Of Faith and Works

 It's another Friday, and without further ado, I'll dive right in.

This past week, I found myself scrolling through my Twitter feed when I stumbled upon an intriguing question aimed at single women: "Which one is easier between responding to inbox messages and climbing mountains in search of husbands?"

Let me provide some context. The Malawian Twitter community can be incredibly harsh, showing no restraint when it comes to trolling others. People are verbally attacked day in and day out for no apparent reason; insults know no bounds, targeting family, children, economic status, religion, education, and career. All of these can be used against you in what's known as a Twitter war. However, the same platform also hosts individuals sharing thought-provoking content and posing questions that push people to think on their feet. Given the nature of the Malawian community, you can probably guess the type of content that gets people engaged.

When this particular question about fasting and praying for a husband versus responding to messages emerged, I wasn't sure how the masses would react. Part of me anticipated hostility, while the other thought there might be no response at all. In my assumption, those who are fervently praying in the mountains for husbands wouldn't engage in potentially volatile content, and those who weren't wouldn't have a reason to respond. What I had overlooked was the entire topic of strangers messaging women, as I was reminded by the responses from the ladies.

To my surprise, all the ladies responded in unison, stating that fasting and praying were easier. According to them, most of the guys sliding into their private messages were only interested in asking when the lady would visit, making it evident they weren't seeking a genuine connection. Some lamented the tedious and repetitive patterns of messages they received from men: "How are you? Have you eaten? How was your day?" The consensus? Praying for a husband is the better option.

You might be familiar with Reverend Yassin Gama of the Mvama church in the Nkhoma Synod of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian. If not, you've probably seen one of his viral clips where he imparts wisdom on various subjects, including love relationships. In one such clip, he cautioned ladies seeking partners against relying solely on prayer without taking action. His advice included taking a shower, putting on makeup, and going for a walk, in addition to prayers. One could say the Reverend was advocating for faith coupled with works, akin to Apostle Paul's teachings.

 

I'm certain there was a valid reason the pastor emphasized this message. There are people who pray about matters without taking any action. You might have heard of individuals who failed to complete their studies because they relied solely on divine intervention, neglecting the importance of studying. Others pray for financial breakthroughs and miracle money without putting in the effort to earn a living through their skills and talents.

In case you think I'm against prayer, that's not my point. I want to emphasize that there's no such thing as a free ride. To acquire skills, one must invest time in studying and practicing. Even if you pray for divine intervention in your medical education, you still need to understand the intricacies of anatomy and practice techniques, not just for exams but also for the safety of your future patients.

For people of faith, maintaining a constant connection with the Creator is vital. Humans are meant to be in constant communion with the source, and part of this interaction involves asking for personal needs. However, we must acknowledge that some needs can be met through people sent into our lives by a higher power. If you're unwell, visit a medical doctor who can diagnose the issue and provide a remedy. Seeking information? Utilize the internet or read books. Pastors write books for the same reason men of the cloth spend years in training; some knowledge is acquired through rigorous study. There are times when there are limitations to what humans can do, and in such cases, turning to a higher power doesn't seem unreasonable. You've done your part, and the rest is up to the Creator. However, we should never ignore the resources available to us for improving our lives on this planet we call Earth.

Allow me to share an anecdote from a student who pursued postgraduate studies in China. He recounted his experience with a church there, highlighting their weekly prayers in university halls, followed by "swallowship." One day, during prayer requests, a student from Cameroon raised a concern about a persistent toothache. When asked if he had seen a dentist, the response was negative. Someone from the congregation volunteered to accompany him to the dentist. Another student from Zimbabwe expressed difficulty understanding complex mathematical content, especially close to exam time. Rather than praying, the group assigned someone proficient in the subject to provide peer tutoring. After addressing these issues, the leader inquired about further prayer requests, met with silence, and concluded the session with a closing prayer.

This story, originally written in Chichewa with a sprinkle of sarcasm, underscored the importance of exploring different cultures and learning how others tackle problems. I on the other hand, will lean towards emphasizing the significance of using the resources available to us to solve daily challenges and enhance our lives. Even when seeking divine intervention, we should recognize the answers to our prayers within our surroundings.

However, I might have leaned too heavily toward one perspective and failed to provide a balanced view. I acknowledge that I may not have emphasized the value of divine intervention as much, but for now, I'll deliberately leave it at that. Let's learn to employ our hands and minds to better our situations. Unfortunately, this might be challenging for some, especially when congregating in places where young entrepreneurs are encouraged to pray for capital while the pastor solicits funds from the congregation for a new car. We're also a people who pray for rains annually despite having a water axis running from north to south. Perhaps what we need to pray for is a change in mindset. Frankly, I can't think of any solution to that.

I put it to you, then. Which is easier between praying for a husband and responding to a message from a stranger who could potentially become a soulmate? Whatever your answer is may not be important. What is important is that you learn from one Reverend Yassin Gama. After praying, take a shower and wear some nice perfume on your way to find a husband. And I am not just referring to relationships. Do this in every aspect of your life, and you will see a positive change.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend.

