Youth & Child Visionary Ministry (YCVM) and the Dream of Kumi Christian Visionary School

Since 2001, a relationship between a small, East African village and members of Chinese Community UMC has been growing.  It all began with the friendship between Aeri Lee, our worship ministry chair, and Silver Omakenyi, her talented music and worship student at the Reformed Theological College (Kampala.)  The Holy Spirit gave Silver a vision to care for the most vulnerable within his community of Kumi: orphans and children.  As that vision took shape through conversation with other community members, it began to look like a school.  Not just any school, but a school that would love and care for children in Kumi and develop competent, skilled young people that loved God and were committed to serve in the Kingdom of God.  That school is the Kumi Christian Visionary School (KCVS).

Chinese Community UMC has been instrumental in partnering with YCVM to make God’s vision a reality.  This happened first through the generosity and commitment of individual members (weddings, birthdays, and funerals), then through the dedicated work of the Missions Ministry Team (Volunteer in Mission trip, benefit dinners, mission itineration), and now through a growing network of people and churches in the Bay Area and beyond.  KCVS is entering a key stage in its building and is working hard to open its doors to its first students in less than a year (January 2014).

We give God great thanks for calling us into this transformative relationship that has helped us discover new depth in our own faith as well as a new call for transforming the world as disciples.  We give God thanks for brothers and sisters in Kumi who challenge us to trust, stretch, learn, and grow alongside them.  We give thanks for the 8 sponsored children and all the volunteer staff and Board of YCVM.  We give God thanks for the vision of KCVS and continue to pray for the fulfillment of God’s purposes in and through the school.

Rev. Martin Odi, former Board Chair of YCVM, will be sharing updates and answering important questions during today’s congregational meeting.  This is a precious and rare opportunity to share hopes and concerns, clarify misunderstandings, and learn more.  Please stay and be a part of the conversation!