COACH ALEX: THE ENIGMA - KISS OF DEATH

Tuesday the 21st of July 2020, 07: 39a.m as I drive to work I get a call from Coach Alex. I am in a bit of a rush to get to work so I promise myself that I will call him back. But the timeline of this call is rather out of character with Coach Alex! Anyway I promise myself to call him back later; I forgot to call back.

Wednesday 22nd July 2020, 10: 47a.m Coach calls me again; am right in the middle of a meeting so I promise myself to call him back. Meeting ends, and I walk to my car to drive away. I call back coach Alex; time check 1:12p.m. The first words from Coach Alex send chills down my spine Silence followed on the line; I garner strength and I ask

Alex, like any young man rents a small apartment somewhere close to church. Aside from his boxing coach work he is our Security manager at the Church premise. Alex narrates to me how on Monday 20th July 2020 he felt phased and had a terrible headache after training the last team. Alex asks Shafiq, one of the young men in our Technical team to help him hold fort as he took a rest at his apartment. He got into his apartment, locked the door behind him, fell flat on his bed and was soon fast asleep.

Suddenly, after what seemed like a long time sleeping off this headache and fatigue, Alex wakes up in the dead of the night, only to realize that he has two uninvited visitors in his room; he pretends that he is still sleeping. The one man is stand right over his head with a huge hammer in hand, and the other is fidgeting with his TV set to get it off the wall mounting. It dawns on Alex that he is under attack! At that moment he realizes that he is totally vulnerable, and his head is exposed. So, in a sloppy sleepy motion, still pretending to be oblivious to his surroundings, he lifts his hand and covers his head and neck, a move his assailants clearly thought was one of a man still in dream land. Alex was simply making his first tactical move. He waits; and just as the guy standing over him turns to motion the fidgetor to move faster, Alex makes his move, grabs the hammer guy in a death grip with one hand! Alex begins to punch with his other hand very hard into the hammer guys ribs who now screams in pain; just then the struggle begins.

What Alex had not spotted was a third guy in the room, standing just behind his head at the bed stead with a machete! "Swish!! the first swing came in and hit his hand. Alex says he never felt any pain, but it felt like someone had hit him with a stick. Definately he now realised he had another assailant behind him. He swiftly turns with the hammer guy still tightly under grip, just in time for the second machette blow to hit the hammer guy right on the collar bone, slicing him open at that point. Another swift swing comes again, and Alex pushes the hammer guy again now towards the machette assailant just in time for the third blow to hit hammer guy across the face. Now at this point hammer guy is wailing at the top of his voice. Alex makes his move into the space of machete assailant and hits him with swift combinations of right and left hooks and finally an upper cut with his right that sends the machete guy tumbling down. This time the machette guy too is screaming for help

Alex is now going after machete guy, who is swiftly getting up from the floor and making for the door way. No.3 did not wait for any further instructions; he drops the TV set and makes swiftly for the door and out into the night closely followed by machete guy, hammer guy and then Alex hot on their heels into the dark of the night.

About a half kilometre away, and many unheeded threats to kill him, the assailants decide to drop their sack load of stolen goodies in order to increase their swift escape. Alex picks up the sack and walks back to his house. The entire neighbors had watched the entire 2 minutes fracas through their windows fearing for the worst to happen to Alex. He walks in with the sack, spreads out a huge loot of electronic goods; that night the buglers cum murderers had been busy in a number of homes. It is then that Alex realized he had sustained two deep cuts; one on his left hand, and another on his calf! He had lost a lot of blood and was now getting dizzy. Time on the clock was 3a.m!

The neighbors picked up a boda boda and rushed him to Mulago, and there was no service there! They rushed to another private facility where he was handled after handing over Two hundred Thousand Uganda shillings!

Alex is alive, and well, and back to his coaching. I met him on Sunday and we had a long talk about this event. He is in good spirits but he says what happened and the valiance was nothing short of a "Samson experience"! 

Coach Alex is happy to be alive today and continues in his service to improve lives of young men in the community. He told me some of his neighbors now think he is a ghost! They simply cannot believe what they saw; one sleepy young man fighting off four armed assailants and thereafter chase after them alone, recovering what was lost!

....to be continued

AND THE GOVERNMENT SHALL BE UPON HIS SHOULDER

Isaiah 9:6 “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: …”

So, after the death of Joshua Israel is ruled by the Judges. But who exactly are the Judges?

God in His model of world governance systems has always preferred to be in charge and use men and women of His choice to lead as it were with the oracles of God in the lead of all human judgment. Leadership is after all about dispensing wisdom and Judgment.

