Patrick and Joan

Survey Projects In Uganda :

2010-12-31T16:01:00.003-07:00

1. Gaba Bible Institute (15 acres), existing campus

…The purpose and mission of Gaba Bible Institute is to equip Christian leaders for the transformation of society through rigorous study of the Scripture, impassioned love for God, and faithful service to the nations…

Gaba http://www.gbiuganda.org/#/home

http://www.emiworld.org/projects/projectprofile_5535.php

2. Gulu Projects: Watoto Agr./Vocational College (463 acres, w/ possible 300 additional acres under negotiation) about 4 hours drive from the office

… Founded in 1994, the Watoto Ministry model was positioned to rescue orphans and vulnerable individuals and raise each one as a leader in their chosen sphere of life so they would in turn rebuild their nation…

http://www.watoto.com/projects/project-gulu

http://www.emiea.org/projects/projectprofile_9111.shtm

3. Touch the World Uganda, has asked us to survey their property outside of Gulu (6.5 acres)as time allows

http://www.ttwuganda.com/

http://www.emiea.org/projects/projectprofile_9109.shtm

On the home stretch in Haiti - Patrick's home on Sunday

2010-02-17T18:53:00.018-07:00

Some of the team of assessors that Patrick is training. It includes how to use GPS, polling the people living in shelters within the camps and general logistics.

Patrick was out doing assessments today with a team that included 12 Haitians and a couple of counsellors. They were to check out a IDP camp in a small town. When they got there, they found no camp, just destruction. Pat was ready to head back when at the last moment, he did a quick walk through the area and stepped into an incredible opportunity to reach out. He met a local man named Charles who showed the team his people and introduced them to 2 elderly ladies who lived in tiny shelters with nothing but blankets and a few nic-nacs. This community cares for these two ladies and the team prayed with them. The beauty and innocence of these seniors touched Pat's heart immensely.

The frame for a water filtration system.

Many hands working together to put the water system together.

Completion! Celebration!

Clean drinking water. A necessity and right for all.

Patrick designed this latrine that will be mass produced at the S.P. compound. (No toilet seats). 500 of these structures will be trucked to different IDP camps where the assembly can be completed on site.

Patrick's 2nd week in Haiti

2010-02-14T20:08:00.010-07:00

The young people of Haiti are so resilient in re-establishing themselves as they help to put their country in order. But it will be a slow process with the needs being so great.

It is the elderly who have captured Patrick's heart this time. This lady pictured here is partially paralized and lost both her son and her grandson in the building behind. Patrick had an opportunity to meet this sweet lady and her remaining family and pray with her.

The mad scientist is testing water for contaminates.

Hygiene is so important to stop the spreading of disease. Games are a great way to teach little ones and have a good laugh.

Samaratan's Purse was given a large grant from OFDA (Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance) for the building of 2000 latrines. Patrick is working with Pastors and camp committees to arrange for the excavation of the latrines, with a crew carpenters following behind to do construction.

The 1st week to Feb. 6th 2010

2010-02-06T19:09:00.018-07:00

Patrick and the team of water specialists at Grand Goave camp. This team is focussing on water issues but also doing assessments, where they go to a specified area, directed by OCHA - Office of Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs, UN. They look for opportunities where they can focus on water, while also informing other members of hygiene and shelter issues, etc.

When Patrick arrived in Haiti on Tuesday, they drove at night to the Grand Goave camp, accompanied by 4 armed humvees with 40 US Airborne troops. The convoy included 2 lowbeds with a dozer and excavator, 2 dumptrucks and 2 other Samaritan's Purse Vehicles.

A water bladder for holding filtered water.

1 small part of the destruction. Aftershocks are frequent but last only seconds. Patrick heard that during the original big quake, that lasted 3 minutes, people couldn't walk as the ground was shaking so much.

Patrick and friends in front of Water filtration unit.

Large IDP camp. What this is all about.

DART in Haiti

2010-01-29T14:46:00.018-07:00

This is one of the IDP camps that Patrick will be supplying water and sanitation facilities. Leo Gane is located approx 40 km. west of Port au Prince.

Pray:

That people would get the help they need as quickly as possible

For the team's physical, mental and emotional welfare as they face many challenges through the days to come.

