Many might be surprised to learn that when I first began writing on a national scale, around 2015 to 2016, and my articles started reaching global audiences, I was navigating one of the roughest chapters of my life. My resources were so limited that I couldn’t even afford a smartphone.
In fact, every article I wrote in those early days was crafted on a second-hand feature phone — a modest ‘kambudzi.’ This tiny phone had one saving grace: Opera Mini, allowing me access to Gmail. With no app for documents, I would painstakingly type each word directly into the email body. Attachments? Not even an option on this phone. I had to send every piece, line by line, directly within the email’s body.
One careless press of a key, and Opera Mini could exit abruptly, wiping out all my work in an instant. Hours of effort could vanish in a single blink, forcing me to start from scratch. And yet, I persisted with this setup for a year, maybe two, until I finally managed to buy a smartphone. With it came the luxury of a Gmail app that could handle attachments and even a word processor — a game changer.
When my work eventually gained a substantial following, and my voice found recognition, very few people knew the humble origins of those articles. My wife was likely the only person who knew they were crafted on a simple ‘kambudzi.’ Now, life has transformed; I have every tool I need to do my work, but the journey was anything but easy.
I share this not to boast but to encourage those who may feel their dreams are out of reach because they lack what they think are essential resources. That’s simply a limitation we place on ourselves. True dreams can neither be stopped nor delayed by obstacles.
One of my favorite stories is the biblical account of Jesus feeding 5,000 people with just five loaves and two fish. When the disciples questioned how they could possibly feed such a vast crowd, Jesus responded by asking them what they had. To Him, the seemingly insufficient was enough.
In faith, they offered what little they had, and through God’s miraculous power, it became an abundant feast, with 12 baskets left over. That’s the nature of our God — to take what appears insignificant and turn it into something profound.
Before letting excuses hold you back, ask yourself, “What do I have?” Then, with faith, offer it to God, however small it may seem. You might just find that this act of faith opens doors you never dreamed possible. Even the tiniest mustard seed of faith can move mountains.
With God, nothing is impossible. Tendai Ruben Mbofana
Many might be surprised to learn that when I first began writing on a national scale, around 2015 to 2016, and my articles started reaching global audiences, I was navigating one of the roughest chapters of my life. My resources were so limited that I couldn’t even afford a smartphone.
In fact, every article I wrote in those early days was crafted on a second-hand feature phone — a modest ‘kambudzi.’ This tiny phone had one saving grace: Opera Mini, allowing me access to Gmail. With no app for documents, I would painstakingly type each word directly into the email body. Attachments? Not even an option on this phone. I had to send every piece, line by line, directly within the email’s body.
One careless press of a key, and Opera Mini could exit abruptly, wiping out all my work in an instant. Hours of effort could vanish in a single blink, forcing me to start from scratch. And yet, I persisted with this setup for a year, maybe two, until I finally managed to buy a smartphone. With it came the luxury of a Gmail app that could handle attachments and even a word processor — a game changer.
When my work eventually gained a substantial following, and my voice found recognition, very few people knew the humble origins of those articles. My wife was likely the only person who knew they were crafted on a simple ‘kambudzi.’ Now, life has transformed; I have every tool I need to do my work, but the journey was anything but easy.
I share this not to boast but to encourage those who may feel their dreams are out of reach because they lack what they think are essential resources. That’s simply a limitation we place on ourselves. True dreams can neither be stopped nor delayed by obstacles.
One of my favorite stories is the biblical account of Jesus feeding 5,000 people with just five loaves and two fish. When the disciples questioned how they could possibly feed such a vast crowd, Jesus responded by asking them what they had. To Him, the seemingly insufficient was enough.
In faith, they offered what little they had, and through God’s miraculous power, it became an abundant feast, with 12 baskets left over. That’s the nature of our God — to take what appears insignificant and turn it into something profound.
Before letting excuses hold you back, ask yourself, “What do I have?” Then, with faith, offer it to God, however small it may seem. You might just find that this act of faith opens doors you never dreamed possible. Even the tiniest mustard seed of faith can move mountains.
With God, nothing is impossible. Tendai Ruben Mbofana
TENDAI RUBEN MBOFANA - THE UN-OPPRESSED MIND! 