Vice Chancellor Douglas Carew delivers graduation speech

Africa International University

27^th Graduation Ceremony

Saturday July 14, 2012

Chancellor’s Graduation Speech

Prof. Watson Omulokoli

The Chair and Members Board of Trustees; AEA General Secretary - Rev Aiah-Foday-Khabenje; Chair and members of the Governing Council; Distinguished Guest Speaker; Vice-Chancellor; Esteemed Church and Christian Leaders, Your Excellencies, Faculty, Staff, Students and Alumni of AIU; ladies and gentlemen; Graduating Class of 2012:

Let me begin by congratulating the graduation class of 2012. A few years back we welcomed and received you as new students of Africa International University. Thank you for having chosen to study here. Today we send you off as graduates.

I believe that each one of you has not only done well in your studies, but that you have grown in  knowledge, in the Christian faith, in character, in integrity, and in practical skills. Class of 2012, I congratulate you profusely.

 As I do so, let me remind you of the legacy that you are now part of. Africa International University was founded as the Nairobi Evangelical Graduate School of Theology (NEGST) with the vision and commitment of providing quality theological education for the African Church. Over the years, the university has developed a reputation and legacy of integrity, quality, and excellence. 

I am pleased that you, and the university community voted the faculty as the recipients of the integrity award, for the university awards and recognition for this year.   Aspire to this legacy of integrity.

Prior to your time, there have been more than one thousand and three hundred graduates and alumni of this university. They serve as leaders of excellence and integrity in many countries around the world.

Today as you graduate, Class of 2012, I charge you to join this legacy of leadership with integrity. Be faithful to this legacy. Above all be faithful to the Lord Jesus and serve the Church and the wider society as His ambassadors.

 [The whole issue of integrity is a very serious matter of immense proportions. On one hand, integrity does not come automatically in a vacuum. On the other hand, integrity should not be marketed carelessly as a mere buzz-word of the civil society activists, or a cold, inert, and fixed code in the constitutional order, or a convenient and escapist catch-word in the Christian arena.

Instead, it should be an active, dynamic, and practical reality. This is in line with the historical tradition of such Evangelicals as John Wesley, Charles Simeon, and William Wilberforce.

Moreover, if we are alert enough, we will discover concrete and clear examples of the practice of integrity whom we can emulate in our day.

Just this week, a number of us spent two days, Sunday and Monday, with a 91 year old dear Christian, Rev. Gilbert Mulaha, of the Scriptural Holiness Mission, and the Roving Team. Elsewhere, I have written of him that:

“Of all Kenyan Christians to date, whether clergy or lay, Gilbert Mulaha is the greatest public exponent, champion, and practitioner of the way of holiness, purity, righteousness, and integrity”. 

As we ponder this all-important subject of integrity, let us go beyond mere rhetoric. Let us embrace its transforming genius; let us internalise its reality for ourselves; and let us line up with its continuing dynamic force as our guiding beacon in all of our operations.]

As Africa International University, we have two clear and fundamental mandates. The first is the mandate to continue faithfully the training of quality leadership for the varied ministries of the Church. The second is the equally important mandate of training  quality Christian professional leadership for the wider market-place and society.

Over the past year, we developed and launched new programmes which target the promotion of both of these mandates. 

1.      At the doctoral level, a Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) programme was launched.  This brought to three the number of doctoral programmes that we now offer.

2.      At the undergraduate level, a new Bachelor in Business Administration (BBA) programme was offered.

As we forge ahead, the university will continue to develop and launch quality, innovative, creative and relevant programmes.

1.      In September this year (2012), a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) programme in Theology will begin.

2.      Other programmes being developed in the year ahead (2012-2013) include Bachelor in Entrepreneurship (BE), Bachelor in Sustainable Development (BSD), and Master of Arts (M.A.) in Education, with concentration in Child and Family Studies.

At Africa International University, we believe that quality university education is much more than granting a degree or diploma certificate.  We are passionate in our belief that the goal of Christian higher education is to nurture and enable men and women to grow and flourish as full human beings, created in God’s image. This means that we should seek to form our students to be what God wants them to be, and  to achieve their highest individual potential.

But quality Christian education means more than that. It means further that we desire to see men and women who are in right relationship with God, with others, with their physical world and environment, and who are a blessing to their communities and nations.

Based on this firm conviction, as Chancellor, and together with the Trustees and Governors, we will do our very best to provide not only quality classroom education, but also rich co-curricular education experiences as well as quality physical facilities.

It is in this context that we welcome the review of education by the Government, and affirm the many good proposals that it has in the pipeline, in such facilities as “The 2012 Draft Sessional Paper”, and “The University Draft Bill”.

Class of 2012, May I Congratulate You Once More!

Interview with Professor John Jusu, Academic Dean, AIU School of Professional Studies

Dr. John Jusu is the Academic Dean for the AIU School of Professional Studies.  As I talked with him earlier this week, I could see he has a busy summer schedule ahead of him as he develops curriculum for the new planned programs.  John indicated he was almost finished with the Bachelor of Information Communication Technology.  They are also planning Bachelor of Science Programs in Finance and Accountancy, Entrepreneurial Studies, Community Development, and Engineering and Information Technology.  Professor Jesu has been traveling in the USA earlier this year meeting with Theological Schools such as Wheaton, Asbury Seminary, Indiana Wesleyan University, Fuller, and Trinity in a collaborative effort to align planned curriculum with the AIU mission, vision, and core values to determine the methodology for content delivery. 

One of Professor Jusu's biggest concerns is insuring that the undergraduate Bachelor’s degree programs maintain the excellent reputation that the graduate programs offered at NEGST have established.  Maintaining a quality brand is important as these new programs are added. If AIU is successful in attracting 60 new students to each of the 5 new programs planned, it will place a significant strain on existing facilities.  Also recruiting and training faculty will be a challenge given the planned launch in September, 2012. 

John stressed the importance of the need to diversify their current network especially in the area of creating exchange programs for students and faculty.  He would like to see a centralized funding of these programs that creates a reciprocal mutually beneficial platform that allows access to greater international faculty and student resources.  Just as AIU can learn from other Western schools that have integrated theological and secular undergraduate program offerings, the Western institutions can learn a lot from AIU which is well positioned as an authority and the center of World Christianity.

Another CLA Scholarship recipient graduates

Haruna Audu Tukurah is from central Nigeria (Jos, Plateau State). He was one of the privileged beneficiaries of  a C.L.A. scholarship. Haruna was managing an orphanage of over 300 children in eight different locations for the denomination called Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) before coming to Nairobi Evangelical Graduate School of Theology (NEGST) now Africa International University (AIU).

The vision for coming to AIU was as a result of his ministry with the orphans between 2005 – 2009. He saw a need for a good curriculum that will meet the total needs of these orphans educationally since none of the students graduated from their secondary school West African Exams with the qualifications to enter the university programs. Hanruna shared, "I knew they have the abilities in them to make it but something educationally to ginger them up is missing. I strongly felt that those orphans are the future man power of the ministry and so quality education is necessary to take them where God destined them to be."

