It Wasn't Magic

Once upon a time, I thought testimonies were for selected people.

Yes, honestly. I never thought I could ever have a testimony. I honestly thought something bad had to happen for my life story to proclaim God's amazing power and grace. Well, I never knew what this year had in store for me.  When I heard that 2017 was a year of favour, it was hard to believe. However, at the end of January, after the prayer and fasting season, I decided, Let me just believe.

I completed high school at the age of fifteen in 2015, and after leaving, I was unsure of what I wanted to pursue career-wise. I watched my friends happily pack up their bags and leave to Universities abroad and wondered what to do next. I did AS levels in 2016, for 9 months and finished in December, but yet again, I had nothing to do. Well, at least I didn't know what to do.

One day, on one of my daily Facebook binges, I was scrolling through my news feed and I found a page that a friend recently liked. The school was called "The African Leadership Academy," and I stared at the page curiously.

'Developing the next generation of African Leaders. APPLY TODAY!' it said.

I was not interested in applying (yet), but I took a screenshot and shrugged.

"Let me show Mum. Maybe she'll like this," I thought.

But every time I logged on to Facebook, I kept seeing the post! This happened about 3-4 times until I decided, Let me just read about this school.

Founded in 2007, African Leadership Academy is a pan-African school whose sole purpose is to transform Africa into a prosperous and peaceful continent by developing and supporting its future leaders. The founders believed that if we could raise a generation of powerful leaders who could impact in their various fields, Africa can be a better place. 

From 45 beautiful countries all over Africa, they annually look for passionate, young potential African leaders between 15-19 years of age. About 2,000 people apply annually for this privilege, but the school can only shortlist 400 students for finalist stages and then select 120 for their class.

After reading this, I could perfectly resonate with this mission. I wanted to be that leader. For too long, I have complained about bad leadership in this continent but did nothing much about it. But I was scared. What do I have against 2000 Africans with so much potential?

After much persuasion and encouragement from my family, I decided to apply.

The application asked me all sorts of questions about how I have exhibited leadership in different ways if I have started any initiatives, and what my "African dream" is. Though surprisingly, my mother and aunt aided me by reminding me of all I had done in the past, which filled in every blank in the application form. About a week before the deadline, I submitted my application, hoping that God would make a way.

Two months later, during a then-regular ZESCO blackout, Mum called me, lifting her iPad in the air, excitedly saying, "Katai! You have been selected for the 400 Finalist stages!"

I was so shocked. Me? Katai? Finalist? God, is that You?

The process was lengthy but amazing. I received a phone interview, where they asked me to elaborate on my application. They even asked about this very blog because I put it as my initiative to promote leadership (which is true). Through the tricky questions, I managed to answer them all.

Through the four recommendations needed for my admission, the four people who wrote for me mentioned all the reasons they could, even mentioning things I did in the past that I forgot about.

The other issue that arose was finances. Such a good school like this is bound to be expensive, and surely it was. About USD $60,000 was the total cost for the two years I would be there, which was way too high for my parents to afford. However, the school provided a scholarship known as a forgivable loan: I must return to Africa by the time I am 25 after University to develop it, or else I will have to pay back the loan. I was ready to make that sacrifice, for my dream lies in Africa, so we carefully filled in the form in all honesty and trusted God for favor.

Once it was submitted, the Academy said in two months' time, I would be contacted on whether I made it or not.

April 16, after a hard morning, I casually opened my email to find this message in bold:

Congratulations, you have been selected to join the Class of 2017!!

Then it sunk in: out of over 2000 capable Africans who probably did more than I did, I was selected!

To add to my surprise, I received a package from them weeks later. I opened the pack and in the midst of the other letters, I found the financial report saying that I have been awarded $54,000 scholarship, which is almost 90% scholarship. The only main costs from my parents is the other $3,900, exam fees, travel, and pocket money.

I looked to the sky in awe and adoration and felt a tear creep from my eye. Then I knew:

This is what a testimony feels like.

I had to deviate from my original plan to write another blog post, but I felt compelled to share my testimony, and it even ties in with the theme. I was uncertain about sharing it, but the Bible encourages us by saying that "they overcame by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony." (Revelation 12:11). This means my testimony will help you overcome doubt and see faith in God.

I also want to show you that this didn't happen by magic or my efforts alone. It was truly divine orchestration so well crafted that I can't even explain it without God.

My encouragement for you from this story is:

1) Before you doubt, believe. It doesn't matter what happened in the past. Faith is believing that God has the capacity to show you a completely new side of Him in your life.

2) Trust God, even when it doesn't make sense. Even though I couldn't understand what to do for 2 years, I did what I could, not knowing it would speak for me later. From serving in the youth conference Turnt Up to even starting this blog, I look back and see the divine guidance. What I thought God was not seeing ended up speaking for me and declaring His glory later in my life.

3) Keep doing the good you do. God has yet to reward your beautiful efforts in His name.

Even as I sit at my dorm room desk, typing this blog post, I look to the roof with a heart full of thanks and say:

"Thank You, Jesus. You surprised me again."

Don't give up.

God is still #UnderConstruction with your life.

Guide. Light. Inspire