Brazil Trip 2006
In January 2006, it was Brazil. A boys’ home. A compelling need for housing and education for street kids. Crowded facilities. And a local vision for additional sleeping quarters to house more boys and for a dependable, safe water system.
That’s where eMi came in. Our design team of engineers and architects sat down with the local missionaries to catch their vision, and then translated that vision into a master plan: a professional report that could be used for prospective donors, along with well-designed construction plans (which took into account local building practices) to build from.
The details vary, but this scenario plays itself out again and again for Engineering Ministries International. eMi sends engineering and architectural design teams on one to two week trips to local ministries in developing nations at no charge to the local mission. Often, the staff at these ministries have big visions, but lack the time and expertise to build buildings, design water systems, and create master plans.
In Brazil, we were able to hand our construction design details to another short-term team that arrived the day we left. The vision that so recently seemed unattainable was taking shape. The design skills that we brought to the orphanage in Brazil . . . the Christian school in Guatemala . . . the women’s shelter in Cambodia . . . were desperately needed to set direction so that the vision could be efficiently accomplished.
eMi meets a very relevant and pressing need in third world missions. With 3 offices in developing nations and 2 more on the way, eMi is responding to the growing demand for its services. We see God leading us to be part of this growth by stepping out in faith into full-time ministry with eMi.
Our first step is moving to the Canadian office in Calgary. Our vision is to eventually be placed overseas. In Calgary, I’ll coordinate and lead short term trips. I’ll liaise with missions organizations who need our services. And, I’ll provide expertise as a water systems engineer.
Will you step out in faith with us? We need people to stand behind us. We need prayer. We need encouragement. And we need financial support. Help us design a world of hope.
Kevin
