A Story of Faith, Prayer, and Miracles: Mr. Siwela’s Journey

Four years ago, I received an email from Mr. Siwela, a blind school teacher in Zimbabwe who teaches visually impaired students. His plea was straightforward but urgent—his braille computer had broken, and without it, he couldn't teach. The Buy a Brick Foundation stepped in, and we were able to donate a new braille computer. That chapter closed with gratitude and hope.

Fast forward to August 2024: Mr. Siwela reached out again, this time requesting 5,000 bricks to build a small homestead for his family. We committed to providing the bricks, but there was no follow-up until January 2025.

Living four hours from our base camp at the iRoCK Lodge in Victoria Falls, visiting Mr. Siwela isn’t easy. However, our Project Coordinator, Kumbie Tshambo, had to travel to Bulawayo for materials, and he made it a point to check on Mr. Siwela.

When Kumbie returned, he called with heartbreaking news: Mr. Siwela had none of the materials needed to build his homestead—not cement, timbers, or zinc sheeting for the roof. The total project cost had escalated from $1,000 to $6,300. He and his family were living in conditions that were far from suitable, and he desperately needed a safe place for them.

As much as we wanted to help, this was a dilemma. The Buy a Brick Foundation’s mission is to support communities, not individuals. Allocating an extra $5,300 to this one project could mean delaying or halting other critical initiatives, like roofing a clinic that serves 3,000 people or laying the foundation for a new secondary school.

I struggled with this decision. My heart ached for Mr. Siwela, but I knew we had to stay true to our mission. Kumbie and I prayed for guidance, and I reminded him that while we aren’t saviors, Jesus is. We guaranteed Mr. Siwela the 5,000 bricks we’d promised, but I had to tell him we couldn’t cover the additional costs—unless God intervened.

That day, I poured my heart out to God, wrestling with the weight of the situation. I reminded Him that He owns “the cattle on a thousand hills” and asked Him to take this burden and provide for Mr. Siwela in a way that only He could.

Hours later, as I was driving home, a small voice nudged me to stop by the post office. I almost ignored it, but it persisted. So I went.

Opening the mailbox, I found an envelope from a faithful supporter of the Buy a Brick Foundation. I expected the check to be between $350 and $750. But when I opened it, I was speechless.

The check was for $5,407, with $100 designated for our feeding program—leaving exactly $5,307. Combined with our initial $1,000 commitment, it was the exact amount needed for Mr. Siwela’s homestead: $6,300.

I stood there, tears streaming down my face, overwhelmed by God’s provision. The #7 in the $6,307 total stood out to me—biblically, it represents completeness and perfection. This wasn’t coincidence; it was a miracle.

I immediately called Kumbie and shared the incredible news. Within days, the materials—bricks, cement, timbers, and zinc sheeting—were on their way. Construction on Mr. Siwela’s five-room homestead began, and in just 15 days, his family will have a safe and secure place to call home.

This experience reminded me of the power of prayer and the importance of surrendering our struggles to God. Sometimes, the answers come when we least expect them, but they are always on time.

If you’re facing challenges, don’t give up on God. There’s power in His name, and He is faithful to provide in ways that glorify Him.

Thank you to everyone who supports the Buy a Brick Foundation. Your generosity is changing lives—one prayer, one brick, one miracle at a time.

With Christ’s love,

Gib Leonard