A Dream Come True!

In The Beginning……there was a dream…a dream of an FM High School in Kenya. And as of Jan 2017, that dream became a reality. On March 25th, 2017, an official dedication service was held on the campus of the Dr. Buconyori FM Boys’ High School, to celebrate what God has done and to commit the school, the faculty, the staff, the students (current and future) into His hands, for His Glory.

It has taken many years and MANY people to bring this dream to pass. We are so grateful for the huge role that International Child Care Ministries and their donors, have played in partnering with the FMC Kenya and ICCM Kenya, in seeing this school established.  There are so many who invested time, energy, prayers: the ICCM High School Committee; 2012 Bike Kenya Team; VISA Team from Decatur, Illinois; Vincennes FMC; FM Bible Quiz program; Faith Harvest Fellowship…we could go on and on—so many have helped this school to begin, and we’re grateful!

The school is named for the late Bishop of Burundi, Dr. Ellie Buconyori, and it was a special blessing to have Mrs. Joy Buconyori present to rejoice with us. Burundi was the general conference that began the FMC in Kenya, and Dr. Buconyori and Joy lived in Kenya for a number of years. Joy was the first ICCM Coordinator in Kenya…and one of those who had longed dreamed of a high school. We’re glad she was able to be with us to see the dream come true!

Going West

 Two years ago, in March, we made our first communication with our superiors proposing the idea of starting a missionary training school in Togo.  You have already heard from us about that school.  But what we have waited until now to announce is that we also are planning to move to Togo to work with that school, in addition to other responsibilities we have.  If the Lord’s will proves to be what we think, we will move from Kenya to the US for home assignment work, October-December, 2017.  Next we intend to do an enrichment leave January-March, 2018, which will include French study.  Then, we will locate in Togo.  We will tell you more as we proceed that direction.  But for now, pray for us as we take beginning steps to transition some of our Kenya responsibilities to others.

Weren’t You Just There? 

Yes, Mike was just in Cameroon, in December.  But he went again, in February!  He had a multiple entry visa that was set to expire March 1.  Wanting to take advantage, if possible, of another entry, Mike asked Pastor Wilson if they could organize for another training.  It was possible, and so this time Mike taught Systematic Theology.  “It was a stretch for me to teach since I had not taught, but only been a student of systematic theology, prior to this,” comments Mike.  But it went well.  Pastors and lay participants did well; not all passed, but good learning took place.  These courses are vital preparation for ministry, and bring the pastors closer to readiness for ordination.

Pastors to Missionaries 

For several years, Dr. Art and Sylvia Brown have been serving our Africa team as “Pastors to Missionaries.”  In this ministry, they make a pastoral tour each year to visit each missionary.  Their visit provides encouragement, thoughtful spiritual dialog, and healthy opportunity to simply talk about how things are going.  They usually provide a book and a selected reading related to the dialog.  According to the interest level of each missionary, they are also available for ongoing communication, by email, etc.  Their years of missions involvement and pastoral ministry shine very brightly in this care-ministry to missionaries.  They were with us 19-20 February and at a couple other points of this year’s tour. 

Art and Sylvia have also led Prayer Journeys on other continents.  We have been in conversation for some time about such a journey to Africa, and are planning toward that this year.  We will include and benefit from the Prayer Journey team’s ministry at our Missionary Retreat in June.  Then the team will go on to Burundi, Rwanda and then come back for a segment in Kenya.  We took advantage of face-to-face time with Browns to work on planning for this venture.

We Request..

 All of our supporting churches that have not registered their commitment for 2017 to call 317-244-3660 or go to Partner in Ministry - Mike and Vickie Reynen to register your commitment of support.  Some individual supporters also process their support for us directly with our missions office rather than through a church.  We would ask them to also register their commitment for 2017 by the same phone or web address.  We are grateful for your support and are glad to have you as our partners!