For wisdom in determining the most effective response to this disaster

To see God's presence and affirmation in all this and to be part of creating a lasting impact that helps empower the people of Haiti to a better life.

Surveying in Ethiopia

2009-05-28T18:10:00.018-07:00

This is the master planners conceptual design for HopEthiopia's village in Arbu Chulule. One of our team's objectives was carry out a topographic survey of the site to help move the design process forward.

This drawing is a contour plan drafted from the survey info our team carried out over an area of 518 acres (210 hectares).

Above is Patrick surveying with a Leica total station survey instrument that was donated for eMi Canada use by David Marquardt, a Calgary surveyor and veteran eMi volunteer. Our original plan was to bring in RTK GPS survey equipment which would have enabled us to capture data 4 times as fast and with one person, but at the 11th hour (actually 1:00 am the day we departed) we were informed by the government that this sophisticated satellite survey equipment would not be allowed into the country. Our backup plan was implemented, which turned out to be a real blessing for eMi Canada. Butler Survey Supplies, based in Calgary, recognized our challenging situation, and offered not only a loaner total station, but a donation of one which can be used for future eMi trips.

Here's Lydia Penner, a Geomatics Technologist from Grande Prairie, surveying with the usual crowd of onlookers that she so patiently and eagerly interacted with. She is using the Sokkia total station donated by Butler Survey Supplies.

Godwin Wong, a Civil Engineer from Vancouver, carrying out measurements for a percolation test on the heavy clay soil as part of his civil engineering site assessment.

Cameron Galbraith, a Geomatics Technologist from Calgary, takes a brief break while surveying, to dazzle the kids with his rock juggling skills.

Tyler Smith, one of 3 eMi Canada's summer interns, is studying Structural Engineering in Atlanta, Georgia. If there was a way for Ty to use the 2 prisms at once, his keen attitude would have figured it out. As well as surveying, Ty helped Godwin with completing the Civil Engineering assessment.

The Kamloops Alliance Church Quilts have Landed

2009-05-21T17:49:00.010-07:00

Part of the incredible connections in missions is Patrick being able to deliver the quilts made by our Churchs' quilting club. These 40 quilts and hats were destined for Africa and are now in their grateful hands.

Team eMi will capture the Vision of HopEthiopia on Friday May 8th - May 19, 2009

2009-05-02T17:07:00.023-07:00

Read more about HopEthiopia at :
http://www.hopethiopia.com/#/index.php

Read more about eMi Canada and other project trips :http://www.emicanada.org/projects/projectprofile_10010.shtm

THE TEAM

Cameron Galbraith – Geomatics Technician

I am a recent graduate of Geomatics Engineering Technologies and I am excited to apply my training in a team on a mission to bless and help out in another nation where it is needed. For me the trip is also to learn and see what God may have for me as the next step, whether it be geomatics-related or not. I will be 30 years old by the time we leave for Ethiopia. It will be exciting to meet the team and work together!

Lydia Penner – Survey Technologist

I’m a born and bred Albertan farm girl from the Grande Prairie area. I have a Geomatic Engineering Technology Diploma out of Lethbridge College, and am currently employed carrying out legal surveys for the oil patch in Grande Prairie. My favorite thing to do in life is tube behind snowmobiles in the snow with my cousins, but going on wilderness adventures on horseback with teenagers comes in pretty close to the top, too. My desire to come on this trip stems from an effort to be obedient to God when He commands us to help the poor, a quest for adventure, and a desire to use my skills for a purpose greater than satisfying the money-hungry giant we call “Oil”. I’m a thinker, which sometimes makes life complicated and issues of faith seem difficult, but I wrestle with and strive towards a God who loves me and desires relationship with me. I pray for the faith to rest in His loving arms.

Kevin Dubienski

I’m 22 years old. I’ve been working with eekona for the last two and a half years making websites amongst other neat things. I am to be married in the summer of 2009 to Bekah Roberts, who is completing her nursing degree for 2010. Both Bekah and myself share a passion for helping the needy (regardless of location) and look forward to our future as best friends serving the Lord. Eekona was formed between myself and two other partners, Marc and Claudine Dawoud. This couple has been long time role models and dear friends since my high-school years. Our company was birthed to not only build beautiful websites but to give us a chance to promote what we truly believe in. As for mission, I started traveling with Gods grace behind me at the age of 14. From then to now I have had a variety of experiences as both a member & leader of missions teams, loving every minute of it. From becoming great friends with kids at Im Jai House (Thailand), to teaching web design to information hungry students in Tobago, missions will continue to play a huge role in Bekah’s and my life.

