International Mission
First Presbyterian Church of Pittsford provides international support through
Mission trips
Financial support of Missionaries in Africa and Taiwan
Fundraising, monetary donations
Grants
Scholarships for African nursing students
The following international organizations are supported by our church (click these links):
In-Step Children’s Home (Rehema For Kids)
Jamaican Advantage thru Sports for Youth (JASY)
PC(USA) Missionaries in Taiwan
Spotlight on
REHEMA FOR KIDS
REHEMA FOR KIDS
What is “Rehema for Kids” and what is the “In-Step Children’s Home”?
Rehema For Kids, located in Washington state, is the US parent organization of the In Step-Children’s Home, located in Kitale, Kenya. In-Step is a faith-based home to 209 abandoned, abused, and orphaned children. Daniel Traina from our church is on the Board of Directors of Rehema For Kids.
What is the history of the “In-Step Children’s Home”?
“Mama” Carla and “Baba” Jeff Picicci left their lives in Pasco Washington in 2003 for mission work with Kenyan water projects. In 2006, the couple realized the Lord called them to open a children’s home when they were blessed with the care of an abandoned baby which they named Rehema, followed that same week by 2 other infants.
Since the first baby arrived, Rehema for Kids has rescued and raised hundreds of children at In Step. They provide a loving home, quality education, nutritious meals, medical treatment, trauma counseling, and Biblical knowledge that gives children the hope of Jesus and a chance to break the cycle of poverty. The In-Step Children’s Home is the only children’s home in the region that funds each child’s high school education, plus college, or trade school and as a result, several graduates are now working in the community and contributing to the betterment of society. They are working in childcare, construction, information technology, and one is currently enrolled in culinary school.
What facilities are on the In Step Home campus?
The 20-acre village consists of several children’s dormitories, primary and junior high school, medical clinic, dairy, greenhouses. 2 bore hole wells, and a state-of-the-art water treatment facility. The new director’s home is nearing completion. The gardens with green houses, and the dairy provide for most of their needs. A special needs center cares for a dozen or more highly disabled infants and children.
How has Pittsford Pres Supported the In-Step Children’s Home?
Our church has organized many mission trips to Kenya where we built clinics, dormitories, and sidewalks. Every two years, we sponsor volunteer dental teams. Our missionary participants have taught classes, helped children conduct science experiments, conducted soccer drills, and held many babies. Our financial donations have been used for a new dining hall and most recently to build needed girl’s dormitories.
January 2024 Mission Trip Report
A team of 13 volunteers went to the In-Step Childrens Home in Kitale, Kenya from January 5 -21, 2024. Our church and Outreach Committee sponsored and led the trip. This trip had two focuses, a dental mission, and a service mission.
DENTAL MISSION
We had an 8-person dental team led by Dr. Cindy & Gary Groves (Boonville United Methodist Church) and Dr. Cathy Harrison (Fairport). We also had 3 dental assistants, Laura & Noelle Woodruff (United Methodist Church of Livonia) and Sue Wester (Livonia Community Church). Our own Ginny Vorhis was the lab tech responsible for sterilizing equipment and Kathy Van Buskirk (Conesus UCC) was our office manager. This is the first time we had 3 dentists, and we were able to accomplish more dentistry using a new portable low speed handheld dental unit which we brought with us. For the first time, all 186 children aged 5 and up got dental exams, full teeth cleanings and fluoride treatment. We also performed over 60 dental procedures (fillings, extractions, etc.). We even had time do procedures on the staff that work at In-Step.
SERVICE MISSION
The remainder of the team were teachers, coaches, a scientist, and a photographer. Dan Harrison taught classes on how to make miniature race cars using popsicle sticks, batteries, rubber bands, tires, electric motors, and glue stick guns. The children learned to solder, design, decorate and build their own cars. Then we had a race at the end of our stay where prizes are awarded. A great event to see which children have a spark for engineering. Daniel Traina had the pleasure of teaching soccer and netball clinics.
Dean & Tammie Myslecevek (Spencerport Wesleyan) are recently retired teachers from Gates Chili HS and Roberts College. They taught numerous classes in science, math, and environmental studies. They also taught the teachers how to be more effective instructors, especially at the high school level.
Flinn Hackett (St. Louis Catholic) was our photographer. He took school portraits of all 200+ children. We were able to print 2 copies of each photo and use the first to create medical/dental files. The 2nd copy went to the social workers for their files (the existing pictures were 5 years old). He also took many “action” photos that Rehema for Kids (The US Funding arm) will use for marketing and sponsor a child campaigns.
The next building project at In-Step will be a 3-bay workshop for students who are not ready for high school or university. This will allow them to attend a trade school in auto repair, welding, and carpentry.
The highlight of our day is spending time with the children during their devotions. Each morning and evening they sing songs, recite bible verses, and give testimonials. Jeff and Carla Picicci, the founders, are raising a great group of children to be the next generation of moral, ethical leaders in Kenya. This was a successful and rewarding mission trip. All missionaries and the children look forward to our return visit.
Submitted by Daniel Traina, Chair of the Mission and Outreach Committee
Click Here to learn about the founding and mission of the In Step Children’s Home
Our Church Youth and “JASY” in Mission Together
Kingston, Jamaica
JASY, Jamaican Advantage thru Sports for Youth, a charitable mission outreach and youth ministry program, was formed in October 2006 by our church and St. Patrick 39 Foundation in Kingston, Jamaica. Our mission is to bring hope, joy and positively impact the lives of at-risk Jamaican children, who live in extremely challenging conditions in some of the poorest areas of Kingston, Jamaica.
First Presbyterian Church of Pittsford and St. John Fisher University in Rochester co-sponsor this mission outreach program, with several long-time Jamaican partners joining us each year.
Over 1900 Jamaican youth have attended JASY camp since 2006, with a successful restart after the pandemic in 2023. More importantly, 87 FPCP members have volunteered at JASY camp, with many serving more than once. Volunteer ages range from 9 th graders through 70-year-olds!
Volunteers plan and coordinate the activities for the JASY Sports Camp, which takes place at the University of Technology in July when sponsored by First Presbyterian Church of Pittsford. An average of 125 campers, aged 8-15, are selected by their school teachers to attend JASY camp for a week-long experience. Campers participate in crafts in Olympic Village, learn teamwork and community in Caribbean Games (team-themed gym games), advance their skills in the football (soccer) venues, and enjoy time in the pool where swim lessons help to teach the campers to have faith in themselves and others. Each day is themed (Teamwork, Joy, Faith, Gratitude, Finish Line), with each venue placing an emphasis on the theme of the day. Campers and volunteers enjoy a delicious lunch together each day, and the camp concludes with a closing ceremony where each camper receives a framed photo and recognition medal. Four campers from each team are awarded special recognitions for outstanding behavior.
Pittsford Presbyterian Church successfully completed our 8th trip to Kingston Jamaica in July 2023 and are looking forward to returning in July 2025. Our mission team conducts fundraising activities to subsidize the trip and seek sponsorships to defray costs. Several members of FPCP are on the JASY board of directors.
If you are interested in joining us for our 2025 mission, look for information on our website in September 2024. For more information on JASY, please check out our website at www.jasy.info. And, click HERE to see a video of the 2023 JASY camp which appeared on local Jamaican TV.
