WAKE UP FROM YOUR SLUMBER

Jeremiah NyamvuraJune 12, 2026

*WAKE UP FROM YOUR SLUMBER*

By Apostle Jeremiah Nyamvura

***

The sun rose slowly over the dusty fields of Chivhu, casting golden light across stretches of land that seemed to whisper both promise and neglect. In the heart of this quiet village lived a boy named Taurai.

Taurai was not like the other boys.

While others chased cattle or played football in open fields, Taurai’s hands were always busy. If he was not dismantling broken radios, he was carving pieces of wood into strange shapes or trying to connect wires salvaged from discarded batteries. His father, VaChikara, often found him in the barn surrounded by scraps.

“One day you will break something important,” his father would grumble, though deep down he was fascinated.

His mother, Mai Chikara, saw things differently. “Let the boy explore,” she would say gently. “A mind that is always asking questions is not a curse.”

But outside their home, the world was less kind.

“Ah, Taurai!” shouted Jabulani, one of the village boys, laughing. “What are you fixing today? The wind?”

Another boy added, “No, no, he’s building a machine to talk to goats!”

Laughter erupted.

From that day, the nickname stuck.

“MUITAZVESEZVESE!”

The one who does everything.

They said it mockingly, stretching the words as if they were too big for him to carry.

***

At school, Taurai’s curiosity only grew.

His science teacher, Mr. Dube, once caught him sketching designs instead of copying notes.

“What is this?” Mr. Dube asked, adjusting his glasses.

“It’s a machine, sir,” Taurai replied cautiously. “It can mold bricks faster… and maybe even make them stronger.”

Mr. Dube studied the drawing longer than expected.

“This is not foolishness,” he said quietly. “But be careful, Taurai. The world does not always understand what it has not seen before.”

Unfortunately, not everyone shared Mr. Dube’s perspective.

Even fellow teacher Mrs. Moyo scoffed, “These children must focus on exams, not fantasies.”

The students laughed again. Taurai lowered his head, but he did not stop.

***

At home, Taurai’s younger sister, Rudo, was his only constant supporter.

“Show me again,” she would say, eyes wide with wonder.

“This one,” Taurai explained, holding a small contraption, “could help carry water faster.”

Rudo clapped. “You are going to change the whole village one day.”

Taurai smiled, but doubt lingered.

“Or maybe they are right,” he whispered. “Maybe I’m just wasting time.”

***

One evening, as the sky darkened and the sounds of crickets filled the air, Taurai worked longer than usual. His hands were dirty, his eyes heavy.

He fell asleep on the wooden floor of the barn.

Then it came.

A voice.

Clear. Firm.

“Wake up from your slumber.”

Taurai stirred but did not fully wake.

Again, the voice came, stronger.

“Wake up from your slumber.”

His heart began to race.

The third time, it thundered through him.

“WAKE UP FROM YOUR SLUMBER!”

Taurai jumped awake, drenched in sweat, his chest rising and falling rapidly.

“This… this is not a dream,” he whispered.

***

The next morning, he sought out Pastor Muchengeti, a wise man known throughout the village.

After listening carefully, the pastor closed his eyes and prayed.

“Taurai,” he said finally, “what you carry is not ordinary. Many are asleep not because they lack gifts, but because they fear them. You must not bury what God has placed inside you.”

“But what if I fail?” Taurai asked.

The pastor smiled.

“Then you will fail forward. But if you do nothing, you fail completely.”

***

That day changed everything.

Taurai no longer worked in secret.

He worked with intention.

With the help of Mr. Dube and encouragement from Rudo, he began building something bigger than anything he had attempted before. Even his father slowly came around, offering tools and occasionally watching in silence.

“What is it this time?” VaChikara finally asked.

Taurai stood tall.

“A machine that can turn timber into charcoal… and produce gas for electricity.”

His father blinked.

“That is not small thinking.”

***

Months passed.

Mistakes were made. Machines broke. Nights were sleepless.

Even Jabulani, once his loudest critic, began to watch from a distance.

One day, unable to contain his curiosity, he approached.

“Does it… really work?” he asked quietly.

Taurai looked at him, then nodded.

“Help me test it.”

That moment marked a shift—not just for Taurai, but for the village.

***

When the machine finally worked, it was unlike anything they had seen.

A soft hum. A flicker of light.

Electricity.

Right there in Chivhu.

News spread quickly.

Journalists arrived. Cameras flashed. Officials came.

The same people who once laughed now stood in awe.

“MUITAZVESEZVESE,” they whispered again—but this time, with respect.

***

Taurai’s invention reached beyond the village.

Soon, he was invited to Harare, then beyond Zimbabwe, presenting his work on international platforms. His innovation offered affordable energy solutions, reducing dependence on expensive imports and bringing power to places long forgotten.

But Taurai never forgot where he came from.

Standing before a crowd one day, he said:

“I was once told I was doing too much… dreaming too much. But your location does not limit your gift. Your background does not cancel your purpose. What you carry can reach the world—if you wake up.”

***

Back in the village, Rudo looked at the glowing light in their home and smiled.

“I told you,” she said softly.

***

MORAL: Your environment does not define your destiny. Do not allow mockery, fear, or small beginnings to silence what God has placed inside you. Wake up from your slumber—your gift is bigger than your surroundings.

About the Writer

JEREMIAH NYAMVURA- Zimbabwean Writer Call +263 772807580 E-mail: jeremiahnyamvura@gmail.com