Africa Ministries Office PowerPoint presentation to the General Board / Africa

Friends United Meeting’s General Board / Africa meets

The African members of Friends United Meeting's General Board met on 23-24 March at Friends Theological College, Kaimosi Kenya, for an historic meeting. Although this section of the Board has been meeting for several years, this was its first meeting since the opening of the Friends United Meeting Africa Ministries Office. The Board heard an extensive report from the lead staff member of the new office, John Muhanji. Together with his colleagues Eden & James Grace and Herman Otioko, John offered a Power Point presentation about the proposed programme of FUM's Africa Ministries. (John's PowerPoint presentation is posted to this blog separately.) The Board strongly endorsed the direction in which the new office is proceeding with its work.

The Board also made important decisions regarding the Kaimosi Friends Hospital. The Hospital, established in the early part of the 20th century as part of FUM's mission complex, has in recent years descended into a sub-standard condition. At the request of East Africa Yearly Meeting, and with the approvals granted at this Board meeting, FUM will now take over management of the Hospital and carry out strategic planning for the improvement of all aspects of the Hospital programme. This is particularly good news for the people of Tiriki, rural subsistence farmers who are grossly underserved by quality medical care.

The Board discussed substantive reports from the leaders of all five of FUM's African project partners, and enjoyed Christian fellowship together on the beautiful campus of Friends Theological College. Next year's Board meeting will take place in January 2006.

Here is a photo of the Friends gathered at Kaimosi 23-24 March, 2005.

News from Friends Theological College and the Nugent Rehard Family in Kaimosi, Kenya

FTC NEWS

Third-year students are getting ready to complete their studies. They leave campus at end March, with several celebrations, including a forest walk, tea at Rondo Retreat Centre with the Principals, a sunrise prayer service at the Hill of Vision and the Pre-Graduation Party, when they are honored and blessed by their fellow students and faculty. Graduation will be in late Oct.

First and second-year students will have a 3-week holiday in April and complete their semester in mid-June.

The faculty is in the process of interviewing and selecting students to begin in August.

First and second-year diploma students are doing well with the new affiliation to St. Paul's United Theological College in Limuru.

The certificate students are a larger group this year and they are flourishing under the guidance and care of new faculty member, Pastor Simon Bulimo of Lugari YM.

The new chaplain, Pamela Igesa (wife of Simon Bulimo), has made great strides by integrating the non-teaching staff into the Spiritual Formation Program of the college. They leave their posts (dairy, grounds, dining hall, library, security, secretarial) every Wednesday afternoon for a special Bible study, and they've been attending and participating in daily morning worship with more regularity.

OUR FAMILY’S NEWS

Emma is age 13 in year 8; Eliza is age 10 in year 5. Both girls are thriving at St. Andrew's Turi. They are doing well academically, and enjoying their other activities as well.

Music is a love they are developing at school. Both have acted in dramas and played in chapel this year on strings (Emma on cello and Eliza on violin). And both girls have reached a new stage in their love of piano--during recent holidays, both of them are scrambling for time at the piano, which is pure joy to listen to!

Emma received two scholarships for secondary school! One is academic and one is for music. We're very pleased for her and grateful for the financial help this provides our ministry (see the website).

Eliza is excited about a Brownies camping trip that is coming up before Easter.

Emma enjoyed singing the Ocean World Cantata in Nairobi, with a huge 500-voice choir in February. Many schools joined together for the event, which was covered in the Nation newspaper.

PRAYER CONCERNS

The college is searching for an instructor with a master's degree, to teach in the areas of pastoral care and counseling and Christian education. Our students tell us how important these areas are in their ministry. We trust that God has prepared someone for this work. We ask you to join us in prayer for God to open the way for this person to become a part of the FTC faculty.

FTC is preparing to launch a new Advanced Diploma in Christian Peacebuilding and Community Development. This is a one-year program for students who have completed a Diploma in Theology at FTC or elsewhere. Please pray for the staff who are developing the program, for God to lead students to apply, and for the search process, as we hire a coordinator for the program.

Emma is preparing for her comprehensive year 8 examinations in June. Please hold her in prayer in her studies.

Taxes. We recently learned that missionaries must pay 30 percent taxes on salary, children's tuition and family housing--and the Kenya Revenue Authority is giving special attention to enforcing this for missionaries, causing many to leave Kenya. We have been rapidly calculating the taxes on our first two years here as well as our current year's taxes, and the figures are staggering. Please pray for us as we seek to live with integrity in relationship to the Kenya government and to meet the increased fundraising needs for our ministry.

Mary Kay's mother continues to struggle with health problems, particularly her mobility. She is now using a walker, having fallen frequently. Her brother has been having many difficulties, adding to the strain on her parents. Please hold Mary Kay's family in prayer: Clayton and Kay Rehard, and her brother, Marc.