From examining scripture trends, Elohim (God) starting with Seth (the name means “substituted” in English) the third son of Adam and Eve apparently starts to look for men that can teach their households Elohim’s ways. One only has to study bible from Genesis onwards to see that. God actually says that of Abraham in Genesis Chapter 18 verse 19 where He states, “For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of YAHWEH (the LORD), to do justice and judgment; that YAHWEH (the LORD) may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.” From Adam it is clear that God has been on the lookout for men with hearts after His own heart; the is why in Genesis Chapter 4 God accepts Abel’s sacrifice which was the first fruits of his flock. It was the heart with which Abel sacrificed that drew God to Him.

From the lineage of Seth, He lands onto Enoch (the name means “discipline/Train-up”), five generations down, who the bible says walked with God until he was nought for God took him. Again, you can see a man after God here from the connotation that Enoch walked with God. From Enoch Four generations down, we see Noah (the name means “Quiet Resting place”), whom God chose because Noah elected for the ways of Elohim YAHWEH. What now becomes clearer is that God has always looked for men that are in relationship with Him to promote them.

From Noah we land on Abram (“High Father”) father Terah who I suspect in response to an instruction from God begins to move his family from Ur to Canaan (See Genesis chapter 11 verse 31). He was a Syrian and a Hebrew of Ur (Deutronomy 25 verse 5). He stops in the City of Haran and dies there enroute to the promised land. Immediately God picks on Abram who now walks into a friendship with God, and it grows. The story is quite elaborate from Genesis chapter 11 on wards. Abram get renamed by YAHWEH in Genesis Chapter 17 verse 5 where YAHWEH makes a number of covenantal promises to Abraham. The Journey of Abraham starts to get interesting from the onset as YAHWEH keep intervening in his earthly matters. On the flip side God begins to share secrets with Abraham. Abraham becomes a prince of God on earth feared by kings of this earth! The Bible does not mention even once that Abraham had any other God or idols in his household. When Abraham finally makes a covenant with God, the entire script goes into over drive.

We then have Isaac and Jacob but with a clear and obvious family culture of not mixing themselves with others nor having any other God but YAHWEH in their midst for the sake and apparently at the instruction of Elohim! We see evidence of that clearly in how Isaac gets his wife Rebecca going by the instructions Abraham gives his lead Servant as he send him onto this mission. See the dialogue below from Genesis chapter 24 between them:

Verse 5 - 9 The servant asked, …Should I then take Isaac there to live among your relatives in the land you came from?” “No!” Abraham responded. “Be careful never to take my son there. For YAHWEH, the God of heaven, who took me from my father’s house and my native land, solemnly promised to give this land to my descendants.[a] He will send his angel ahead of you, and he will see to it that you find a wife there for my son….So the servant took an oath by putting his hand under the thigh of his master, Abraham. He swore to follow Abraham’s instructions.

What is clear is that YAHWEH’s code and mandate became Abraham’s code and mandate. He became a man of mission! Rebecca and Isaac as well passed on this family paradigm, and the instructions to their sons. What is interesting is that when God first comes to Jacob, he refers to YAHWEH as the God of His father! Later he gets his own experience with YAHWEH but not before making a covenant to serve YAHWEH at the site of the ladder to heaven in Bethel! Abraham was a prophet of YAHWEH.  So was Isaac and Jacob too eventually.  In fact, in Genesis 31 verse 53 we see an interesting utterance that show the leaning of this lineage to YAHWEH; He was the God of this household from their forefathers:

The God of Abraham, and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge betwixt us. And Jacob sware by the fear of his father Isaac.

There is a clear trail of service to YAHWEH in the line of Seth all the way to this point. Somehow there always remained someone in that lineage that Served YAHWEH. Joseph too was one such and YAHWEH used him too!

Many years later on Israel incubates in Egypt and in the fullness of time becomes a great nation.  Moses is raised up by God in a rather curious manner and God uses him to deliver Israel with the apostolic and prophetic anointings and in miracles, signs and wonders; he as well led Israel in judging and teaching. But Moses as well placed leadership structures in place. He gave Israel its first recorded government consisting of the legislature, judiciary and executive. But the executive was prophetic and apostolic assisted by a council of 70 elders and leaders of the people.

Later on in comes Joshua, appointed by YAHWEH himself who operated heavily in apostolic mandate but in the prophetic as well. Exodus Chapter 33 and verse 11 tells us the following about Joshua:

And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.

