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Conclusion

As I conclude my reflections on my 40th Birthday anniversary, I thank

God for his goodness to me. To God be the glory for the great things

that he has done! The Lord has given me a gracious and loving wife

Judith and a loving family. I thank God for my mum and dad, who

invested greatly in my upbringing, education and family values. I

thank God for my siblings: Catherine, Kenneth and Tendai. I also am

grateful for my cousins: Hudson and Phyllis Kaneneka, John

Gambwe, Eddy Mweene, Monda, Angela, Lizzie, Christine, Jason,

Obrian, Rosa Kanyemba, Shingisai Revai etc who have been

available in times of happiness and sorrow. Included are my nephews:

Belemu Matapo and the wife and Tovine Kaneneka and the wife. The

Lord has been very gracious to me. I know I’ve failed him many

times. I’ve not been what I ought to be. Yet by His grace, I long to be

the best that I can be for Him! When I look at my heart, I can testify

with Williams that my heart is “Prone to wonder, prone to leave the

God I love” and so I pray that the Lord “would take my heart and seal

it from the courts of heaven above! I thank God for my friends

especially the brethren who have helped me in my Christian walk. I

thank God for my spiritual leaders at church, within Zambia and

outside Zambia. Internationally, I really appreciate the preaching

ministry of Al Martin, Joel de Beeke, Achille Blaize, Ferrell

Griswold, Voddie Baucham and Martin Holdt. As I look forward to

the coming days and years, I pray that I may know more about Jesus.

More of his saving fullness see as I press on the upward way and gain

new heights every day. I end my reflections with the lyrics of the

song “Keep me true” which I used to sing at school during SU times

and has recently been popularised by Jabu Hlongwane of South

Africa. Keep me true Lord Jesus, Keep me true

Keep me true Lord Jesus, Keep me true

There is a race that I must run

There are victories to be won

Give me power every hour to be true.

Gabriel S. Konayuma

12 February 2008

1

A REFLECTION ON GOD’S GOODNESS TO ME ON THE

OCCASION OF MY 40TH BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY ON

12TH FEBRUARY 2008

Introduction

On 12th February 2008, I turned 40 years old. This offered me an

opportunity to reflect on the Lord’s goodness to me up to this point. In

order to best reflect on my life, I have elected to organise this article into

four parts. These are four ten year periods from 1968 to 2008.

The Early Years (1968 -1977)

I was born on 12th February 1968 to Josiah and Betty Konayuma in Kitwe

Central Hospital. My dad was a police officer whilst my mum was a

nurse. The Lord was gracious to me by providing parents with good

medical knowledge thus providing me with the best possible care a

growing baby could require. Another mercy worth mentioning is that I

was born at a time when Zambia had a fairly good economy as it was only

four years old (having got Independence in 1964). This coupled with the

fact that I was the first born meant that I got the best possible care a child

could wish for.

My early years were spent on the Copperbelt in Kitwe and Ndola towns.

In Kitwe we stayed in Parklands whilst in Ndola we stayed in Kansenshi

at Peter Singogo Police camp. In the early 70’s my family moved to

Lusaka the capital city. Our first home was in Northmead and then we

moved to Sikanze Police camp. Memories of my stay there are the times

I’d sing a self-composed song in Chitonga “Oh batata mubole eneno”

which means “Daddy come soon”. This song I’d sing as I waited for my

father to come back from work. This was in 1972 when I was four years

old at the time. Another incident from this period is when I took a “walk”

to the Civic Centre. The police found me and returned me home. I’m sure

they had a “few words” for my cousin who was looking after me.

Anything could have happened when I strayed from home. But the Lord

spared me!

In 1973, my family moved to Emmasdale where my mum is till staying.

By that time the family had grown. My late sister Linda was born in

March 1971 whilst Catherine and Kenneth (twins) were born in June

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1972. I started my grade one in 1974 at Northmead Primary School. My

first teacher was Mrs. Kaur who taught me the 3R’s i.e. reading, riting

and ‘rithmetic. What a foundation that she laid! I also remember Mrs.

Davies my Grade 3 teacher, from Wales who taught us how to sing

Happy Birthday in Welsh. In terms of religion I attended church at St.

Pauls United Church of Zambia (UCZ) in Kabwata. The Sunday schools

lessons were interesting though at times I’d find some bible passages

scaring.

