Missions in a COVID-19 world.
Our teams have refused to give up on the Great Commission, despite incredibly challenging circumstances in Africa.
Evangelism is the heartbeat of African Enterprise. We exist to share the eternal hope of the Gospel, and this hasn’t changed. In 2020, AE has developed a home-based evangelism (HBE) approach to share the Good News of Jesus, in spite of COVID restrictions.
The HBE model equips believers to share the Gospel with their families and neighbours, in a structured and effective way. The approach focuses on personal evangelism, on a large scale. Mission volunteers facilitate home gatherings, where a pre-recorded or live Gospel message is shared using television, radio, mobile phone or social media platforms. The Gospel broadcast is followed by a personal testimony and an invitation to follow Christ, extended by the HBE facilitator.
Between mid-April and July 2020, our AE teams trained 2,590 pastors and volunteers in the HBE approach, and have found the approach holds enormous potential for evangelism, as well as discipleship. For example, one church in Lukunga, DRC, was able to share Christ with at least 945 people, in multiple homes, on a single Sunday.
One mission volunteer in Kenya, Nancy, has shared the Gospel with over 300 people since the HBE approach was implemented there in May. When she shared the Gospel with a Facebook acquaintance, the 24-year old Margaret, Nancy had no idea that Margaret was suicidal. Nancy describes:
“I shared the Gospel and she made a commitment for salvation during one of our phone calls. The following day we met and from that time, we have created a relationship that is exceptional. It is wonderful to see the great transformation Christ has brought to this sister. She is now happy in the Lord. Today, as I see her smiling, I often have the sobering thought that, if the Gospel had not come her way, she would possibly not be alive!”
Our brothers and sisters in Africa are passionate for the cause of Christ, and our support means so much as they choose to “preach the word of God” and “be prepared, whether the time is favourable or not” (2 Timothy 4:2).
“Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed” (Proverbs 19:17).
Through your recent gifts, you have shown God’s love in action amongst communities that are reliant on a hand-up in difficult times. Through you we were able to send emergency funds to each of our teams in Africa as a part of a local community led response to ensure sustainable approach to Covid-19 prevention. These funds were much needed as poverty-stricken communities were in urgent need of food and hygiene supplies as they continue to develop much needed vocational skills to support their families in a healthy way.
Below follows a short update of what you have helped make possible through the work of our various teams to address community needs during this crisis period.
AE DRC have worked hard to give hope through TV engagements, and distributing sanitation stations to 96 communities which included a bucket, soap, sanitiser and reusable facemasks and food hampers.
AE Ethiopia have given out 300 facemasks, food hampers and hygiene and sanitation products to date.
AE Ghana have distributed food to 5,000 families with the assistance of the women’s training project in Akropong, Akuapem and their successful Cassava plantation.
Our Soweto Kayole Clinic at AE Kenya has given medical assistance to 1252 patients so far. The team has also distributed 1345 food hampers and 700 facemasks. In addition to this, the team is working hard to give messages of hope and educating people through TV, radio and social media on COVID awareness and prevention. They have reached 6907 people through media engagements so far.
AE Malawi have distributed 110 facemasks and hygiene and sanitation items to families in need. The team has also donated blood which is such a great gesture during this time of need. They have reached 3000 households through media engagements and continue with training pastors and home based evangelism for their upcoming mission in September.
Initially AE Tanzania had challenges due to government regulations. They have only recently been authorised to start distributing food and other supplies. So far they have provided 3 schools with hand soap and buckets and they have also distributed sanitiser and facemasks to bus and boda (taxi) drivers.
AE Rwanda has been very blessed and very busy, distributing 23 560 food hampers, 1000 facemasks and 3200 hygiene and sanitation items. They have also been able to reach 98 000 people through media engagements.
The Ngezandla Zethu Sewing project run by AE South Africa are currently busy sewing 2500 reusable facemasks for distribution. The AE team have also given out 4956 hampers with food and hygiene and sanitation products. They have distributed 300 facemasks so far and have reached 68 000 people through media engagements.
AE Zambia distributed water buckets, soap and hand sanitiser to a local school and have also given out 300 facemasks in Kaunda Square.
AE Zimbabwe have distributed 150 facemasks and 5000 hygiene and sanitation items. They have also given out food hampers and sanitation items to people with albinism who were in dire need of such provisions.
Thank you for partnering with us to help those in need in Africa and show the love of Jesus in word and deed. Please continue to pray for our teams as they carefully and faithfully serve in their communities in the desperate time of need. Our teams in Africa are so grateful for your love and support.