Joshua's exit finally opens up entry to the judges. A close look at these judges reveals men and women who still wanted YAHWEH’s rule over Israel, thereby strictly observing His written law. Most of them were not prophetic or apostolic but very militant and clearly people of the law. For example Israel invited Gideon to become their king and to rule over them, but he refused, telling them that only YAHWEH was their ruler (Judges 8:22–23). The concept of king’s was not in Israel then for some reason. What is curious for anyone is a statement that two kings Gideon assassinated said about him and his brothers in the book of Judges Chapter 8 verse 18:

¶ Then said he unto Zebah and Zalmunna, What manner of men were they whom ye slew at Tabor? And they answered, As thou art, so were they; each one resembled the children of a king.

And he (Gideon) said, They were my brethren, even the sons of my mother: as the LORD liveth, if ye had saved them alive, I would not slay you.

What is apparent is that Gideon and his brethren had the countenance of Kings but still refused the title and office and would rather have kept the Judge office that ruled by the written Law of YAHWEH.

Then Israel asked Prophet Samuel for a king, and God gave them Saul, a man that fitted the description of the kings per the paradigm of their time. So, the delay of the office of kingship was not for the lack of the concept. It was just simply contrary to the structure of YAHWEH Elohim’s government. You see kings’ rule by personal charisma, human strength and valour. In fact a close look at Saul reveals he was not a man given to obedience to YAHWEH and that costed his house the throne of Israel to the House of David a man after Gods own heart by God’s own testament! See David was a king that ruled as a judge but also by prophetic and Apostolic anointing; interestingly he also ruled by the Holy Ghost when one reads his writings in the psalms.  He rediscovered the God of relationship. That is why there would lack none on the throne from his house. Solomon his son, inspite of his failures ruled by wisdom given to Him of God. Wisdom is a gift of God we increasingly grow into by all the above-mentioned offices. Solomon was given it by Gods Grace!

In the new testament scripture tells us the order of Gods order of governance going by 1 Corinthians chapter 12 verse 28:

And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

Please note the order; it is first Apostles, then prophets, then come teachers! Earthy government the way we know it today is way below in terms of this hierarchy! The reason the world is in turmoil today is that we have dropped that order around today simply because we do not understand it. We put the church under the earthly governments! The church in the past the understood this secret and actually impacted their world significantly.  The church of the reformation period led by the likes of Martin Luther, John Calvin and others understood this order and enforced it, and today we are still gleaning from their work.

Until the church today cleans up hear leadership act and restores herself to her kingly place and a place of alignment with the Word and principles of God, the world will continue her spiral down. That is not what God wants! The challenge is that there is simply too much disorder and corruption within the four walls of the church that she needs to first do a thorough clean up before she can be given again the responsibility for the world to have dominion and subdue it the way YAHWEH Elohim our God wants it.

Church the time has come! wake up! line up!

For God and my country!

 

WHO IS YOUR FRIEND, REALLY?

 

"...Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, and needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man...” (John.2:23 - 25)

 

How many true friends do you have? How many people around you believe in you for you? It is amazing how human nature naturally defaults to being exploitative. How human beings will shamelessly continue to pursue their own agendas veiled as Honorable acts. They were not afraid to try and exploit Jesus Christ too!

Sometimes we focus a lot on the world external to us and forget to zoom in onto ourselves. Today I would like you to cast the spotlight onto yourself. Are you a true friend? How many people are you true friends to? when was the last time you did something just to bless someone, not because they had something you needed? when was the last time you said something good to someone because you genuinely wanted to bless them with a great day?

Part of what makes life so complicated for many people in the world is that there is a shortage of people around them who love them genuinely for them. And yet everyone of us ever so often looks around for that person who we can lean on. Human beings were never created to be an island. Even the hardest nut job that you know still has a soft spot and still desires to be loved genuinely for who they are.

 This aspect about people makes the world a strange place to live in and yet we have to live in it and love it. These words for the book of John chapter 2 profer some advice for us all. Be careful about the words people speak about you. Not all the smiles, emoticons, giggles and words of praise come in good faith. One has to grow to a place where we love people, but also where we understand never to over estimate people. it is a delicate balance, but one gets there step by step by being honest with others and also learning what honesty is by practicing it. What many dishonest people do not know is that many of us can see you from a mile away, but in the hope that this interaction will help you get back on your way to a better person we keep it going. Many dishonest people think that when others do not make mention of their weird moves, it means they did not see the moves!

At the end of the day ask yourself; do you have anyone you call a true friend? Do you know that for sure? Do you have anyone in life you can genuinely depend on? If your answer to any of these questions is not clear, it is time to change your game and go out and make some friends, true friends!

