For walking, talking and laughing with me.
For being patient with me.
For giving me a second chance.

I remember I had late classes last year.
The latest class I had was from 18:50- 20:35.
And it was worse in winter since it gets dark quickly.
I saw myself walking down the Mandela bridge at about 9:15, I heard it was dangerous.
But my battery was low before I could even make transport arrangements.
I walked down the Mandela bridge to Bree street, all alone.
I was the only person in that bridge.
It was dark and quiet.
There were also days I had to leave the house at 4:30 am.
Walk the darkest streets of Soweto all by myself.
But I wasn't scared because I knew that the LORD was walking with me. 2 Corinthians 5:7 - (For we walk
by faith, not by sight:).

In this prayer bellow, I am praying for anyone who is longing for God.
Who wants to form a relationship and turn to God.
Who has lost faith in God.
Who has sinned and needs to be saved.

So here it goes....

Our Father who art in Heaven.
Today I acknowledge that you are the alpha and omega
That you are holy.
That you are love, peace and happiness.
That you are JEHOVAH-MACCADDESHEM, The Lord thy sanctifier
You are JEHOVAH-ROHI, The Lord my shepherd
You are JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH, The Lord who is present
You are JEHOVAH-RAPHA, The Lord our healer
You are JEHOVAH-TSIDKENU, The Lord our righteousness
You are JEHOVAH-JIREH, The Lord will provide
JEHOVAH-NISSI, The Lord our banner
JEHOVAH-SHALOM, The Lord is peace
You are EL-ELYON, The most high God
And thus you deserve to be praised!!!

Dear God
I come before you today and I confess that I am a sinner and I am asking for forgiveness of my sins.
I have done so many things that do not please you.
I gave into temptation, and lied, cheated 
I ask you to cleanse me with the blood of Jesus Christ
To wash away my sins and make me whole
And create in me a pure heart, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10)

Dear God.
Today I accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour.
I am grateful that you sent your only begotten son to die for my sins.
And I am grateful for the blood of the lamb that was shed on the cross for me.
I am grateful for the sun that shines during the day and the moon that brightens the night.
I am grateful for the air that I breathe, for another opportunity you give me each and every morning to start afresh.
I am grateful for my family, that even though we struggle to survive each and everyday we still remain tight because of the love we share.
I am grateful for the shelter that you have provided me with, for my daily bread.
But most importantly, I am grateful for the guidance and protection that you continuously provide me with.

Dear God.
Many people did not wake up today,
Many are fighting for their last breath,
And I really appreciate it that you have chosen me to further experience this gift called life.
There were days I thought I couldn't make it,
Days I thought it was impossible
And days I wanted to commit suicide
But through all this, you continue to show me the way that I'm supposed to walk in.
And you manage to replace the negative thoughts that the devil implants in my mind.
And you defeat the devil and give me hope, and strength each and everyday.

And I am grateful for that.

Dear God.
Today I am praying for those who have completely lost their faith in you.
I pray and hope that you reveal your greatness to them and show them that you are there and you truly care for them.
Today I pray for those who are in hospitals, who are sick in their homes and believe they will never see a tomorrow
I pray that you show them that you are a God of miracles, and in you there is life.
Today I pray for all those who are mourning, I hope you will be with them, and comfort them.
I pray for those who are homeless, who are lost, who are being kidnapped, rapped
All those who are victims of human trafficking, all those who are being enslaved, 
I pray and hope that you rescue them from every situation that they are in, I pray that you bring them home safely, and that you give them strength to overcome any obstacle they come across to.
I  pray for all those who are in jails right now, that you may get inside their minds and hearts, and enable them to turn to you. Wash them O God, cleanse them by the blood of Jesus Christ.
And most importantly, I pray for the orphans and little children
That they may continue to know you, to love you and place their faith and hope in you.

In Jesus name we pray.
Amen.
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Bucket list.

I'm new at this.
Anyway, I thought I should create a bucket list,
And include some of the tasks I would love to do before I die
Or in a monthly basis, or each week.
I will keep on updating you on some of the tasks I have completed.

