My Name is Dr. Patience, Itai Hove,
Growing up as a young girl in the remote rural area of Honde Valley in the eastern part of Zimbabwe, I never dreamt of becoming an author. I disliked reading but enjoyed listening to old African tales from my maternal grandmother, who raised me for the first nine years of my life.
When I was an infant, my mother left to study abroad, and six months later, my father passed away, leaving me in the care of my grandparents at the age of two. I grew up between my maternal grandmother, a devoted Christian, and my paternal grandmother, a traditional healer, absorbing rich folk tales and observing the world through two distinct lenses. Little did I know that it was God’s sovereign foundation for my future as an author, minister, counsellor, and the leader of a multi-faceted, multi-racial, and international organisation.
In 2002, I embarked on a journey to the Holy Land—a life-defining experience that left an indelible mark on me. Determined to preserve every moment, I meticulously recorded each day’s events in my journal. That unforgettable two-week trip not only took my breath away but also marked the first of four visits to Israel.
I had taken prayer request notes from my congregants to Solomon’s Temple and placed them at the prayer wall.
After that trip, I decided to transform my little paperback notebook of memoirs into a small pamphlet, which I titled Walking in Jesus’s Footsteps. The book became very popular among the women who supported me during that time. I reprinted it twice within three months.
Part 2 .After reading my book, people began sending testimonies, sharing how their prayers had been answered. That excitement in the ministry led me to compile their testimonies into another book, Pains of a Christian Woman: Part 1.
My following book emerged almost naturally from the question-and-answer sessions during morning meetings of our ElShaddai Women’s Fellowship. That book became Journey to Christian Maturity, and from there, the rest is history. Many more books followed, particularly those inspired by my counselling work, including Breaking the Cycle of Bondage, Faith Chases Away Fear, We Are in a Battlefield, Understanding Your Dreams and Women, God’s Good Idea. To date, I have written and published over 30 books.
From a Branch to an Arrow , was born out of a painful season in my life. I had just lost my only surviving brother, who had been both my best friend and a father figure. At the same time, I had gone through a heart-breaking divorce after twenty-eight years of marriage, leaving me with ponderous questions and a strong desire to find meaning.
In From a Branch to an Arrow, I chronicle my journey of pursuing Christ’s calling upon my life. Despite countless challenges—watching those around me falter, some even drawing away, and experiencing moments where my own world seemed to fall apart—I press on. Like the arrow God has shaped me to be, I strive towards the target He has set for me, unrelenting in my pursuit. And when I finally reach that place of golden streets, I long to hear my Lord and Saviour say: ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have accomplished your goal; sit by my right hand until the final day of judgment.
As the last-born in a family of four, I wondered why God had chosen me to be the arrow that would break through barriers and build a vast conglomerate, ElShaddai Ministries International. This ministry houses the following five arms:
1. ElShaddai Voluntary Organisation
2. ElShaddai Women’s Fellowship
3. ElShaddai Youth with a Passion
4. ElShaddai Couples Ministry
5. ElShaddai Transformational Church; and ElShaddai Biblical Academy
Alongside the ElShaddai Ministry arms, I have also established several philanthropic initiatives, such as Zvafadza Denga Academy, a school for underprivileged children in a remote part of Zimbabwe, known as Njanja.
For From a Branch to an Arrow, I sought the wisdom of an archer to understand the process of making an arrow. That research also birthed another book, Woman: God’s Good Idea.
From a Branch to an arrow 🏹
In From a Branch to an Arrow , I chronicle my journey of pursuing Christ’s calling upon my life. Despite countless challenges—watching those around me falter, some even drawing away, and experiencing moments where my own world seemed to fall apart—I press on. Like the arrow God has shaped me to be, I strive towards the target He has set for me, unrelenting in my pursuit. And when I finally reach that place of golden streets, I long to hear my Lord and Saviour say: ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have accomplished your goal; sit by my right hand until the final day of judgment.
A particularly impactful book, The Silence That Broke the Walls of Jericho, originated from a message I preached at Liberty House in Kenya, which is led by Bishop Kepha Omae under the Redeemed Churches. This church has become my home whenever I visit Kenya, as I am a daughter of Archbishop Arthur Kitonga and Apostolic Bishop Josephine Kitonga.
The message was so impactful that after the sermon, many people requested that I write a book on the topic. My passion for the title made it easy to bring pen to paper, resulting in the book
The Silence That Broke the Walls of Jericho.
In The Silence that Broke the Walls of Jericho, I wrote as the Scriptures God brought my way guided me. Joshua’s unconventional conquest of Jericho remains a profound source of inspiration for every Christian. Yet, silence is a discipline that many believers struggle with. We often become so excited by God’s blessings—both received and anticipated—that we overflow with enthusiasm, forgetting that the enemy is never pleased with any victory in the lives of Christ’s children. Every triumph exposes his evil schemes. The devil knows his time is short, and he relentlessly seeks to steal God’s children away. Any information he gains from the Kingdom of God, he twists to sow doubt about Christ’s sovereignty and ultimate triumph.
It is essential to maintain the silence and serenity displayed by Israel during their conquest upon the wall of Jericho. Only let the victory you have encountered in obedience to the Word of God do the shouting for you upon your “seventh day” of victory!
The Silence that Broke the Walls of Jericho.
In The Silence that Broke the Walls of Jericho, As the Scriptures God brought my way, guided me. Joshua’s unconventional conquest of Jericho remains a profound source of inspiration for every Christian. Yet, silence is a discipline that many believers struggle with. We often become so excited by God’s blessings—both received and anticipated—that we overflow with enthusiasm, forgetting that the enemy is never pleased with any victory in the lives of Christ’s children. Every triumph exposes his evil schemes. The devil knows his time is short, and he relentlessly seeks to steal God’s children away. Any information he gains from the Kingdom of God, he twists to sow doubt about Christ’s sovereignty and ultimate triumph.
