At an age when most people are putting their feet up, and giving into a lazy afternoon, Nzanbemo was starting a whole new chapter of his life. Nzanbemo Lotha, a 66-year-old man who spent his life doing what was needed, chose to put aside his desire of studying theology. Being from a poor family, he learnt from his father, who was a farmer, that hard work was not a choice but a necessity to survive.
Nzanbemo spent his life working, and with the money he earned, he married and was blessed with four children. As his family grew, so did his expenses. Nzanbemo gave his best to provide for his family, and once his children were all grown up and settled financially, he began to think of his own life. Throughout the six decades of his life, Nzanbemo’s desire to study theology hadn’t faded one bit! He knew now was his time to pursue his lifelong desire.
Close to the age of sixty, Nzanbemo enrolled himself. “Even though I was old, I understood God had given me this time to take up theology”, Nzanbemo said humbly. Each day he would get dressed, put on his backpack and walk to college just like all the other students. Though he felt a lot of embarrassment and nervousness about his age and ability to learn at the pace of youngsters, he contentedly said, “But since God had put this desire in my heart, I forgot all about the embarrassment.”
Though the internal embarrassment ended, people began mocking him, even calling him a mad man, as news spread of his courageous decision. It was an unusual idea and a strange sight watching an old man walking to college, while others his age sit on the porch sipping hot tea. Just like many characters in the Bible, Nzanbemo believed completely in his goal and with strength from God, was unfazed by their comments. Once inside, Nzanbemo had to deal with a different set of staring eyes – those of his classmates. They would call him Baba or Uncle, and Nzanbemo wondered if his name had officially become Baba in class!
Though his classmates thought it strange to have a ‘Baba’ among them, they were immensely supportive of him. Wherever Nzanbemo would fall behind, they would help him catch up, saying, “Baba, it’s okay, and though you are old, you are giving your heart to this. Looking at you, we are all so encouraged.” Like any student, Nzanbemo spent many nights studying, and was greatly encouraged by his young classmates.
‘He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.’ These words of Isaiah 40:29-31 encouraged him as he completed his studies diligently, “This verse helped me ignore all the voices and temptations, and it brought me this far.”
Today, the people who once laughed at him, come up to him to pat him on the back and invite him to churches and group meetings to pray with them. Nzanbemo wisely motivates people saying, “God calls people because he has a certain plan. So, we should be faithful and not run away from his calling. With prayer and trust we should respond to his calling. Age has nothing to do with it, but only the people who believe in god and walk in His ways are used.”
