Kenya Hope’s Steve Holman says, “One major part of our ministry model is partnering with local congregations across the United States. This church is Grace Community Church in Hudsonville, where we are, and this team includes Alexa and Forrest Mueller. Forrest is the middle son of Dave and Joy Mueller.”

Forrest and Alexa Mueller at Kibera Hope Center. (Photo courtesy of Alexa Mueller with Kenya Hope)

Dave and Joy Mueller were the former executive directors of Kenya Hope who were tragically killed in a car accident while on the Kenya mission field one year ago. Steve’s daughter, Julie Holman, also died in the crash.

On October 25th, the missions team started the morning in Kenya with a devotional, prayer, and remembrance on the anniversary of the loss of Dave, Joy, and Julie.

Steve says, “One purpose was to help our Kenyan coworkers and widows groups and people in the Hope Centers grieve with Alexa and Forrest over the death of Dave and Joy and to remember them properly.

“Another purpose was, now that we have so much infrastructure and locations, how are we managing all of this stuff? [They are] seeing how well the wells were drilled and the water systems installed.”

(Photo courtesy of Alexa Mueller with Kenya Hope)

The team is visiting all the ministry’s Hope Centers in Narok County. They started with the Kibera Hope Center for a memorial service. The team also distributed food relief bags to Kenyan families and Dignity Kits to teen girls.

Please be praying for the Kenya Hope missions team as they continue ministry this week.

“First and foremost,” Steve asks, “[pray] for safety as they travel around. Second, for sensitivity to the leading of the Spirit as opportunities arise.”

Learn more about how you or your church can partner with Kenya Hope at their website!

Header photo courtesy of Alexa Mueller with Kenya Hope.

Last fall, the Kenya Hope team experienced its highest high and lowest low in a four-week span. First, “Our fiscal year ended September 30, and it was a banner year,” Kenya Hope’s U.S. Director Steve Holman says.

“It was the best year we’ve ever had financially in ministry initiatives and new opportunities.”

Then, at the end of October, a car accident tragically claimed the lives of executive directors Dave and Joy Mueller, as well as Holman’s daughter, Julie. The unexpected losses sent shockwaves throughout U.S. and Kenyan communities connected to Kenya Hope.

“Dave and Joy poured their hearts and all their physical and spiritual strength into the Kenya Hope ministry, and they’re suddenly gone,” Holman says.

(Photo courtesy of Kenya Hope)

In a moment, everything changed. Now, no one was at the helm to oversee Kenya Hope’s initiatives. “Unexpectedly, it caused us to raise certain Kenyans to a higher level of responsibility,” Holman says.

“Some of the things that Dave and Joy hoped to put in the hands of Kenyans, now God said, ‘It’s time!’”

Please keep Kenya Hope and its communities in your prayers. “I’d like to be able to announce that we have appointed an Executive Director, but we have not,” Holman says.

“It takes quite a bit of time to get a handle on what we have and where we’re going.”

Know someone who might fit the need? Connect with Kenya Hope here.

“My dream candidate would be veteran missionaries in their 40s with a proven track record of good leadership and cross-cultural skills. And, if it’s not too much, Lord, someone who speaks Swahili already,” Holman says.

Header and story images courtesy of Kenya Hope.

Dave and Joy worked with Kenya Hope for the last 13 years and made significant contributions in providing freshwater wells, education, widow training, and food relief to a number of communities within the Nairobi and Narok areas of Kenya.

Dave Mueller, Joy Mueller, and Julie Holman. (Photo courtesy of Kenya Hope)

Prior to working with Kenya Hope, the Muellers worked as missionaries with Partners in Compassion in Southern Sudan and New Tribes Mission in Papa New Guinea.

Julie Holman had just passed the board certification for her nurse practitioner certification and was currently in Kenya as a volunteer with Kenya Hope to evaluate medical facilities and provide medical vaccines.

“Dave and Joy will be remembered as missionaries who worked both faithfully and tirelessly to help others who were in need and spread the gospel of Christ. While they will be greatly missed by our organization, I know they have a place in heaven for a life well-served,” said Eric Hoogstra, Chairman of the Kenya Hope Board.

As these three were in Kenya at the time of the accident, arrangements at this point will not be immediate. Another notice will be sent when arrangements are made.

Please join Kenya Hope in praying for both the Mueller and Holman families during this time of grief.

Learn more about Kenya Hope at their website.

Header photo courtesy of Kenya Hope.

"At first it was just disbelief, like 'this can't really be happening,'" Hersman recalled. "But then the calls started getting followed by more calls, and it was obvious that it actually was true."

An unforeseen Florida tragedy claimed the life of Forrest W. Flaniken, 53, on Sunday afternoon. He was riding his bicycle in the designated bike lane when an 18-year-old under the influence of drugs struck the ministry leader with his car. Flaniken left behind a wife, three sons, and a daughter-in-law.

