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Joseph Matandika
"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." (Romans 5:1-5) Joseph (JJ) Matandika was born on December 16, 1989, the youngest of seven children (4 boys and 3 girls). He grew up with his parents, Rev. & Mrs. Matandika. After passing the Primary School Leaving Certificate Exams in 2003 (by the grace of God), he attended William Murray Secondary School for two years. After passing the Junior Certificate Exams in 2005, he attended Robert Blake Secondary School for two years. He sat for Malawi School Certificate of Examination, and (again by God's grace) he was successful. Joseph stayed home from January to August 2008, at which time he became involved with Joy to the World Ministries. He served the community of Dzuwa as a volunteer teacher at Dzuwa Primary School. He worked as a store clerk for the last half of his stay in Malawi. He wrote entrance exams for African Bible College in the month of May. Though he doubted that he'd be admitted, God's grace was upon him yet again, and he was selected to do his studies at African Bible University of Uganda. Now he is in Uganda, where he will be for four years, if it is God's will. Joseph is a born-again Christian and trusts no one else but Jesus Christ for his salvation. His spiritual life has not been easy since the time of his conversion, but God has always graciously strengthened him and lifted him up. He claims: "The more you study the word of God, the more sinful you realize you are before God." This has been Joseph's experience during his stay so far in Uganda. Before he came to Uganda, he thought he was a perfect man, but he now realizes that he is nothing before the eyes of the Lord. He has also noticed that there is nothing more interesting and satisfying than listening to and sharing the Word of God. He also longs to serve Him. If God is willing, Joseph would like to do his Masters in Theology at the Free Church of Scotland College and then return to Malawi to teach the word of God with Joy to the World Ministries. Joseph quotes Proverbs 19:2: "It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way." Joseph also dreams of translating good Christian books into Chichewa, so that the locals in Malawi can be instructed as they follow their Christian walk. He hopes to work with Joy to the World Ministries in "Taking the Whole Gospel to the Whole Man and to the Whole World!" Joseph makes this final comment: "As God's people, let us humble ourselves and pray and seek the face of God and turn from our wicked so that God hears us from heaven and forgive our sins and heal our land (2 Ch. 7:14)." "But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. (Acts 20:24) |
