Reflections by Ivan Chung following his trip to Rwanda and Kenya, June 2025 …

The most exciting, striking aspects of this particular trip to Rwanda and Kenya is also precisely the most compelling value that TLAfrica aims to embody – holistic transformation in our ministries, education, services, partnerships, and friendships.

In rare moments in later stages of life in Christ, we can experience the connectedness of these diverse aspects of holistic work, and still provide vision and servant-leadership through it.  Our Kenya teaching and administrative staff team endearingly call me, “Mzee” (“old man”).  If that is true, then my later life stages began in 2007 when we conceived TLAfrica and our “non-traditional brick-and-mortar” Thousand Hills Int’l University, where we have developed this University vision of gathering the varied and seemingly divergent facets of our educational transformative ministries, and sending the students back to their communities and countries deployed to advance this holistic transformation in multiplicity of ways.

It is especially uncommon that such abundance of ministry variety would exist within the same small organization, much less the ability to theologize well about it,  and even less the willingness of culturally disparate parts therein to dialogue on its holistic commitment to God and neighbor.  There was a wealthy investor in Hong Kong who attempted to rebuke me for claiming TLAfrica’s “holistic transformation” with the small budget that we have.  Much has evolved under divine guidance, but such has also been intentional from the beginning.  I asked a somewhat rhetorical question to the Kenya Board on Sat., 21st June, “How holistic must ‘holistic’ transformation be”?  And, as we continued in our discussion, I mentioned that it fully depends on the community and individual of the context – the relationships, resources, and learning he or she would need in order be increasingly flourishing within that context, and influencing others to do the same.  Our TLAfrica internal and external relationships have proven that holistic transformative thinking and activity can happen in this small, humble organization, and still be poised to be extensively influential.

These TLAfrica relationships span urban and rural spaces, socio-economic stratas, cultures, tribes, and communities, large and small churches, formal educational levels, ages, special needs, gender, leadership, the gathered and the sent.  Here were some of the ministries, teaching, preaching, negotiating, training, administrative, development and visitation activities engaging me throughout the 18 days in Rwanda and Kenya, which demands more prayer, funding, and strong integration:

  • An inspection of the THIU Building and its prospect in replacing the chicken coup with the University Library and Computer Lab, along with the critical prospect of the auto-engineering workshop on the campus grounds, and auto-mechanic garage in the city; accreditation stages and new Rwanda CBC status
  • Staff development, discussions on Strengths in uniqueness and diversity, community development of pastoral and women’s groups
  • 3 different meetings with 3 country Boards, along with discussion on 5-year Strategic Plan
  • Meetings with THIU Advisory Committee concerning updates on Rwanda Higher Education Council requirements and partnerships with U.S. universities
  • Particular meeting with TLAfrica representative on U.S. university/seminary partnership pilot program
  • Negotiating with, tendering for various Rwanda business vendors on equipping THIU building with necessary furniture and machines, solar panels, and water pumps
  • Visitation of families and prayer with former staff recovering from injury, as well as the bereaved loved ones of former Board members (brother Marcel and President Emeritus Godfrey Nguru)
  • Discussion on secondary students from Hong Kong doing service learning in Musanze
  • Visit and encouragement for WEP groups engaging a variety of projects – i.e. agrobusinesses, pig/cow/bull/sheep/goat/bee-keeping projects – encouragement and discussion with WEP “Chair-Ladies” and leaders
  • Joining preaching team for Maasai pastors conference; teaching Pauline servant-leadership
  • Different discussions with staff of 3 countries on compliance, accreditation, and governance issues
  • Speaking to Riara University (non-faith-based university) students on social innovation
  • Meetings with prospective Kenya Board members and their families
  • Visit to various slums and churches/missions thereof – discussions on missional contextual issues to other Kenyan and Muslim communities
  • Visit to primary school in Mukuru Kwa-Ruben slums with interaction with primary students
  • Preaching at Tigoni Baptist Church, pastored by Kenya Board member
  • Visit to ministries and schools outside of TLAfrica, including other NGO/Charities ministries and schools, discussion on future work and collaboration

My trips to east Africa in the past 20 years have offered at least snapshot experiences of holistic ministries, that can offer “a little something for everybody” to contribute, serve, and with which to engage.  These hands-on possibilities lead to individual donations, ministry financial offerings, and designated contributions.

There also was much discussion, especially in Kenya, on future fundraising endeavors, of which necessitates current planning and strategizing.  Individual and church donations need to increase, especially in general funds areas.  TLAfrica is still in urgent need for financing THIU building furnishings, ongoing staff salaries, and administrative oversight.  With the extensive and wonderful staff interactions I have had, I can confidently plead for us to maintain and sustain our staff.

Future fundraising will undoubtedly work towards even greater sustainability through various investments, properties, and land development that will advance THIU, our ministries, student tuition, and seed funding necessary for business projects, expansion of WEP groups and pastoral training communities, and church partners.