It has been 20 years…

20 years since I officially began my journey with International Ministries. My path crossed with International Ministries in the early 90’s when I was a volunteer at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Limbé, Haiti. There, I was able to learn at the feet of some of the most amazing mentors: Steve and Nancy James, Bill Clemmer, Katherine Niles, Alta Hodges, William Hodges, Herb Rogers, Mark Thompson and so many volunteers and local medical staff. I have carried with me everything I learned from each of them..

Then, in 2000, I was commissioned by International Ministries and began working with the Good Samaritan Hospital in La Romana, Dominican Republic. My 12 years in La Romana taught me so much more about public health, managing teams, culture and music, language and context.

During that time, I helped to coordinate the medical outreach of IM for the earthquake in Haiti. Once again, my early education in Haiti and the team management skills I learned in the DR, prepared me for such a time as this.

Jump forward a few years and I found myself in the position of Global Consultant for Health and had the opportunity to work with the Ebola crisis in Liberia. What an amazing and life-changing endeavor for me. Now 30+ countries, thousands of volunteers and many miles later, I find I am a bit tired!

Sabbatical: a rest or break from work.

Yes. Sabbatical. During the last year, I have helped establish a sabbatical model for global servants. Starting August 1, 2020, IM has granted the gift of a 4-month sabbatical to rest, renew and listen to where God is leading my ministry for the next 20 years!

Sabbatical will also be a time to determine where my calling needs to be modified or developed. Looking back over more than 20 years of ministry in international health care, I know that there is still so much to learn. I’m excited to share with everyone what I discover.

Supporters will continue to hear about my ministry during the time I am on sabbatical, as my Missionary Partnership Team (MPT) will be stepping in for me. They will be in touch with donors, help publish newsletters and stay connected with International Ministries. I also hope to upload videos that your congregation may use during the World Missions Offering months. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me prior to August 1 and I will explain further. After that date, a member of my MPT will answer any questions or requests.

Following the end of my sabbatical, I will begin assessing the opportunity for international travel to meet with and support our global partners. If travel is still quite limited, I will continue to reach out to my colleagues around the world to learn about their current situation. This will likely include consulting, resourcing and more training. The goal will be for each of IM’s partners to feel supported and encouraged during this time of crisis.

I will still be responsible for raising support during this sabbatical so thank you, in advance, for your continued gifts.

The matching grant during the month of June was a great success and several of you chose to increase your monthly gift or begin new monthly support. I am so thankful that you continue to walk with me in this ministry.