Harura shares the rest of his compelling story about his journey to NEGST and the miracles he experienced here. "It is with this conviction that he trusted God for a good school outside Nigeria and the Lord led him to AIU. I knew I was coming on self sponsorship, and sold out my piece of land as sign of commitment and faith to raise part of my tuition. I told myself, it is from this that I will surrender unto God for provision. The amount I raised from the land was about 150,000 Kenya shillings. My wife and I thought this amount could take me for one academic year before God will come through for me. At arrival in Nairobi, I found that there is a balance of about 20,000Ksh to complete just term one. The first miracle took place when my colleagues raised 10,000ksh to meet up the 90% requirement for me to write my exams. 

In the second term, I was refused to write my exams due to tuition. That end of term was my most bitter moments in AIU since I had not known what it meant to study without writing exams due to the school financial policies. The option I had was to park and go back to Nigeria but again the airline ticket is as equal to the cost of a one term tuition. The dilemma drew my attention to God and I resolved to go for three days. At the end of the third day, a voice came to me: “I have come through your fees situation. Stop praying for yourself and pray for others.”

Three days after the exercise, I felt the urge to meet with Dr. George Renner to brief him of what I was going through. Dr. Renner prayed with me and asked me to keep looking up to God. Just a few days before the beginning of the third term, Dr. Renner e-mailed me to confirm that God has come through and the amount needed to pay the school debt and the tuition for third term had been received. The total amount needed had amounted to $4,000. On Monday the first week of the term, Mrs. Mary Omolo emailed me to prepare for my previous term exams and assured me that $4000 is been credited to my account from CLA. This great assistance marked the turning point to my predicament.  CLA donors allowed the Lord to use you to the end just to fulfill God’s dream in my life. I can now reflect back and see my education in AIU as purely from faith through your contribution. May the good Lord reward CLA and constantly remind you that I am part of your crowns in eternity.

I am happy that I am graduating and looking forward to going back to serve my people in Nigeria. I am not sure yet the exact ministry I will be doing when I am back in Nigeria. One thing I am sure is that I have been transformed to be a useful vessel in His hands. Pray for the safety of my family back in Nigeria. Pray for the activities of terrorists (Boko Haram). Jos, where my family lives is one of the targeted areas they are vowing to Islamize or keep attacking to frustrate the church. Pray that God will defend the church and turn them to Himself. Last week-end the terrorists attacked a village in Jos and killed about 50 people. The following day, Christians gathered to conduct a mass burial but they were attacked again by the terrorists and killed close to 100 people including a Senator and other political leaders of that community. Pray that the 50 decomposed bodies will be given a burial.

Finally, pray for my one way flight ticked ($700) back to Nigeria that the good Lord will provide to finish the journey He began in AIU so that I will get to be with my family. It is over one year now since I left Nigeria and I am really anxious to be with them. I had planned to take off on the 17^th July, 2012 but I don’t know where the ticked will come from. Thanks, Rev. Haruna A. Tukurah.  

grass to Grace

Esther G. Njuguna, 22 years old is the firstborn in a family of seven siblings.  She is a first year undergraduate student at Africa International University (AIU), pursuing a Business Administration degree.  This young lady is committed and zealous about working with people.  Her being in AIU is truly miraculous.  Though she is still new in the university, this has not hindered her from serving the AIU community.  She is a dedicated Sunday school teacher and heartily says that she has a passion to develop children who will learn to be independent early in their future.  She has also joined a youth group at AIU and a group meant to work with a new organization known as Serve the City that aims to impact the lives of needy people within Nairobi, such as prisoners and orphans.

Esther’s family were victims of Kenya’s 2007-2008 post-election violence.  Her father, who had been working as an ordinary businessman at the Cheptiret Center in Eldoret, had his entire business destroyed.  Her mother, who earned a meager income from her daily business in the marketplace had a two-week old baby and was thus weak.  This was an extremely difficult time for her family.  Esther, together with the other six children and her parents, were forced to live in a small tent at Eldoret Showground.  It was a very cold, rainy season and water would often flood into the tents, but they had no choice but to remain there.

Esther was due to join form three in January, 2008.  However she was unable to take up her place due to lack of school fees and spent the following months living in the showground.  During this period, Esther would spend most of her time in her local World Wide Gospel Church, Eldoret, either praying or cleaning the church surroundings. 

She experienced a miracle in September, 2009 when she received a check to pay for her school fees enabling her to join form three at Wareng High School, Eldoret in the third term.  During this term, both parents were jobless so there was little money for meals at home.  Her dad continued to suffer from post-traumatic stress and remained unemployed.  Esther would therefore go to school and at the same time use her talent for hair-plaiting at the IDP grounds to earn some money to help feed her family.

Alongside all the tough struggles, she also had to undergo an operation for an umbilical Hernia. She was in much pain but had to walk 8 kilometers daily to and from school since the family could not afford transport.  Despite everything, Esther managed to score a mean grade of C+ in her form four national exams.  In Ester’s view she owes it all to the Almighty God. She had always wanted to join a university or college, nonetheless this was just a dream since she could not even manage the expense of a computer college that offered full courses for $300.00 yet she really wished to.

However, Esther’s path to a brighter future opened up the day Rev. Grace Uteri together with pastor Rev. Wangila from AIU were invited to her local church for a revival.  She got to interact with Rev. Grace who informed her about AIU scholarships and gave her forms to fill in.  Esther did this, and asked a few questions about the courses offered at AIU, yet in her mind she knew that joining a university institution could barely become a reality.  Hardly two weeks after submitting the forms, she received an admission letter for AIU with a scholarship for her tuition fees from Christian Leaders for Africa (CLA), and organization that partners with AIU.  She was therefore able to join AIU in September, 2011.

Esther’s family cannot provide for her university education since the little amount they get is used to feed the large family.  Her scholarship covers only the tuition fees; she therefore hoes that seeking to cover other expenses such as food and rent will not disrupt her studies and attendance.  Esther says that in everything she has learned that one’s family cannot be the only source of provision, one can still succeed through help that comes totally from an outsider.  Therefore it is her future desire to continue helping others in society.  Also, for her it is all about God.  He is her greatest sustainer and wants to serve Him all the days of her life.  Her favorite Bible verse that keeps her strong is Psalm 23: “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside the still waters, he restores my soul”.

If you would like to help Esther with her living expenses at AIU you can make a tax deductible contribution at www.clafrica.com.

Ophanage in Bungoma, Kenya has a connection in West Virginia

Earlier this year Paul King and his wife Kathy, whom I serve with at Gideon’s International, heard that I was preparing to return to Kenya.  They sponsor students at the Living Hope High School (www.livinghopehighschool.org) located in Bungoma, Kenya.  This orphanage was started by Pendleton County resident, Marilyn Uhl.  When she retired from teaching, she sold her house and her belongings and moved to Kenya to make a real difference in the lives of these students.   

