Michael Rohm is one of our most adventurous members.  On August 27, 2009 he began an international journey to work as a volunteer missionary in Zambia, Africa.  While there, he described it this way: “I’m living in Zambia right now, building churches, schools, and hanging out with the incredibly chill locals.  After nine months of this I plan on working in Kenya then traveling around until I run out of money.  I love movies, books, running, bike riding, swimming, seeking adventure, campfires, sleeping in my hammock, and living in Africa.”

Michael has had news articles and photos from Africa in the local Canby newspaper.  Here are some links:
Out of Africa and Back Home to Canby
Discovering Zambia
Walking Cheetas By the Tail
Resting in a Homemade Shelter
Dressed in a Maasai Warrior Outfit
Visitting an African White Rhino

Since then, Michael and his father have returned home from Africa and shared some photos and stories of their experiences in Africa.  Listen to their June 12, 2010 and July 31, 2010 presentations at http://www.canbyadventist.org/podcasts

On June 18, 2010 Michael started walking from Canby, Oregon to Union College (in Lincoln, Nebraska), carrying everything in a 55-pound backpack.  At some point along the way, he celebrated his 20th birthday.  When he reached Craig, Colorado, someone gave him a bicycle, which he rode the rest of the way.  55 days and over 1,500 miles after leaving Canby, Michael arrived at Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska.  Now Michael is studying international rescue and relief work there.

Michael has had a couple TV interviews and a news article in the Lincoln, Nebraska newspaper.  Here are some links:
Television news video
Related TV news article
Journal Star newspaper article
Union College news article

See Michael Rohm’s original blog entries at  http://glimpse.org/people/blog/user/15713/index

Blogs of Others Who Were There:
Adam Young’s blog describes working with Michael Rohm.
Jeff and Megan’s blog describes Riverside Farm Institute.

Organizations
The church-building project in Zambia is a joint effort of Riverside Farm Institute and Maranatha Volunteers International.  Riverside Farm Institute is affiliated with Outpost Centers International (OCI), and all three organizations are members of Adventist-Laymen’s Services & Industries (ASI).

Riverside Farm Institute
Riverside farm is a supporting ministry of the Adventist Church ideally located along the Kafue River in Zambia.  It has pursued a vision of evangelism and service within the African continent for many years.  Working in partnership with the Zambian Union of Seventh-day Adventists, the Riverside team has helped to spread the gospel to many quarters of Zambia, as well as regions beyond its borders.  Opportunities for expansion of Riverside’s training programs has rapidly increased over the last several years because of their relevance in meeting the specific physical and spiritual needs of Africa.  Your prayers are coveted as the staff continues to seek avenues of ministry to this vast continent.  For more information go to  http://jaudas.org/riverside/about.htm   and  http://www.outpostcenters.org/ministries/riverside

ASI Projects in Zambia
The Seventh-day Adventist Church has seen tremendous growth in the region around Livingstone, Zambia.  But while there are some 12,000 Adventists in the area, there have been no Adventist schools — until now.  Using modified One-Day Church kits, two boarding schools have been built that accommodate 500 students each.  In addition, some 35 One-Day Churches and 30 Sabbath school classrooms have been constructed in the Livingstone area in coordination with ASI Livingstone and Riverside Farm Institute.  For more information go to  http://www.asiministries.org/projects-in-africa-and-the-middle-east