The Sunday Mail
Ms Constance Lopa
Concerns in Matthew 25:41 characterise Ms Constance Lopa’s (CL) compassionate work as she takes time to minister to the sick and needy in her community and local hospitals using meager resources.
She fellowships with the Assemblies of God, Mufakose Assembly and recently spoke with Tendai Manzvanzvike (TM) about her work and how the grace of the Lord enables her.
TM: There is something special that you want to share. Tell us what it is.
CL: As the body of Christ, we must rise up, know our position and know why we were saved. In Matthew 5:13, Jesus tells us that we are the “salt of the earth”, and “the light of the world”.
So, everything that we do as believers must show that we are saved. The Bible also says you don’t light a lamp, and “put it under a basket, but on a stand.” So, the church in Zimbabwe must rise up so that the light of the church – Jesus Christ will be seen in the world. Let Jesus be preached and not man.
TM: How does the church demonstrate that it is the salt of the earth and the light of the world?
CL: We thank God that there are people who are being mightily used by God. A good example is the marvellous work that was done by the Seventh Day Adventist church when they adopted a ward at Harare Hospital and refurbished it beautifully. This is a good example of what churches can do to help develop the nation.
TM: But the church can turn around and say that they are also struggling. You are aware of these problems.
CL: When we face challenges, the solution is prayer. When you face problems and you seed into something, God will come in for you so that you will be able to overcome your problems.
It’s about love, sincerity and commitment. Your purpose in your heart – money or no money – where there is a will, there is a way.
If we petition God, He is more than able because the resources are His and we take from His pocket. The wealth belongs to Him.
TM: Now, tell us a little about your compassionate ministry, especially visiting hospitals and praying for the sick. Why are you doing that?
CL: I have managed to give myself time to visit the sick and minister to them. You know, there are patients in our hospitals that hardly have visitors. The relatives might be unable to afford to visit them.
During visiting hours, some patients cover their heads because there is no one to cheer them up. This affects them because love is a healer.
I have seen many delivered by the Lord because even if the doctor administers medicine, when their hearts are troubled, in some cases, that medicine will not be helpful because their hearts and minds are troubled – feeling unloved.
TM: You go into hospitals, what have been the results like?
CL: I just want to thank God because it is through His power and grace. All that we do is to follow what the word of God says – pray for the sick, but it is Him who heals. We also minister to them, and if they have not received the Lord, we give them the opportunity to do so.
TM: Do you do the same in your community?
CL: My starting point was the community ever since I was a young believer because God placed within me the passion. If I see a person who is struggling, whether it’s illness or not, it troubles my heart, especially among widows and orphans.
TM: Do you work with other women?
CL: Yes. We don’t just attend to people from our church, but we respond to an existing need in the community. This has actually led many to Christ. They might be members of different denominations, but we don’t have a denominational mentality.
We have a kingdom mentality and we assist everyone in need because they are children of God and the church is the body of Christ.
TM: You expressed concerns about some people’s negative mentality. Zimbabwe has more than 70 percent of Christian population. Is it because the church is not teaching people the basics of the gospel?
CL: In most cases the church goes out of its way to teach. Take an example of a classroom. After an examination you will get one student in first position, and another in 35th position, regardless of the fact that both are taught by the same teacher. How they grasp concepts makes the difference.
So, people can be taught the Word because when preachers stand at the pulpit, they are sharing the word of God, but how they grasp that which is being taught matters a lot. Again, when there are trials and tribulations, we don’t exactly know what to do. But, will my murmuring and grumbling improve the situation?
TM: Final word?
CL: Let us go back to the God of the Bible, because the word teaches and also brings us closer to God.
