The season of newness

Recognized by most as Mai Busa Ziba, Priscilla Ziba is a wonder of a woman. The woman behind the father of the fastest growing ministry in Malawi, Fountain of Victory, she took some time out of her hectic schedule to chat with our reporter OTULI MUNLO.

Tell us a bit about yourself.

I was born at Queen Elizabeth Central hospital to a father from Thyolo and a mother from Chikhwawa. I have spent most of my life here in Blantyre. In Nkolokosa as a child and now in Naperi. I attended primary school at St. Pius and attained my MSCE at Zingwangwa Secondary School. I wanted to be a nurse but I did not have good grades from my sciences so I opted for a secretarial course. I have help receptionist positions ever since and now work at John Hopkins. I was more focused on prayer than anything else anyway. I met my husband in 1997 just as a friend during my spiritual journey and when I met him again on another occasion he proposed and in 2009 we were married at St. Columbus Church.

What is it like to be Mai Busa?

Before I met my husband I had promised myself that I would only accept the proposal of someone who had something unique. Someone who just had that thing that agreed with my soul. I was a very strong intercessor and that made it possible for me to know that I did indeed deserve someone deep. I was a star for God. Surely He would send me a star too. My parents wanted me to simply settle down, but I knew there was something waiting for me. And it was so easy when I met the pastor. His spirit was carrying greatness and my spirit said yes to it.

What is it like being the help mate of a man that powerful spiritually?

Over the years I have seen Pastor Ziba's power growing. He has been my spiritual father, mentor, pillar. He has been so up their in the spirit and I just had to follow and submit and watch him in awe. Lifting me up grooming me. Doing so much through what he has inside. It is not easy being married to such a man and you cannot be married with such a man without a strength anointing of your own. And in my case in the lord. In every wife there is a special provision in her that enables her to carry something for her husband through their journey. It can be your own talents, it can be a visionary mind. Whatever it is that specific man needs to find that specific thing in you. The man I married is powerful spiritually which means that I have to be the interceder. I have to yield to him so he finds someone to help him along. That explain why God made me such a hungry prayer warrior. The Pastor is one too. And through this gift of intercession, the special gifts in Pastor Ziba have been able to manifest.

How has the journey been so far?

Since the ministry started in 1996 we have seen it grow. I met him when he has already started his ministry, he had a vision, and he had all the ability and anointing invested in him. I came when he was just begin to experience the growth of his roots and I must say I have seen God work through him and in the ministry. As a family and a ministry we have seen God increase the treasures He has entrusted him with. There is just something in him that amazes me every day. I see him grow from strength to strength. When people see us they see something unique. We moved form our house to Madalo classrooms, then to Kwacha and in all these places we were packed beyond the 100 people the pastor used to minister to. We are now at Kudya and will be moving to our own place in the near future.

What are the main jobs that you perform as Priscilla?

As me I am a receptionist. I give my work the best shot. However as Mai Busa I find that my spiritual work is growing faster than my physical work. In fact I know deep down that I have a journey to make spiritually which will fully define who I am. As Pastor Ziba's wife I must stand behind my husband. I may not preach every Sunday but standing behind him, encouraging him, praying for him each time he delivers the word, giving him advice here and there are number one. The Bible says that we are helpers. We have to help our men in their professions, we have to help them spiritually. We are here to enable our men to increase in knowledge, to expand their territories, to work on their visions. A woman must be her man's supporter whatever his field of interest. In my role as Mai Busa I then take care of the female side of the congregation. There are some issues the Pastor cannot deal with that I have been entrusted by him to handle. And the women's ministry has grown to a level of holding its own conferences which the Pastor supports greatly.

Talking about conferences, each year Fountain of Victory had been known to hold one. Tell us about this year's.

This year's conference was awesome, different compared to any other. Almost 8,000 people gave their lives to God. It was titled "Heaven is Here" and the glory, anointing, and presence of God was there. We had over 15,000 people on the grounds and in the stands. There was salvation, healing, restoration and the full package that comes with God's touch.

There is a lot of controversy surrounding Pentecostal churches. In fact they are deemed unstable. What light can you shed on that?

Most people say that Pentecostal churches are weak. And yes it is true. The main stream churches seem to be longer lasting when compared to how long ministries have lasted. However it is through Pentecostal churches that much of the presence of God is felt by everyone and anyone. There is power in this world and a high level of that power is found where the spirit of God is sought with hunger and where there is the presence of God, miracles happen. You notice that there is God in a place where He touched even the heart. If Moses said he would not go if the presence of God would not lead despite the fact that he could perform miracles what does that tell us? It tells us God's presence is more than about miracles. It is about an everlasting overhaul which genuine Pentecostal churches are here to offer the people. Demons, diseases, broken hearts, fear and anything that is not of God flees where He is. And this is what we are trying to teach people. So even if weaknesses have been found in Pentecostal churches, there is strength there. God there. Things cannot be all weak or all strong. All real or all fake. And doubt will always come in especially in this day and age where everyone is asking questions. Searching for truth.

What is the one gift that you think every woman should give to herself in this life?

1 Peter 1:2 advises us to observe the pure and modest way that woman of old had about them. This means that if we learn to have a submissive spirit, accepting that we are gentle, that we are good and that we are here to help even God himself. We will be able to claim that which is ours. This is not just for married women but for all women. Be modest in your appearance but in touch with the season, be fashionable, groom yourself, take great value in yourself but in accordance to what will protect the beauty in you. Presenting yourself with love and respect is good. And if you complete this with who you are in your heart. You have found the greatest treasure. When a woman accepts herself, heals inside, forgives, and allows room for growth in her spirit she is more able to possess a meek and quiet spirit. That is how any woman can become anything she wants to be.

We are three days away from 2013 what would your message be?

As people what we need to realize is that it is God that brings a new year and a new day. For this reason it is Him that we need to learn to put first. He needs to lead in everything that we do and when we put Him above all else: the finances and resolutions. We will see a newness each year. Mathew 6:33 says seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all else shall be added unto you. We often go for things of the world before we go for God. This leaves us exposed. God says that if my people will humble themselves and seek me I shall heal their land. If Malawi puts God first and seeks Him in everything. He shall heal our land. This is such a great thing to carry into each new year. I wish you all a happy and prosperous 2013.