“Are you going to leave us after you finish building the clinic? Are you with us for the long run?” A village elder asked one of our team members at the early stages of our involvement in the community of Gambade. They had heard about NGOs that establish projects and programs then abandon them [...]
We waited patiently, there is no law against forbearance. However, there is a law against travel during the pandemic. But when we could no longer bear it, teams began to take steps to serve from a distance. We have been separated from our overseas friends and partners for far too long, but only in [...]
It is our pleasure to welcome Dr. Robert Forsey to the EMAS Canada Board. Dr. Robert Forsey has been a family physician and teacher in Goose Bay, Labrador since 1988. He does full scope generalist rural medicine at the Labrador Health Center and along the coast of Labrador in remote Northern communities and reserves. A conversation with Dr. Bob Stephens [...]
Our May 2021 EMASSARY has begun landing in mailboxes across Canada. In this edition, Executive Director, Dr. Peter Agwa, shares about the hope we have for the future, you will also find a report on how you've helped the medical students in DR Congo, and the latest updates of our other teams as we [...]
30 years ago, Tom Peters’ wrote the book “Thriving on Chaos”. It was even popular in Kenya where I read it in 1990. It was about flexibility as an essential for corporate survival in a world where customer preferences were so unpredictable that constant market volatility was the order of the day. The main [...]
There is an audacity that comes from certitude. This kind of conviction that drives action is deeply rooted and nothing can divert it. I am persuaded beyond all doubt that an ancient Jewish prophecy about God showing up and being available to everyone was fulfilled through Jesus Christ, I live and work with people [...]
By Peter Agwa Many women work hard away from the spotlight of team reports. That means there are many women that no list could do justice in honoring them. Furthermore, some have chosen anonymity out of self-effacement: allowing the light to shine on their work and not on themselves. In governance, we have Sally [...]
In difficult times as has been with the pandemic-related restrictions, curfews, disease, deaths, income instability, and all the uncertainty we are still going through it is easy to become discouraged. God not only speaks tenderly to (re)assure us of His promises, but also plans prophylactically for our despondency by giving us work to do. Words [...]
It may have been an act of foolish pride or the custom of the day, but King Hezekiah exposed his royal treasures and military resources to a future enemy. It was part of a downward spiral of unfaithfulness to God accelerated by successive generations of poor leadership, which fractured the relationship between the kingdom [...]
We have come through a challenging year in 2020, but in learning to adapt and change with the times, the China South Team are still serving those in need. It may have looked a little different, but no less valuable. Your role hasn't changed in helping us reach those who need life changing surgery. [...]
The siege lasted seven years. It was brother against brother; the offspring of Abraham the Midianites through Keturah against the Israelites who were sons through Sarah. Israel went into total lockdown; everyone was confined to caves; such was the curfew that food preparation was a dangerous activity. The devastation felt like a swarm of [...]
We are saddened to hear of the passing of Dr. Paul Roberts who died peacefully at Sunnybrook Hospital’s Palliative Care Unit on Sunday, November 22, 2020. Dr. Paul Roberts (March 20, 1923 – November 22, 2020) was one of the founding members of EMAS Canada since 1960 and will be deeply missed. His work to [...]
Your December 2020 Edition of the EMAS Newsletter, the EMASSARY is out now. It has been a challenging year, but we still have good news to share. Executive Director, Dr. Peter Agwa has a special message for you: READ THE DECEMBER 2020 EMASSARY ONLINE HERE You can give your year-end gift online by donating [...]
Four labour-intensive projects in the Old Testament had similar ends: people connected with God; became worshipers or by the admission of their moral failure renewed their relationships with Him. These projects separated by decades and, at times centuries, were part of an overarching scheme to elevate Jerusalem into the spiritual Mecca for all humankind, [...]
Our teams have known the frustration of having willing hearts eager to serve held back by the restraints of international public health regulations and the laws that govern use of donor funds entrusted to us. Like everyone else, we long for freedom to travel and meet family and friends without masks. Yet, we face [...]
In October 2020, various members of EMAS Canada volunteers and staff participated in the Ride for Refuge. Due to the Corona virus, the virtual event allowed participants to ride on their own in small groups, on their chosen days, while reporting their mileage. Our Executive Director roped in two friends to join him to [...]
From an organizational viewpoint, the next year and a half does not hold promise for measurable mission impact. We have no plans for team travels in 2020 and do not know when we will be able to make those plans. The consensus among our team leaders is that the first three quarters of 2021 [...]
(Lessons and Observations from Ezra and Nehemiah’s Projects) What keeps us going when we face obstacles? What if the facts known to us say that we are up against formidable difficulties? How do we remain resolute when we face hurdles within our own organization? What are we promised and how do we pray? The [...]
by Melony Teague Your support for our annual trips to Ecuador is changing lives. I bet you have heard that before, but take a moment to imagine this scenario: You are a young mother of an active three-year-old and you are immobile because of severe arthritis in your hip. Every day is a challenge [...]
The birth of a child is a joyous occasion, most of the time. Sometimes mothers die or are weakened by illness because of pregnancy and childbirth. Maternal mortality or death due to pregnancy is still a major, yet preventable, health concern for many countries. In an earlier blog I wrote about maternal mortality ratio [...]