Zambia Hunt

Bringing Education and the Gospel to Deaf Children in Africa

Once upon a time, in a place called Alabama in America, there lived a boy named Andrew Foster. Andrew was just like any other kid – he loved to play and learn. But when he was 11 years old, something big happened. Andrew got very sick with an illness called meningitis. When he got better, he discovered he couldn’t hear anymore. His brother also lost his hearing from the same sickness.

Back then, it was hard for deaf children, especially Black deaf children, to go to school. But Andrew was determined! He studied extra hard, taking classes at night and even learning through the mail. It took a long time, but Andrew never gave up. Finally, when he was 26 years old – that’s older than most people are when they finish high school – Andrew got his high school diploma!

But Andrew didn’t stop there. He went to a special university for deaf people called Gallaudet. He learned all about teaching deaf children.

You see, Andrew believed in God and wanted to share God’s love with others. He learned that in many African countries, deaf children didn’t have schools to go to. They couldn’t learn or even know about God’s love. This made Andrew very sad, and he felt God was calling him to help. So, Andrew packed his bags and flew all the way to Africa.

He started in a country called Ghana, where he opened his first school for deaf children. The children were so happy to have a place where they could learn!

Andrew traveled to many different countries in Africa. He rode in bumpy cars, flew in small planes, and sometimes even walked long distances. Everywhere he went, he helped start schools for deaf children. Can you believe he helped open 31 schools? That’s more schools than you have fingers and toes!

In these schools, children learn how to read, write, and use sign language. They also learned about God and how much He cared for them. Andrew wrote special lessons to help deaf children understand the Bible. But Andrew didn’t just build schools. He also taught other people how to teach deaf children. He showed everyone that deaf people can do amazing things if they’re given the chance to learn.

Andrew made lots of friends in Africa. He even met a special lady named Berta, who became his wife. Together, they had four children and continued to help deaf children all over Africa.

Sadly, Andrew’s life ended too soon in an airplane accident. But the wonderful things he did live on. Today, because of Andrew’s hard work and big heart, thousands of deaf children in Africa can go to school, learn about Jesus, make friends, and dream big dreams.

People remember Andrew as the “Father of Deaf Education in Africa.” He showed the world that one person who loves Jesus can make a difference for many, many others.

And that’s the incredible story of Andrew Foster, a true missionary hero who taught deaf children in Africa about Jesus.

God wants you to trust in Jesus as Andrew did. Maybe God will want you to be a missionary in Africa someday! God will use any person regardless of their background or even disabilities if we give ourselves to Him!

The end.