Adventist missionary turns 100 |21 September 2020
Herickson James Ah-Wan celebrated his 100th birthday yesterday surrounded by his family, loved ones and fellow church members in a mass organised at the Seventh-Day Adventist St Louis church.
Considered as the Seventh-Day Adventist (SDA) Seychelles’ great missionary pioneer, Mr Ah-Wan’s long life was honoured in a memorable and heartfelt ‘pass it on’ church service.
The service was presided by Pastor Abel Ntep, pastor for St Louis and Anse Etoile as well as the Adventist Youth Ministries director, accompanied by various SDA pastors.
During his active years in the church, Mr Ah-Wan had built a strong missionary legacy and was known for visiting patients and persons across Mahé, Praslin and La Digue to spread God’s message.
“The symbolical passing of the bible from Brother Ah-Wan to the youth leaders in the church today signifies the transmission and passing on of the missionary work,” explained Pastor Abel.
“Brother Ah-Wan did an extraordinary missionary job and helped a lot of Seychellois learn about God. Now the youths are taking on this responsibility. The country is faced with a lot of social ills and who will bring the message of hope if not the youth,” added Pastor Abel.
Mr Ah-Wan was born on September 20, 1920 to parents Emmanuel and Odette Ah-Wan.
He was the fourth out of a total of 10 children – 7 boys and 3 girls – and his only surviving sibling is David Ah-Wan, who provided a testimony on his brother’s life yesterday.
The Ah-Wan family was Protestant up to 1933 when they embraced the new faith which had arrived on the Seychelles shores, the Seventh-Day Adventist.
After his baptism in the church as a young adult, Mr Ah-Wan took on many roles in SDA, including monitoring the Sabbath classes, teaching, singing in the choir and attaining deaconship.
Although he can no longer attend church and yesterday was in a wheel chair instead of sitting in his self-designated spot in the church, Mr Ah-Wan remains one of the most respected elders of his church.
In his personal life, Mr Ah-Wan turned in a jack-of-all-trade after he left school at an early age to help support his family. According to his brother David, Mr Ah-Wan was a coalman, mechanic, a cook at the famous Pirates Arm, a mason, electrical installation worker and taxi driver.
“No work was too strenuous or below him,” his brother highlighted.
“He taught himself to read and write with the aim to read, study and understand the Bible not only for himself but to share with others.”
Mr Ah-Wan and his wife, who has since passed, had only one daughter, Jennifer Azemia, and an adopted daughter who currently resides in Canada.
Mr Ah-Wan’s grandson, Herick Azemia, also provided a moving tribute to his grandfather – or papi as he is fondly called – who is the pillar of their family.
“I grew up with my grandfather and I really appreciated the way he brought us up – he is a role model. He took care of us and even now continues to demonstrate his love for us.”
“He is a spiritual person and led us into many prayer sessions. Since I work on the sea as marine mechanic, he always blesses me and encourages me every time I go on the sea,” said Herick.
Mr Ah-Wan was showered with gifts and well wishes yesterday as he cut his 100th birthday cake.
The accompanying photos taken by our photographer Joena Meme show some highlights of the special birthday mass yesterday.
