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
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