We thank God for this place!

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June 2021

SEND International sold its campus in Farmington, Michigan, in May, and will be moving to new offices as the Lord leads. As we prepared for the sale, we asked our missionaries around the world to send in their memories from this piece of land that God has used in the training, sending, and supporting of his global workers. Here are some of their responses:

There are so, so many memories of the SEND campus. The SEND campus has felt like home every time I've been there, even though it was only a handful of times. There are memories of game nights, food, and laughter in the MEC (Mission Education Center). (Oh, and hanging out downstairs for a tornado warning!) Of walking the little path through the woods. Of seeing deer eat peacefully in the grass. Of the runs with other SEND members. Of finding outside places to sit and have time with God. Of walking into buildings and having wonderful people smile at me, serve, and care so much about what God is doing in my life and ministry. Of meeting new people who are doing amazing things around the world. Of sitting in chapels and sessions to hear the testimonies of others. Of times to go deep with Christ. I'm going to miss having this familiar place to call home when I'm on furlough.

— Amanda, teacher at Faith Academy in the Philippines

Our kids grew up as SEND kids, and they all knew the bridge . It spanned the valley from below the current MEC across to the houses on the other side. It was the gathering place for SEND kids of all ages, and of course, in good Billy Goat Gruff fashion, there were trolls under the bridge. Older kids instructed little ones in how to cross without rousing the trolls. Stories and imagination filled the bridge for decades. And sadness reigned across the SEND Kid World, even up to those now grown, when the bridge was deemed unsafe and torn down. The woods were magic any season of the year, but the real magic lived under the bridge.

— A retiree who helped start the SEND media department in 1981

One of my fondest memories on the US campus was in November 2017. I had arrived straight from Russia to Michigan for a conference, so I hadn't seen my family yet. The conference ended on my birthday, and the group was very kind, singing “Happy Birthday" and some even giving me small gifts.

At the end of the day, I was packing up my room, preparing to leave. Carl Kresge, Russia regional director at the time, came down to tell me that there were people waiting for me at the MEC. I was confused, but didn't think much about it. I hurried to finish packing and get up to the MEC.

As I came through the door, the rest of the participants were getting ready to have dinner. They started to sing to me again. I smiled, thinking it was just another birthday wish. As I was listening to the song, someone took me by the arm and pulled me to one side. I looked in the kitchen area and there stood my Dad, my brother, my nephew and my niece! They had flown in from Kansas City to see me on my birthday and arranged the surprise through the International Office.

I was so shocked, I didn't understand who they were for a split second! There were tears and laughter as I introduced them to all of the colleagues standing there. It was the best birthday surprise that I have ever had.

That was the last birthday I got to spend with my Dad. He died in 2019 from pancreatic cancer. I will always remember that wonderful moment when I turned and saw him and my other family. And I will always be thankful to all the sneaky people who helped keep the secret and the surprise!

— Jenni, discipleship and youth ministry in Russia

Every day that we were on SEND’s campus, the walk to the MEC brought anticipation of QUALITY!

  • Quality food served with smiles and caring interest.
  • Quality conversations around the tables with others of like heart.
  • Quality workers in the downstairs nursery, providing loving care for our little ones.

— Eileen, church planting in Japan

I remember sitting in Dennis Carlson’s office discussing whether we should go ahead and purchase our tickets for Japan. We were at almost 100% support to go as career missionaries. Dick Oestreicher (business manager at the time) walked by, and Dennis grabbed him and asked his opinion. Dick’s response was: “I think they should go ahead.” What faith! The SEND offices were always more about the people then the place.

— Joel, church planter in Japan


Historic photo of a missionary mopping a floor with a child riding on the mop for fun.
My wife and I were missionary interns, 1968-69, so we were on the Farmington campus from time to time for lectures and mentoring. The staff were wonderful people, and the instruction we received was very valuable. The friendship we developed with other missionary candidates was a blessing. The picture above shows me doing my chores, as our 1-year-old son assisted me in giving the floors a good polish.

— Terry, former member of the SEND Canada council


SEND teams serve in more than 20 countries around the world. Explore our ministry guides to learn about the cultures and people groups we serve.
Explore our ministry guides

• Our total commitment to Jesus Christ fuels all that we do. Read SEND’s statement of faith.


• Learn about SEND International's mission, focus, and values


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March 7, 2025 Have you ever made a New Year’s resolution only to break it in less than a week? On March 1, 1.8 billion Muslims began their annual fasting month called Ramadan. They are supposed to fast completely—no water or food—during daylight hours from March 1–Mar 29. It begins with much fanfare, promises, and declarations, as fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam. Muslims believe that faithfully keeping the fast ensures one’s place of favor with God. But many Muslims won’t be able to keep the fast through the whole 30 days. The reasons and excuses are myriad. Sometimes they will continue to claim to be fasting, but in reality, they are eating behind closed doors. To gain God’s favor, they must fast through the whole month, not just part of it. So, they live with the guilt and shame of not fulfilling the requirements of Islam. What was supposed to help gain their salvation now stands in condemnation. A Feast Within the Fast To complicate matters even more, Persian New Year’s Day is March 20, right in the middle of the fasting month. Persian New Year is one of the most important cultural holidays for most Iranian and Afghans, as well as many others with a Persian background scattered throughout Central Asia and the Middle East. In fact, many people with Persian heritage don’t just celebrate on one day. Their New Year’s celebrations extend over two weeks! How do they reconcile these two weeks of festivities within Ramadan? For Arab Muslims, it is a non-issue. But for the Persian world, it IS a struggle. The hard-core Taliban will try to push people to keep the fast. However, many will lean more towards keeping their more ancient pre-Islamic traditions of New Year’s. I would encourage you to take time to explore with your Muslim neighbors and colleagues why they fast. Then share why Christians fast. Perhaps read Isaiah 58 with them, summarize it, and ask for their thoughts on this passage. One more thing to note during Ramadan is the Night of Power. Each year, during Ramadan, on or about the 27th day of the month, there is a special time called the Night of Power. This year it will happen on or around March 26. Muslims believe the Night of Power is when Mohammad first received the revelations of the Quran from the Angel Gabriel. Prayers offered up by Muslims during Ramadan—especially prayers in a mosque—are believed to be weightier than prayers at any other time. However, prayers on this special Night of Power, prayed in a mosque, are considered infinitely more valuable than any other prayer. Many Muslims will stay up all night praying on the Night of Power to earn extra points with God. There is a small problem in all of this, though—Muslims can’t agree on which night is actually the Night of Power. It is sometime during the last ten days of Ramadan, with tradition stating that it is on the 26th or 27th night. There are several resources to help Christians and churches pray for the Muslim world through this month of Ramadan. I would encourage you to connect with some or all of them. Please make others in your church aware of these resources. Perhaps you could even host a special prayer time at your church, utilizing these resources. Ramadan 30-Day Prayer Guide Booklet – This can be purchased as a hard copy or PDF. Prayercast – A wonderful website with many videos on the Muslim world. If you sign up, you can receive daily prayer videos that also work great during a Sunday worship service to help raise awareness of the need for prayer for the Muslim world.
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