What's next?

Beginning in late January - I have received the quite a few inquiries or requests for missionary architectural service;  in addition to the Church at San Luis, Mexico, and the Portland Rescue Mission work.  Some are likely to take shape in the next month or two, some may take over a year, and some may not be more than inquires.  Following is a list with brief description and comment:

Church & Discipleship Center in Sierra Leone: Pastor Michael Turray and I met at a conference in January - and began corresponding about the vision his church has to build a building for worship, training, and lodging for guest speakers. Following is an excerpt from an email Michael wrote last week: "I want you to know that we are very much interested in helping us out with the architectural design for our church. One of the biggest challenge we have right now is how to send the pictures to you, as our internet is very slow. But I will be in USA by July 2nd, 2013. So I will then be able to send you all the pictures you need of the land so that you can get started in approved by your organization. I just want you to know that you are the hope that we have to make this happen for us sir."

Saint Paul's Church in Singida, Tanzania: Evangelist Musa Njagamba, a guest at our house for two weeks in early March, noted that his home church was needing a new facility.  He put me in touch with his pastor, Benjamin Mbago, who wrote the following in April: "I'm glad to know that you met our brother Evangelist Musa in your country and that he shares with you on what we're doing at St. Paul's Church in Singida.

 

Among those good works done here, we're planning to build a new church for the one used now was built many years years and now can not accommodate many congregation members following increase number of them. Kindly, I'm writing to ask you on how you can join us in this planned work."

 

He wrote recently to note that though his church had intended to send me information earlier than now, his daughter, Beatrice is not well, and this has postponed things for short while:

"We're fine and doing well at St. Paul's. The Lord has been so good to us in many ways, and we're thankful to him. We planned to write you immediately and let you know our progress on our work, especially more progress plans on building our new church. However, as you're aware, since November last year, I've been facing many challenges on my daughter Beatrice's treatment. It has made to move from my place to Dar es Salaam, Moshi and Arusha for further treatment and check ups. Right now, my wife Sophia and I, we're in Dar es Salaam together with Beatrice for treatment at Muhimbili National Hospital. Please Edward, join with us in prayer as we continue with this challenging task." I ask those who read this to join me in prayer for Beatrice, Benjamin, Sophia, and his church family in your prayers during these difficult days.

 

Melita Youth Ministry in Singida, Tanzania: The Lord has laid on Evangelist Musa Njagamba's heart to develop a music and youth ministry for the youth of Tanzania.  I will share more about this very wonderful ministry vision in a future blog, but from an architectural standpoint, he envisions a Youth Music Center, performance hall for ministry, and the entire community of Singida.  He has recently been offered a wonderful piece of land for $9,000 (US), but with very little income; he has asked me to pray that God, who owns the cattle on a thousand hills, provides.  Please also pray with me for Musa, and this ministry.

 

Hospital in Haiti: This is more of a consulting service for a young architect, Theodore Prophete (who goes by Kerby) who moved to Haiti shortly after the earthquake a few years ago and has been providing architectural services for orphanages, hospitals, and many other organizations. He was connected with me in February (while we were serving in Mexico), requesting some medical design assistance for a hospital he is designing in Haiti.  It has been a wonderful honor to provide help him, and it sounds like we might be collaborating on additional projects soon...stay tuned.

 

THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL PROJECTS ARE IN THE "INQUIRY" STAGE:

 

Baptist Church in Puerto Rico

  
Orphanage in Guatemala

 
Orphanage in Dominican Republic

 

 
Guest Missionary House in Uganda

 

 
Hall of Residence at St. John's University in Dodoma, Tanzania

 

As you can see - the Lord seems to be steering some wonderful opportunities this direction.  Please pray that He be glorified in every interaction through each project and inquiry as they develop.