reflections
2018 Freedom Sunday
Philip, the ICCM Cambodia National Coordinator (pictured below) shared this in a text: “The picture you used in Tuesday’s Child broke my heart. The girl (pictured here on the left) has left school. She is working in Thailand; she has a younger sister in the program, we fear for her future. We are all praying … Read more
Ethiopia: They Yearn to Learn!
Ethiopia is home to five excellent ICCM schools. Children may be living in material poverty, but their educational environment is rich. One of those schools is at a crossroads, where desperate need meets tremendous opportunity. The town of Alem Tena, an hour or so from Addis Ababa, suffers from four serious problems. A very hot … Read more
Schools for the Fulani – What’s the Story?
Our story of ICCM schools for Fulani children first began in Elaite, a small town in Kogi State overlooking Emiworo Village more than 10 years ago! I’ll never forget these words from the first Fulani man we met, a true ‘man of peace’, Chief Bature. “My grandfather cheated my father when he gave him cows … Read more
Straddling the Gap: My Radical 10-Year Learning Curve
My life reached a turning point one Sunday in 2007 when the Munyakuri family walked into New Hope Church (Rochester, NY). I was clueless at the time, but a new chapter in my life had begun. When these new immigrants from Africa called me “Pastor,” I was honored. When they called me “Mother,” I was … Read more
Grandma Nana’s Corner
For several years I have been looking for an opportunity to visit Cantinho da Vovó Naná (Grandma Nana’s Corner – named after the woman who donated the original house and land), in Ibirité, Minas Gerais, Brazil. My opportunity came in August. This child development center is also located in an area plagued by drug trafficking. … Read more
Amazing Ministry to Children
I spent two days at Todo Mundo Feliz (Everyone’s Happy) in late August. This top-notch child development center was started by the Mirandopolis Free Methodist Church in São Paulo, Brazil. It was deliberately established right on the edge of a slum area where drug traffickers are the law. Todo Mundo Feliz (TMF) was begun in … Read more
A Sponsor’s Blessing
Valquiria was among a group of adolescent girls peppering me with questions just before classes began one morning. Valquiria suffers the effects of Albinism – the absence of the pigment melanin in her skin. This condition is especially challenging in the dry, hot climate, 10 degrees south of the Equator, where the sun shines in … Read more
Making a Difference in Brazil
I met Andrei when I visited our ICCM school in Monte Santo, Bahia, Brazil, in September. I asked if I could get a picture with him because I knew his sponsors. After we had our picture taken together and he had returned to class, Sirlene, the school’s assistant director, told me more about him. Andrei’s … Read more
Light and Life Christian School
God gave school director Jonathan Da Cunha a vision for the city of Encarnación. There was only one Christian school in town at the time. Jonathan felt led of God to start Light and Life Free Methodist School with the vision of reaching families for Christ and providing the opportunity for academic excellence in a … Read more