I never had ambitions of going to Africa. I never had ambitions of working in missions. I was quite content to stay in Canada. I have a great community there, an amazing family, and I had a bright future ahead of me working for one of Canada's leading structural engineering firms. So how did I end up at Engineering Ministries International (EMI) in Uganda?
I
first heard about EMI when a speaker came to my church in Toronto March 2012.
EMI’s work and vision to mobilize design professionals to support Christian ministries working in the developing work really resonated with me and I wanted to get
involved. From January to May 2013 I did an internship at EMI’s UK office. We
created a masterplan for a school in Uganda. The trip to Uganda was one
of the highlights of my internship. I really enjoyed the experience,
the people, the culture, and the country. The thought of returning had
not crossed my mind until a colleague suggested it. Feeling that this
was where God was leading me next I began to pursue the opportunity.
That summer everything fell into place. The office in Uganda needed a
structural engineer. My job in Toronto was glad to have me back for just
the summer. Friends in Toronto had an empty basement apartment for the
summer. Financial support came in. It has been encouraging how smoothly everything went. It was confirmation
that this is what I should be doing.
I joined the EMI office in Uganda August 2013 as a volunteer for a year. I was excited about the opportunity, but the experience was so much richer than I could have imagined. I love what EMI does. I love how we are able to support our brothers and sisters in Christ by using our expertise to equip them to fulfill God's vision for their ministry. I love the environment in our office. It is amazing to work with people who have competing priorities but are able to work together because they have a desire to serve and do excellent work. I love that I can start my work day with my colleagues in a time of prayer and devotion. I love that we are intentional about investing in the lives of our interns, both professionally and spiritually, even though it can create more work for us. I love Uganda, the people are so friendly. God has blessed me with an amazing community that feels like family.
After my one year commitment I felt that my time and work in Uganda was not finished. So I felt God leading me to join staff with EMI and commit to at least three years. My life has change drastically in the past few years. It is so different from where I would ever have placed myself. But it has been so good for me. Sometimes we want to negotiate with God. We say things like "I will follow you as long as you don't take me to Africa". My journey has been a testimony that Jesus words in John 10:10 that he has come that we may have life, and have it to the full is true. Even if that means going to Africa. My life in Uganda is so full, I have been so blessed. Are you ready to follow Jesus into the fullness of life he has for you?
I am excited and nervous about this next step. I don't feel fully equipped for some of the roles I will be stepping into. But God has been faithful up to this point and his character is unchanging.
For more information about EMI visit our website, http://www.emiworld.org/.
I joined the EMI office in Uganda August 2013 as a volunteer for a year. I was excited about the opportunity, but the experience was so much richer than I could have imagined. I love what EMI does. I love how we are able to support our brothers and sisters in Christ by using our expertise to equip them to fulfill God's vision for their ministry. I love the environment in our office. It is amazing to work with people who have competing priorities but are able to work together because they have a desire to serve and do excellent work. I love that I can start my work day with my colleagues in a time of prayer and devotion. I love that we are intentional about investing in the lives of our interns, both professionally and spiritually, even though it can create more work for us. I love Uganda, the people are so friendly. God has blessed me with an amazing community that feels like family.
After my one year commitment I felt that my time and work in Uganda was not finished. So I felt God leading me to join staff with EMI and commit to at least three years. My life has change drastically in the past few years. It is so different from where I would ever have placed myself. But it has been so good for me. Sometimes we want to negotiate with God. We say things like "I will follow you as long as you don't take me to Africa". My journey has been a testimony that Jesus words in John 10:10 that he has come that we may have life, and have it to the full is true. Even if that means going to Africa. My life in Uganda is so full, I have been so blessed. Are you ready to follow Jesus into the fullness of life he has for you?
I am excited and nervous about this next step. I don't feel fully equipped for some of the roles I will be stepping into. But God has been faithful up to this point and his character is unchanging.
For more information about EMI visit our website, http://www.emiworld.org/.
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