COACH ALEX MUKISA: THE ENIGMA

A week before Uganda entered into Full lock-down for Covid-19 (to the best of my knowledge the first of its kind ever in our history as a nation), our church leadership announced a change in church strategy to the congregation. Part of what was in that strategy was emphasis on Media, community and the Youth. It was almost as if we had seen the future!

Lock-down happened, and it was airtight. For the first month, even a sneeze had to be done very discretely lest one attracted the fury of the marauding national guard that was on duty and enforcing this duty to the point of death for many unfortunate friends that departed in this time. What however intrigued me most is the events at our church and how these started playing out.

Coach Alex Mukisa is a boxer; he also loves training others into the sport. Actually, I too have some history in the sport, so I have a fairly good understanding of what makes a good boxer. I remember last year watching Alex going through some of his training routines; I was shocked at the techniques this guy was using; it was reminiscent of some of those scenes in the "Rocky" movies, only this time I was witnessing this kind of self discipline and drive first hand. Alex started going to different boxing competitions and soon built a reputation of knocking out his opponents. He has swiftly built a reputation for being a tough trainer too.

Towards end of last year a number of prophetic words were uttered upon Alex; he froze in his tracks at the mention of these words. Why? Alex the mighty actually was a very shy person. One never heard him speak a word when two or three people gathered; that already was a crowd for him. He never believed in himself much. Alex would come to me all worn with worry and concern on his face and he would go like

"Mzee, I don't know what God wants with me! why does He not use the good speakers? why does He have to choose me? I cannot even speak to a little kid..."

I would do my best at painting a picture of how God can turn anyone around as long as you simply believe his word and stand. Coach Alex would not hear of this; after all he is a former renegade child, cum street kid that felt he was of little value. He only got born again hardly Four years ago.

A couple of events happened just before the lock-down in Ttula Village where our church is located. Security in the neighborhood was swiftly being overran by marauding gangs. Alex is one of the people that help us keep our campus safe. During these times, gangs of "kanyamas" would lurk in the dark and jump at people passing by in the night. These events got closer and closer to our church doors until this was now happening only a couple of metres away from the church campus. On one fateful night, Mercy one of our daughters at church was attacked and badly beaten by this gang and her phone taken away. Everyone was angry about this violation. These incidents continued until a few days later another couple from the village was attacked and both their phones taken away.

Alex happened to be standing in the church compound when this happened. He heard the screams and rushed to the rescue. He arrived a couple of seconds later only to be pointed to silhouettes disappearing into the dark up a hill. He made after them; Alex does road work twice daily and runs about 10kms each time. Forty five minutes passed by and Alex made his way back with one of the criminals between him and another of his friends Coach Josh, another of these interesting young men God is using at church to change our community through football. The criminal was unconscious!

What had transpired, we were later told, is that the group of three criminals entered a thicket when Alex relentlessly chased them around the village. In desperation, they dived into one of the thickets they often used; Alex dived in after them. They then made the mistake of stopping and turning around to ambush him, apparently to harm him. What followed in that episode left one down and the other two running off for dear life. Alex  single handedly had swung one, yes just one of his secret left hooks and landed it onto the first guy and his lights immediately went out; his friends did not wait for who was next. They fled! This criminal was handed over to the Police, but not before he had led the group to their hide out. The couple as well received back both of their phones plus lots more phones were recovered in this one sweep!

Coach Alex fame has spread far and wide as the security of Ttula is improving. Alex in doing is daily training routine has been joined by a team of young men of Ttula and other areas far and wide. By last count he had a team of 150 young men that consistently now train boxing with him. He however has a strict code of conduct that emphasizes strict discipline on and off the makeshift gym facility at church. Lately, hundreds of people come and standby to watch this enigma called Alex, who does not look the part at all. In fact a few presumptuous persons have stepped over him and gone for the grand looking persons asking to see Coach Alex, only to be brought back to the "door mat" they had just walked all over as they walked in! Those types have left thoroughly humbled by their own bad manners.

God is using Alex! just the other day he called me aside and said

"Mzee, can you believe I talk to people and they listen to me! can you imagine that I have had an impact in changing so many young people’s lives!"

By the way, all this has unfolded during the lock down, and not by use of any intelligent methods, but by one young man chasing his passion, and chasing God, and allowing God to use him uniquely. Coach Alex needs a fully fledged gym as soon as lock-down ends and I intend to help in fundraising for it. We do have the space at church but we shall need equipment. 

What have you done for God lately? or are you still standing by waiting on the anointing to fall and angel Gabriel to speak, before God can use you mightily? I have learned that changing a community takes God, and a willing person, in whatever shape they come.  You have a talent that God has given you that you can use to change some people’s lives.

Avail yourself just as you are.