Paul and Kathy learned that 50 wool blankets had been donated to this orphanage and they did not know how to transport them.  That is when I volunteered to help out.  Since I was traveling on British Airways which allows 3 bags weighing up to 51 pounds, I had plenty of room.  In fact the blankets were also great packing material for the Ethernet Switch for the AIU wireless network and laptops that were donated from Christian Leaders for Africa.  Hearing that Marilyn has 5 of her brightest students that were preparing to start their senior year of high school, I arranged for their transport, meals, and lodging on the AIU campus.  Thanks to the generosity of local residents, they were also able to visit the Nairobi Game Park.   

For these students traveling to AIU to pick up their blankets, this was a once in a lifetime experience.  For many of them they had never been away from their village in Bungoma.  While on campus they were paired up with other freshmen students for a campus tour, visit to the library, and meetings with the admissions and student financial aid officers.   

But the story does not end there.  The week before departure, we were visiting Ed and Geri Moser, owners of the Breath of Heaven Bed and Breakfast.  They had generously allowed us to come and shower at their placed since our power at the North Fork Mountain Inn had been out for a week.  When they learned of my upcoming trip to Kenya, they told me about students they sponsor at Living Hope High School in Bungoma, Kenya.  You can imagine their surprise when I told them that I was delivering these blankets for the students.  So before I left, Gerri purchased WV hooded sweatshirts and other gifts to send along.  It is Winter here right now.  But for me it seems quite comfortable.  The Kenyans look at me with funny glances as they are all bundled up in coats and I am walking around in a short sleeved shirt.   

While here I had a chance to visit with Saul Omulama, one of the AIU graduates from this past weekend.  Saul is starting a ministry in the Kibera slums where he and his wife Nelly have worked for the last five years.  One of their top priorities is to prevent human trafficking and prostitution which is a way of survival in this poverty stricken neighborhood.  When I asked how I can help him in his new venture, he mentioned that he needs a new laptop and bibles.  So when I return in October, I will be bringing a re-furbished laptop for his use and will plan a distribution of Bibles in the Kibera slums in conjunction with Gideon’s International. 

If you are interested in providing a tax deductible donation to any of these causes you can send it to Christian Leaders for Africa, P.O. Box 1642, Indianapolis, IN 46206 or visit our website at www.clafrica.com. 

Graduation Day July 14, 2012

At our recent governing council meeting we honored our outgoing Chairperson, Dr. Gideon Muriuki for his 8 years of service on the AIU Governing Council. Gideon has given generously of his time and money to help AIU reach the financial stability it enjoys today.  Gideon is the managing director of the Co-operative Bank of Kenya and for the second year in a row has been awarded 'Bank of the Year" in the Global Bank Awards 2011 by the Financial Times of London.  Also, this year, Co-op Bank was recognized with 'Best Company in Corporate Governance Award' at the annual Financial Reporting (FiRe) Awards. 

It has been a real privilege for me to work alongside and learn from such a man of integrity.  As the Chairperson for the Governing Council, Gideon formally welcomed the dignitaries, alumni, faculty, students and guests to the graduation ceremony.  I have included his message to the crowd of about 1200 who were present to participate in this annual celebration and rite of passage.

I am very thankful to God as I write this piece.  God is good.  The Bible says in Psalms 73, verse 1: "Surely, God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart."  As I look back over the past few years, I can honestly say, "God has been good to NEGST.  God is good to AIU." 

It is now sixteen months since we officially became Africa International University.  As I look back to that wonderful day on March 4th when President Kibaki awarded the AIU charter, I say "We give all the glory to Jesus."  That day will always be a testimony to God's goodness.  For this reason the Governing Council has approved and declared March 4th as AIU day.  On this day each year we will celebrate the anniversary of the university.

On November 4th last year, we launched the capital campaign to raise $10,000,000.00 over five years.  On that night, the Lord gave us more than we imagined.  It was amazing and we thank God that we managed to kick off the journey of faith with donations of over $400,000.00 that night.  About $67,000.00 more has been donated since the launch.  More work has to be done to meet the full target.  This year the focus of the capital campaign is on raising $2.5 million for the new Leah Ngini Center.  The modern four-storied building will have a cafeteria to seat 200 people, coffee shop, student lounge and offices, bookshop, lecture theatres, ICT center, and other amenities.  I warmly invite you to join hands together with us to raise the funds for this noble venture.

Excellent facilities contribute to a good education.  The Leah Ngini Center is part of the first phase of the university physical facilities Master plan.  The plan provided for new undergraduate students housing, academic buildings, gymnasium, and sports facilities.  It also creates opportunities for kingdom investors to partner with the university in developing new facilities and business services.

The governing Council has had the opportunity to review our financial statements for the past year; and they do capture the reality of the successful implementation of the various institutional and financial strategies.  A consolidated surplus of over $500,000.00, a 144% increase over the surplus in 2009 is a testimony of God's faithfulness upon AIU even as we embark on the journey ahead as a fully-fledged University.  To God be all honor and glory!

As Governors, our commitment is that AIU will preserve the NEGST ethos of training quality leaders.  Our desire is that AIU preserves a legacy of not just quality education but also education with passion and integrity.  We do not doubt that our God who has brought us this far will enable us to achieve our desires and goals, as we rely on Him.

At the Co-operative Bank, we have chosen as our theme for this year, Joshua 1:3- "I will give you every place where you set your food."  This is my prayer for AIU as well.  God bless all of us and God bless AIU.

On the Verge of Africa's Renaissance

We are on the verge of Africa's renaissance.  Six out of the ten fastest growing economies are on the continent.  The democratic space is expanding and the demands for just, transparent, and accountable governments are loud and clear.  The growth of the church has migrated to the global south with Africa witnessing the fastest growth.  With the prospect of prosperity there is the reality of poor governance, lack of ethics, conflict, and war, poverty and moral degradation.  These are the realities of Africa that Africa International University must embrace to be relevant at a time of continental evolution and global integration.

In cognizance of the continent's rapid economic, social, and cultural transformation, new educational programs are at the implementation stage.  These programs in Business, Commerce, and Entrepreneurial Studies, Programs in Values, Ethics, Law, and Governance, Programs in Cultural and Social, Community and Humans Development Studies, Programs in ICT, Science, and Technology are part of the new curriculum being developed.

AIU is embarking on an ambitious diversified integration development plan alongside the development of the new programs that will address emerging African realities.  The master plan includes a student and community center, sports and recreation facilities, state of the art classroom and student accommodation, e-learning education delivery systems, conference facilities, and a business park.  In October, we will break ground and lay the cornerstone for the Leah Ngini Center that will house learning, recreation, and commercial facilities for students and the community.

To achieve these plans the university is rekindling the Transforming Hope Capital campaign to raise funds to make the next phase of development of AIU a reality.  Please join us in prayer and giving as we trust God to deliver our plans.