1. Buy a beggar a Burger once a month.
2. Open an orphanage.
3. Be a missionary and spread the word of God.
4. Skydive.
5. Scuba dive.
6. Personally Know Someone Famous.
7. Climb mountain Kilimanjaro.
8. Learn a foreign language.
9. Shower in a Waterfal.
10. Volunteer in an old age home. (Which I have done six times already).
11. Run a marathon.
12. Spend time at a concentration camp.
13.  Save someone’s life
14. Go treasure hunting.
15. Pay a disadvantaged child's school fees.
16. Own a parrot and teach it how to talk.
17. Buy a disadvantaged child brand new school uniform.
18. Buy my mom a house.
19. Watch the sunset on a beach on my honeymoon.
20. Run my own successful business
21. Be the best teacher in the world.
22. Stand beside the Christ the Redeemer statue.
23. Complete a 40 day fast.
24. Adopt a child.
25. Graduate with a master’s degree.
26. Host a Christmas party for the elderly and the homeless.
27. Ride a camel in a dessert.
28. Pray in the holy land
29. Preach in a foreign country
30. Start a scholarship fund/program.
31. Write a children’s book
32. Write a song.
33. Knit a jersey.
34. Be an organ donor.
35. Get VIP passes to a show.
36. Be a surrogate mother.
37.  Stand next to the statue of liberty.
38. Read the whole bible.
39. Pose naked for charity.
40. Explore a cave.

Makhubu Nonkululeko Evelyn.

My journey to becoming a teacher.

Well, growing up as a kid, I had always wanted to be a lawyer.
When I matriculated in 2009, I was so undecided and I had no idea what I wanted to study.
I had always been a fan of theory, and thus I wanted to study theology, philosophy, law, politics well and..,journalism.
So I decided to take a gap year in 2010. So I can think through on what I really wanted.
Towards the end of my gap year, I was still undecided. And this was when I met a Lady who advised me to apply for teaching, and whilst in the profession, I can think through on what I really wanted to study and then study it part-time. Plus education has no age limit! Imfundo ayigugelwa!

So I applied for teaching towards the end of 2010, and I was accepted at the University of Johannesburg.
My first year at Uj was really depressing.
Mainly because I was still getting used to the place, the lecture halls were overcrowded, I had too many modules and as a result I had difficulty managing my workload.
Making friends was easy, but finding friends I had something in common with was really hard.

During orientation classes, we were told that we will have to go for our school experience (practicum) (practice teaching), for a week, somewhere in September.
I thought teaching was only theory, no practicals.
I had always hated practicals, from in school, during biology, technology and science classes.
University made my hate for practicals to grow even more.

During my first year of school experience, my friend and I went to a primary school in Mofolo, Soweto.
The teachers there were not accommodating, they never even bothered to converse with us, they looked at us as if we were there to steal their jobs. The whole week I learned nothing, but a few teaching and classroom strategies from some of the teachers. We were not allowed to teach, but observe.

During my second year of school experience, I was to complete 5 scattered days of practice teaching in April.
Since my friend had dropped out, I decided to go alone this time, to a nearest school in Eldorado Park.
The name of the school is Eldorado Park Secondary school. It is one of the best performing schools in Eldos.

I was placed under my mentor teacher who is Mr Hendricks.
Mr Hendricks taught grade eight and nine social science.
He was very welcoming and accommodating.
He was really friendly and energetic.
His energy didn't allow me to be an observer in his classroom.
He wanted me to do something, he allowed me to teach, sign the learners books and facilitate group work.

Mr Hendricks' classroom was no ordinary classroom.
The minute I walked into his class, I realised that it was a social science class.
There were history and geography posters all over the walls.
There were flags of different countries around the globe and handcrafts e.g solar system crafts and volcano crafts made from dough and food colouring.
All these crafts were made by himself and his learners.

Mr Hendricks took three or two classes a day, whilst I took the rest of the remaining classes.
He was creative in his lessons and didn't struck me as a traditional teacher.
He had effective classroom management strategies and he managed to engage all learners in his lessons.
He didn't dominate the classroom, his lessons were learner centered and he enabled learners to explore answers by themselves, he wasn't the sole provider of knowledge.

I loved his classes, when I stood up to teach, his learners paid attention. Seemed eager to learn, and they didn't look at me as a student teacher, rather as a teacher.
It was my first time teaching, and as I was teaching, learners answered my questions, asked questions, and this shows that they are listening and want to know more.
It was really challenging but at the same time fun.

