Imbali 1 Year Anniversary
- 49 minutes ago
- 4 min read
In Exodus we read the story of the children of Israel at the Red Sea crying in fear as Pharaoh and his army was drawing closer to them and they had no way to run. As they cried out in fear the Lord’s response to them was, 15” And the Lord said to Moses, “ Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward. But lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea”
I have always loved this story because it reminds me of the many times I have had to step into what seemed like the Red Sea even though nothing in comparison to what the Israelites had to deal with. I have had moments when in my spirit I knew God was calling me to step into something that seemed impossible, something I knew if God is not in this then it will be a disaster. This story reminds me of the grace, love and faithfulness of God. Moses had to stretch out the rod that was in his hand over the sea and as soon as he did, the water was divided and they walked on dry ground. Amazing story with many lessons for me to learn. The children of Israel had a part to play in this and so have I found myself having to play a part in whatever I have sensed in my heart to do. This story is a good reminder that God does turn the impossible into possible.
The impossible was made possible by obeying the instructions of God.
From this story I move to another story similar to this where once again the Lord instructed the Israelites to do something and as they did they experienced a miracle. This time the priests who were carrying the Ark of the Presence of God had to first step into the Jordan River at flood time and as they did in obedience to God, the river stopped flowing and the rest of the Israelites were able to cross on dry ground. The impossible was made possible by obeying the instructions of God. I have never had to cross the Jordan River or the Red Sea but last year was a year where I did experience the miraculous hand of God as He led and guided me into starting Imbali. I had no money and a few items to get me started but there were many things I needed to set up this business/ consultancy and I remember very well asking myself many times whether it was going to work or not. There were days I would sit at home at night asking myself “ what if I did not get registered? What if I do get registered but fail to raise enough capital to start” The above stories of the children of Israel were my anchors because here I was attempting to start a for profit business which I knew I could not fund raise for but had to use whatever I had in my personal account which was not much but I started anywhere and what a year it has been. Got registered in March, started working on the space in March-April, opened the doors in June, sold nothing June but July-August-September God came through in amazing ways that I ran out of stock and worked very hard and I looked back a year later and all I can say is; “ God did part my seas and caused the river in front of me to dry in order for me to cross”
It has been a year of being reminded of the faithfulness of God because each month there is no guarantee that I will sell enough to pay bills and all but I have learned to pray, wait and trust God. I have learned to ask friends to pray with me and for me and many have prayed as I celebrate one year of being in business with humility and in awe of what God has done.
I have watched God bring friends and many people who are not friends to ask questions about Imbali, some have come to just take photos because it reminds them of their childhood or grandparents who used to weave, some have stopped by to applaud and encourage me for taking the steps and some have stopped by so that I could share the story of what God has done and what He is doing in my life. I am grateful for each person that has come. I have had many opportunities to teach weaving and some of my journey with people both local and foreign and what a year it has been. I am grateful to God that He has brought me this far and I know He is going to continue leading and guiding me as I walk listening to his voice and being obedient to His voice even in moments that I am not sure. He is faithful and can be trusted.
I am truly thankful to God for each person I have met through Imbali. Here is to many more years of being part of a community and giving back into the community and not just taking.
Cecilia Sakatira
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