Michael Banks - Student Ministries

Friday, October 4, 2013

Fall Travel and College Visits - October & November

I'm currently on the road at Moody Bible Institute. I arrived last evening and had a great time visiting with an MK and then meeting several other students and MKs. It's a great opportunity to catch up, but also to spend time in prayer and encouraging these young people. Today, I'm visiting with 2 more MKs here at Moody and then I'm off to Wheaton for a campus visit.

Tonight, I'll be back in Indiana visiting with 3 other MKs and hopefully continuing the ministry of encouragement.

So far this semester, I've been able to visit students at Indiana Wesleyan University, Kentucky Mountain Bible College and Trine University. I have plans to visit Asbury University, Ohio Christian University and other campuses over the coming months.

Please pray with me that the Lord will use me.

WGM Renewal and CMS Seminars - July & September

The mission hosted Renewal seminars (1 in July and 1 in September) for several of our families returning from their respective fields of service. My focus was working through some of the transition ’issues’ with the youth in attendance and seeing to the care of the younger Missionary Kids. Then during the week following each of the Renewal seminars, the mission had a CMS seminar for those missionaries beginning their Home Ministry Assignment. I continued working with the youth and children during these times, including being a home school teacher. In all, 32 children & youth were in attendance.

WGM Field Directors Retreat and MK Camp - June

From IWU, I moved over to the WGM Headquarters for a few days with the youth during the Field Directors Retreat. Then I directed our annual MK Camp, June 24-28, for the junior high and high school missionary kids who are in the States this year. Twenty-three students attended this year’s camp held at Ouabache State Park in Indiana. Our theme of FEARLESS came from a message God laid on my heart from Psalm 23. It was a great time of worship and personal challenge. There was a healthy sharing among the youth regarding the commonalities of their 'missionary' life experiences.

'Not The Same' Youth Camp - June

Next, I went to Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) to participate in a youth camp for two districts of the Wesleyan Church. Over 700 students attended this week of crazy games and deep challenges from the Word of God. I led one of the six ‘chat rooms’ available each morning for the high school students. They also put me in charge of corralling the ‘red’ team each afternoon. It was challenging, yet fun, to encourage a team of over 160 students to work together.

Pennsylvania and Rhode Island - June

After my Africa visit, I traveled to Rhode Island with an MK to help him move. He had accepted a position as an electrical engineer upon graduation from Purdue University. It was a fun trip and a privilege to help him get settled in his new surroundings. Along the way, we enjoyed visits with another MK and another good friend pastoring in Pennsylvania.

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Kenya, East Africa - May 4 - Tenwek Hospital, Motor-cross and Traveling Home to Ohio

After my time at the Baby Centre in Nakuru, Kenya, I had the great privilege to travel to a small village outside of Bomet, Kenya where Tenwek Hospital is located. The hospital is well-known throughout Kenya and has been a vital ministry outreach World Gospel Mission has been heavily involved in for decades.

While there, I was able to visit with the WGM missionary doctors and their families, spend time with several of the MKs and see the hospital's outreach first hand. A 'new' WGM family had only been in Kenya for a week, so we spent some time together going over the transition and how their kids were doing through it all.

What a blessing to witness this ministry first hand after hearing about the hospital since I was a young boy!

One special treat while visiting at Tenwek was riding motorcycles with one of the MKs throughout the nearby countryside. I used to own a bike similar to these in Bolivia, so it was fun to get out for a while again.

Although this photo really can't depict much of what we could see,

we went up on a neighboring hill overlooking the valley

where Tenwek is located. A truly beautiful country!

On Saturday and Sunday, May 4-5, I traveled back the US and actually arrived 30 minutes early into Columbus on Sunday evening. I arrived just in time to join my family for dinner celebrating my nephew's 7th birthday.

My time in in Uganda and Kenya went really well. It was a great privilege to be a part of those ministries for a few weeks and am thankful for the incredible staff and youth who serve in both countries!

Friday, May 3, 2013

Kenya, East Africa - April 30 - Baby Centre & Nakuru Game Park

After leaving Rift Valley Academy, I traveled to Nakuru where several missionaries serve. While there, I visited the Baby Centre where 2 of our missionary families serve. The Centre seeks to find homes for children who have been orphaned. There are currently just under 60 children in the home and 11 have already been adopted this year.

Also, while in Nakuru, I had the privilege to visit the Nakuru Game Park. There were many animals to see and although I didn't get to see a Hippopotamus I saw most every other animal in the park where the they can roam free.

A couple of zebras trying to hide...