As we look forward to the challenges before us we must thank God for the present and past.  We are privileged to be part of God's purpose by training Christ-centered leaders to transform God's people and world.  As today's graduates move on to the "real world" they will face the realities of Africa head on.  By Him and through Him AIU has developed their students into leaders of integrity ready for God's purposes.  They are the leaders of today that will ignite Africa's renaissance through Christ, they are the leaders that will ground the exploding church in the south in the word of God and they are the leaders that will keep the flame of Christ a light in the corners of the world.  All this is possible if they continue to be committed to His word and connected to His world.

Congratulations to the Graduating Class of 2012 at Africa International University.

Meeting Leah Ngini

On Thursday afternoon I was granted an opportunity to interview Leah Ngini.  I had heard a lot about her and since they are naming the new AIU Community Center after her, I was looking forward to meeting her and hearing her story.

Leah grew up in Kenya but as a young child, she understood poverty.  Even though her father was a teacher and farmer,they struggled to make a living and have enough money for food.  Her mother was a great influence to Leah.  She encouraged all of her daughters to get an education before they marry so they could be independent and not have to rely on a husband for an income.  With her mother's encouragement she was able to get a college education eventually earning a Master's Degree and today owns the St. Christopher's School in Karen.  She has successfully parlayed her love for education, especially for women, into a modern school campus that is located near the Karen Town Center.

After teaching in a structured government education environment she decided to start her own school because it gave her the freedom and flexibility to pursue her own innovative teaching methods.  Even though she is an excellent educator, she is also an entrepreneur.  When asked what words of advice she would give to students whom aim to venture into business she says with enthusiasm, "Believe in yourself. Go for it and trust God.  By God's grace you can do all things though Him who strengthens me".  You can transpose her philosophy on education, "Be Happy" into all areas of life.  Even in the midst of dark circumstances, she commented that an "attitude of gratitude" makes any situation bearable.

Leah first got involved with NEGST/AIU in 1992 when as principal at the St. Francis Church she got to know the choir trainer that told her about NEGST.  Eventually Dr. David Casalli, Vice Chancellor of NEGST invited her to serve on the Governing Council.  What attracted her to serve was how this Christian organization (NEGST) attracted many refugees and provided an education even though many could not even pay their fees.  And at Christmas time, many of these students had nothing and Dr. Casalli would recruit Leah to help provide Christmas presents.  So she gave produce from her garden and helped purchase meat so they could provide the students a Christmas meal. 

When asked how she felt about the new community center, she seemed embarrassed, but commented, "I was truly humbled.  To be considered with the likes of Byong Kato, Tony Wellman, and others that have buildings named in their honor on the AIU campus, it is truly a great honor."  Even though she has become a successful businesswoman, she shows her true humility when she states, "We are all workers together in God's vineyard."  Her prayer is that many more will be called to serve at AIU as laborers for the Lord.

In conclusion, I asked Leah what advice can she give to people in the world today.  She remarked, "Love One Another.  Where there is love there is no discrimination and unity will abound."  She also referenced in the Bible where it states, "We will be known as Christians by our love for one another..."

Leah Ngini is truly a gracious woman.  As I rode back to the AIU campus, I thought to myself, "we need more women in leadership like Leah Ngini.  She truly is an inspiration to all, an advocate for women, always looking for ways to encourage the downtrodden and disadvantaged".  It is easy to see why God has blessed her in so many ways, because she has been a blessing to many. 

AIU Governing Council Meets July 10-11th

The Maanzoni Conference Center was the site for the 105th Governing Council Meeting.  Those in attendance included Chairperson Dr. Gideon Muriuki, Mrs. Rose Simani, Peter Waiyaki, Jim Rogers, Lee Karuri, Dr. Margaret Muthwii, Ken Wathome, Prof. Samuel Katia, Dr. Joe Mwangi, Rev. Aiah Foday-Khabenje, and Ed Fischer. 

The Meeting was opened with Prayer and a Devotion from Mathew 19:25.  The topic was "Donor Fatigue"-The lesson learned was, "We will gain one hundred times over what we have given up to follow Christ and serve in His Kingdom".

Highlights from the morning session included: Graduation Approvals (100), Admissions and Enrollment Summary 2011/2012, (426), New Programs (Listed Below), Faculty Recruitment and Appointments, and Academic Partnerships.

New Programs slated for September 2012 include:

Bachelor of Financial Management & Accounting
Bachelor of Human Resource Management
Bachelor of Entrepreneurship
Bachelor of Information Communication Technology
Bachelor of Community Development

Postgraduate or Short Courses offered at ISAR:

Law, Theology, and Leadership
Governance, Law, and Theology
Theology, Economic, and Politics
Leadership

Master of Arts in Child Development and Family
PhD in Theology

New Programs slated for 2013 include:

Bachelor of Linguistics and Translation
Bachelor of Social Work
Bachelor of Political Science, Governance, and Leadership
Bachelor of Laws
      -Law and African Legal Systems
      -Law and Public Policy
      -Constitutional Law and Governance
      -Commercial Law

The afternoon session was focused on Resource Mobilization which included finance reports on current financial performance, debt management, audited accounts, and the Budget for 2011/2012.

The third session and last of the day included a time of Praise and Prayer. 

On Wednesday, we were joined by members of the Board of Trustees

After the opening prayer and devotion, Ed Fischer presented a report on CLA highlights from the last 6 months.  This was followed by a report from Kavita Mouka on Institutional Development.  The long term goal is to integrate the Institutional Development efforts of AIU and CLA into a single office.  Kavita continued his presentation with the "Buy a Brick, Build a Leader Campaign".

Dr. Carew provided an update on the CLMC Property Purchase.  He went on to discuss the Master Plan Implementation which includes the Leah Ngini Center and the Transforming Hope Capital Campaign.

The Afternoon session included: AIU Charter Amendments, Nomination and Election of Council Chair, (Lee Karuri) and Deputy Chair (Rose Simani), Council Membership and Review, Re-appointing Dr. Carew to another 4 year term, Salary Review, Graduation Announcements, and honoring outgoing Chairperson Dr. Gideon Muriuki.

The meeting was closed in prayer.

I arrived safely late Monday evening around 9:30 PM.  My good friend Baraza was there to meet me at the airport.  This was the fastest trip through Visa and Customs.  I am traveling with several blankets for a Christian Orphanage in Bungoma about 45 minutes from Eldoret.  I will be hosting 5 students and 2 adult chaperones when they are on the AIU campus on Thursday and Friday this week.  I also brought 2 laptops, some jump drives, and a Wireless Power over Ethernet Switch for the IT Department.

I wanted to share with you the daily devotion from "Mornings with Tozer" as I found it very relevant to this trip.

July 9.
Too Timid to Resist

Speak every man truth with his neighbour; for we are members one of another. Ephesians 4:25

The clever proponents of evil political ideologies are spending millions to make us Americans ashamed to love our country. They use every means possible to persuade our own people that there is little left worth defending and certainly nothing worth dying for.

