As part of Global Youth Day (GYD), 2020, the North Zimbabwe Conference Youth Empowered to Serve (Y.E.S.) team in conjunction with Mufakose District of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, resolved to refurbish the house of the Muhoni family in Mufakose District. Youth Empowered to Serve is a group made up of young Master guides from North Zimbabwe Conference. They came together to pursue their shared interest for community service lead evangelism. The Muhoni house was gutted by fire in June 2013. The household furniture was reduced to ashes owing to a blaze, which resulted from an electrical fault. The family, which is not of the Adventist faith, was living in abject poverty and struggling to make ends meet. Well-wishers extended a gesture of love when they donated a tent to the family some seven years ago, which since then has been a roof for the family. Due to being exposed to the sun and rain, the tent was now tattered and torn, thereby barely serving its purpose to provide shelter for the family.
When the Y.E.S. Team got wind of the family’s predicament, they saw it fit to step in to address the challenges facing the family. Resources were mobilized from church members, including a donation from the Zimbabwe East Union Conference. Building material was acquired, and construction work commenced on the 29th of June 2020. Our hearts are filled with joy, as the house is now complete. The family finally has a solid roof over their heads. Despite our limited resources, going forward, our objective is to help address the inequities in our society because indeed little is much when God is in it. As the Y.E.S. team, witnessing the circumstances under which others are living has made us count our blessings. We have been inspired to continue doing what we can to make a difference.
We would like to urge Adventist Youth around the world not to forget those without the luxuries of shelter and to genuinely care for the homeless around them. We have experienced living a life of plenty at times and also living without adequate resources. We believe our theology of service should move from right doctrines, right theology, and right teachings to right actions. One author penned; Christ method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Saviour mingled with men as one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them ‘follow me’ Welfare Ministry pg. 60.
By Ittai Innocent Chimwala
Photos courtesy of Teo Events
