Ministry News August 2025
August 2025 Update
Chris & Nancy Maphosa
8/30/202510 min read
6th Missionary Journey, Hauna in Zimbabwe
What a privilege to partner with Christian World Outreach that specializes in leadership. Chris became one of the Leadership volunteer trainers where he facilitates Psychotherapy topics to leaders like “Intrapersonal Conflict", "Becoming a great leader", Etc. While in this training we had a session to cast the vision of T4T and see if trainee leaders would have interest in having their Sunday school and/or children’s workers trained. As usual T4T is God’s moment - all leaders signed up for T4T and wanted it done as soon as possible. However, due to Madagascar and South Africa mission trips already planned, the time for Hauna T4T training was set for some time in September 2025. Henceforth actual time to be finalized but the interest is very high.
Above: Culturally the 3 of us, as facilitators, bent down, clapping hands as a way of appreciating the gifts of bananas, sugar cane, etc given to us as a way of appreciating our ministry to them.
Above: Gift of bananas, sugar cane, etc., given to us to thank us for our ministry to them.
Above: Leadership training at Hauna Zimbabwe
Above: Leadership training participants at Hauna Zimbabwe
7th Missionary Journey - Madagascar Launch
Official Report from T4T Committee chairperson Sister Vololona: Launch of T4T Madagascar.
1. General Information
Event Title: Official Launch of T4T Madagascar
Date: June 28, 2025
Venue: Anosy Lake Garden
Main Organizer: T4T Madagascar
Partners/Churches/Organizations Involved: Baptist Bible Church of Madagascar and SIM Madagascar
2. Participants
a. Children
Total number of children: 147
Remarks: The children were enthusiastic, attentive, and actively engaged throughout the event.
b. Teachers/Volunteers
Total number of facilitators: 47
Remarks: Roles: Welcome, teaching, animation, security, logistics, etc.
Observations: All roles were well assigned. No logistical issues were encountered, and all necessary materials were available and complete. The event went according to plan.
3. Event Highlights
a. Welcome & Opening Activities.
The children were welcomed in an organized manner, having registered beforehand.
A song based on the key Bible verse was taught, followed by games and a drama performance of “The Lost Sheep,” which served as an icebreaker.
b. Main Lesson
Theme/Title: The Lost Sheep
Key Bible Verse: Luke 19:10
Learning Objective: “God loves me and is seeking me.”
Teaching Methods Used: Storytelling, drama/skit, visuals, games, and singing.
Children’s Reactions: Very enthusiastic and highly participative.
c. Additional Activities
Games/Workshops: Group games by age group
Craft Activity: Cotton collage on a drawing of a sheep
Other Animations: Group Zumba session
d. Speeches & Special Guests
The launch event was honoured by the presence and speeches of key representatives and leaders, including:
Rakotomalala – Representative of the Invited Guests
Razafiniaiana Honoré – Representative of the Baptist Madagascar Board 3. Rasolofondrainibe Mamy – Director of the SIM Board in Madagascar
Chris Maphosa – Regional Director of T4T for Southern Africa
Norovololona Malalatiana Rafidimanana – National Director of T4T Madagascar
Their speeches highlighted the importance of child discipleship, the role of the church in nation building, and the potential impact of the T4T program.
4 Snack/Break
Type of refreshments provided: Pastries, sandwiches, and natural juices
Organization (service, hygiene, distribution): Efficient and hygienic distribution by volunteers.
Quantity & Satisfaction: Refreshments were abundant; children were very happy
5. Logistics and Equipment
Equipment used: Sound system, tents, tables, benches, visuals, decorations
Condition: All items were in good condition
6. General Feedback
Event Highlights: Everything went according to plan; many new children attended.
Condition: All items were in good condition
7. Acknowledgements
We warmly thank all those who contributed to the success of this launch:
The special donation from one of our SIM Missionary, organizing team and volunteers
The invited guests and speakers
SIM, the Baptist Bible Church of Madagascar, and T4T Regional Leadership
8. Conclusion
Immediate Impact: Strong interest and joyful participation from the children
Follow-up: A partnership is being developed with the nearby church in Andavamamba to sustain the engagement of the children and continue the discipleship work initiated during the launch.