They are building in the public mind a picture of an American as a generous, tolerant, smiling chap who loves baseball and babies, and who subscribes wholly to the doctrine of the brotherhood of man—so everything is going to be all right!

From our point of view, these concepts are having their effects on the nation's religious life, especially among Protestants.

Let a man rise to declare the unique lordship of Jesus Christ and the absolute necessity of obedience to Him, and he is at once branded as a hatemonger and a divider of men.

The devil has brainwashed large numbers of religious leaders so successfully that they are now too timid to resist him! And he, being the kind of devil he is, takes swift advantage of their cowardice, erecting altars to Baal everywhere!

Lord, I pray that You will raise up a new generation of religious and political leaders who are full of integrity and who are not ashamed to honor You before men.

Mornings with Tozer.

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We would not endorse Christians as political leaders.

It doesn’t fit.

We are citizens of the heavenly country.

We certainly do say Amen to declaring the unique lordship of Jesus Christ  and the necessity of obedience to Him!

It has been a week of tests and trials as I prepare to return to AIU.  Our electricity has been out of service since last Friday evening as a result of an unexpected but devastating storm that left 1.6 million homes without power in the Mid-Atlantic region.  In many ways it seemed appropriate preparation for two weeks in Kenya as the power can be unreliable at best.  Fortunately this evening it came back on while I was serving dinner to our guests.  Carol came to the Inn all excited saying, "the power is back on".  You never realize how important something like that is until you have to live without it for over a week.  It was a real test of our faith, patience, and endurance.

I am very excited about the upcoming trip.  My agenda is packed with Governing Council retreat, meetings with students, faculty, management team, friends, graduation, and time with Dr. and Mrs. Carew.  Please pray for safe travel and that our meetings are productive. 

It is very exciting to now be working halftime as Executive Director at CLA.  We have many exciting plans for growth and development as we help AIU with the transition to a full fledged university.  Our development efforts and strategies for realizing the goals of the "Transforming Hope" campaign will be the focus of our energies this summer. 

I will be finalizing the plans for a short term trip to include the groundbreaking ceremony for the Leah Ngini Community Center on October 4th.  We are planning meetings with faculty, students, area ministries, and a 3 day, 2 night safari at the Masa Mara.

It will be a busy 2 weeks so I much finish my packing and get to bed since I have been up since 4:00 this morning.

Check the blog daily as I plan to post regularly about my adventures at AIU.

AIU Celebrates it's First Anniversary of the Charter

“Though He Be Dead, He Yet Speaks”: Dr Tokunboh Adeyemo Immortalized at Africa International University

by Babatomiwa Moses Owojaiye from his blog, "Christianity in Africa"

"It is exactly a year today, 4th March, 2012 that Africa International University (formerly Nairobi Evangelical Graduate School of Theology) was officially awarded a charter to be a fully fledged university in Kenya by the President of Kenya, Honorable Mwai Kibaki. A thanksgiving service was organized by the authorities of the university to conclude the one week-long maiden anniversary. During the thanksgiving service, the authorities of AIU led by its Chancellor, Professor Wilson Omolokoli and its Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Douglas Carew named and dedicated the university’s world-class academic building to the memory of late Dr. Tokunboh Adeyemo. Dr. Adeyemo went to be with the Lord on March 18, 2010. Until his death, Adeyemo was one of the Founding Fathers and the first Chancellor of Africa".

This special dedication concluded a week of festivities on the AIU campus. This special Sunday Service was a real celebration of it's International Flavor. It included special food presentations by students representing their local African cuisine.

AIU Vice Chancellor travels to USA to meet with donors

CLA Executive Director, Ed Fischer and AIU Vice Chancellor, Douglas Carew visit donors and strategic partners in the USA

May 15^th Dinner with David Fraser-DAI-Philadelphia

May 16^th Lunch meeting with Faith Ngunjiri and Josphat Yego

May 16^th Evening Dinner meeting with Dr. Douglas Black, potential partnership and suggestion for a follow up meeting with Kent Sparks, Eastern Provost.

May 17^th Breakfast meeting with Jim Rogers, Eastern Board, AIU GC

May 18^th Radio interview with Steve Davis at WELD-Petersburg

May 18 to 20^th Chief Servant at North Fork Mtn Inn Wedding Weekend-Cabins

May 21^st Travel with Dr. Katho to Grand Rapids, MI Cornerstone  Meetings with Jason Ferenzi.

May 21^st Dinner meeting with Frank Gorman, former architect of Calvin College and EMI Associates, potential CLA Board Member.

May 22nd Breakfast with Cal and Karen Jen, Business Faculty at Calvin College

May 22^nd Theological Book Network, Matt Heymen,  Nancy Arnison, new ED, and Wayne Bornholdt

May 22^nd Lunch meeting with Joel Carpenter, former Calvin Provost and Mark Fackler, Calvin College, Dept. of Communications  

May 22^nd Evening meeting with Carl and Joyce Ives, Paul and Gwen Kato, and children

 May 23^rd Lunch meeting in Chicago with Mary Kleine Yehling, Tyndale Foundation ED, and her colleague responsible for the African distributors of NIV Bibles

 May 23^rd Dinner meeting with Peg Huffman, Doug Long, Terra Seidel, and Becky Inman, and evening meeting at Mike McDonald’s house including Charlie Kelly, Faith Missionary Church, Terra Seidel, CLA Board Member, and  Donald Cassell, Sagamore Institute

May 24^th Breakfast meeting with Gary Reinwald,  potential CLA Board Member

May 24^th Late Morning meeting at Indiana Wesleyan University for meeting arranged by Dwight Jessup to discuss distance learning best practices-Met with Mark Alexander, Regional Dean for On-line services for IWU with lunch afterwards with Dwight and Karin Jessup

May 24^th Late afternoon meeting with Wayne and Libby Bloomquist, (Chet Wood’s daughter and missionaries to Cambodia) “Women in Leadership” Challenge Grant

May 24th 5:00 PM Meeting with College Park Pastors including Outreach Pastor Nate Irwin, and Darcy Weaver, 6:00 PM Dinner Meeting with College Park Missions Committee

May 24th travel to Paul and Priscilla Heidebrecht where Douglas will spend the weekend.  Paul and Priscilla are moving the end of June to Calgary, Canada where they will pastor an urban church there.  This will create opportunities for Paul to use his previous experience as Executive Director of CLA to develop and expand Canada for AIU.  Paul was originally from Canada and is very excited and energized about this new phase of ministry.

May 25^th 11:00 AM meeting with Bruce Howard at Wheaton Office-Business Program Curriculum and Partnerships

May 25-May 26^th Douglas to prepare presentation for upcoming Boston Conference

CLA Board Chair Lynn Cohick scheduled a dinner meeting on May 26^th at her house to include Wheaton Associate Dean,  Jeff Greenman, and  Dan Treirer, head of the Wheaton PhD programs.  She has also arranged to take Douglas to a dinner party at Karen Jobes, Wheaton faculty and AIU PhD supervisor on Sunday evening May 27^th if Douglas is available.