Ralph Dubienski

I am 50 years old and married for 29 years to Glenda 3 Children: Jenn 24, Kevin 22, and Kathy 20 A dentist for 25 years Involved in mission work for the last 8 years Co founder HopEthiopia Interests - sports, fly fishing, mission and faith opportunities, stepping out of the comfort zone.

Godwin Wong - Civil Engineer

I am a graduate of the University of British Columbia in Civil Engineering with an emphasis in transportation. For the last four years, I have worked as a construction field engineer for a light rail transit project mainly focused on the management and construction of stations and other fixed facilities. I was born in Hong Kong and now living and working in Vancouver,Canada. This will be my first trip to Africa and my first trip for God's Ministry. I am very excited and I hope that I can use the engineering skills that God has prepared for me to glorify him and help others

Ty Smith – Structural Engineer

I am a structural engineering student at the University of Georgia, and I plan to graduate in May of 2011. I love my plan of study and I have been longing to participate in such an amazing experience for quite some time. God called me to mission work while I was in Junior High School, since then I've been to many places serving Him. I've been to Native American Reservations in New Mexico and all the way to Brno in Czech Republic. I love our world and our God, and I believe that eMi provides a mission experience that fuses my two loves beautifully.

Patrick Cochrane – Team Leader

I'm just a few years into my 2nd half century, married to Joan for 31 years, and still marveling at how God continues to bless us in our marriage and lives together. . We have a 24 year old son, Brenden who is a surveyor, and a 28 year old daughter Heather who is a nurse and married to Cody. Our kids live in Grande Prairie, Alberta. For the past 33 years I've worked as an civil engineering technnologist, the last 27 with the Department of Fisheries & Oceans (Canada) working on fish habitat restoration projects. My involvement with eMi goes back to 2002, and includes 5 missions as team surveyor, 2 periods of interim staff for 4 and 9 months, Disaster Assistance Response Team member on mission to Goma, Congo last December, and currently a board member. Once again this will be a great opportunity to engage and leverage my faith, abilities, passions, and resources to help and encourage others. This gives me such a great sense of purpose for my life. As an eMi team partnering with HopEthiopia, we have an amazing opportunity that takes us beyond just telling people about the love of Jesus; we are able to show that love while serving and helping people have a better quality of life in an area so desperately in need. I'm excited to lead and serve with you!

Goma and Nearby Settlement Camps

2009-02-10T21:03:00.001-07:00

On the Home Stretch

2008-12-06T11:28:00.016-07:00

This is a photo of a street; well actually a whole portion of the city of Goma, that was totally covered with lava in the 2000 eruption of the volcano just visible behind me in the background. We were in this neighbourhood delivering left over dry food from one of the distributions to an orphanage. As we got out of the vehicle, the children greeted us in song and lively clapping and dance. These children were orphaned as a result of the war here.

The volcano in the background generates its own cloud of steam that pretty much constantly covers the top. I’m estimating it’s 25 km away, and it is 10,500 ft. Some of the evenings, we can look up at it and there is an amazing red glow in the sky. It erupted last in 2000. Most of Goma and the surrounding 100kms were covered by lava by varying amounts from this or other eruptions. Everywhere you go around here there is lava rock. It has got to be hard on those with bare feet.

This is our Goma warehouse, where local staff are preparing personal hygiene kits containing tooth paste and brushes, diaper material, string, soap, towels, and many more non food items. These will be distributed by Care to IDP”s most in need.

This is the line up waiting for the food distribution today outside the Baptist Church. It is a very organized process thanks to the leadership provided to the local church through SP staff.

This is one of about 11,000 people benefiting from Samaritan’s Purse food distribution today through the local Baptist Church. She is carrying a sack of flour which she will have to divide among a group of people grouped together to make the distribution process more expedient.

This was one of the hand wash stations we had provided for the latrines in Buganga IDP Camp. We also provided cleaning tools for these latrines which were turned over to family groupings who will keep them cleaned. We have also acquired soap for everyone at the camp through UNICEF/Hope In Action which should be distributed Monday.

