AIM/CIU Partnership Program

Pearl River, NY - Africa Inland Mission and Columbia International University (CIU) have entered into a partnership program providing a specialized financial aid offering for AIM missionaries, employees, and all dependent children of AIM employees and missionaries.

The partnership provides a 35% discount for tuition at CIU. Generally students who receive the 35% discount are not eligible for additional CIU scholaships and grants, however State and Federal aid may be used to reduce the remaining student portion of tuition, room and board.

To learn more, contact Andy Hornberger at AIM: 845-735-4014 or CIU's Office of Student Financial Services at: 803-807-5036.
 

AMA Foundation Honors AIM Missionary Dr. Richard Bransford for work with Africans with Disabilities

AIM missionary Richard Bransford, M.D., of Kijabe, Kenya, is the recipient of the 2010 Dr. Nathan Davis International Award in Medicine.  Presented by the American Medical Association (AMA) Foundation, in association with Pfizer Inc, the award is part of the Excellence in Medicine Awards program and is presented to a physician who has dramatically improved health care for an international patient population. 

Dr. Bransford will be recognized on Monday, March 1, 2010 at the Excellence in Medicine Awards Ceremony in conjunction with the AMA National Advocacy Conference in Washington, D.C.  The award recipients are honored for their altruism, compassion, leadership and integrity. 

Bethany Kids, a ministry established by Bransford in 2001, annually performs over 1,000 operations on children suffering with hydrocephalus, spina bifida, and other debilitating conditions.

“Dr. Bransford is the definition of true selflessness,” said AMA Foundation President Richard Hovland.  “His lifetime devotion to caring for children in places such as Kenya, Sudan and Somalia has transformed the lives of so many.  By establishing Bethany Kids at Kijabe, his efforts will leave a permanent mark on Kenya.” 

The AMA Foundation, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt foundation, is the philanthropic arm of the American Medical Association and is committed to improving the health of Americans through support of quality programs in public health and medical education.  Some of the AMA Foundation’s current programs include grant programs for free clinics and healthy lifestyles projects, medical student scholarships and health literacy initiatives. Visit www.amafoundation.org to learn more.

90% of Scott Theological College Students Sent Home Due to Finances.

This past year has been one of the hardest anyone in Kenya can remember. Beginning with the post-election violence and turning to a severe drought: the vast majority of Kenyans are struggling with dire poverty.

This past week, over 200 students from six different African countries reported to Scott Theological College, Machakos, Kenya and only 10% of them were able to clear their fees. This resulted in 90% of the students being sent home. Please pray for this urgent need. Not only is the current drought affecting people throughout the country, but it is further handicapping the ability of Scott Theological College to properly train Pastors to shepherd God’s people and share the Good News of Jesus Christ throughout the continent.

One of the strengths of Scott Theological College is that it over 70% of all operating expenses come from within Africa; underscoring the local ownership for the Institution. However, this also means that STC remains especially vulnerable to drought, famine, or other societal problems affecting the local context.

Would you consider assisting Scott Theological College in training up pastors by supporting the Student Scholarship Fund?

To make a contribution to the Scott Theological College Scholarship Fund please press the " Give Online " button. To find the funds on the donation page first select " Projects " and then the "Scott Theo. Coll - Scholarship 000253004". You may use the "Add" button to give to other projects. Thank you!

Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows…. Is 53:4

It’s with heaviness of heart that I am forwarding to you the news that Ryan Williams went to be with the Lord this morning, as a result of the injuries he suffered in the plane crash on the 1st August. This news is deeply shocking for Dawn, their children, immediate family as well as the whole family of AIM and we pray that the God of comfort who comforts us in all our troubles will sustain and minister His grace to each one. In our confusion and pain, we look again to our Savior, our faithful unchangeable friend, trusting him and his ways.

Please pray in particular for Dawn and her four children as they grieve, that the Lord would sustain and strengthen them through his Word and by His power and grace as we continue to remember Tiffany and her four children.

We take great comfort in the hope of the resurrection and the assurance that Ryan and Frank, as children of the King, are both now in his presence free of pain and suffering, enjoying the glories of the God whom they loved.

Grace and peace,

Ian Campbell
AIM’s Associate International Director

To make a contribution to the memorial funds for Frank Toews and Ryan Williams please press the "Give Online" button. To find the funds on the donation page first select "Projects" and then either the "Frank Toews Memorial Fund - 099096" or the "Ryan Williams Memorial Fund - 099097".  You may use the "Add" button to give to both funds or other projects.  Thank you!

8/3/2009 - The Africa Inland Mission (AIM) family is mourning the loss of AIM AIR pilot Frank Toews, 35, who was killed on Saturday when the Cessna 206 aircraft he was flying crashed near Wilson Airport in Nairobi, Kenya.  AIM AIR mechanic Ryan Williams and two American independent film makers were also on board but survived the crash.

