Marty and Louise both graduated from Harding University. During a career in retail management, God swung their hearts towards missions. They moved to Togo in 1997 to begin ministering among the Watchi people. In December 2008, they left Togo and moved with their four sons to Rwanda.
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Rwandan Call
“Initially, we committed to seven years of work in Togo, but God had already opened our hearts to prolonging that time. As our ninth year approached, we began asking God if He wanted us to remain in Africa long-term. Our call to Rwanda began in 2003 with an email from Sam Shewmaker (former missionary to Tanzania) saying that his survey team committed to pray everyday for God to raise up teams of missionaries to minister in Rwanda. We began praying for God to provide $5000 for a survey trip in a way that would increase our faith and confirm this call. We received a check for $5,000 within two weeks (unsolicited). Our teammate Murphy Crowson and Northern Togo missionary Matt Miller also committed to and received the funds to be able to make this trip.
Our plans came together two years later, in 2005. David Reeves joined our group and the four of us spent two weeks surveying Rwanda with Sam Shewmaker and Dave Jenkins. We went with curiosity and returned with conviction. God was calling us to minister in this dark nation. More specifically, God was calling the four of us to minister together in the Ruhengeri valley, a densely populated area in Rwanda with over 1 million people.
In May, 2007, our family, along with the Crowsons, made another survey trip to Rwanda. God confirmed our calling as we met with Rwandans and other missionaries and felt again the darkness of this lost nation.
After a long furlough, we returned to Togo for a closing year. We spent that time encouraging the churches of their sustainability through the Holy Spirit’s guidance. We were confident that the Lord would complete the good work He had begun there.
In December 2008, we said farewell to our home of almost 12 years and hello to a new life in Rwanda. The format of our work was to change tremendously in the coming years. Efforts through ATN to bring benefit to the community we live in, led Marty to use his knowledge and mastery of Taekwondo. Quickly that use developed into his position as coach of the Rwandan National Taekwondo Team.
This dynamic role has been more like that of a vocational missionary – or rather like every other disciple’s calling – to work while fleshing out discipleship and leading others in relationship with Jesus.
Contact, Blog and Web Information
U.S. Address
Warrenton Church of Christ
6398 Lee Highway Access Road
Warrenton, Virginia 20187
Web Information
Family Blog: http://kooncefamily.wordpress.com
Marty’s Blog: http://martykoonce.wordpress.com
Louise’s Blog: http://louisekoonce.wordpress.com
Togo Ministry Web Site: http://watchiharvest.com
Sponsoring Church
Warrenton Church of Christ
6398 Lee Highway Access Road
Warrenton, Virginia 20187
Koonce Contacts: Tom Ryon
