Hink and Kaylene Smidderks are serving across Africa, with a primary focus on West Africa, and are based in Lomé, Togo. Hink serves as director of leadership development, overseeing the training and equipping of new leaders for ordination and church leadership. Kaylene leads communication efforts for the Africa Area through social media and print publications. Both are learning French and engaging deeply with West African culture.
Pray For
- progress in French-language learning
- safety while traveling throughout Africa
- curriculum-development teams as they create new courses
- growth and strengthening of social and video media teams
- establishment of redemptive relationships with church leaders and unchurched friends
Recent Newsletters
The Logical Choice
Kalson was a member of Full Gospel Mission back home in the north. But when he came to Douala (Cameroon), he occasionally fellowshipped with the Free Methodists. “Occasionally” is an honest and generous adverb. Kalson is a teacher of philosophy and logic. About two...
Thriving from East to West…Africa
Thrive Kenya leaders Yvonne Mtafuta and Lillian Kanji were excited, eager and a bit nervous in the weeks leading up to their first international mission trip. They had the opportunity to travel to West Africa where they would share about Thrive with the FMC in Lomé,...
Two-Thirds Through
The year has been wonderful! Driven by faith, the Wesley Missionary Institute opened in January 2021 with the first class of 11 students. Most teachers have been Togolese this first term, but they have also welcomed teachers from the U.S. and Nigeria. To remind you,...
Nafissa’s Story
From fear to confidence, this is Nafissa’s story. Nafissa is from Mali. She lost her husband, and she has been supporting herself and her two daughters through her service in the military. Not long ago, she started having health problems. At first, Nafissa attempted...