May 27^th Speak at Paul Heidebrecht’s church, Immanuel Presbyterian…and spend the day with son and daughter.

May 28^th Fly to Boston-Memorial Day

May 29^th-30^th Present at conference and facilitate group discussion on partnerships

June 1^st Fly to Atlanta to visit family

June 5^th return to Kenya via London

Other CLA action items:

Created 3 committees and assigned board members for Academic Affairs, Finance and Administration, and Development in addition to the current Executive Committee.  Plan to use Douglas Carew, Joe Mwangi, and Kavita Mouka as the point person for committee engagement. 

Developing a Board Policy Manual modeled on AIU Best Practices to help existing and prospective board members understand their responsibilities for board service and committee assignments. 

Currently the board meets twice a year in person in Indianapolis.   Plans include making the November meeting a two day retreat encouraging deeper personal (family including spouses) relationships.  The other months alternate between board conference calls and committee meetings.

After May meeting, sent each board member a copy of StrengthFinder 2.0.  It helps to identify your top 5 strengths with the premise that it is easier to focus on maximizing your strengths versus trying to compensate for weaknesses.  This is used as a tool for matching board assignments with the board member with spiritual gifting in that area.

Completed and shared with the CLA Board the Personal Development Map for the Executive Director using it as a model for engaging the board planning for its Top 3 Priorities (Strategic Planning) and alignment with AIU strategic goals.

Ed continued working and training with JDLA on grantsmanship, leadership development, and board training.  Starting July 1, Ed will move from part time, pro bono executive director to “half-time” paid position with a goal of moving to full time once current government development projects underway are completed and cash flow positive.  CLA will end it work with Rich Klopp and focus most of its time remaining in its contract with Jamie Levy, especially in the area of grantsmanship, board training, and leadership development.

In early June we sent out our summer request letter with a focus on Transforming Hope as a theme.  We plan to follow this with a special emphasis /request in July with an eye towards an October 4^th groundbreaking ceremony for the Leah Ngini Community Center.  We would also try to recruit church teams to visit to help commemorate the event and celebrate their participation and commitment.

Since January 2012 we have sent out a bi-monthly newsletter to 700 donors, stakeholders, and interested parties sharing the stories of AIU, its graduates, and communicating what CLA is doing in the US and Africa.  You can subscribe to this electronic newsletter at www.clafrica.com.

We recently completed a donor survey that reflected the following:

·         Donors are passionate about the church in Africa and theological leadership training

·         Donors would like more communication with and from CLA

·         Some donors would like more information about giving to CLA including estate gifts

·         Most donors are satisfied with their relationship with CLA

·         Most donors consider CLA a moderate to high charitable priority to support

·         CLA could improve the way people understand the organization in the USA

·         The economy has not affected giving significantly; most donors’ giving has remained constant

We plan to use this feedback to draw donors closer to our inner circle and respond to their suggestions of how we can be more responsive to their needs.  Increasing donor intimacy is one of our top 3 priorities.

Please continue to remember Lois and Mark Shaw in your prayers.  She will be finishing up radiation therapy soon and will not have to undergo chemotherapy.  You can read about her progress on her blog at http://shawsonsafari.blogspot.com.

Thank You to Donors and Sponsors

Since we returned from Africa, it has been on my heart to write to each of you and thank you for the generous donation that you allowed my family and I to take to Kenya for the Kenduiwo Children's Home. Although this was a mission trip from our church to work at Africa International University, we had felt that God was calling us to visit the orphange that Luke and Jacob's school has been supporting for several years. Prior to our visit we were in contact with Dr. Paul Jarrett who is serving at a mission hospital in Tenwek, Kenya. Dr. Jarrett is from Indianapolis and had a well established OBGYN practice here before God called him and his family to Kenya. Four orphanges in the Tenwek area were started with the help of him and his family.

Before leaving for our trip, thanks to many generous donations, we had just over $1,300 for the orphanage. Since we had five suitcases of items to deliver to the orphange and limited space in the vehicle, I was worried about how to best use the money as there was not enough room in the vehicle to take many more supplies. Rice, flour, sugar, maize and oil had been purchased already but that had only taken a small portion of the money. We had gotten two soccer balls and several pair of tennis shoes but how were we going to use the remaining $1,000? God is always faithful and I should learn to not worry as He is in charge. The following is an excerpt from Dr. Paul Jarrett's blog that I think you will enjoy reading as he has eloquently explains how God used you to provide funds for orphans in need.



Through last week we had received sufficient donations for starting our previously sponsored orphans in school along with the eight freshmen class children from Umoja and Kenduiwo Children’s Homes. The students must be enrolled by tomorrow. Pastor Killel and the directors from the homes have been purchasing things like dictionaries, other books, notebooks, mattresses, and soap and other hygiene needs that would enable a young man or woman at age 15 to live at school away from home for three months at a time.
We met on Thursday at David’s office discussing how much more expensive the items along with the cost of tuition have become since last year – about 20%. We knew about the tuition, but we had underestimated all the extra costs. We were short nearly $500 overall. I went to the bank machine to get 40,000 KSh which amounted to $482 in USD. A donation had just arrived this week to cover the amount.

On Friday, we found three more of our orphans had been accepted by local principals having missed the original “draft” which is pretty descriptive of how the scholars are accepted into various schools in the area based on their national examination. We did not know these undrafted three were qualified and weren’t alerted by one of our directors. We did not have any more money meaning they would have to stay out of school for an entire year. What should we do?
I thought of Hezekiah and spread out the lists of the name of the students and their bills; David Killel and I prayed over them and asked God what we should do. It then occurred to me to write some guests visiting in Nairobi who were coming tomorrow to visit the orphans; that in itself is unusual – we don’t get a lot of visitors other than for medical work. I had been in contact with them although hadn’t actually met them yet. I wrote to them of the unexpected specific need of the children whom they planned to visit.
It seemed that God knew ahead of this situation and the visitors had been given some money from their friends to use in their ministry to the orphans – just enough to cover the expenses for the year for the three students and their incidental expenses. Did God want us to realize our need and want us to ask Him making our will in line with His will?

That was the theme of the message of our pastor, Elijah Bii, at Tenwek this morning. His text on prayer was from 1 Samuel chapters 1-2, the story of Hanna. The story tells how she was barren and persecuted by her co-wife – certainly a familiar story here around Tenwek. Undoubtedly, she prayed for a long, long time. It was when her will came in line with God’s will that He answered her prayer. 1 Sam 1:11 And she made a vow, saying, “O LORD Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.” NIV. She became the mother of Samuel, the judge of Israel whom God desired – the one who later anointed David.

So it happened that our prayer had come in line with God’s plans. How much less would we have appreciated the money if we had not seen our need and prayed for it? It was God’s timing that made us recognize our need, our requirement to pray, and then give Him praise and glory when He answered – this time nearly immediately. Thank you, Lord, not only for your provision but also for Your teaching us.

