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If you ever visit the home of Kim and Kimberly, you will notice there is a map of the world in their family room. "As a family, we wanted to have a global mindset," explains Kimberly. That is why this past fall the entire family (Dad - Kim, Mom - Kimberly, daughters Christine and Caroline) took the trip of a lifetime to see the mission field of Awana firsthand.
"I had no idea of the magnitude of Awana in other parts of the world," explained Kim. "I was so impressed by the quality of the leadership at Awana headquarters and on the mission field."
They were supporting a club in Hungary through Adopt-a-Club, so it made sense to go and see the people they were supporting. The trip plan included Hungary, Ukraine and Czech Republic. As Awana leaders themselves, they wanted to help in any way possible: training leaders, running the games, sharing in Council Time.
After returning from their adventure, which included losing luggage, missing a connecting flight and all the usual travel challenges, we asked the family what stood out most from the trip.
Kimberly began, "The Awana missionaries were magnificent. They were on the ball, on fire for the Lord, dedicated Christian men and women who gladly served God."
"Personally, I didn't like the missionary hours," joked Kim. "One day we went with the Awana missionary to meet with a national pastor who was interested in starting Awana. We left at 11 a.m. and drove most of the day. The meeting began at 7 p.m. and lasted until 11 p.m. We arrived back at our lodging the next day at 5:30 a.m., ready for bed. Five hours later, our missionary had to be at another meeting."
One of the highlights of the trip was attending a village church in Ukraine where men and women, young and old, sat devotedly through a service lasting three hours. "We arrived on Harvest Day, which is similar to our Thanksgiving," explained Kimberly. "The people were humble and content. They were poor by Western standards but rich in the promises of God. Their faces radiated our Risen Lord. After the service, there was a feast attended by 150 to 200 people. I have never seen so much food - all grown, prepared, and served by the village women."
"As we were sitting there, a huge burly man approached me," Kim continued. "With tears in his eyes, the man explained, 'I once was a Communist. All my life I was your enemy. Now, I serve the same Lord you do.'"
"We are all called into the priesthood according to 1 Peter 2:9," explains Kim. "We want to give of our time and resources while we are alive - and we want to give when we die."
That is why Kim and Kimberly have remembered Awana in their will. "We are investing in what matters most to God, touching lives for eternity."
You also may want to make it easy and convenient to have a bequest included in your will. The language below shows how a bequest can very easily be included in your will.
You might find it helpful to select the "print" button on the top of your screen and print this page. You may feel free to give this page to your attorney. If he or she has any questions, please have them contact Jeff Schacherer at phone number 800-22-AWANA or e-mail me at jeffs@awana.org.
 Example bequest language - Please feel free to change the numbers or percentages as you desire.
A gift by bequest will allow you to retain full control and access to an estate, but also provides the lifetime satisfaction of knowing that ultimately any unneeded assets will be put to good use. There are a variety of ways of providing for Awana in your will, but bequests generally take one of these three forms:
- A specific bequest leaves a specified dollar amount or a fixed percentage of your estate to Awana.
- A residuary bequest first gives the amounts you specify to the individuals you choose, and leaves the balance to Awana.
- A contingent bequest gives Awana the portion of your estate designated for another person if that person predeceases you.
Even without drawing a whole new will, a bequest can be provided simply by adding a codicil to an existing will. In any event, an attorney's guidance is recommended. Illustrative language of bequests for various uses is included below.
*Specific Bequest: (stated amount)
"I give, devise, and bequeath $_____________ to Awana Clubs International, One East Bode Road, Streamwood, Illinois, 60107, for its corporate uses and purpose."
*Specific Bequest: (percentage of estate)
"I give, devise, and bequeath _____________% of my estate to Awana Clubs International, One East Bode Road, Streamwood, Illinois, 60107, for its corporate uses and purposes."
*Residuary Clause: (remainder of estate)
"All the rest, residue and remainder of my estate, both real and personal, wherever situated, I give, devise, and bequeath to Awana Clubs International, One East Bode Road, Streamwood, Illinois, 60107, for its corporate uses and purposes."
*Contingent Interest Clause:
"I give, devise, and bequeath ___________ to (Name of Person) the sum of $__________ in the event her (or she) shall survive me. Should (Name of Person) predecease me, I give, devise and bequeath said sum to Awana Clubs International, One East Bode Road, Streamwood, Illinois, 60107, for its corporate uses and purpose.
You may print a Bequest tri-fold brochure. Voice of a Legacy or Will Your Will be Known.
Check out our brochure entitled, What legacy will you leave?
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