No Regrets: Caught in the Crossfire of an African Civil War

As Ken and Julie Vaughan set out to plant a family, they wanted to be where life doesn't come clean, pre-packaged, or easy. They chose a small town in Northern California. God chose Africa. In 1986, Ken and Julie Vaughan were living the American dream: good education, interesting career, nice home and healthy, bright children. When God called them to teach in Africa, they turned their backs on financial and physical security to accept the challenge of living in a third world country. Through a series of God-initiated events, the Vaughans found themselves living in Cote d'Ivoire, teaching at an international boarding school and serving the families of missionaries by nurturing their children. As part of a team of teachers and staff with World Venture, they were responsible for teaching and nurturing students who came to International Christian Academy in Bouake, Cote d'Ivoire from around the world. In 1997, Ken faced a bout with non-Hodgkins lymphoma. After completing treatment, Ken and Julie returned to Africa to resume the life they loved. Through each of the challenges, they learned to trust God with the smallest details of their lives. ABC News called Cote d'Ivoire "an oasis of stability in a region torn by some of the continent's most brutal wars." In 2002, Cote d'Ivoire was torn by violence between government and rebel forces. International Christian Academy was caught between enemy lines. The fighting came to the edge of the ICA campus and in time, bullets and rocket-propelled grenades would fly overhead as teachers and students huddled behind tables, praying that God would deliver them to safety. As the quiet, peace-loving nation splintered into violence, the staff of International Christian Academy had to face some unsettling questions. How do you develop a theology of risk? What do you do when 96 children are huddled under desks and machine gun fire rips the air? How do you respond to suffering and loss in a world where there are no safety nets and nothing is guaranteed? Deliverance first came with the French Special Forces, working with the United States Special Forces. Students and staff were safely evacuated from the country. A year later, the school tried to re-open but fighting resume and once again ICA was caught between enemy lines. The Vaughan's story resonates with hope, compassion, and fearless resolve. When the unthinkable happens, God is good. When you obey His calling, there are no regrets.

About the Author :
Julie is a talented artist with an Associate Art Degree from Yuba College in Yuba City, California. She later obtained further training in Fine Arts to start an art program at International Christian Academy in Cote d'Ivoire, teaching for over 10 years while helping her husband raise three children. She was the recipient of the Kingsley Art Award from the Crocker Art Museum in 1998. She also has been the inspirational force for her students in painting large public murals in Bouake, Cote d'Ivoire. She continues to develop her artistic interests through painting and other form while working independently with children in Flagstaff, Arizona Ken Vaughan first obtained his Bachelor of Science with teaching credentials at Biola University. He went on to complete a double Master's degree in Christian Education and Administration at Columbia International University. He has taught for over thirty years, first at Valley Christian Academy in San Jose, California and at Grace Christian Academy in Yuba City, also serving as principal in Yuba City. After moving to Cote d'Ivoire he taught and served as a principal at International Christian Academy, followed by Dakar Academy after ICA was closed. His heart remains in the classroom even though he is now retired from actively teaching.

Review :
Ordinary people doing extraordinary work for a limitless God who love the world. No Regrets is a tender story written on a gritty page about God's preparation, a passion for the Kingdom, the people blessed by a ministry, the pain of a war-torn country, and the amazing power of fervent prayer. The ordinary Vaughans are the missionaries who risk their careers, their health, and their lives, to bring light to a place of ancient darkness through a little school in the jungle. No Regrets is wonderfully written, fully cognizant of God's hand on personal relationships, to world events. You will experience the joys, frustrations, hopes, sorrows and victories of these relentless Jesus followers: a true story of courage under fire. - David L. Alloway, Adjunct Professor, Hope University, Fullerton, California.