Looking Back

Now that I've been back from Colorado for about a week, I've been able to enjoy time catching up with friends and family.  Since life was so crazy busy wrapping up my internship at eMi, the abrupt stop upon coming home felt a little bit like being thrown out of a tornado and landing on a couch.  All of a sudden it was over, and then I realized how exhausted I was.  This time has been much needed, not only for rest but also to process my experiences at eMi.

After spending several months in a tight community with the interns, we became a family.  And I don't mean that we felt we had to get to know each other because we worked in the same building.  We really did connect surprisingly well and simply shared life together.  I have so much respect for them and the ways that they have encouraged my faith, whether through simple words or powerful life examples.  God was teaching me through this group of believers: whether it was Stephen's steadfast self-discipline, Seth's continual application of scripture, Elena's wise insights, Jay's honesty, Janae's humility, Janine's selflessness, Mike's openness, or Susan's concern for others.  I will miss these brothers and sisters, they have had more of an impact on me than I ever expected and I love to see God continue working in their lives.

The eMi intern family

Trying to summarize the impact of an experience like this is next to impossible, but I can say that those four months were an incredible blessing in my life.  God's hand in orchestrating this opportunity became so evident as I looked back on how I got there.  It still amazes me that I was able to combine so many things that all worked toward God's plan for me:

• Technical skills
• Ministry to the poor
• Relationship with believers
• Spiritual growth
• Service
• Adventure
• Learning

Even though I was serving, I still felt selfish because I gained so much from this adventure.  It seemed that the blessings just kept pouring on.  When I think back on the work I did, the relationships formed, and the places I saw, I realize God has taught me so many lessons.  There are a few that stand out in my mind...

Not My Power, But His
I placed the burden of raising financial support on my shoulders - God took care of it for me
I worked so hard to try to finish the earthbag building in Thailand - God made it happen
There were many other times where I had to be reminded that God's work in me is not dependent on my strength or ability, but only on His power.

Not My Plans, But His
I decided I wanted to do a project in Kenya - God sent me to Thailand
I wanted to work on water systems - God had me work on new skills with structural design
This has been a lifelong learning process, and it continues.  I know that my own plans and expectations can be abruptly changed at any moment, but God always has a plan.

I Am Dependent
The desire to be independent, to not have to rely on others is hard for me to get away from.  God gave me an amazing group of people for support both at home and at eMi, and through building these relationships I knew I could not accomplish anything alone.  Missionaries on eMi staff were a great example of how it looks to depend on each other and the humility that is necessary for that to happen.

God is Not a Flag
Something hidden away in my subconscious has wanted to believe that God sends us out to the rest of the world, as if we are preparing the way for Him.  Traveling to a primarily Buddhist country on the other side of the world and finding faithful followers of Christ was humbling.  I found that God was already in Thailand working through people.  He is already in Africa, Central America, the Middle East.  I am tempted to think that the American Christian is the template, and that different views must be missing something.  While these other cultures have different perspectives on their faith and how to live it out, I know that God is not raising the flag of one nation.

So if I were trying to summarize my experience, I would say something like that.  It's been quite the adventure of trusting God and serving alongside His people.  I cannot thank my supporters enough for giving generously, building my confidence, encouraging me, listening to my stories, and just standing behind me the whole way.  God works in amazing ways.  Obviously there is so much more that I could write about.  If you want to hear more about my internship or have questions, comments, anything, just let me know, I would love to talk about it.

Jungle Hospital Design Complete

I am happy and relieved to say that during the very busy last couple weeks at eMi, we were able to complete the designs for the Jungle Hospital.  The building plans along with a construction manual are on their way to our ministry contact in Thailand.  With the project being somewhat more substantial than anticipated, it will take some time to prepare for construction.  The Free Burma Rangers plan to begin building in about a year, after funds are raised and supplies are gathered.  Results of the design are exciting and I think the hospital really is going to be a key component of the medical ministry in this remote area of Burma.

View of the finished hospital building design for the Jungle School of Medicine Kawthoolei

As much as I'd like to say the hard part is done, I know that's not true.  While we put a whole lot of work into the design of this hospital building, it's going to be no small task to actually build it.  The construction will definitely be labor intensive.  But the greater challenge is the fact that all off-site supplies will need to be carried on the backs of the Free Burma Rangers on a six day jungle hike through a war zone of Burma Army patrols and landmines.  It sounds like something straight out of a Rambo movie, but I promise I'm not making this stuff up.

The hospital includes an operating room, ICU, lab,
sterilization area, and X-ray imaging room

This project has been a huge blessing, not just for the ministry but also myself.  Being given more responsibility  on the design than I expected was not always easy, but it allowed me to learn a whole lot more.  Even when the work got tedious, my motivation was always to think of the Karen medics we worked with in Thailand and the people we saw in the refugee camp in Burma.  It's a great feeling knowing that all the hours spent on AutoCAD, computer modeling, and writing the manual were for the purpose of showing God's love to a hurting people.

The Lab which will be used for medical testing

The Operating Room where missionary doctors will perform surgeries

From Intern to Project Manager

Looks like time is running out on my experience here at eMi.  With just a little over a week left in my internship, I find myself scrambling to finish our Jungle Hospital project.  Designs have been coming together quickly in the past few weeks, but there are a lot of loose ends to take care of now.  The Free Burma Rangers are depending on us to get the plans to them before I leave, so that they can hopefully finish building before their rainy season.

Needless to say, the next week or so will be very busy.  Especially since Rex, my project leader, has his hands tied with recruiting for his next project among other things.  Rex has joked that I have become the project manager, and should be telling him what to do.  Joking aside, I do feel the pressure of having all this responsibility.  I have to remind myself that God is taking care of everything and it's not all on my shoulders.

In other news, our project has been getting some publicity.  Owen Geiger himself, the world renowned earthbag expert, has featured us in his blog and website (I know, very exciting).  So I am officially famous... at least among people who are into building things out of dirt, and who go to that website.  The funny thing is I seem to have gotten all the credit for the project.  Actually one of the articles was from some guy named Ben Vander Pas... so I guess I don't get credit for that one.

Anyway here are the articles:

Free Burma Rangers Clinic

Earthbag Building Thailand Project

HyPar Roofs

A Good and Faithful Servant

It has been a difficult time for the staff here at the office in Colorado Springs.  On Monday morning Jim Hall, our CEO and leader of eMi USA, went to be with the Lord.  Less than a month ago he informed us that the melanoma cancer he had been battling before had spread to his vital organs.  It was a hard blow to the staff, who were very close to Jim.

With prayer and fasting throughout the office, we asked God to heal him.  It was hard to know how to pray in a time like that.  There seemed to be little hope, and yet we knew God could perform a miracle.  But nobody expected him to go so fast.  After spending time with his family in Florida for Thanksgiving, he passed away.  His family saw it as a blessing that he didn't have to suffer for very long before going.

For myself, as well as the other interns here, it has been a somewhat confusing time.  We didn't have much of a chance to get to know Jim, being here just a few months.  When the news came, the staff took a good part of the day to gather around and share memories of Jim.  Now I feel like I know him better and I realize what a great man he was.  So many stories told of how his heart was truly for the Lord.  He poured himself into the ministry of eMi, and really loved the people under his leadership.  The staff was so close to him, I could see how much pain they felt knowing he was gone.

While I didn't know Jim like people here at the office, I wish I had known him.  I know that he was an example for many to follow, and that he touched many lives.  I know that I want people to remember me for overflowing with love for the people around me, and for having a passion for God's work in my life, just as Jim is remembered.

His master replied, "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!" 

Matthew 25:21