Last week a friend sent me an excerpt from a devotional from an author named Young that I enjoyed. I was reminded again of it today.

“I am with you and for you. You face nothing alone-nothing! When youfeel anxious, know that you are focusing on the visible world andleaving Me out of the picture. The remedy is simple: Fix your eyes noton what is seen but on what is unseen. Verbalize your trust in Me, theLiving One who sees you always. I will get you safely through this dayand all your days. But you can find me only in the present. Each dayis a precious gift from My Father. How ridiculous to grasp for futuregifts when today’s is set before you! Receive today’s gift gratefully,unwrapping it tenderly and delving into the depths. As you savor thisgift, you will find me. Romans 8:31; 2Corintians 4:18; Genesis16:13-14

Please continue to pray for us in the months ahead as we will again need God’s timely provision to pay the next installment of tuition for our 50+ students in April. Rachel is staying a week at Rift Valley Academy with Amy. Pray for her time there and her trip back next Sunday. Please pray for Susanna’s delivery with her first child, Mara. She is due today in Cincinnati. Laura is at home with Yoshiki James Noguchi, who is gaining weight rapidly.
Thank you so much for your participation in our ministry in so many ways – primarily in prayer. I thank God for you.

In Christ,
Paul, for the Jarretts in Kenya
http://jarrettsministry.org/weblog/?m=201202


In conclusion - as I sit with tears again in my eyes and reflecting on our amazing trip, I am thankful that God gave us the opportunity to be a part of delivering donations to help meet the needs of suffering children. Our God is truly full of mercy and grace and knows our every need. You were part of God's plan and we only served as the instrument of delivery. Thank you so much for your donation!

Blessings,

Kathy McDonald

Dr. Chester and Dolores Wood Retirement

Vice-Chancellor’s Reflections: Paying true homage to Dr. & Mrs Chester Wood is a daunting task. One cannot attempt to do so without a lump in the throat or avoid being teary eyed! I first met Dr Wood almost 28 years ago. I was to meet his better half and boss –Dolora, as he would fondly call her- some time later. At the time he was a handsome and bushy-haired red head. Handsome he still is. Bushy red-head?? Thank God for the powers of creative imagination!

The legend of the Woods will be told and re-told at AIU for a long time to come. More importantly it will live on in the lives of the many whose good fortune it was to cross their paths and drink from their cisterns. This is because the significance, impact and influence of the Woods was not simply because of what they did at NEGST/AIU, but also because of who they were. Dr. Wood was teacher and Mentor to many. Such was his reputation for working students to the bone –all the time assuring them that he believed in the resurrection!- that a few students would not touch him with a barge pole. For those who had the good sense to sit at his feet, his classes were a treat and life-changing experience. He poured his life into his students and formed deep and meaningful relationships in the classroom, outside of the classroom and in many cases, continuing, life-long relationships. A scholar per excellence, a gifted even if reluctant academic administrator who was respected by his peers, and an astute and effective resource mobilizer are other facets of this brilliant diamond.

But if one were to peel through all of these amazing layers, one will find that the reality at the core of Dr. and Mrs Chester and Dolores Wood was the fact that they were captives of the Kingdom of God. They both believed the gospel is not just a faith to be believed but a life to be lived as disciples of Jesus and the Kingdom.

Mrs Dolores Wood, or Mama Deborah as she was fondly known, was and is the embodiment of commitment to and love of family. It was not just that she would repeatedly refer to “My husband,” “our daughters,” and “my family,” it was also the integrity and Italian passion with which she said it that captured one’s admiration.

So as the Woods retire, all of us at thank God for and wish them God’s blessings and presence and all the best in the years ahead. Thank you to Elizabeth, Rebecca, Ruth, and Deborah who allowed them to live among and with us. Please count us as members of the Wood extended family. Thank you Dr. Wood. Thank you Mama Deborah. As we honor you today, I am pleased and privileged to appoint you Ambassadors at large to the AIU Vice-Chancellor. Now get to work and get that book finished and published!

M. Douglas Carew

Safari Salama

We made it home
and all is well,
God was faithful,
I can tell.





















We walked with giants
of the faith,
and felt His presence
in this exotic space.




(Pastor Kilel and Dr. Jarrett at Tenwek Hospital & Kenduiwo Orphanage)










Halfway across the planet to deliver food,
a gift to orphans who understood.
Delivery people come once or twice.
The Source of it is Jesus Christ.









In the garden near Karen
Where the full moon arose
Over banana trees and palm leaves
Departing there was difficult to go.

We ate with locals despite advice
And never fell ill on beans and rice.
Although I confess to being a bit on edge,
At Dulles airport after burgers and fries.


The plane has landed
safely down from the air.
It’s good to be home,
But we felt His presence over there.

Our Last Day in Kenya

God's Highest Will from "Mornings with Tozer"

Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. Hebrews10:9

Let us consider three simple things reinforced in the Word of God for those who would discern God's highest will.

First, be willing to put away known sin!

Second, separate yourself from allof the attractions of the world, the flesh and the devil!

Finally, offer yourself to your God and Savior in believing faith!

God has never yet turned away an honest, sincere person who has come to know the eternal value of the atonement and the peace that is promised through the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The only person who will never be cleansed and made whole is the one who insists he or she needs no remedy. The person who comes in faith to God and confesses, "I am unclean; I am sin sick; I am blind," will find mercy and righteousness and life.

Our Lord Jesus Christ is theSavior, the Cleanser. He is the Purifier, the Healer. He is the Sight Giver and the Life Giver. He alone is the Way, the Truth and the Life!

Today is our last day in Kenya. I started the day having breakfast with my good friend Scott MacCloy who arrived late last night. Scott was my manager with I was the Director for the Government and Education Sector at Qwest Communications for the Mid-Atlantic States. It was great catching up with him. He is part of a group that is climbing Mt Kilimanjaro as a fundraiser for the Leah Ngini Center at AIU.

Then it was off to church at Nairobi Chapel. After church I traveled with my friend David Waweru to see the newest addition to their family, a boy named Ian, born yesterday at 3:30 PM. It was fun watching his sister Shana welcome him to the family. She is so cute. When she saw me at church, she came running and jumped into my arms. She is such a delight.

Then it was back to AIU for my last two meetings before we head home later tonight.

Stay tuned to this blog as we plan to post regularly through the year.

AIU Governing Council Meeting

Today was a very exciting day for the AIU Governing Council. The meeting was opened in prayer by Ed Fischer, CLA Executive Director.

Minutes from the July 5-6, 2011 meeting and financial reports were approved. During a special Chapel, Board Chair, Gideon Muriuki introduced the new Deputy Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs, Professor Samuel K Katia who joins AIU after a distinguished career at Day Star University and serving the Kenyan Government in the development of their new constitution. Dr. Muriuki also announced the appointments of Dr. John Jesu of Serra Leone, Dean of the School of Professional Studies and Dr. James Nkansak of Ghana, Dean of NEGST.