It was Flaniken's strong desire for health that put him on the road with driver Anthony Michael Moffa.

"He was…an absolute enthusiast about exercise," said Hersman, mentioning Flaniken's success as a triathlete. "He was just always running or riding or swimming to keep in shape."

Family, the Word of God, and music rounded out Flaniken's other life passions.

"He just loved his three boys and cherished his wife, Kristen," Hersman stated. "You could not have a conversation with Forrest without talking about family."

While Flaniken was effectively providing for his family with a successful career in manufacturing, it was his love for God's Word that drew him to a career of 20+ years with Wycliffe.

"When he learned that he could use his skills as a manager and administrator to help the progress of Bible translation around the world, his passion just took over and said, 'That's what I want to do,'" explained Hersman.

Most recently, Flaniken served as Wycliffe's senior vice president and chief financial officer, as well as chairman of the board of the Wycliffe Foundation. He previously served in the positions of controller and vice president of operations. In 1999, Flaniken oversaw the transfer of Wycliffe headquarters from Huntington Beach, Calif., to Orlando, Fla.

"When you move a headquarters, that's a big thing! But he had the skills to do that," Hersman said. "A lot of people thought of Forrest as kind of a numbers/finance guy, but he was so much more.

"He could dig into the most complex issue and get to the core of what was really important."

Outside of his work at Wycliffe, Flaniken was active in his local church. He also served eight years as an adjunct professor at Palm Beach Atlantic University's Orlando campus, and coached little league baseball.

Flaniken is survived by his wife, Kristen, and sons Forrest III ("Chipper"), Nelson, and Spencer, and a daughter-in-law, Kristen. Ask God to comfort each member of Flaniken's family.

"They're feeling the sense of loss," said Hersman. "Pray for them as they process this.

"To have suddenly lost a loving father and husband that way…their faith is so secure, but their lives have been rocked."

The ministry of Wycliffe USA was also rocked by Sunday's tragedy. Pray for them as they try to accommodate for their loss. They now have to fill three positions left vacant by Flaniken: senior VP, CFO, and Chairman of the Board of the Wycliffe Foundation.

"Pray that we'll find the right person–or people–to fill his considerably large shoes," Hersman requested.

A memorial service for Forrest Flaniken will be held at Aloma Church in Winter Park (1815 State Road 436, Winter Park, Florida 32792) on Saturday, October 20 at 2:00 p.m. There will be plenty of room for anyone who would like to attend. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting gifts be made to the Forrest Flaniken Memorial Fund at Wycliffe USA.

Click here to share a message of encouragement on the Wycliffe USA Facebook wall.

"The family, as well as the Wycliffe family, feels the presence of the Lord being shared with us through the body of Christ globally," noted Hersman.

"The entire Wycliffe family is devastated by this tragic accident," said President Bob Creson in a Wycliffe USA press release. "Forrest was a great champion for Wycliffe and a tireless advocate for the millions of people around the world who await God's Word in their heart language.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Forrest's beloved wife, Kristen; their sons, Chipper, Nelson and Spencer; and their daughter-in-law, Kristen. We pray that they would feel God's peace and comfort during this difficult time."

According to a police report, a car driven by 18-year-old Anthony Michael Moffa was headed southbound on Sunday afternoon. Flaniken was traveling south in the bike lane when Moffa failed to control his vehicle and struck the rear of Flaniken's bike. The reports said at this point Flaniken was ejected from his bike and killed, while Moffa struck a nearby tree.

Moffa tried to flee the scene, but bystanders kept him there until police could arrive, the report continued. He was later arrested on a charge of DUI manslaughter, vehicular homicide, and leaving the scene of a crash. The manslaughter charge was filed because Moffa was thought to be under the influence of drugs.

Flaniken was only 53 and actively served in his local church, along with coaching little league baseball. Ask God to comfort his family during this time of unexpected loss.

Tajik church leaders said a parked vehicle belonging to SGA missionaries was slammed by another vehicle moving at high speeds. The accident happened just as Pastor Boimakhmad, "Boi" for short, and his children were getting out of the car. Boi and two of his daughters were reportedly knocked out and suffered broken bones, as well as severe bruising. The children who remained in the vehicle also received bruises.

SGA said Boi's neighbors were angered over the incident. The pastor and his family are the only Christians in a predominately-Muslim village, and they shocked their neighbors by not pressing charges against the other driver. Instead, they became a living example of the Gospel by forgiving and praying for the young man who hit them.

SGA also reported that the condition of Boi and his two injured children is improving, but they'll need further treatment and rehabilitation. Pray for their speedy recovery.

Pray that many come to Christ through this accident.

The Slavic Gospel Association serves evangelical churches in Russia through prayer, strategic ministry and financial assistance. Some of their efforts include children's ministry, church planting, pastoral training and youth outreach. Get involved here.