Asangawa’s Story

Dear lovely people,

The two can beers had just been served, Ambeshi without hesitating took down a huge gulp and looked at Chembe who raised his own but halted in midair looking at the road. Ambeshi surprised, looked in the same direction and understood immediately. A brand new Toyota Land-Cruiser was passing by. “When will you stop your fantasy for cars my friend, you better work hard to get yours” Ambeshi intoned. Chembe still gaping at the passing car replied “it’s not just about the car this time, it’s more about the driver. Take a good look at him and I will tell you his story.”

Chembe focused on the driver until the car disappeared from view and then turning to Ambeshi with all expectations. What Ambeshi told him sounded like a fairy-tale… “The guy’s name is Asangawa” began Ambeshi “He was ahead of me in the University by one year, just one year. When I graduated, he was a bartender. You can imagine a Masters Degree graduate serving in a common bar but the guy enjoyed his work and was dedicated to it. You know the rubbish that goes on in this country where you get into a bar and the waiters behave as if it’s a favor to serve you so one day, this old man walked into the bar and as usual, the waiters did nothing to make him comfortable. Asangawa came up from behind and ensured that the man was comfortable and when it was time to go, he accompanied the man to his car carrying his bag. When they got to the car, he noticed that the man’s car was horribly dirty and he asked him if he had some time so he could clean it before he left. The man agreed and he got his car cleaned in no time and for no additional pay.

The man before leaving got Asangawa’s phone number and thanked him. Some weeks later, the man was back. He had time to inquire more about Asangawa and was surprised to learn that he had a Masters degree in Chemistry. Asangawa told him that when he left school, he had no job and was unable to enroll for a PhD so he got the available job he could to keep ends meet while planning on next steps.

A couple of months later, Asangawa got a phone call that changed his life. The Old man’s son is the owner of Future Petrochemicals – that’s one of the prestigious companies we have in this country so if you have a phone call from such a person, you can now understand why he rides in such a car and living in a huge mansion of his own. The old man must have talked to his son about Asangawa and that alone landed him the job he might never have imagined in his entire life.

Going the extra-mile is a concept that have been so talked about for years but how many people take it seriously, how many people do much more than they are paid to do just for the sake of being good rather than expecting a commensurate payment for it? I am not sure that Asangawa expected any form of compensation for doing what he did for the old man. He must have continued in the same light in the company because he has been promoted to the rank of director.

In Colossians 3:23–24 I read “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”

Do you now agree that God’s reward can come to you through other people? It did for Asangawa. Whether you are working for yourself or for somebody, put in your all and even do much more than you are paid. The rewards are sure to come.