Prayer is such an important part of supporting African Enterprise. It’s one of the gifts you can give Africa – your time in prayer. And Africa needs your prayers now more than ever.
A couple of months ago when we compiled our Prayer Diary for May, June and July, we did not know the challenges that we would be facing. As always we look at our calendar and prepare the prayer points around the mission activities happening during that month. This time however, what we planned three months ago has changed enormously from what we are currently facing. The number of coronavirus infections are increasing drastically daily in Africa and more than ever we need to pray for our teams and the people in Africa.
As our CEO, Ben Campbell mentioned in the Prayer Diary:
“Please pray especially for the vulnerable refugee populations, and other marginalised communities, that have less access to help. In all things, our hope and confidence remain firmly in the Lord! As Isaiah 40:31 (NIV) says: “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.” May God bless, strengthen and encourage you today, as you continue to pray for the salvation and healing of people in Africa. “
Throughout June and July, please join with us in prayer for all of our AE Teams. They are all facing unprecedented times. We will keep you up to date with all the latest articles and responses from our teams as far as possible on our website and facebook page.
Updated prayer requests will also be uploaded to the PrayerMate App.
We are also in the last few days of our Prayer and Fasting Season ending on Pentecost Sunday with a Global Day of Prayer.
Additionally, let us know if you are interested in starting or joining a prayer group. It can be among you and your friends, families, colleagues or members of your church. You can meet face to face or online and as frequent as you want. Let’s gather in the name of Jesus and pray for Africa. Please send an email directly to ae@aeint.org if you would like to be part of or to start a prayer group.
Thank you for spending time in prayer for African Enterprise.
Passionate about caring for People with Albinism
Malcolm & Pam Humphreys
Supporters of AE: 30 years
We have been supporters of African Enterprise for over 30 years and have been delighted and amazed at the size of the harvest as the gospel has been proclaimed by AE outreaches to millions of people all over Africa.
Over the years, as we have travelled through the continent, we have seen many examples of Christian churches sharing God’s love in their communities with an enthusiasm that many western nations would covet. We have also been saddened to see so many people in desperate need including a group of people with albinism (PWA). Albino people are to some extent a forgotten people in the cities and rural communities in Africa.
Albinism is caused by low amounts of melanin, a protein which provides the skin pigmentation required to protect against the harmful effects of sunlight’s UV rays. Africa has the highest incidence of albinism in the world. Because of their white skin, often scarred by skin cancers and with a pink eye colour, they stand out in communities and their difference with others often leave them to be feared, marginalized, even persecuted and without job opportunities.
As a family we had been providing some support to albino people elsewhere in Africa and felt led to extend that help to Zimbabwe. It seemed logical to ask AE in Australia if we could visit the Harare AE office to discuss how we hoped to start helping PWA and other needy people there. We had immediate encouragement from the Australian CEO at the time, Peter Cheel, to do so and some weeks later we met with Guide Makore, Zimbabwe team leader in Harare. With Guide’s enthusiastic support his wife Forgiveness committed to joining our efforts to reach out PWA and other needy people.
The programs aim is firstly, to bring self-respect to albino people and the good news that God looks at their hearts with love. Also to educate communities to help take away the stigma of albinism. Secondly to provide and encourage the use of sunscreens, hats and clothing that protects against the sun. Thirdly to develop and encourage self-help projects, such as chicken egg production or breeding, peanut butter making and planting cereal for crops and fruit trees for gardens.
We are very grateful to AE for allowing us to call on Guide services despite his commitment to AE Zimbabwe and of course his lovely wife Forgiveness who is really the glue in organizing and implementing our support programs in Zimbabwe.
Above all we are grateful for God’s blessing on these efforts. When we started the program we were aware of only 1 person with albinism in Harare. We now commonly have 200 people with albinism and their families attending outreaches in Harare.
Thanks to the bush telegraph we also now provide help and support to a similar number in Chitungwiza, Gutu and as far afield as Binga.
God loves people with albinism and so should we.
Passionate about caring for Africa.
Arthur Adeney
Supporter of AE: 30 years
Arthur was born in Burundi Africa where his parents were mission workers with the Church Mission Society for 40 years. He attended boarding school in Uganda and Nairobi before finishing his schooling career in London. After completing his medical degree, Arthur and his wife Jan spent 12 years in Tanzania with Crosslinks Mission Society. They moved to Australia after their time in Tanzania but have continued to support the work that AE does for the past 30 years. Arthur is passionate about caring for Africa, not just because he grew up there but also because he has seen first handed what God’s work has done in Africa.