The Growing Years (1978 – 1987)

From 1978 to 1980, I was in grades five to seven. I have fond memories

of Mr. Salooje, from Australia, my grade five teacher and my grade six

teacher Mrs. Maganga from Tanzania. My primary school days were fun

and exciting. My performance was fairly good. I passed my grade seven

exams and got a secondary school place at Kafue Secondary School. I

was a pupil at the school from 1981 to 1985. I have fond memories of the

following teachers: Mr. Musipa (French), Mr. Winter (History), Mrs.

Siluyele (History), Mr. Grogan (Mathematics), Mrs. Eathorne (Bible

Knowledge), Mr. Parsons (English & Bible Knowledge), Miss. Siafwa

(French), Mr. Tembo (Civics) and Mrs. Tembo (English & Religious

Knowledge). I have no doubt that Mr. Grogan’s influence as a Mathemat-

ics teacher led me into becoming one myself! The way he taught influ-

enced my teaching i.e. pupils thinking logically as they solved problems

and working out questions without doing rough work.

It pleased God to bring me to a knowledge of salvation in 1981 after

listening to a sermon on the new birth from John 3 by Joe Imakando

during our school afternoon service at Kafue Boys. I saw my sinfulness

and the need of a Saviour and called upon him for salvation. I thank God

for saving me from sin in my youth. Tendai, the last born in our family,

was born in 1983. In 1984 I was in form four after passing my form three

exams. Fond memories in my secondary school days were my attending

Scripture Union (SU) meetings and camps. This enabled me to grow in

the grace and knowledge of Christ. I also have rich memories of the times

we had times of prayer and studying God’s word in our dormitories and

the hills close to school. I also developed love for chess during my

secondary school days. Other interests include singing in the school choir,

belonging to the preacher’s club (involved mostly in song leading and

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Trinity Baptist Church where I was involved in the Marriage,

of Trinity Baptist Church is when two members (Tamara Phiri and

time lecturer in Mathematics, Information

moved to Lusaka after I got a job with the Technical Education,

with Management College of Southern Africa (MANCOSA) in

South Africa. In September 2007 Judith, Shingisai and I went for

my graduation ceremony at the International Conference Centre

in Durban. It was a colourful occasion with graduands from South

Africa, Zambia, Mauritius, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Kenya.

2001 was quite a sad year in my family. My paternal grandmother

and my uncle died within a space of one week in July. In the

same month my mother had a stroke. I got news of her stroke

while attending my uncle’s funeral in Kasempa. One of my other

saddest moments was when my immediate sister Linda died in

February 2005 after an illness. It was sad to hear of her death a

few hours after Catherine and her husband Matthew, Muntanga

Mwasambiri and I had been to see her at the hospital. As we took

her body to the funeral home I felt a sense of helplessness in that

Linda was no more and that there was nothing we could do to

bring her back to life. This is the year I “discovered” my cousin

Jason on the Internet. Judy and I went for our second honeymoon

to Harare and Mutoko (my mum’s village). It was a lovely trip we

met a number of my nieces, nephews, uncle, aunt, and cousins. In

2002, my family then, Judith, Twalumba, Luyando and I travelled

to Sesheke for our holidays. We stayed with her cousin and Ruth

the wife. We also crossed into Ngwezi in Namibia and Victoria

Falls Town in Zimbabwe.

In 2004, Judith and I became members of Kabwata Baptist

Church (www.kbc.org.zm) where Conrad Mbewe is pastor. It’s

an honour to sit under his ministry each Lord’s day. His

preaching ministry is much sought after in many nations. I’ve

been involved in the Library and Marriage Enrichment Ministry.

It’s been a joy to work with other believers in these ministries and

in other areas. Our children attend school at Eagle’s Nest under

the church. I’m mindful that I may not have served the Lord as I

wish. O for grace to serve him more and serve him better. O that I

may join in singing the song “The longer I serve him (Christ) the

sweeter he gets”!

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same hospital as I was born. In 1998, Judith and I became members of

Trinity Baptist Church where I was involved in the Marriage,

Library, Youth and Men’s Ministry. I also served as a deacon during

the time along with Festus Chipungu, Fwasa Singogo and Joseph Phiri.