“The two passengers have some broken bones, minor burns, cuts and bruises,” said Charles Mungaithi, Acting Director of AIM International Services based in Nairobi. “Ryan Williams' injuries currently include a fractured pelvis, multiple contusions and some significant burns. However, his prognosis is good and he is receiving good medical attention in Nairobi.” Ryan underwent surgery on Sunday and will be flown to the United States later this week for further treatment.

The four were flying over Kibera slum outside of Nairobi capturing footage for a documentary when the accident occurred. The cause of the crash is not yet known.

Frank Toews served as a pilot with AIM AIR since 2003. Please pray for Frank’s wife Tiffany and their four children, and the entire AIM AIR team during this time of tremendous loss.

A memorial service in Kenya is being planned.

Updates will be posted to this site as more information becomes available.

To make a contribution to the memorial funds for Frank Toews and Ryan Williams please press the "Give Online" button. To find the funds on the donation page first select "Projects" and then either the "Frank Toews Memorial Fund - 099096" or the "Ryan Williams Memorial Fund - 099097".  You may use the "Add" button to give to both funds or other projects.  Thank you!

An accident occurred on August 1, with an AIM AIR Cessna 206. It occurred around 2:30PM (EAT) near the Nairobi Wilson Airport. There were four people on board; AIM AIR pilot Frank Toews, AIM AIR mechanic Ryan Williams and two Americans. At this time there is still medical evaluation being done but this is what we know: The two passengers have some broken bones, minor burns, cuts and bruises. They are both being kept in the hospital for treatment and further evaluation. Ryan Williams' injuries currently include a fractured pelvis, multiple contusions and some significant burns. However, his prognosis is good and he is receiving good medical attention in Nairobi. Frank Toews, the pilot, did not survive the accident and has gone to be with the Lord and Savior whom he loved dearly and served well.

Please pray with us, specifically for the timely return for health of those who are injured, their families, and particularly for Frank's wife and 4 children as they trust God for strength and comfort during this difficult time.

We are trusting God, with all of you, to show Himself to be good, even beyond our expectations and understanding of what good could mean, in a
situation like this.

Denny Dyvig
AIM AIR General Manager

 
To make a contribution to the memorial funds for Frank Toews and Ryan Williams please press the "Give Online" button. To find the funds on the donation page first select "Projects" and then either the "Frank Toews Memorial Fund - 099096" or the "Ryan Williams Memorial Fund - 099097".  You may use the "Add" button to give to both funds or other projects.  Thank you!

Earlier this week, Africa Inland Mission’s U.S. Director announced the decision of AIM’s U.S. Council to relocate its U.S. Headquarters, currently in Pearl River, NY, to a less costly region of the country. “The U.S. Council’s concern for the best stewardship of God’s resources led to the decision,” said Ted Barnett, AIM’s U.S. Director.  “AIM’s U.S. Council has concluded that selling  AIM’s headquarters and staff housing  will unfreeze the cash wrapped up in high-priced facilities, allow AIM to utilize lower-cost headquarter facilities in another area of the country,  eliminate staff housing costs, and lower the long-term operating costs for the mission. This move will benefit the home office staff with the opportunity to purchase affordable housing and hopefully provide equity for their future.” The new location for the U.S. Home Office is still being researched. AIM’s goal is to complete the entire relocation process within a period of two years as God provides a buyer for the AIM New York properties.

“AIM U.S. has been located in Pearl River, NY, for 40 years now,” Barnett said. “We believe it is God’s time for us to move.”  

AIM’s U.S. Council set a number of criteria for a new location.

1.The headquarters should be located within one hour of an international airport.

2.The median cost of all housing within a half hour of the new headquarters be less than $150,000, and the median price of single family homes within a half hour of the new U.S. Headquarters in the area be less than $200,000.

3.The purchase of the new U.S. Headquarters including the costs of relocation will not exceed the total net revenue from the sale of AIM’s New York properties.

4.The relocation process will be completed within two years.

The preference is that the Home Office be located in the East; that the major airport has direct flights to Europe, and that many major airlines operate there so that AIM would not be adversely affected if a number of the airlines go out of business.

AIM’s U.S. Director asks that you join the U.S. Council and him in praying that God would be honored in every facet of this transition and relocation.  Please pray for AIM missionaries and employees who are affected by this transition. Second, he requests prayer that God will provide buyers for all of AIM's New York properties.  Third, he welcomes your suggestions for the next location that target the criteria listed for a new Home Office.  Lastly, he requests prayer that God will give the U.S. Council wisdom as they make the final decision regarding the new location.

Even in tough economic times, God’s people are remaining true to the causes they most believe in. That's the finding in The Not-for-Profit Surge, an article in this month’s Christianity Today featuring AIM and a number of other mission and relief organizations. The article also explores how agencies are adapting to meet the challenges of the day. 

Follow this link to read The Not-for-Profit Surge by John W. Kennedy

Ray and Jill Davis, missionaries with AIM, have written an article about equipping Kenyans for cross-cultural outreach through the African Inland Church (AIC) Missionary College in Eldoret, Kenya.

Read the Article here: http://www.lausanneworldpulse.com/perspectives.php/1076?pg=1