With thanks for your interest in our ministry,

Mary Kay Rehard and Patrick Nugent
Principals, Friends Theological College
PO Box 9, TIRIKI 50309
KENYA
0734-728-563/4
FUM Field Staff in East Africa
101 Quaker Hill Dr., Richmond, IN 47374 USA
(765) 962-7573

Belize Finance Reform

This is an invitation that I received from the office of the Prime Minister to attend a Finance Reform Forum. At this meeting the prime minister introduced his party’s plans for reform in the way that public finances were handled. Many of the measures that he proposed came from a paper on public consultation that was compiled some 4 or 5 years ago, as one of the speakers said it was kind of like closing the barn door after the horse was gone. I found the remarks by Mr Burgos a businessman to be most interesting speaking from an accountant's view he pointed out that many of the proposals appeared on the surface to be good and helpful but he went on to point out that there was no punishment for those that failed to follow the rules. He also pointed out that there were many loop holes in the new rules. One such loophole concerned government contracts where it stated that any agreement entered into by government that was in writing was a binding contract and therefore subject to the new rules, whereas if it remained a gentleman’s agreement or a verbal agreement the rules didn’t apply.

All in all I found the meeting to most interesting.

In the last few days we have had two days of strikes by the business community and four days of strikes by the teachers union. Last Friday was the first debate of the new budget, while the minister’s were in the house chambers debating about 3000 protesters were on the steps of the house where rocks were thrown at the police, several persons were arrested but no ones was injured. The crowd was finally dispersed around 5:30 pm with the aid of tear gas, pepper spray and police in full riot gear.

On a much brighter side Andy and Lisa Stout arrived on January 15 it will be great to have the extra help in dealing with the students, this will also allow me more time to continue working on the plans for the new high school.

Thank You all for your support both in Prayer and with your giving.

HIS Servants in Belize

Mike and Kay Cain

Africa Ministries prayer requests

Pray for Turkana Friends Mission over the Crusade to be held in Lochuga Kalokol on 6th April

Pray for the Africa Ministries Office as we host our Opening Celebration and Prayers of Dedication on Monday 21 March. Join us in prayers of celebration and dedication on that day, from wherever you are in the world.

Pray for the Africa General Board meeting, 22-24 March in Kaimosi, that the Board will gather under the authority of the Holy Spirit and make rightly-guided decisions about the many important matters on its agenda. Particular prayers for the agenda include: a proposal for FUM's involvement in the improvement of Kaimosi Hospital; proposals for Kenyans Friends to serve in international ministries through FUM; and approval for the mandate, program and governance structure of the Africa Ministries Office.

Pray for the visits that FUM's leadership is currently making to all the Yearly Meetings. Pray for safe travel to Uganda over the next few days, and that the Friends in Uganda will feel encouraged to find unity in the Lord through the FUM visit.

Pray for the groundskeeper at the Africa Ministries Office, Kennedy, and his wife Linette. Their first-born child, baby Alice, was born on Saturday morning and died on Saturday night. Keep them, and all parents who have lost their babies in the developing world, in your prayers, that God's mercy will bring them comfort. Pray that we as Christians can work to improve the health care available to every one of God's beloved children.

Africa Ministries Office Grand Opening Celebration

Opening Celebration and Prayers of Dedication

Come celebrate the opening of the
Friends United Meeting Africa Ministries Office
Impala Walk, Milimani Estate, Kisumu

Monday 21 March, 2005

10:00 - 11:00 am
reception and tours of the office

11:00 am - 12:00 noon
speeches and prayers

12:00 noon - 1:00 pm
lunch

guests of honor:
Retha McCutchen, General Secretary of Friends United Meeting
Brent McKinney, Presiding Clerk of Friends United Meeting
Colin South, Director of Global Ministries of Friends United Meeting

hosted by the FUM Africa Ministries Office staff:
John Muhanji
Eden Grace
James Grace

rsvp
057 202 1061
0735 479174

Africa Ministries prayer requests

Please join us in holding the following concerns in your prayers:

-- Pray for Friends Theological College, as they proceed with the development of an Advanced Diploma program. Pray that leadership for the Diploma, and pray that a sufficient number of qualified students apply, in order to be able to launch the program within the coming year.

-- Pray for Retha McCutchen and Brent McKinney as they travel to Kenya this week. Pray for their safety and comfort on the journey, and that they can find enough rest during their demanding schedule over the next few weeks.

-- Pray for the Kenyan Yearly Meetings of FUM as they each meet with Retha, Colin and Brent over the coming week to share their concerns and areas of excitement. Pray that these meetings will be blessed with the presence of the Lord, and that together we can all discern the future the God has in mind for FUM's ministries in Kenya.

news of Emma Rehard

In February 2005, Emma Patricia Nugent Rehard was awarded two scholarships for Senior School at St. Andrew's Turi (three years of secondary level, O-levels in the British system). Emma was selected to participate in Scholarship Weekend, along with several other children nominated by faculty. They engaged in team-building exercises and took several examinations, as well as demonstrating their ability in music, sport or drama. Emma ranked second in the academic examinations, and was awarded a scholarship for 15 percent of the annual tuition. In addition, she played very well on cello and piano, and was awarded a music scholarship to pay for all her private lessons on one instrument. It is unusual for children to be awarded two scholarships at Turi; both are awarded for the duration of her studies at Senior School, as long as she continues to perform well. Emma will begin secondary school at Turi in September 2005. Please join us in celebrating her accomplishments and lift her in prayer as she prepares for her comprehensive year eight examinations in June. Emma, age 13, is the eldest daughter of Mary Kay Rehard and Patrick Nugent, FUM Field Staff working at Friends Theological College in Kaimosi, Kenya.

These photos show Emma in Chapel, narrating the story of the Prodigal Son, as her classmates dramatize the parable.