I thank God for the privilege of serving Him in a growing church

(established in 1995). Some of the great times in this period are the

Copperbelt Annual Reformed Baptist Youth Conferences’ (CARBYC)

which took place in Kitwe and Ndola. Other moments are the hosting of

Men’s Rally and Baptismal Services. One of the sad moments in the life

of Trinity Baptist Church is when two members (Tamara Phiri and

Judith Singogo) died within a space of 24 hours. This was in 2001.

My working life at Mpelembe Secondary School was quite enriching

and an addition to the wealth of experience I gathered at DK. Both

schools had some of the best students in the country. DK was a public

school while Mpelembe was a private school. Both had their challenges

and opportunities. It was a privilege to be a teacher and also a patron of

the Scripture Union, Mathematics and Computer Studies Clubs. Most of

the times I preached were at Trinity Baptist Church and Mpelembe

Secondary School.

In 1998, I graduated from the Reformed Baptist Preachers College in

Lusaka together with a long time friend Ray Munsaka. During this time,

I bought a house in Kitwe after ZCCM mines were privatized and

Mpelembe served under new owners. I taught at Mpelembe up to 2002

when my contract was not renewed. Thereafter I taught at Copperbelt

University as a part-time lecturer in Mathematics, Information

Technology and Management Information Systems. In 2003, my family

moved to Lusaka after I got a job with the Technical Education,

Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Authority (TEVETA). I

worked with TEVETA as a Curriculum Developer up to 2005 when I

joined the Ministry of Science, Technology and Vocational Training

(MSTVT) as a Senior Vocational Education and Training Officer deal-

ing with Entrepreneurship promotion. The job at MSTVT has enabled

me to visit all provinces in Zambia and seen me travel to a number of

nations: Kenya, Malawi, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania and China.

From 2004 to 2006 I did my Master of Business Administration Studies

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preaching at the school hospital in Chitonga).

Some of my closest friends, Christian Kasumo, Johnson Malipenga and

Barnabas Chiboboka, went to the same school as I. Christian was my

roommate later on at the University of Zambia from 1987 to 1990.

Christian is a reliable friend. He is a godly man, quite organised,

determined, loving husband and father. It’s a privilege to be a friend to

him. Johnson was our headboy and SU chairman at school. It’s a joy to

see how the Lord has led us from those school days to the present day.

Johnson is one man that seeks to live his whole life under the whole of

Scripture. Barnabas I can describe as a poet whom many do not know.

His poems along with Muki Phiri of Lusaka Baptist Church qualify to be

rich modern hymns. Barnabas has a burning passion to live a godly life.

Whilst on close friends I do not wish to forget Richard Ngwisha whom I

got to know through attending SU meetings and camps and later at

Lusaka Baptist Church. Richard has been a true friend, pointing out what

is wrong in my life without fear or favour. He’s also been an

encouragement to me and many others in the faith. His zeal for the Lord’s

work is amazing! A rebuke to mine! Interestingly the number of things

we share in common extends to our dates of birth (separated by 2 days),

our spouses (very close friends), children born at almost the same time.

During SU Camps and rallies, I remember very well the preaching and

counselling ministry of Donald Mwape, Fred Phiri and Roy Kaonga

which was useful to my and other youths spiritual growth. Some got

saved during this time. I thank God too for Ron and Carol Eathorne, Steve

Winter and Derryck Orridge (from UK) for the vital role they played in

offering me discipleship in my Christian life at school. They planted a

good seed which the Lord has been pleased to flourish over the years. In

1986, I was introduced to the doctrines of grace (Reformed doctrines) by

Kunda Kalifungwa through Christian literature and chats with him. To

God be the glory for these wonderful truths! In 1987, I was offered a

place in the School of Education at the University of Zambia. I majored in

Mathematics and did Computer Science courses.

The Adult Years (1988 – 1997)

In 1988 at the age of 20, I was doing my second year at UNZA. My days

at UNZA developed in me the discipline of perseverance. Despite chal-

lenges faced in certain Mathematical courses, I eventually completed my

It pleased God to bring me to a knowledge of salvation in 1981 after

listening to a sermon on the new birth from John 3 by Joe Imakando

was born in 1983. In 1984 I was in form four after passing my form three

the hills close to school. I also developed love for chess during my

4

studies after doing part time studies in two courses. Notable lecturers at

UNZA for me were Dr. Nkwanga (Education in National Development),

Professor Bartholomeuz (Algebra & Toplogy), Professor Theo (Algebra),

Mr. Chikunji (Algebra), Mr. Chipeta (Real Analysis), Mr. Njobvu

(Computer Science).

