Our Visitor from Zimbabwe

This past week has been busy and exciting. We were blessed to have a houseguest from Zimbabwe for the week. Someone we’d never met, yet had been in touch with for several years. His name is Stephen Maphosah. (the “h” is silent) He is the area director for AWANA in all of Africa. We first learned about Stephen through the AWANA programs adopt-a-club when Charley was younger. Stephen was an AWANA missionary at the time, in charge of clubs throughout his country.
For those of you who aren’t familiar with AWANA, it’s a children’s club that stands for Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed (of the Gospel of Christ).
The clubs take place in churches (or outdoors) for the most part and teach Scripture memory, games and Bible lessons. In some ways, a discipleship program as well. Since the program involves the parents too, many families have come to know the living Savior. The clubs range in age from preschool through high school.
Stephen was in the states for a couple of months, contacted us and asked to come visit. I was elated. This is someone I’ve wanted to meet for years. Though I expected that to be in Africa, Tennessee would do (the headquarters is in Chicago). (lol)
It was such a blessing to have him with us. I set up a few speaking engagements for him while he was here and was able to attend these with him. He spoke to 2 AWANA clubs, a couple of Sunday School classes, a Perspectives class and a college group.
I believe the college group was one of the highlights, since the leader and her son had been in Zimbabwe for a month and had learned songs in Shona (not sure of the spelling), his native language. He challenged the young people who all have a heart to follow after God and to go to the nations. It’s exciting to know that we will witness every tongue, tribe and nation in heaven, whether or not we are able to go to any of those people or meet them in our own country.
Stephen shared his testimony, which was powerful in itself and he shared what God is doing throughout Africa to bring boys and girls to the knowledge of a living Savior. Though they may not have uniforms or books as we do in our country, they love coming to club. Many walk 1-3 miles to learn from the Bible and to play games with other children in the surrounding villages and cities.
AWANA is located in 23 African countries at this time and they continue to spring up all over. I was totally amazed to hear that there are 60 clubs in the Kibera slums of Nairobi, Kenya. Can you imagine? This slum is home to a million people. It’s as big as New York City’s Central Park, about 1.5 square miles (another source says 2.5 sq. mi.) The population density is 30 times that of New York City, with no multi-level housing.
Another place I was surprised to hear about was Nigeria--there are at least 54 clubs in that country.
While here, Stephen met with a man that wants to support clubs in Ethiopia since he is adopting a child from that country. That’s exciting.
God is moving in Africa! 48% of the population there is under the age of 14. AWANA is raising up a new generation to change their country, their continent, their world.
Please remember to pray for the children of Africa. They too need a Savior.