We’re headed to the U.S. from July 27-January 22,for me (John) to work a couple of months in EMI’s global office, to visit with family—and to see you! We’ll be in Colorado, Arkansas, Texas, and some states yet to be determined.
Hope to get together with us or have us visit your church? Please reply to this e-mail!
Help us fund Hope!
Some of you recall "meeting" Hope, John’s Human Resources assistant, through our past newsletters and the “Inside EMI” magazine. Beginning as an assistant in our construction management team and diligently working toward her valuable role now, Hope describes her life and her walk with God as dramatically different through her life-on-life experiences with EMI staff.
Hope has actually just touched down in America for the first time, and is incredibly excited. She will be joining us for our EMI World Staff Conference in August.
We would love tosend her to a Society of Human Resources training during her few months in the U.S. to develop her skills, continuing to train Ugandans for the ministry of EMI!But this invaluable training is quite costly.
We don’t request funds often—but withour upcoming home assignment and this opportunity for Hope,would you be willing to help us fund these small ventures?We estimate the cost for our tickets and Hope's training to be around $9000.
Here, our design team and EMI East Africa staff reveal the plans for Hope Africa to the residents of Koch Goma, who own the land there in northern Uganda.
The longer missionaries are in the field, the greater likelihood they have to encountering traumatic experiences.That’s been a reality for our own family as we’ve slowly accumulated hard experiences under our belts—malaria, terrorist threats, accidents, robberies.
I (John) spent two weeks in Kenya this past month on a teamtraining missionaries--in seven East African countries, coming from all over the world--as “first responders” to other missionaries who’ve experienced emotional trauma.The schedule involved some exhausting 16-hour days—but the result of these missionaries (pictured right, together with the instructors) feeling prepared to be people’s first touch after traumatic events was well worth the effort and energy.
In the training, we help missionaries to develop their own philosophy and theology of risk and suffering: In what circumstances would you stay? In which would you leave?--which establishes a framework constructed in a time free from situational stress. We then equip them with methods to help people walk through grief, as well as offering tools and education to serve aid workers in trauma.
...Speaking of (mild) trauma—in Uganda while I was gone,Baden was biking, braked, and slid on some mud into the path of an oncoming motorcycle taxi.I am so grateful to report that despite a twisted tire and what turned out not to be a fracture in his arm, he was relatively unhurt. This is significant considering what is often the consequences of these accidents here.Please thank God with us that Baden is unhurt.(You can read more here.)
We're excited by the progress on the 65-acre Amazima secondary school in Jinja, Uganda (widely known through its founder, Katie Davis). Our East Africa office has been continuously and diligently working since 2014. In these aerial photos, you can see what's already been accomplished in the academic, administration, and kitchen facilities, as well as the plus-shaped dormitories along main road. Pray with us that the school will be able to open in 2017 for the 70+ students already enrolled!
On the heels of John’s trip to Kenya, I (Janel) hit the staff retreat of Refuge and Hope, where I teach Bible. Had some crazy-fun times with the staff, dancing African-style to worship music(see the video above!),praying, singing, and laughing. I feel so alive with this group--and believe you me: God is doing breathtaking things in Africa. (The song above is a Swahili praise song; below I'm with our gifted business manager of our sewing program.)
I (Janel) am wrapping up the Bible 2 class at the refugee center on the life of Christ. Though a lot of classes have been cancelled for political reasons, there’s still tremendous potential for all God wants to do in the hearts of these students, so many who come from closed countries!Please pray for the salvation and discipleship of these students!
Pray with us.
Thank God with us!
For Baden’s safety For (relatively) peaceful elections For John’s safe return from Kenya, despite a terrorist threat on the airport
Would you pray for us?
For a successful (…and hopefully speedy) conclusion to the mediation John’s been working on for 11 months
For Janel’s students’ salvation and discipleship! For continued direction for our family, and wisdom as we seek out schooling options for our kids
We are so thankful for you, supporters and pray-ers. God continues to move powerfully in East Africa--and you are a part of that work! Thank you for your generosity, your prayers, and your encouragement.
Some of you recall "meeting" Hope, John’s Human Resources assistant, through our past newsletters and the “Inside EMI” magazine. Beginning as an assistant in our construction management team and diligently working toward her valuable role now, Hope describes her life and her walk with God as dramatically different through her life-on-life experiences with EMI staff.
I (John) spent two weeks in Kenya this past month on a team