It was through this school and Mr Hendricks and his learners that my love for teaching developed.
Through this school that teaching had become a true passion for me.

Mr Hendricks enabled me to take over his classes, and I was able to employ Howard Gardner's multiple intelligences and learning styles into practice rather than learning about them.
Learners seemed interested in my lessons and they completed my classroom activities and homework.
I couldn't wait waking up each morning to teach them and learn from them.
It really was a blessing being in that school.

Then in September, for another one week, I had decided to go to a primary school in Eldorado park again.
The school is Eldridge primary school.
I received a warm welcome from the school principal and the teachers as well.
I was to teach grade 7 social sciences.

I can't remember my mentor teacher's name, but she was a nice lady, who also allowed me to take over her classes.
It was through this school that I was able to deal with diversity and inclusion.
Like the previous school, the learners came from different backgrounds, cultural backgrounds, socioeconomic backgrounds, religious beliefs, race etc.
It was a mixed school of coloureds, Indians and blacks.

During my practice teaching there, I was notified that most of the learners come from an orphanage.
During lunch breaks while conversing with learners, some of the learners came forward as the ones who were living in orphanages and how they too wanted to be teachers.
I really had difficulties teaching these learners, because most kids who come from poverty stricken families tend to zone out during lessons because of hunger.
But I managed to make my lessons interesting for them, so that they can also be engaged in the lesson.
They always loved the round robing teaching strategy as well as the jigsaw method and debates.
This enabled them to be part of the classroom, to voice out their opinions and to respect one another's views and ideas.
I also had a great experience teaching these young ones and learning from them.
There was a group of boys in one class, who were also from an orphanage.
These boys were so intelligent, a group of gifted learners who get bored in class due to easy classroom activities.
They always wanted to be challenged, and it wasn't easy for me.
I'm just saying I will never forget these boys, their intelligence was breath taking.
They knew things that I had only started learning in varsity.
This shows how I undermined the young ones.

I went to a few schools in Eldorado Park, like Silver Oaks, Kliptown Secondary and Eldomaine.
I had good and bad experiences, and each challenge that was presented my way, I allowed myself to grow from it, to reflect on my teaching as a teacher and to learn from my mistakes.

There was a learner in one of the schools, a girl. A grade nine girl.
Well, most of us student teachers were notified about her when we got to the school.
That she was rude, a bully and normally didn't attend classes.

I was to spend seven weeks in that school, and I was only able to see the girl after two weeks when she finally decided to come to school.
One day, I had an encounter with her while I was teaching.
She didn't have a textbook nor an exercise book in front of her, but she was busy with Math work in my class!
I asked her nicely to stop what she was doing as it was a social sciences classroom and share a seat with someone who had a textbook.
She got annoyed and started to verbally attack me.
For five minutes I was trying to calm her down, but the more irritated she became.
I then decided to ignore her and teach.
Luckily the vice principal was outside and decided to send the learner for detention.
The learner blamed me for getting her into trouble. And she promised to whoop-my-arse.
When I told the other student teachers about the incident, they were convinced that she was going to beat me since she was coloured and reminded me of how dangerous coloured were/are.

This incident reminded me of a teacher who was shot by a pupil, and how we as teachers have no rights in the education system, that no matter how wrong the learner is, in the eyes of the education system in South Africa, the learner is always right.

I wasn't phased, and just because many teachers see her as a bad learner, I was willing to teach her.
I made sure that I included her in my lessons.
For four weeks teaching her, I managed to focus on her strengths , on what she's good at rather than her weaknesses.
And it was through this that I was able to form a good teacher-learner relationship between me and her.
And during my last week of school experience, she was well behaved towards me.

I'm trying to say that it is not easy being a teacher.
You have to be able to deal with learners from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, gifted and slow learners, disruptive and shy learners, at the end of the day, all these learners have needs and they need to be met.

I also had incidents with older boys, who had a problem distinguishing between a teacher and a learner.
Boys who were on drugs and came to school high.
These are just some of the challenges that we the young and new teachers in the profession have to deal with.
And I believe that we will grow from these incidents and challenges.
And I believe that we too, as our former mentor teachers and teachers we will be able to create a safe and conducive learning environment for both our learners and ourselves.

None the less, I think I'm ready to become a teacher now.