After Chapel, the Board visited the proposed site of the Leah Ngini Centre led by teams from eMi and Triad. After receiving the tour of the proposed site, we paused to thank God for His blessings in allowing the proposed student and faculty community center to progress to this point. After stopping in front of the library for pictures, we returned to the CLMC conference center to received a detailed report of the plans for this facility which will be at the centerpoint and focus of the new entrance planned for the campus.

Dr. Joe Mwangi, Director of Finance and Administration presented a summary report of the AIU finances reflecting a positive trend in debt reduction and improved cash flows. Thanks to conservative debt management and God's Blessings, the financial position of AIU has improved significantly over previous reporting periods. A special acknowledgement of gratitude was given to Vice Chancellor Douglas Carew and Dr. Joe Mwangi for the successful improvement in the AIU finances. A special prayer was offered by Mrs. Rose Simani in thanks for God's Blessings that made all this possible. Jim Rogers, Chair of the Finance Committee meeting held on Monday, February 13th gave a report to the board on the outcomes and action items from that meeting.

Dr. Carew provided an encouraging update on the CLMC land purchase expecting resolution on this pending transaction in the very near future.

Ed Fischer provided an update on the CLA staffing plan for 2012-2015, the 2011 Building on a Firm Foundation and 2012 Fund Raising Plans. He reported the main focus in 2012 will be centered around the "Transforming Hope" capital campaign. With assistance from JD Levy & Associates, the goal of CLA is to increase financial support to AIU from the current level of $500,000 per year to $2,000,000 to meet the growing needs for PhD, Master, and Undergraduate Scholarships, Faculty Endowments, and Capital Campaign Projects. As Executive Director, Ed is working on a pro bono basis in 2012 during this leadership transition period. The Governing Council suggested that special recognition be given to Paul Heidebrecht for his faithful leadership and stewardship of CLA during their first 9 years.

A special luncheon hosted by the AIU Trustees is planned for Saturday afternoon to include the Governing Council Board members and their spouses.

The meeting was closed in prayer prior to adjourning to Kijiji for a late lunch.

Stories from the McDonald's trip to Tenwek

We start today's blog post with an excerpt from "Mornings with Tozer"

We See God's Purpose

That... he might gather together in one all things in Christ... in heaven, and... on earth. Ephesians1:10

We trust the Word of God—and the inspired revelation makes it plain to the believing Christian that all things in the universe have derived their form from Christ, the eternal Son!

We are assured that even as an architect builder gathers the necessary materials needed to fashion the structure he has designed, so God will ultimately gather all things together under one head, even Christ (see Ephesians 1:9-10).

Everything in the universe has received its meaning by the power of His Word; each has maintained its place and order through Him.

Jesus Christ is God creating!

Jesus Christ is God redeeming!

Jesus Christ is God completing and harmonizing!

Jesus Christ is God bringing together all things after the counsel of His own will!

I can only hope that as we grow and mature and delight in our faith, we are beginning to gain a new appreciation of God's great eternal purpose!

Stories from Tenwek by Mike McDonald

We had an amazing and humbling day (Feb 14) at the Kenduiwo Orphanage near Tenwek. We are staying at a guest house at Tenwek hospital, and have been meeting many doctors and medical staff that are volunteers from the U.S. What a fantastic group of people that come here and work tirelessly to provide medical care at this missionary hospital! There motto posted on the signs here "We Treat, Jesus Heals."

After all of the email exchanges, we finally got to meet Dr. Paul Jarrett, a humble man that works all day at the hospital and then goes throughout the community providing care and spiritual help to the community. He often works alongside the pastor here - Pastor David Kilel who we learned about at AIU (more on that below). They are humble spiritual giants for Christ. Daily there are many converts to Christ as a result of the missionary work here at Tenwek and the spiritual and physical help that is provided here.

After a dusty, bumpy ride through some lush, beautiful mountainsides, we arrived at the Children's Home, high atop a mountain. What a fantastic view they have from there. When we first arrived, the children were still at school, so we met with Pastor David. He and his wife, Sarah, are the caregivers at the Children's Home. They were very glad to see us and were so happy that Heritage is continuing in supporting the home. Living conditions here are primitive with cement floors and spartan buildings with only basic furnishings, but much better than many other orphans. It's hard to explain how you feel when seeing the things that they are so thankful for and we would throw out as trash. The girls dormitory has beds for about 16 girls but they have several more, so many of them are sleeping together. Pastor David wants to get enough beds for all of the children because there are 5 children at the home that have HIV/AIDS and isn't good that they are sleeping together. The mattresses were breaking apart on many of the beds but they all had blankets and sheets.

Pastor David and the Director of the Home were saying that just over the weekend they were discussing what they were going to do about the food supply as they were running low on maize and rice, the basic staples of food. We arrive today with a bag of maize that was nearly 100 pounds, along with sugar, flour, 100 lbs. rice, and much oil. They were so very thankful as it supplied their needs. We had a local driver along with our driver and he stopped along the way at stores he knew would carry bulk items at a lower cost. Glad we didn't buy these ahead of time at Nakumatt, as they were much cheaper and it supported the local economy (plus we didn't have a bit of extra room in our vehicle)! Big lesson learned...don't buy items like toothpaste in the U.S. and haul it all the way here...when you can buy it off the shelves locally at much better prices (and not pay baggage fees)!

Valentine's Day is known here as the Day for Lovers and we passed out suckers, pencils, erasers, and some small toys to celebrate the day. They also received toothbrushes and floss. Twenty three of the children received shoes too. These were the the children that did not receive shoes when the last visit was made from staff at Heritage. The biggest hit were the soccer balls we had picked up at Nakumatt, as the boys said "AHHH!" and began to clap. We unloaded five suitcases full of items for the children and they were grateful and (I think) a bit overwhelmed by all of the stuff. They were proud of the new shoes and excited about the little gift bags of items and the items donated by Heritage Christian.

There were 7 new children that needed to be taken in by the Children's Home last week. They only had money for 4 of the children but didn't want to refuse the other 3. Dr. Jarrett told them, "let me phone some people." Well, he sent an e-mail only to us and amazingly, God had provided almost the exact amount of money needed via the donations that people had given us and through Heritage and Kathy's work. Late last night we met later with Pastor David Kilel, a graduate of NEGST and personal friend of Dr. Douglas Carew and Habtu from NEGST, along with Dr. Jarrett. We extended our greetings from them to Pastor Kilel. He is a very busy man with responsibilities for the hospital, area churches and area orphanages. He is overwhelmed by the needs of his community and humbly appealed to us for resources from our home churches. The churches here are overwhelmed by their needs, and the church members are mostly at the poverty level. He shared many stories of how God has provided for him and his community. He is hoping we can convey these needs back home and continue to build a relationship with churches who can partner with him to provide badly needed support. His needs are urgent, and in the Kingdom Economics standpoint, relatively few dollars have a massive impact over here.

Blessings to all back home.

In Christ,

Mike, Kathy, Luke and Jacob McDonald