The Sunday Mail
Archbishop Professor Ezekiel Guti listens to a question from Sunday Mail’s Religion Editor Fatima Bulla (Pictures by Benaiah Guti)
THERE is always a good feeling that comes from being in the presence of men and women who have that wisdom that can only be borne from a rich experience of life.
92-year-old Professor Ezekiel Guti fits in that category, as does his wife, Dr Eunor Guti. Years after meeting such people, the encounter remains both refreshing and poignant.
I chatted with the founder and president of Zimbabwe Assemblies of God Africa Forward in Faith Ministries International Prof Guti and Dr Guti last Sunday.
They were consecrating Revival United Church of Christ International leader Marvellous Mhloyi as bishop at their church headquarters in Waterfalls, Harare.
Prof Guti’s wisdom is unquestionable, which is why he is invited to speak all over the world and his diary is always full with such engagements.
So getting a few seconds alone with him and his wife is quite something.
Prof Guti has an infectious smile. (He wears it all the time, lest you think it is for the cameras only!) It is a real smile, one that can be seen in the eyes.
And when you speak, he listens. As in really listen unlike some people who are only waiting for you to shut up.
Again the eyes show the level of engagement. You can tell he is digesting everything and weighing every word.
My meeting with him was courtesy of assistance from his secretary-general, Dr Washington Rupapa.
Teasingly, Dr Rupapa said there was no chance of the meeting. I smiled back that nothing was impossible with God (Luke 1:37).
Dr Rupapa spoke to a pastor, who in turn whispered the request to Dr Guti; as Prof Guti appeared to be bestowing a blessing on congregants who had gathered at his reception area.
Dr Guti looked my way and walked over. She held my hand for a moment and led me to Prof Guti. He briefly turned before concluding his talk with his congregants.
On being told that I was from The Sunday Mail Religion, that infectious smile returned. You cannot believe the vigour and glow in his youthful face, 92-years-old as he is.
Ever the gentleman, Prof Guti ushered me to a couch and we sat down, all three of us.
The Gutis have a way of making anyone feel at ease, like they have known you your whole life.
This is a man who has preached for over half-a-century. This is a man who started his ministry under a gum tree on May 12 in Bindura at the age of 15, and 55 years later that ministry reaches over 100 nations across the world.
This is a woman who was the first female marriage officer in Zimbabwe and has grown a ministry with her husband over the decades, reaching uncountable numbers.
“Well, what do you want to ask,” Prof Guti asked in Shona (the entire conversation was in his mother tongue), snapping me back to the present. “What do you want God to do for you?”
At that moment, I thought of everything and nothing.
I gathered my thoughts and told him. Prof Guti counselled me and then prayed priceless words.
Before I knew it, it was time to leave.
One of the pastors whispered in my ear, “You have so much grace on you because this doesn’t just happen.”
My 900 seconds with this powerful couple of God were over.
I might never get Prof and Dr Guti alone to myself again. But I know that for just over 900 seconds last Sunday afternoon, grace kicked into my life.