Patmos IDP Camp. We were at the Patmos Baptist Church IDP camp today where there has been a suspected large number of cholera cases. We’re building 26 latrines, and working on a water supply to offer relief from hauling water from lake 1km away and 42 meter vertical climb back to camp. We told the folks there that we are hoping to bring plastic covering for their huts, and they started applauding...they are so grateful for what we are doing for them.

These are the guys that are hand excavating...or should I say human powered rock drills...for the latrines at Patmos IDP Camp. Lava is prevalent everywhere in and about Goma, as the last eruption of the steaming night glowing volcano was in 2000. These guys weren’t even using the shovel to take the broken rock and soil out of the excavation; they were using their bare hands, as the shovel doesn’t fit into the irregularities created in broken lava. There were ladies and children from the camp picking through the rubble they excavate out of the hole and sifting through to gather the stone and some of the sand that will be used for the concrete foundation for the latrine. We asked the local contractor to use labour from the camp.

This was a photo during a significant rainstorm at Buganga IDP Camp. To add insult to injury for the inhabitants here, I saw one of the ladies bailing out her hut, as the makeshift berm she had built around her hut had not sufficed.

Combatting the spread of Cholera

2008-12-01T18:13:00.011-07:00

John testing turbidity of water sampled from spring we are
looking at piping to school/village

Making assessment of spring box that is located 700 meters above
a village and school. We are putting forth a design to pipe this water to a tap stand at the school, and may be able to implement this design before we go.

inspecting construction of new 6 stall latrines at Buganga camp

6 stall latrine at Buganga camp near Minova, 2 hours west of Goma

Went to Patmos Baptist church camp and met with the principal of Patmos
Elementary school run by the government/Baptist church– this is where there are about 2000 IDP’s encamped around that the government doesn’t want supported by NGO’s because they are within the city of Goma and have supposedly been offered space at other camps. But according to the camp director, an IDP himself, it is unsafe for them to go to the other camps....we weren’t told why. But the cholera is becoming a major health issue here, and we need to act on preventing its spread, and latrines is the first step, as everywhere you walk, there is human feces around...bad situation with only about 9 usable, but very deplorably dirty latrines available for use. The church latrine has 2
stalls and is absolutely brimming almost onto the floorboards.

Back at the Buganga camp near Minova, where our LWTS water purification units are located, there are now 44 latrines with at least another 26 to be built in the next few days. We’re going to be installing bucket/spigot wash stations at each latrine on Monday, and UNICEF is supposed to be providing all of the camp inhabitants with soap. These sanitation improvements should help curb the spread of cholera.

John is holding a makeshift hand level survey rod with Valery and children looking on.

Valery, is a Canadian citizen now but came to Canada as a refugee, whose family is in Toronto, but he has a heart to help his people in the Congo as they struggle. He has been a tremendous asset and blessing to our Water/Sanitation team with his interpreting, driving, local contacts and knowledge, and his big heart to serve with us.

The work continues

2008-11-29T20:55:00.019-07:00

I’m showing the water techs at the camp how we can improve the water
quality by inserting the pump suction line into a pail and then lowering it into the black primary sediment tanks on the right. The river water is very turbid – I would say it is worse than the North Thompson River in flood. So we are using these big black tanks for primary sedimentation before treating the water within the LWTS.

Me with kids on the back steps of the Baptist Church with the IDP camp
huts in the background. The 2 latrines in the background are overfilled, and along with 3 other seats at another latrine next to the church, are the only
toilets and hygiene for the over 5000 people at this camp.

Me showing the kids my trusty hand level while surveying pipeline – kids
follow you everywhere, mostly hoping to get something from the Muzungu

John (engineer from Ottawa) is taking a sample of water from the tap to test for the chlorine content. This has to be closely monitored, as we don’t want it so high that the people will not drink the water, but we want it to be effective in killing bacteria.

little girl carrying water from lake, 40 vertical meters and 1km to
IDP camp - in the hour we were onsite, we saw probably 50 children doing
likewise, some appearing to be as young as 3 years old.

Kids filling water jugs at the Buganga camp from the LWTS (living water
treatment system) that we are helping to keep fuctioning and improving.

Construction of the new latrines by paid workers who also are
residents of the camp.