On Money: Navigating Investments

It's yet another Friday, and I'm holding on to the tradition of writing articles every Friday. So far, I've managed to keep it going, hitting four in a row! It almost sounds like a line from a rap song. I might even consider resurrecting my rap career, which died on conception years ago.

A few months back, I got married, and I've felt the urge to share a bit about married life. However, I've been told that I'm not experienced enough in life to be making claims in this field. I get where those people are coming from, and I can say that I've got a few articles tucked away, to be released maybe 20 years from now, when I'm, as they say, "ripe."

This whole "not allowed" to talk about marriage thing made me a bit skeptical about the topic of the day. Here's the deal: I want to discuss the need for exercising caution with financial management, particularly in investments. If we draw an analogy with marriage, this article should be coming from the likes of Benedicto Berna Nkhoma and Thomson Mpinganjira. But as a broke student with no practical experience in the field, I feel like I shouldn't be delving into this subject. Yet, I believe my relative lack of experience is precisely what qualifies me to write about it.

This week, mainstream and social media buzzed with news that many people had been scammed after investing in a company called CDC. Reports stated that the company's website, where people had invested thousands, even millions, just vanished, leaving investors wondering if they would ever see their money again. This came after what must have been a strong campaign to lure people into investing and referring others to multiply their money.

If you've been paying attention, you'd know that money-making schemes like these aren't new; they've been around in various forms. AIM Global, Jama Life, Crown Investment, and other platforms have had their time in the spotlight. With the rise of blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies, there were also companies offering trading platforms for these innovative technologies, which were supposedly poised to challenge the roles of central banks. If the previous sentence confuses you, you're not alone. The only difference between you and others is that some ended up investing in different cryptocurrencies and losing money, just as others fell for various trading and pyramid schemes.

I'm not saying cryptocurrencies are scams. Some companies have invested heavily in cryptocurrencies and traded them. However, you need to have at least a basic understanding of how these platforms work before entrusting them with your life savings or tuition fees, hoping to double your money within a week. I attempted to grasp cryptocurrencies and the blockchain technology behind them. After several tries, I realized studying statistics made more sense, so I decided it was better to pursue further education in the latter. My point is just that I'd never invest in crypto because I just don't comprehend how it works. Statistics may not be the most "friendly" subject, but I would rather be struggling with regression than try to wrap my head around Satoshi Nakamoto's white paper on the block chain.

In light of the recent scandal, I noticed people mocking those scammed by CDC online. I tried putting myself in the victims' shoes, and that made it impossible for me to find it amusing. I understand where it's coming from. Poverty in our country has reached alarming levels, and people are desperate to make money. Not a week goes by without hearing of a mobile money transaction scam. We all remember how people flocked to training sessions when one man offered practical lessons in manufacturing, promising to usher in an industrial revolution for Malawi. In these financially troubled times, it's easy to get enticed by the prospect of making money, blinding us to the risks and legitimacy of these schemes. One might wonder if there's a way to evaluate such schemes, and I believe there is.

 As rational beings, we need to understand that there's no such thing as a free lunch. Making money requires initial capital and effort. When someone promises to multiply your money in a short period, you should be suspicious. In short, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. We also need to be wary of schemes heavily marketed with referrals as one of the requirements for making money. If someone bombards you with messages and calls to join, they're likely just trying to profit from your referrals. Here's another tip: scrutinize the person recruiting you based on their clothes and shoes. If it doesn't seem convincing, run! Essentially, we need to learn from history.

One solution to these scams would be providing financial literacy in any form. Even though some educated people have fallen victim to scams, I highly doubt anyone with a solid understanding of market principles would be easily duped. The challenge is that we're living in times when even those meant to lead us seem to be making a name out of striking dubious deals.

Ultimately, these issues could be mitigated if people were economically empowered. I firmly believe that the risk of investing in dubious schemes would significantly decrease if the economic environment allowed people to thrive in their businesses and earn money with genuine buying power. The high cost of living, combined with a hostile business environment, drives people to invest in questionable schemes. I could have discussed the dangers of gambling, but I'm aware that my opinion on this topic aligns with what Onjezani Kenani shared. We all know how he was criticized for days after speaking against gambling. Well, it's too late now. You might win some bets, but that's not a sustainable way to get rich. You see, it's not wise to get rich without undergoing the process of becoming wealthy.

That being said, I sympathize with the people who lost money to CDC, although I can't help but wonder how they couldn't see through the deception (excuse the language). I saw a picture of the Regional Manager for CDC and an ad that said people could find him at his base of operations near a bridge in Chikanda, Zomba. If you've been to Chikanda, you'd agree with me that people could have made better decisions. I also saw the Karonga offices. We need to be more discerning.

As we approach the weekend, I urge you to safeguard your hard-earned money. Avoid reckless spending and investments, and if possible, limit the soft loans you provide to family and friends to what you can afford to lose. If someone asks you to invest in something and you don't see an actual product being sold, run and don't look back.

 

Have a wonderful weekend.