The ManicaPost
Catherine Murombedzi Health Correspondent
EVERY person has dreams. As a child growing up everyone had a dream. Everyone knew what they wanted to become when they complete their studies. The question was simple: “What would you like to be when you are a grown up?”Answers in my generation were, teacher, nurse, pilot, doctor and businessman. Everyone knew what they wanted so when did your dream fizzle out? Focus is what drives a dream.
What makes a dream get to reality? Most people would ask. Setting goals, having a plan and focus on achieving these goals is needed.
I have heard most people saying prayer is the answer. True Christians go into prayer mode when happy, sad and ill, in-fact prayer is a way of life for most. My question is can prayer change circumstances without one working on the requested item in prayer or prayer is accompanied by action which is hard work.
Pastor Lyn Simba Chidavaenzi, founder of Phenomenal Woman speaks of faith without works being dead.
“James 2:14 -26 speaks about faith without works being dead. I have found this to be true even when it comes to prayer. Prayer without action is ineffective. Many believers think that God is a magician who conjures up answers when we ask for anything we need. This assertion to a certain extent is true in that God does answer prayers,” said Pastor Chidavaenzi.
Pastor Chidavaenzi said prayer was a two-way process.
“Prayer is a two-way partnership between God and man. This simply means that God does His part and we do our part. For example, you can’t ask for a child from God without being intimate with your spouse. The child will not magically appear in your womb. You can’t expect God to deliver a job for you outside Zimbabwe, yet you do not make an effort to get a passport. Many Christians are lazy to do their part in ensuring that they are properly positioned to receive their answers,” said Pastor Chidavaenzi.
“When you pray, it is always important to pay attention because God can give you instructions on what steps to take in order to realise the answer to your prayer. Failure to take those steps will mean you won’t realise the answer to the prayer,” added Pastor Chidavaenzi.
Everyone can re-awaken their childhood dreams and start by working on them.
Talking of people living with HIV, the majority of them living quality lives today say that after testing HIV positive they lost hope.
However, they did not dwell long in that state. It was time for acceptance of new status, fastening reality belts and moving on with the life dreams. They also needed prayers to ask God to make the medication compatible with them.
Not everyone has been successful with that, some are just scrapping through life challenges even after acceptance.
Olive Mutabeni, founder of Life Empowerment Support Organisation has helped many people with psycho-social support after testing HIV positive and failing to pick up.
Mutabeni a trained nurse, said people need support after any medical diagnosis and this support and treatment work hand in glove.
“After any diagnosis medically, a person needs support mentally to deal and accept the new life. Treatment alone cannot be successful, hence the need to have buddies to talk to help lift you up. We as LESO offer support to people in need especially those bedridden and need palliative care. Some people who had been written off have made it and now live to see their dreams, “ said Mutabeni.
“I have helped people regain lost confidence by asking how they view themselves. Most say, ‘I have no money and have a little education. I however, want to be able to send my children to school. I want a better life for my children.’ Now that is a tangible dream, a better life for your children.
“I often tell them that despite a little education there is something they are good at and it is that which they have to follow,” said Mutabeni.
“Most are good at vending which can be kick started with a small amount. I encourage people not to get into debts, but rather sell an item not being used and kick start the dream,” she added.
“A market stall selling vegetables what we call musika can be started with $10. Yes, that can start a venture in vegetables.
“From there one gains confidence and grows to be able to sell eggs and even clothing items. People just need encouragement with their dreams, “ said Mutabeni.