You can read more about Arthur in the July edition of African Harvest magazine.
Burundi map source: https://www.britannica.com/place/Burundi
Burundi hut source: https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/485755509778955110/
Let us not fail Africa.
As nations all over the world race to respond to COVID-19 to protect their own citizens, looking to other countries needs can seem too much. Africa inevitably will take a low priority for many.
Yet while physical borders close, the virus itself knows no race or creed. In an interconnected world what affects Africa will in turn affect the world.
The Director General of World Health Organization, Dr Tedros Adhanom, has pointed out that “History will judge us on how we respond to the poorest communities in their darkest hour.”
As Christians we have a far higher authority. The King of all history who knows and sees all has said “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these children of mine, you did for me…(but) whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me” (Matthew 26:40, 45).
Think of Zimbabwe.
Doctors and nurses are currently striking because their government has not provided adequate personal protective equipment.
Today is the fourth of a 21 day lockdown. Some poorer residents may live five to a room.
Residents of the capital, Harare, have complained that they are without potable water supplies – leaving them vulnerable to other diseases such as cholera.
Maize meal, the staple, is in extremely short supply, leading to queues of hundreds. There are reports of some retailers increasing the cost of staple foods by double or more.
Due to the crippling economic situation, the government coffers are near empty and unemployment of 90% has left the majority with no buffer of savings.
Currently, the 14 per cent of Zimbabweans living with HIV cannot access their medication.
Electricity supply is continuing to be disrupted for up to 17 hours a day.
Will you consider beginning a monthly pledge, no matter how small, at this critical time?
Please pray:
In repentance: Father God, we have too often sought our own comfort and ignored the cries of your poor. Please give us a heart to love you by loving your people, wherever they might be.
- For the nation of Zimbabwe whose people are without worldly hope.
- For AE staff in Zimbabwe – that their families may be provided for.
- For Christians in Zimbabwe now no longer able to fellowship in church – that no sheep would be lost.
- For gospel workers in Zimbabwe to know how to encourage and keep the flock.
What changed his “bad guy’s” heart?
Dear friend,
At 15 years old, Alexis Gezani (pictured 2nd from the right above) from Zimbabwe was not on the right path.
“I was a bad guy who took pleasure in bullying others,” Alexis remembers.
But something changed the path of Alexis’ life forever: a group of young men and women visited his school assembly and spoke about the love of God.
Alexis had never heard these things before, but they touched him deeply:
“I was brought up in a family that did not know Christ or ever talk about God. The message of Christ’s love for me, leading to the point of dying on the cross for my sake, was amazing. I was embarking on a new journey that I had never travelled before.”
There are so many other people across Africa – young and old – like Alexis, who need to be transformed and led to a new life by the love of Christ. And that’s why I’m writing to you today.
Mission 2020 is committed to reaching 1.6 million people this year, so that 100,000 people make personal commitments to follow Christ!
You can play a vital role today in reaching every single strata of society, so that every single life can be reached with the Gospel. 100,000 commitments means there’s 100,000 reasons to give.
The group that visited Alexis at school was the AE Zimbabwe Foxfires – a team of young evangelists trained and equipped to share the Gospel with teens and young adults.Three years after the day when Alexis committed his life to Christ, he himself became an AE Foxfire at the age of 18!
Today he travels the country as an evangelist, reaching more young people with the Good News of the Gospel – and he also has big plans for the future:
“I have made a choice to serve God as His full-time servant. Once I complete my one-year Foxfire contract, I want to enrol in a Bible college full-time to prepare to be a pastor.
“It is my prayer that God by His grace will make it possible for me to be His servant. I look forward to going back to my people and preaching to them the Good News of Jesus Christ!”
Alexis now has such passion for God’s Word that he is constantly looking for more opportunities to pass the Gospel on to others.
With your gift today, you can help other young people like Alexis – and people of all generations and ages – discover the same passion and joy in following Jesus.
Your gift will provide training, resources and ongoing support to mission teams across Africa, including the Foxfires teams, as they preach God’s Word to everyone God puts in their path.
Through your support, Mission 2020 will take the Gospel to African cities, equipping mission teams full of evangelists who, like Alexis, are on fire for Jesus to reach every stratum of society.
From servants to CEOs, prisoners to politicians, infants to immigrants – God’s Good News is for all of Africa.
So please give generously today to help 100,000 more people like Alexis discover how wonderful and life-changing it is to follow Jesus!
God bless you and thank you for your prayerful consideration.
Ben Campbell
Chief Executive Officer
African Enterprise Australia
