Interviewing Comfort Nyati, SDB
In this debut interview section, I had discussion with Comfort Nyati SDB, a religious that has dedicated his time and life to serving the church. – Mish
Welcome Comfort, thank you for honoring our invitation for this interview. Tell us a bit about yourself and your background?
Thanks for the rare honor too. My name is Comfort Nyati, born from a family of three boys, I am the last. I am a Zimbabwean national. A Salesian of Don Bosco, currently in Rome, Italy studying theology.
How did your journey of faith begin, and how has it shaped your life and career, including writing?
My faith journey began when I was in my mother’s womb. It did not only shape but formed and nurtured my well-being. I was born and bred in a very staunch Catholic family, no doubt. I was introduced into Christian faith few days after my birth, that is when I was baptized. With that initiation, my journey of faith began. I would say it has shaped me in many ways, thus, to appreciate God’s design in every human being.
I have been a church boy, I used to serve mass from the age of 8, in the language of us Roman Catholics, we call such boys ‘alter boys’. In my family, my uncle, the young brother to my father is a Catholic Bishop and my aunt, my father’s young sister is a religious nun. With that ambience and passion, I decided to follow the religious way, I joined the Salesian congregation in 2013 just after completing high school.
As for writing, I don’t know how to give a precise answer to this, but I would rather say I was born a writer. I did not become but I was, and I am a writer.
Interesting that you come from a closely knitted Christian family. Could you buttress this part about not becoming a writer but being a born writer?
There are things that we do in life: some flow from the blood while some flow from water. Those which flow from the blood occur with no or less struggle and when done reveal themselves.
While those from the latter must undergo some kind of instruction, guidance and habituation into it, the struggle is unavoidable but with passion one overcomes. In my case writing is not something I studied like mathematics, it was an art born and I embraced it. I love and enjoy writing only that too many commitments hinder me to write more. When I write, yes inspiration is there but it flows from the blood.
Nice… This is clearer. What significance does the role of a Christian writer hold in your understanding?
It forms and informs the reader. I would also add that it acts as a tool of evangelizing to its audience. It catechizes Christian doctrines.
In which literary genre or genres do you specialise?
Mainly poetry and articles. With motivational content
Why these?
I am at home with them.
Poetry: you design and create art with words.
Articles: you explore an existential topic or issue, more of gathering and discharging information.
Who or what has been your greatest inspiration or influence in your Christian writing journey?
John Piper, Joseph Ratzinger, and Stella Gonye.
How have these writers influenced you?
Their theological method has been quite exceptional for me, they have a good grip of the bible, they have a certain level of wisdom which can easily be enculturated and contextualized. In short, they provide a broad theocentric picture of God towards His people.
Do you find yourself disengaging yourself from certain themes of writing and why? What are some of those topics?
Not really, in fact I remember during my time in Nairobi when I was doing my master’s in philosophy, I became more of a political satire and socio-economic critic. Why? Because of the situation which was happening back in my country.
That’s commendable. Well done! Are there specific Christian themes or messages that you find yourself returning to in your writing?
Not as such themes but the passage of Psalms 115 (Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness). that gives me an impetus in all I do. It speaks volumes in my heart.
How do you aim to engage your Christian audience through your writing? Do you have specific goals in mind when communicating with your readers?
I really don’t know at the moment concerning specific goals, perhaps later when I complete my studies, but as for now I usually go the motivational way, I provide counsel and I aim to promote inter-disciplinary dialogue.
That’s awesome. More grace in your studies. How do you see the connection between your faith and your writing? How does your Christian worldview shape the content you create?
Thank you! I would say, my faith is a book. I am reading it while rewriting it according to my personal experiences with God, man, and the world.
Can you share with us one or two of your favorite Christian writing projects and the stories behind them?
Each Christian would agree with me that he/she has an ambient that God has created for their earthly encounter. I like the word worldview because it summaries the life of a Christian as a pilgrim on earth. Faith is a journey, every step that I take adds to my index.
To be sincere, I have had the desire to write many Christian books using different genres but interestingly God has His own ways. I have been into academics since 2016 till present. This entails having little attention to concentrate on a writing project. However, in 2019 I began writing a Christian anthology which I finally published in 2021 on my birthday. titled “Seasonal Piety; A Poetic Manual”. The book was inspired by the Catholic liturgical calendar which has four seasons. It is a poetic manual that gives a reflection of the importance of the life of Jesus celebrated in different seasons in the church. The rest of the projects I have been doing has been helping out others in their Christian and non-Christian writing projects. I have written many Forewords, provided support and advice to many who today have published.
How does it add to your index?
Okay I said step, perhaps it wasn’t enough, the point is, like I mentioned before, as a Christian, I believe every person has a God element in him/herself, the world as an earthly God house has also God element.
Therefore, my relationship with people around is very important for me to gather more insights on how God operates. Of course, this sounds subjective due to a relative interpretation. How? I note down in my diary every night the events of the day, especially the most touching. These becomes inspirational tools in my poetry writings.
Can you share a personal reflection or testimony about how your writing has touched someone’s life in a meaningful way?
I would admit that I haven’t written a lot. Interestingly, last year almost every day I used to publish a poem on my WhatsApp status; they were very motivational poems. I used to call them motivational nuggets, I tell you many people appreciated them a lot such that some started using them as their daily devotionals. And my debut, Seasonal Peity was used by three priests two years ago in preparing sermons in the Lenten season.
There is a lot I could say about testimonies, but that is enough.
Such amazing impact… You should write and share more often. What advice would you give to aspiring Christian writers who are looking to integrate their faith into their creative work?
Thank you. That has been my prayer. Only that schoolwork has been on my heels for a while. It becomes a challenge to multitask.
They should never give room for discouragement. They should develop writing habits in their daily routines and be open for guidance. They should not write for business, rather nurture writing as a business for God.
Are there any upcoming Christian writing projects you’re excited about or currently working on?
Currently, I don’t have.
Any final thoughts or messages you would like to share with the readers of Crusaders Christian Magazine?
Thank you for honoring me with this opportunity to share something about my Christian and Christian writing journey. Remember that all we do is not solely to us or for us, but to Him and for Him, it is all for the glory of God. Utilize that appointed time that God provides to be His mouthpiece, for you never know when the next will come.