READ: JOHN 6: 1-15
Then Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother spoke up. “There is a young boy here with two barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?” (V. 8)
Miraculous! Awesome! Amazing! Transforming! Superlative words that do not even come close to describing the effect of Cornerstone Christian High School upon the community of Salima, Malawi. In just ten years, the school has grown from its initial population of 23 to over 550 students. 550 young men and women in the 8th poorest country on planet earth are now receiving the educational gift of a lifetime. A gift that will transform their lives and positively alter the future direction of their nation. The foundational principle, “Educate a child—change a nation” is bearing fruit and a good dose of optimism in this small third world African country.
What is the formula that made this seemingly impossible growth happen? First, Danneck Falinya, the Executive Director, and other young Malawians on his team, had a vision for change in their homeland. Then they submitted their vision to God for his review and totally trusted him for the guidance and resources they needed to turn their vision into reality. Following God’s lead, they applied for and were accepted as Fellows by the Urban Promise International Program in Camden New Jersey, founded by Dr. Bruce Main. They immersed themselves in this two-year program gaining the valuable leadership, management, economic and fund-raising skills needed to set their vision into active motion. Returning home, they started with what they had; a vision for what was possible in Salima; encouraging support of UPI along with some seed money; an established network of churches, companies and friends; and the faith driven desire to succeed. Their sacrifice, dedication, perseverance and unwavering trust in God helped them move relentlessly forward. It started with an after-school tutoring and feeding program; progressed to summer camps; and ended with the founding and establishment of Cornerstone Christian High School. Students being fed, tutored, and educated and they started with what they had!
Jesus was actively teaching and training his disciples who would become the core leaders of the early Christian church. When he feed the five thousand who had come to hear him teach, he wanted them to think positively about what they could do with what they had on hand. They had some food—good start. They had Jesus whom they had seen do miracles—the chef at hand. But they lacked faith, the key ingredient to making the meal happen. Jesus to the rescue and an invaluable lesson for the future rendered.
PAUSE FOR REFLECTION AND PRAYER
Establishing highly respected Christian based educational programs in Salima was not done with the snap of a finger. The miracle happened due to unshakeable faith and trust in Christ who fueled the passion and determination of a young man and his team. The result—550 and counting! Where is God calling you to start with what you have?
Dear Jesus, help me to obey your call to use what I have to make a difference for you.