Below are assorted photos from the Madagascar T4T Launch:
T4T Training in Majunga
30 children’s workers and church leaders received T4T training in Majunga. The training went extremely great though language was very challenging as most trainees could not even understand French. Thank God for our local team which did a great job. However, they enjoyed Chris’ facilitation even though it was done through translation. One of the senior pastors said “I am over 30 years in Ministry but have never had such a training that makes my heartbeat for the children as I see how important they are in the kingdom of God. I will start using this material at my local church and spread it to others as well. Thank you so much for your mission work. We are grateful.”
Eye treatment and spectacles: To God be the Glory for the financial help donated to help the children and younger people who desperately needed eye treatment and spectacles. Below are a few of the children who received glasses.
8th Missionary Journey in Durban South Africa
Nancy and Chris were privileged to visit Umhlanga Baptist Church in Durban South Africa, one of our supporting churches, and had an opportunity to preach and share on Ministry (T4T). We were encouraged to connect with the pastor in charge and family who are our friends and the rest of the church members at large. To God be the Glory. The 8th Missionary Journey ended up at the SIM Spiritual Life Conference which ran July 14-18, 2025 where the South Africa SIM Board Chair was mightily used by our Great God to encourages and challenge us on igniting hope and resilience from the book of 1 Peter, as we serve in our different fields as missionaries.
Above: Umhlanga Baptist Church, Durban South Africa
Above: Group at SIM Spiritual Life Conference
The NewT4T Mid-week Program Report by Dinah Rakotomalala: T4T Ambohidratrimo. July 28 – August 1, 2025
Summary and key achievements: during these five days, we reached 129 students with the gospel of salvation, significantly exceeding our initial goal of 50-60 students. We are praying that the seeds we have sown will take root in the hearts of the students and bear fruit for the kingdom of our Lord God.
Student Demographics
The students were divided into three age groups: Under 17: 25 (19%) Under 12: 46 (36%) Under 8: 58 (45%)
Student Attendance:
The attendance numbers varied each day, but we had:
Full attendance (5 days out of 5): 42 students (33%), 4 days out of 5: 23 students (18%). 3 days out of 5: 16 students (12%), 2 days out of 5: 39 students (30%), 1 day out of 5: 9 students (7%). Unfortunately, we don’t have the exact numbers of male and female students as requested, but we believe it was more or less the same, with slightly more girls.
Numbers of teachers:
The team consisted of 5 T4T teachers and 7 volunteers:
T4T: Voahangy, Miora, Anjarasoa, Dinah, and Pr.Vololona
Volunteers: Ando, Maya, Laurence, Odiamson, Lalaina, Franck, and Tolotra
Timetable:
Before 9:00: Welcome (Sharing name tags)
9:00 - 9:20: Outside games (All)
9:20 - 9:30: Songs and dance (All)
9:30 - 10:00: Lessons (Per group)
10:00 - 10:15: Snacks (Per group)
10:15 - 10:45: Arts and crafts (Per group)
10:45 - 11:00: Songs and plenary (All)
Lessons and Activities:
After the T4T Launch one of our T4T leaders led a mid-week program in the community to reach and disciple the children. Below is the report from her.
1. The Gospel Hand
Song: "Mpanota aho" (I am a sinner)
Dance: One Way Jesus by Hillsong Kids’ Worship
Students traced and decorated their hand on paper, writing a Bible verse for each finger. Little ones will be assisted.
2. Life is a Journey (Psalm 25:4-5)
Song: "Jeso ao anaty sambokeliko" (Jesus is in my Little Boat) Dance: Izay Vonona no mandeha (Only the prepared can go)
Students made a paper boat (origami) to represent their life, symbolizing Jesus taking the lead. Little ones will be given a boat.
3. Dreams for My Future (Proverbs 3:6; Jeremiah 29:11)
Song:"O matokia an’I Jehovah" (Trust in the Lord) Dance: I will follow you. By Calvary Kids Worship
Students were given heart shapes to copy a Bible verse inside and decorate. Little ones will be given printed verse.
4. I Am Special (Psalm 139:13-14a)
Song:"Lava sofina" (Long ears)
Dance: Olona miavaka ianao (you are a special person)
Students completed age appropriate "All About Me" worksheets, similar to My Personal Map activity in T4T lesson book.
