Kigali, Rwanda (July 2018)...

Out of three countries that I was visiting, Rwanda was the main country because I went there to lead the 2-week SfK MBA Boot Camp Training along with my colleagues, SS Kim and Sang Hoon Lee. This was the third BCT held in Rwanda after two held last year. This year, Rwanda Shalom Mission, led by Daniel Ryumugabe, hosted the training.

Unfortunately, there were a few people dropped out of the training at the last minute and the number of attendees was only seven. But, all three lecturers poured out our hearts and minds for the participants. Their enthusiastic positive feedback was encouraging to us all. Daniel said that our training program was one of a kind and hoped to host another one next year. That was encouraging.

As always, I met up with several old friends to catch up.

The included Christine Baingana, CEO of Urwego Bank. I am happy to be her mentor in running the microfinance bank as well as her career development.

Diane, CEO of Bank of Kigali... who served as Vice Chair of the board of BDF where I served as the Chair. I was happy for her.

Kevin Rudahinduka, the former CIO at Urwego now working for Bank of Kigali, overseeing mobile banking operations. Kevin and his wife Isabel came to visit the construction site of Nanuri. I had Dr. Baik meet her because she is running a midwife facility within CLS. Isabel would need good pediatrician like Dr. Baik.

Emmanuel Mugandura, the former CFO at Urwego now working for Coge Banque as CFO. Kristin and I supported four of the children whom he inherited from his older brother who passed without any resources to support them. They all have now graduated from the senior high school: David, John, Sarah and Chantia.

Jean Paul (JP) was Africa Regional Director for World Relief for a while, then served as Kenya Country Director for World Relief, and now serving as Country Director for Clinton Foundation. He told me that he was in transition and showed an interest in working with SfK. He probably was seeking a job, not necessarily a partnership. We will see.

Kyung Soo Kim, Korea's missionary to Kenya, who has established a bible college in Nairobi, Kenya, in Dodoma, Tanzania and now in Kigali, Rwanda. The get together was rather brief, but I was glad to see him even briefly.

Yong Woo Lee, Korea's missionary through ANI Mission Agency. He is involved in University of Rwanda project. He said he could be involved in Ghana as well.

Archbishop Laurent Mbanda has been elected to this new position recently. I am sure what he had done at Shyrah Diocese of Rwandan Anglican Church was well recognized by his fellow bishops. We discussed a lot and we will see what will gain God's favor and develop further.

Sung Soo Kim and I stayed at the guest house of Missionary Minsu Koh and his wife. They built their own home and also built a guest house rooms. We thoroughly enjoyed staying over there. They even let us use one of their cars. Koh is a vet doctor and went to school again in Rwanda to be a medical doctor. He has finished the course work and is now in internship. After one year of internship, he will be able to work as a medical doctor in Rwanda. He is 7 years junior to me at the high school we both attended. I consulted with his wife on running Gospel Nursery School that just started this year.

Ki Sool Noh and Mrs. Noh invited me and Missionary Koh's couple to dinner at Khana Khazana, an Indian restaurant. Unlike the last time, our get together was rather short, but it was joyous.

Nanuri Co. Ltd. is a new company that is currently building a medical center and a hospitality lodge. They aim to be a missional business. Kristin and I are still serving as directors of the company's board. As the chair, I get involved in the strategic development and operational plans more deeply, but it was disappointing that they chose not to be SfK's implementing member in Rwanda.

Sang Hoon Lee's family invited us to dinner four times and Dr. Park and Dr. Baik invited us to dinner once. They all are wonderful people of God. I sincerely prayed for God's grace in completing the construction project and beginning the initial operation estimated to occur in early 2019.

I had to step in to resolve a conflict within Nanuri Community. With God's grace, Kihyun Kim's family agreed to move away from the community and start their own ministries. They both prayed for each other and I was honored to be a peacemaker in this conflict.

2&5 Christian Academy seems to be doing well now. Both Songyi and Heeju looked less stressful than before in terms of managing the school. That is good and I am happy for them.

It was too bad that I had to fly out immediately after the training, but it was another productive trip I was able to make only thanks to God's grace. - Jeffrey

Arusha, Tanzania (July 2018)

My next step was Arusha in Tanzania. Before the plane landed at the Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO), I was able to take a glimpse of Mt. Kilimanjaro which I had a privilege of climbing to the summit in September 2011. Also, we flew in to JRO to go on a safari to Serengeti, Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro Crater National Park with my wife and Joyce in 2009.

This time, my purpose was to spend time with SfK Tanzania's CEO Sung Soo Kim. SfK Tanzania is the newest addition to SfK Network, but is making the progress most visibly.

SfK Tanzania has hosted two BAM Seminars: one for Christian entrepreneurs and the other for the church members at Arusha Vineyard Church. Some were overlapping. So I ended up talking about two different topics at two seminars.

The first seminar was held at WiThee Center where Mianzi Lodge is also located. Also, this center will house a multipurpose hall, called Shalom Hall, where one and only Korean worship service will be housed.

The landlord is a retired Agro Forest Specialist and the place was built ecofriendly with solar lights and reuse of rain water. This small guest house appeared to have significant potential and I ended up naming all remarkable buildings: Mianzi (Bamboo) Lodge, Shalom Hall, Koinonia Hall, Rothem Hall and all rooms will be animal-themed.

The seminar was very well received. Most of the participants responded with sold "Amen!" and strong affirmation about what they were learning. It was great encouragement to me.

Among many people whom I met, Moses and Ruth stood out. Moses is the son of the land lord, who studied software engineering. Ruth is the CEO for a business of selling filtered water and also water filter sets as well. She is also a lecturer at a local university. She is a wonderful candidate to be a Kingdom Fellow or a missional business in the MBC.

The second seminar took place at the Arusha Vineyard Church. It was exciting to see the senior pastor David inspired and passionate about holistc mission done through business.

SfK Tanznia will lead the missional business network (MBN) in Arusha with dozens of Christian business men and women. May the good and faithful Lord walk with SS Kim in leading and empowering these businesses!

I stopped over at the Nelson Mandela - AIST (Africa Institute of Science and Technology. The Korea's Seoul National University has established an institute called (ITEC) in partnership with NM-AIST. The chief of this institute is Dr. Hyup Seung Rhee who explained about the facility along with one innovative device that can help preserve fresh fruits and vegetables with ozon air. If successful, it would be sensational. So I asked for an update on the development.

Dr. Rhee's wife, Jiyoung Rhee, is a long-time acquaintance. Her sister went to the same high school with Kristin as well. She is now leading E3Empower Africa with the primary focus on STEM education. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.  I learned about what E3Empower is doing from Jiyoung Rhee over lunch.

SS Kim is now affiliated with ITEC and E3Empower, but intends to focus more on SfK Tanzania gradually.

On the way to the airport, Mt. Kilimanjaro revealed herself substantially, which is a rate occurrence. I recalled the fond memory of hiking to the summit some 7 years ago. - Jeffrey