How you can help... continued.
Love for AU Endures at Lindenkirche Berlin-Wittenau
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t the 62-year-old Berlin-Wittenau United Methodist Church in Germany, Africa University is a beloved ministry. Using birthday and anniversary celebrations, senior club gatherings and other events, the members of the congregation highlight and solicit gifts for the annual mission offering for Africa University. Their investment in Africa University has been generous and consistent for more than 30 years. “The connection between our congregation and Africa University is based on the work which Heinrich Meinhardt, our late pastor, did for the university,” said Rev. Anja Mueller, the church’s current pastor. Even before Africa University opened in 1992, Rev. Heinrich Meinhardt and Martin E. Brose, a German theologian, kept the Berlin-Wittenau congregation and the wider United Methodist Church of Germany informed about the university’s progress, impact and needs. Brose was a founding member of the Africa University Board of Directors and Meinhardt succeeded him on the board. They made presentations, organized
concerts, hosted students and leaders associated with the university, and urged United Methodists in Germany and throughout the European Central Conference to pray for and invest in Africa University. Birgit Meinhardt describes support for Africa University within the Berlin-Wittenau congregation as strong. Even if it is quieter since her husband’s death in December 2009, she says it is very much alive. Martin Brose, who still worships at the Berlin-Wittenau United Methodist Church, notes that congregants are keenly interested in the individual stories of the graduates and the contributions they are making in Africa. “The Africa University alumni are doing an excellent job in various African countries,” said Brose. “This proves that the investment of prayers and money is not in vain. Africa University is wellestablished and growing continually despite the very difficult political and social situation in Zimbabwe. ‘This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes’ (Ps. 118:23).”
Fighting Her Wars with the Bible
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ith just seven months in the role of University Chaplain, Rev. Maudy Muchanyereyi says that the assignment still feels like an adventure. Muchanyereyi, who earned a Bachelor of Divinity degree from Africa University in 2005, returned to serve as chaplain in January 2019. She is the first female chaplain in the institution’s 27-year history. “Working with the young people and helping to shape them through (spiritual) guidance, counseling and mentoring is so enriching in my personal Christian journey,” said Muchanyereyi. As a teenager in high school in the mid-1990s, Muchanyereyi recalled being haunted by a dream in which people were enlisting in the army in preparation for war. In the dream, she joined the queue to enlist. But, when her name was called and she stepped forward, instead of being handed a gun as others were, she was given a bible and told that she would fight her battles with it. It
took several years of counseling and mentoring before she accepted God’s calling. Muchanyereyi’s call story and journey convinced her of the importance of campus-based ministry. She describes interacting with the students, faculty members and administrators as she seeks to deepen and grow the spiritual life experiences of the Africa University campus community as humbling. “I have learned to always have an open mind, to accept all and not to judge, to advise and trust (staff and students) to make their own decisions,” said Muchanyereyi. “The diversity here has opened my eyes to the wider experiences of life, and I can’t imagine experiencing this anywhere but at Africa University.” On the cusp of her second semester as chaplain, Muchanyereyi is excited about what is ahead and confident that she is right where she needs to be.
equipment, and faculty salaries. Consider these additional ways of helping the university educate new leaders for the nations of Africa: Planned Gifts are the foundation for the long-term survival of Africa University. As you make your estate plans, consider leaving a gift or bequest to Africa University in your will. If you have already included the university in your estate plans, please let us know so we may welcome you to the Richard E. “Dick” Reeves Legacy Society. Usahwira — This word in the Shona language means “a beautiful friendship.” Encourage your local church can become a partner with Africa University by supporting one student for four years. The annual cost of supporting one undergraduate student is just under $6,000. Local churches may provide full or partial scholarships. Endowment Fund — Give to the Africa University Endowment Fund (World Service Special Gift #03-0188). The interest income from the endowment provides scholarships for our students. For more information about giving opportunities or to make a gift, visit us at support-africauniversity.org. To learn about Africa University and its impact, visit africau.edu. Let’s work together to continue the transformation of lives and of Africa. To download resources to help tell the story of the Africa University Fund apportionment, visit: umcgiving.org/auf. Current resources include: • Africa University: Where Africa Happens Every Day (video) • Africa University at 25 years: Seeding Hope, Shaping Opportunity (video) • This is our mission (brochure) • AU in a Nutshell (presentation) Africa University Development Office P.O. Box 340007 Nashville, TN 37203-0007 (615) 340-7438 audevoffice@gbhem.org www.support-africauniversity.org
