As I wind down a 16 day trip through Africa working with ICM ministry partners, the paradox of obstacles and opportunity becomes apparent. In the Democratic Republic of Congo we have, by God's grace, constructed over 70 churches. But the need for churches is in the thousands. The people are in dire need of the Gospel as well as basic needs. The oppression they experience can take your breath away. A new partner and his family live without electricity because the local utility went bankrupt. In their city of Mbuji-Mayi, a large diamond mining business co-owned by the Congolese government and Belgium interests, manages to produce enough electricity to generate profits, but the largely million-plus population surrounding them lives in darkness. In picturesque Madagascar, the poverty is intense and yet our new partner has managed to plant over 200 congregations in rural villages. I visited a hilltop where in the 1600's the Queen of Madagascar executed Christians by having them thrown over the cliff to their deaths. I was humbled to be invited to preach at one of our partner's churches and over 50 gave their lives to Christ. In Ethiopia, the airline lost my luggage on the same day an Ethiopian airliner plunged into the Mediterranian Sea killing all 90 on board. I am privileged to escape such an incident given the volume of flying I do in this part of the world. I lost a bag while so many lost their lives. Thankfully, God is blessing all the trouble here king opportunities to advance His Kingdom. God bless you and thank you for reading!

It's quite possible that Sunday, January 17, 2010 will be remembered as an historic day for the work of ICM in Africa. Without a doubt, it will be remembered by the 300 adults and children who participated in the very first Church/Orphanage dedication service and celebration in Kitale, Kenya last Sunday. Over a year ago, we believe the Lord led ICM to embark on a new initiative, partnering with indigenous African ministries to construct combination church/orphanages. It seems before we could catch our breath, we had nearly 15 such projects in various stages of development throughout the Continent. Church/Orphanages, first pioneered by ICM and our partners in Cambodia, India, Viet Nam and Pakistan, are now finding their way to Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, Tanzania, Uganda and our very first project in Kenya, dedicated last Sunday. During the service, we were reminded that David provided a place at the King's table for Jonathan's son and that Christ Himself is preparing a place for all those who trust Him for their salvation in His Father's house (John 14). Now He has provided a place for these little African orphans to live, be nurtured and grow in Christ. We also marveled that the two-floor church/orphanage symbolically places the orphans living on the second floor closest to Heaven, while on the first floor, the church is there to undergird and support the young fatherless ones! Please pray for the new church/orphanage in Kenya and for the other similar projects under construction throughout Africa. And please pray for the author of this blog as he continues to travel in Africa this month. I am writing from the Democratic Republic of Congo presently but soon I will continue on to Madagascar, Ethiopia and Egypt before returning home to my family at the end of the month. Praise God for His lovingkindness. God bless you.

The first leg of a crucial trip into Africa brought us to the harsh, desolate dust bowl of Southern Sudan this past Thursday and Friday (1/14 - 1/15/10). As we drove over the border from Kenya, the presence of our spiritual enemy was palpable. Traveling with me was our Kenyan Ministry Partner, Pastor Benjamin Mutoka as well as leaders of Chicago-based Warm Blankets Ministries, Craig Muller, Jim Whitfield and Gary Marsh. Our mission into Sudan was to evaluate church/orphanage construction sites, and for me to check on two older ICM church projects. Naturally, demonic forces were working against us. Our 2 vehicles each broke down delaying our border crossing. We received an armed military escort over the border (this due to recent skirmishes in the area) and encountered corrupt patrol guards who attempted to pillage our money and electronic equipnment under the guise of a security check. But we prayed and God was good, as He always is. Thanks to the grace of His provision, we entered Sudan successfully and while the evil forces did press against us, and we could feel it, sense it, the beautiful faces of the orphans encouraged us to work and pray even harder to accomplish the task God has set before us in this desperate and forboding land. Please pray as I now proceed with our church/orphanage dedication service Sunday 1/17/10 in Kitale, Kenya followed by a flight back to Nairobi and then on to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Pray God continues to use me as His ambassador and servant as this is the desire of my heart. God bless you and thanks for reading!

Since my return from Tanzania on September 4, I've often recalled the events from the vision trip—the different churches we visited and the wonderful people we joined in worship and song. While still very fresh in my mind, I find the experience hard to translate into words. How can one describe the indescribable? You simply can't. I will try my best, however, to give you a glimpse of the experiences most meaningful to me.

First, I was struck by the easygoing attitude of the African people as they talked about "African Time". Suffice to say, an African minute and a New York minute are not equal. Secondly, I was stunned by the beauty of God's creation in the land and people of Tanzania. As we met many believers during our travels, I saw their inner beauty reflected through their deep and unshakable commitment to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, though many had faced persecution.

While en route to churches, I had the privilege of hearing several of the pastors’ testimonies. As I listened to their stories, I stood in awe of the redemptive power of the Cross. What a mighty, loving God we serve! The more time we spent with our African brothers and sisters, the more I came to realize that while there were great differences in our cultures and life experiences, there was also a common bond that brought us together in a very personal way, and that unity came through the love of Jesus.

For me, the trip was a perfect example of the Proverb, "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another". It was through our cultural differences that a more refined edge was developed in our faith, and I, for one, came away much richer from the experience.

~Ron Scott, ICM Area Director for the Midwest

Sporting their new shirts, gifts from one of the churches we visited! Shown here with choir members and our ministry partner, Pastor Raymond Muniss.
Dan Cunning , Iowa
Ron Scott , Iowa
Mark Fanning, Texas
Ralph Doudera, Virginia
Brad Orchard, ICM Field Director for Africa

The ladies of the team wearing our gifts from one of the churches we visited!
L to R:
Mary Collins from Virginia Beach, Virginia
Tiffany Doudera from Virginia Beach, Virginia
Sarah Fanning from Houston, Texas
Tanzanian Pastor's wife
Janice Allen from Virginia
Judy Cunning from Mt. Ayr, Iowa