5 - Review and Celebration
Songs, Quizzes and games
Students received their art booklets and gifts.
Student Booklets
Instead of certificates, we created personalized booklets for each student. The booklets included all their arts and crafts, a cover with the SIM, T4T, and host church CEIM logos, the verse from Isaiah 55:10-11, and the student's name. The back cover summarized the four lessons with their corresponding Bible verses. This was intended to serve as a visual reminder of what they learned and to help students who missed sessions catch up.
Financial Report - Money from T4T Southern Africa because of your donation and support
Total Snack Cost: 281,000ar
Monday & Tuesday: Biscuits. We are grateful to Pr. Vololona for her generous donation of 67 packs. An additional 180 packs were purchased (180 x 350 = 63,000ar).
Wednesday: Bread and butter (60 loaves x 600ar + 12,000ar butter + 12,000ar sugar for tea= 60,000ar).
Thursday: Bread and jam (60 loaves x 600ar + 20,000ar jam + 12,000ar sugar for tea = 68,000ar).
Friday: Banana cake (130 cakes x 600ar + 12,000ar sugar for tea= 90,000ar).
Total Gift Cost: 75,000ar
Notebooks: 100 x 350 = 35,000ar
Blue Pens: 100 x 400 = 40,000ar
Note: Due to budget constraints, notebooks and pens were not given to children under 5. We were able to provide them with donated toys (planes and tops). Donated Gifts: We extend our thanks for the following donated items: 5 bunnies’ toys, 30 planes toys, 28 tops toys, 28 necklace crosses, 12 fish bracelets, and 30 Bible verse bracelets.
Total Printing and laminations: 283,000ar
Total transportation: 100.000ar
Future Plans
Discipleship Club: We plan to start a bi-weekly club at the church for follow-up and discipleship. Our long-term goal is to visit the families of faithful attendees to share the gospel with their parents.
Volunteer Training: We aim to enroll our dedicated volunteers in T4T training to expand our team of teachers and strengthen our support system.
Prayer Requests. For the students to truly receive the Word, bear fruit, and continue attending the club. For a larger venue that can accommodate three separate classes, as teaching in one large room created noise and distraction for both students and teachers. For our teachers to have good time management and perseverance, and to be moved by God's love as they share the gospel with the children.
We really appreciate your support and prayers. May God bless you!!!
Updates on family
Chris junior has been in Rehabilitation for 120 days and shows recovery and or healing progress. Thank God he was at University in Zimbabwe to study a Diploma in Business Management which may open an opportunity for him to a degree program after two years. Your prayers and support are highly appreciated for him. We went through hard time because of him but God sustained us. Fortunately, or unfortunately, when he went to Kenya he found a girlfriend, stayed together as the girl willingly offered to help him. She fell pregnant and just delivered a baby boy on the 12th of August 2025 at 4:26 AM Kenyan time. A living life is given out of all these challenges. What a Joy the boy brought us.
Blessing and Peace are doing well. Blessing has been presently employed or promoted as Computer engineer. Her job keeps her so busy, almost day and night.
Sabbatical Leave. Graciously, our SIM South Africa Director Pastor Ben Pilley, as our boss, gave Chris sabbatical leave from August 1 to Mid-October to rest after all the busy missionary work as you can see above and many more previous months and possible years and to be with family. Thank you Ben for this opportunity to rest, especially now that Chris junior is out of the rehabilitation center. Will you please pray for God’s financial provision as l would like to take two weeks out of home to really rest as home has so much that still demands my energy even though I am on leave. Some of you may know what I am trying to put across. Hahahah.
Praise the Lord for:
Madagascar T4T launch and training that went well. Mission successful.
Thank God for good health and safe travel always
All that God enabled us to achieve for His Kingdom’s sake to date such as Mission Trips and T4T Curriculum Development though still an ongoing process
Prayers and supporters
Pray for:
Good health for the Maphosas as a family, volunteer teams, and the children in each country.
For our volunteer teachers to remain committed to teaching children and that the children will remain rooted in Christ.
For resources for the ministry to continue its expansion and supporting existing programs.
Prayers and supporters
Chris Junior University studies, full recovery and focus.