Home Away From Home Derek Bradley There are certain experiences in our lives that can shape us for eternity. Such was the case for Derek Bradley after teaching English in Beijing during a summer camp in 1999. After two consecutive years of teaching, Derek fell in love with the people and culture and knew he would return after graduating from college. Derek spent nine full years at ICS, from Kindergarten through 8th grade. After graduating from Lake Braddock High School, he attended Grove City College earning a degree in business and communications. He left for China in 2003 to teach public speaking and English. In the Spring of 2006, Derek was offered the opportunity to come back to his ICS alma mater to teach 8th grade History and Bible. "I never imagined myself teaching in the United States, especially not middle school students," Derek recalls. But he credits his decision to come back to the memory of his own 8th grade History and English teacher, Mrs. Connie McCartie, who died from cancer a year prior. "She prepared me incredibly well to go to Lake Braddock and be able to take ownership of my faith," he said. Taking the teaching position at ICS for one year had great personal significance and this was Derek’s opportunity to guide these young men and women as Mrs. McCartie had. Derek is in his third year in China. He taught English for two in the city of Wuhu and is currently in Nanchang teaching Business English at Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics. Unlike others serving overseas, Derek is there independently. "I develop relationships with the students and share my life with them," he noted. "Even though my experience at ICS was phenomenal—truly a God-thing—my heart is in China. It is my second home." Derek presently has no plans to return to the United States. God is teaching him contentment and faith. "I believe he wants me to stay where I am, where He’s put me, until He places something else in front of me. If I was always future-looking, then I wouldn’t really BE here completely," Derek added. He quotes Mark 8:35, "For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it." Higher Peace Rachel Danish Rachel Kistner attended ICS from 2nd though 8th grade. After graduating in 1996, she attended Wheaton College studying Studio Art and participating in the certificate program, Human Needs and Global Resources (HNGR). As part of this program, Rachel lived and worked in Kigali, Rwanda and Nairobi for six months learning first-hand the need for holistic ministry in the lives of African women. It was also here she was introduced to the African-based women’s ministry, Amani ya Juu. Amani ya Juu, "higher peace" in Kiswahili, is focused on building Christ’s peace and spreading it beyond its African borders. It equips women socially, economically, psychologically and spiritually through its four-year integrated training program. Its successful stitching and handcrafts training program gives marginalized women marketable skills, allowing them to support themselves and their families. As these cultural products have been embraced in the United States, it has created the opportunity for the Amani women to come here for speaking engagements. Through these events, they continue to educate and inspire others to actively fight injustice, racism and corruption around the world while learning of the needs of women and families within an African context. Out of this growing outreach, Rachel and her husband helped start Amani US, the Amani Zawadi Initiative. This "Gift of Peace" program, as translated in Swahili, gives these women a far-reaching voice with potential to grow an export program which will financially sustain the Amani ya Juu centers in Africa. It is Rachel’s hope that Amani US will offer individuals on two continents a voice for Christ’s peace, hope, community and action. SEND ME Kelly Moulton The trip to Africa was not Kelley’s first, and she is certain it will not be her last. Kelley Moulton, a 2003 graduate of ICS, is now a freshman at Westmont College. Last summer, before experiencing the rigors of college life, Kelley joined a missionary team sponsored by Student Venture, the high school ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ. The teams’ focus was teaching Kenyan high school students how to excel academically, overcome past failures and develop meaningful relationships. This last topic created the perfect segue for sharing Kelley’s most important relationship; one with her Savior Jesus Christ. Time spent with the students in Kenya was the highlight for Kelley. The Student Venture training equipped her to share her personal testimony and how to guide listeners through a witnessing booklet, “Connecting with God.” Kelley experienced many divine appointments including leading two young men to Christ. She still communicates with one of them who remains hungry for God’s Word. Through her mission experiences, God instilled a passion to reach the children of Africa. She feels called to full time ministry. “Although at times the thought of it scares me, I feel the Lord is leading me in this direction,” said Kelley. She calls on the Apostle Paul’s words: “But how can they call on Him to save them unless they believe in Him? And how can they believe in Him if they have never heard about Him? And how can they hear about Him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? This is why the Scriptures say, ‘How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!’” (Romans 10:14-15) Kelley was the first recipient of a scholarship from the McNally Christian Character-In-Action Fund, which offset some of the expenses of her trip to Kenya.