My first trip to Africa was in 1995. I went on a medical and Bible teaching mission trip to Ghana, West Africa. We visited the capital city of Accra, where I preached and witnessed God do an amazing work of transformation. I assisted Dr. Mervyn Smith treating illnesses and organizing a clinic in Obuasi and Kumasi. That trip changed my outlook of the world and gave me a deep desire to be involved in serving Africa is some way. When we arrived in Ghana, one of the natives asked me, “What took you so long to come home.” That statement wrecked me and moved me to tears. I knew then that the Continent had captured my heart. I knew I would give my time, energy, and resources to transforming and being transformed by Africa.

In 2005, I made my second trip to Africa.  My colleague and friend, Kizombo, and I traveled to Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kigali, Rwanda, and Nairobi, Kenya. We spent most of our time teaching pastors, some whom had traveled 2-3 days, with no money and no foreseeable way to return to their homes, to get to where we were teaching.  This was very humbling and I got very emotional several times as I was teaching. . For the first time in my ministry career, I saw people really pray and mean: “Lord, give us this day our daily bread.” Also, we spent time encouraging teachers, and visiting the school that we have been supporting for the last several years.

In the summer of 2007, my 10-year son and I traveled to Ocean View and Masiphumelele, South Africa. We taught English and writing at local middle and high schools, built a brand new roof and sandbox for a daycare, prayer walked through and built relationships in the community, and spent time caring for AIDS patients in hospice. This trip changed my life in a number of ways, but it changed me most because I had the opportunity to share it with my son.

Presently, I serve on the board of International Berean Ministries, a mission organization that is designed to bring the hope of the gospel to villages in the Democratic Republic of Congo, through teaching God’s Word, training pastors, education, church planting, and micro financing.  In the summer of 2009, we will be sending a team to Kitindi to build desks and chairs for the village school and train natives to build as well. In the summer of 2010, if the Lord says the same, we will be traveling to Kitindi to dedicate the new school and Pastors’ Training Center.

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