Ben Nzavi

Biography

Ben Nzavi, 36, passed away Saturday, May 20, 2017. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, June 2, 2017, at Church on The Hill in Hillsboro. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Garden of Memory near Hillsboro. Arrangements are under the direction of Marshall & Marhsall Funeral Directors in Hillsboro.

Ben Nzavi was born October 30th 1980 in the village of Machakos to Angeline Patrick. Ben spent the first two years of his life with his Paternal Grandmother before leaving to join his Paternal Uncle in Makueli until he was in 4th grade. During this time, Ben grew amongst his cousins and attended Kataingini Primary School. Following Ben's stay with his Uncle, Ben returned to the family home where alongside his younger Brother and Father - worked the family farm. During this time Ben attended Ititu Primary School followed by Ngai Primary School where he completed his Primary Education. Ben attended Itetani Secondary School from 1994 - 1997 where he worked hard academically and excelled in sports. A keen athlete, his main disciplines were 100m and 200m track. Ben also played volleyball occasionally and played football recreationally. After High School, Ben started his first job conducting census' for the government. Following this, he moved to Nairobi City where he worked as a Canvas Salesman, Handyman and finally a construction worker. At this point Ben was living in Kibera. It was at his point whilst working as a construction worker for Mugoyi Construction Company that Ben reflected on his life and went about making the pivotal change where his passion for Christ would be ignited significantly. Ben joined Bible School in 2003 where he became a Missionary and Head Chairman of the base school he attended. Ben advocated a series of street ministries and mission campaigns - many of which within hostile environments. Despite this, he fearlessly brought the word of our living God.

He left for the U.S in 2005 where he arrived in Albuquerque on September 10th. He started working for Industrial Mining and Supply Company while attending college in Albuquerque New Mexico, which he started in January 2006. Ben transferred to New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology in Socorro, New Mexico in 2008. He received his engineering degree in May 2013.

During Ben's time in New Mexico, a state he always loved, Ben participated in a series of hobbies alongside his adventure buddy Brian Keith - all of which reflecting his state of adventure. Learning to ski and dirt bike whilst in NM, Ben participated in these activities regularly and avidly becoming extremely skilled. Ben loved life in the great outdoors and was a regular camper and hiker. He loved to shoot and he also loved to hunt. All things the diverse state of New Mexico offered in great measure. In 2014, Ben was given the opportunity to move to Texas after applying for a job at Hunting Titan in Milford. Never one to shy away from an opportunity, Ben was successful with his application and interview and shortly after settled in Hillsboro.

Following being introduced to his future wife in late 2013, Schivonne joined Ben in 2014 for a brief stint before joining him permanently in May 2015 before getting married on June 5th, 2015 in Hillsboro. Whilst living in Hillsboro, Ben and Schivonne became avid members of Church on The Hill. Whilst here, Ben became involved in various Church based activities as well as a representative of their Jail Ministry Program. Whilst here, Ben helped win many souls for Christ and would often return home filled with enthusiasm for the energy of Christ that was developing in the hearts of the people he had the weekly pleasure of meeting.

During the remaining years of his life, Ben continued to live a life filled with activity. A keen footballer and volleyball player, Ben represented clubs in Hillsboro, Waxahachie and Whitney. He continued to frequent the slopes and mountains of New Mexico and Colorado whenever the opportunity presented itself and was developing his skills within the area of fishing, keen to become and expert. It was during this hobby of which he called his therapy that Ben responded to the plight of his eldest Daughter. Ever one to be selfless and fearless, Ben sought to save his daughter. His plan was to emerge from the water with Tamia safely but God's plan was greater and Ben was called home.

Many are called and few are chosen. Ben was both called and chosen to live a life a little less ordinary but filled with so much life, adventure, meaning and purpose. Ben - an avid reader of Ecclesiastes now sits in the presence of all of the ambassadors for Christ that went before him, reveling in the delightful presence of The Lord. He has fought the good fight of faith, won the race and has now earned the right to sit alongside the Throne of Peace and Everlasting Light and Life.

Ben leaves behind his wife Schivonne John-Ben and daughter Téa Ben.

For those wishing to make donations to help the family, please send them to the Ben Nzavi and Tamia John Fund, c/o Church on The Hill, P. O. Box 275, Hillsboro, TX 76645 or visit the church's website www.churchonthehill.cc.

Funeral Service

Friday June 2, 2017 , 10:00 AM at Church on The Hill

Burial

Friday June 2, 2017 at Hillcrest Garden of Memory