ICCM

Alleviating Poverty through Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Reforestation

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For over 50 years, ICCM has supported children and families in Haiti through education. Tens of thousands of children have discovered the joy of learning, hope for living and the love of Jesus through our persistent efforts. Sponsoring children’s education, providing uniforms, books, and lunches, and employing teachers and others who oversee 59 schools — … Read more

Good News from Chile

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Nicole is a beautiful 14-year-old girl. Her father (pictured here with Nicole) is Chilean of Spanish descent, and her mother is a native south Chile. Nicole lives with her parents. She divides her time between her studies and helping on the family farm. When Nicole was born, the family had many economic and developmental needs. … Read more

A new thing in Congo

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There was no question, Canadian born Linda Stryker loved living in Congo (Democratic Republic of Congo or DRC). She loved working alongside her Congolese friends and colleagues. For 33 years, Linda served as a Free Methodist missionary wearing several different hats – that of a nurse and ICCM coordinator, teacher, mentor, friend. Her friends describe … Read more

Stand Tall

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In a few countries, ICCM sponsors children of pastors (PKs). One of our most vibrant, successful programs for PK’s is in the Philippines. Pastors’ families deeply value the encouragement and practical assistance of sponsorship because of the financial hardship and the stigma of being Protestant PKs in a Catholic-dominated culture. For several years, ICCM Philippines … Read more

To a Child, Five Years is a Long Time!

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Freedom Sunday 2011 featured our first anti-trafficking project, the Lahu Hostel in Thailand. For five years, 20 vulnerable children have lived together in safety, learned about life and God, attended school and experienced a future and a hope they would not have known without our care. This was my first visit to meet the children … Read more

Feeding the Hungry in Togo

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Elisha (pronounced El-ēsha) is a young woman being used by the Lord to bring relief to children in the Adidogome neighborhood of Lome in Togo. At church, Elisha noticed many of the younger children often cried and disturbed their mothers because they were hungry. She talked to her dad, Superintendent Rev. Fosseh Takpale, who is … Read more

Against All Odds!

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I’ll never forget meeting Jenny Orozco. With a twinkle in her eye, a happy smile, and a contagious laugh, she made even a visitor feel welcome and immediately at home. As we wove through Managua, Nicaragua, rush-hour traffic heading toward a section of town called René Polanco, I sensed her love for this place and … Read more

Sheltering Arms

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The acronym “TLC” is often used in place of the words “tender, loving care”. About 14 girls, ranging in age from 5 to 17, are in the sheltering arms of the Free Methodist Church in Bogotá, Colombia, and most directly being nourished and protected by a woman they all call Mama Ruth. Through her, they receive … Read more

“I’m Nova Havana Nuez and this is my Success Story”

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I begin with thanksgiving, thanking God that I was raised in a Christian home with two good parents and was introduced to God at a young age. I don’t remember a specific day when I first accepted Christ, but it was probably in one of our camps when I was 12 years old that I fully understood the gift of salvation.

I grew up as a PK (a pastor’s kid). Growing up, I watched my parents undergo a lot of sacrifices and hardship in their ministry; God was real and was doing something real in their lives. I was challenged and inspired to taste and see, so I become a pastor like them.

My papa died when I was 14. I am sure he’s proud of us for the legacy that continues in me and now in my brother. Being a PK has given me the privilege to avail ICCM sponsorship and scholarship. ICCM has afforded me an opportunity to be who I am. My life has been changed and helped through ICCM.

I’m so happy I’ve been able to give back as one of the staff in an ICCM project, the Door of Hope. What I do is amazingly challenging yet rewarding. Being a Project Director was really a huge responsibility for me and at the same time, I am a part-time Assistant in the National Office. My first thought was not to accept that job, but God assured me, “I can do all things THROUGH HIM who will strengthen me.” Indeed a challenge was given and accepted. There may be some hard times but there’s also great joy in serving God by engaging in the lives of the children. I also learned to improve my communication and leadership skills every day with everyone I meet. I learned to be a cheerleader, an encourager, and a listener. I love the fact that I did it! Thank God! It was far from my personality — I was a shy and a silent one. He is really a God of Transformation.

What I like most being part of this is all the people I work with and the friendships I have developed. The atmosphere of working together is one factor that encourages me, and to have that heart and vision to help these young ones succeed. Being here year after year was a humbling experience with the best and expanding friendships. The respect and trust have always had an indescribable and positive effect on me.

What I am most grateful for is to be one of the workers here in ICCM. I am proud of it. Most of all I am so blessed and thankful for the guidance of all the people I look up to, my mentors and co-workers. Their availability and support has truly made a huge difference and made me feel not alone.

Thank you ICCM Family, for the gift of being there, for the trust given to me. I thank God every day for these wonderful experiences I have and will be ahead. There will be millions of more children to be touched and changed and shared God’s love through ICCM. Cheers!! Blessings.

Note: Nova wrote this two years ago. On Dec. 6, 2015, she tragically died in a fire. She is missed throughout the Philippines and by all of us who knew and loved her. She was an amazing and gifted young woman. Nova is pictured at left with a sponsored child and at right, second from the right, with her ICCM co-workers in Door of Hope, Davao City

Changing Futures in Addis Abada

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The streets of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, teem with children. They shine shoes, sell gum, and do whatever they can to survive. Unfortunately, these kids are vulnerable to traffickers. Child slavery is big business in Ethiopia, where almost 400,000 people, mostly women, and children, are held against their will and forced to work in ways they … Read more