At UNZA, I also made new friends especially among Christians. I was a

member of the University Christian Fellowship (UCF) where I served as a

Growth Group leader (Cell group at hostel level) and later as a Literature

and Discipleship Secretary. It was such a privilege to serve God’s people

in this fellowship. It was good to have fellowship with saints from

different denominations such Pentecostal Assemblies of God, Wesleyan,

and Brethren in Christ etc. During this period, I also was involved in the

Youth Fellowship at Lusaka Baptist Church. My time at Lusaka Baptist

Church (1987 – 1995) helped me grow in the Christian faith as I sat under

the ministries of Joe Simfukwe and Alfred Nyirenda who were pastors

then. These were gifted expositors whose ministry went beyond LBC. I

became a member of LBC in 1989 after being baptized (eight years after

becoming a Christian). The Youth Fellowship through the weekly meet-

ings, rallies (i.e. whole day meetings), joint-meetings and camps enabled

me to receive sound biblical teaching and also share with others. It was at

this time that I developed a love of Church history which I used to speak

on to youths. I thank God for enabling me to remember him in the days of

my youth. In 1989, I travelled alone for the first time on my own out of

Zambia. My destination was Zimbabwe (where I have travelled to more

than other countries, especially Victoria Falls Town). In 1991, Zambia

became a third republic and multi-party democracy was ushered in. I

remember joining thousands of Zambians at the Supreme Court to witness

the inauguration of Fredrick Chiluba as Zambia’s second President and

rejoice in the coming of “the hour”. From 1991 to 1994, I participated in

evangelistic outreach missions by Lusaka Baptist Church to Choma and

Livingstone. It was a joy and challenge moving from door to door sharing

the gospel of Christ.

1992 was a year of mixed emotions for me. In April I started work as a

Mathematics teacher at Highridge Secondary School in Kabwe. Charles

Chowa graciously allowed me to stay with him as I was not

accommodated. Sometime in the year I began to doubt whether I was a

5

in this fellowship. It was good to have fellowship with saints from

party democracy was ushered in. I

Chowa graciously allowed me to stay with him as I was not

Christian. In the words of Charles Spurgeon I’d ask “Am I a child of

his (Christ) or not?” A letter from Christian where he urged me to

trust in the finished work of Christ towards the end of the year led me

to assurance of salvation and rejoicing in the Saviour! In July my dad

passed away after a long illness. This meant some changes in our

lives. I got a transfer back to Lusaka to be with mum and the family. I

was posted to David Kaunda Secondary School where I taught for

four years until 1996 when I got a job with Mpelembe Secondary

School in Kitwe. I graduated from UNZA in November 1992. We

were the first graduates in the third republic and the Chancellor then

was John Mwanakatwe, a renowned educationalist, lawyer and

politician.

In 1995, I began a courtship with Judith Liemisa whom I later

married on 10th August 1996 at Lusaka Baptist Chuch. I thank God

for leading me to Judith. She has been a dear wife, friend, lover and

companion for the years we have been married. She has been a de-

voted mother to our four children. Her commitment to Christ and his

cause is a constant challenge to me. Her hospitality is also refreshing.

Her life breathes out the words “Let me serve you with a burning

heart” a song done by her cousin Beauty Shabenzu Pallu. I thank God

for those that played a leading role in our marriage. Among many

others these are Mr. and Mrs. Hibajene (marriage counselors), Mr.

Nyambe (Shibukombe – go-in-between), John Gambwe (cousin who

escorted me to my in-laws village in Sesheke for marriage

negotiations), Richard Ngwisha (bestman), Christian Kasumo (chief

best-man), two Catherine’s (Ngwisha & Mwenya) our bridesmaids,

Ray Munsaka our Master of Ceremonies, and Ronald Kalifungwa the

officiating minister and preacher. Thanks are also extended to the

many friends and relatives that helped in one way or another during

our wedding.

The Expanding Years (1998 – 2007)

This period is called the “expanding years” for that is when the Lord

was pleased to add to our family four children, provide us with our

own house, and enable us to serve him in different and new spheres.

Our four children are: Twalumba (1998), Luyando (2000), Sepo

(2003) and Shingisai (2007). Luyando and Sepo were born in the