These toddlers were shelling beans – children at a very young age are
expected to contribute to the family needs.

Hearts to serve

2008-11-23T08:35:00.008-07:00

Matthew 25: 40

The King will reply, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."

There are about 10 of us with SP right now - Len is the head of SP security, Dr. Warren Cooper, Charles Ibsen program coordinator, Imanuel from Liberia is the finance officer - he is a Liberian who speaks french, Patrick is the outgoing finance officer from Boon NC, David Ingrahm Liaison officer, Edward also a Liberian who is looking aftter logistics and nutrition/ food distribution, and Shadrack a Kenyan also nutrition/food distribution

United nations troops everywhere – When we landed, there were bunkers all around the airport. There is a contingent from Indian Army, who are wearing the UN turquoise turbans. Airport is a very interesting place – appears that about 10years ago, the local volcano erupted and buried much of the town and the airport. There are jets there that were trapped after the eruption, and lay derelict as the are unable to take off on the shortened runway, as it was not reconstructed after the eruption. The airport is extremely busy with relief flights coming in and out. It is quite a process, as there are many individuals trying to capitalize on those coming into the country and finding creative ways to charge them fees.

Yesterday we went to a Baptist church about 12km from town. It is quite a task getting through town, as the roads are absolutely terrible – worse than Costa Rica or Uganda if you can believe it. Surrounding the small church, probably the size of Colebrook, are 1000 huts where IDP (Internally Displaced People) families of about 9 are living in absolute squalor. No agency is yet in charge of this camp; that is being worked on. It is tough to be patient on the politics when people are living in such destitute conditions. These huts are 2 meters wide by 2.5 meters long by about 1.5 meters high stick frames. These huts are covered with banana leaves, so are not water tight. We have tried to find out how many people sleep in each hut, but have not found that out. We were escorted by the SP program coordinator Charles Ibsen – Charles is from Edmonton, and went to Trinity Western. He is the SP Niger country Director.
This was the toughest part so far...the site of the camp is in a lava field, which is very rough and sharp like our barbeque rock with large outcroppings. The people at the camp have to walk 1000 meters distance and about a 30 meter drop to get water from the lake and carry it back to the camp. It is mostly the job of the children; I mostly saw little girls from 2 to 10 doing this. One of the girls was walking with this water jug harnessed to her head, she was about 4 years old little bit of nothing. She was sobbing; I suspect she was sick...tore at my heart. Along the path to the lake is a UN garbage dump, where people were scavanging for whatever they could use.
It is our hope to install a pump at the lake shore, and pump the water through a 1000 meter long pipe up to the camp/church where it can be stored in "pillow" or "onion" tanks and treated with chlorine and the distributed to taps. This will so help these folks, not only by reducing the physical effort of getting the water, but also providing easier access for basic hygene.

Patricks first days

2008-11-22T08:54:00.005-07:00

Patrick's picture yesterday

Where relief work is happening.

Patricks day

"Today we are going to an area where the Baptist church has a number of refugee clusters to assess their water and sanitation needs. We may be setting up a treatment system there for them,. Also, according to the WASH (water and sanitation health) the focus should be on latrine construction. Our main camp that we’re working on has supposedly 7000 (we’re goingto confirm) and only 12 latrine stalls. We’;re in the process of having another 21 built, with a goal of 150 total, depending on the actual numbers in camp."

Very small world!!!

The Liaison Officer for SP (Samaritan's Purse) here is David Ingrams – remember the Ingrams were posted on our screen at church as missionary focus? David and wife Cindy were Alliance missionaries, but he’s been working with SP Canada in Calgary for the last year. His wife is the daughter of the previous pastor before Don.

I love it when God reminds us how connected we are in His world.

Patrick's on his way to DR of Congo....home Dec. 11th

2008-11-18T16:20:00.008-07:00

CALLED OUT TO SERVE: Clean water needed

Patrick (sent from eMi US office) http://www.emiusa.org/will be travelling to a refugee setttlement near Goma (near the Rwandan border on the east) to work with Samaritan's Purse and Food for the Hungry http://www.cfhi.ca/ in providing clean water. Read about the current crisis and UN involvement http://news.google.ca/news?hl=en&q=congo+clean+water&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=X&oi=news_result&resnum=11&ct=title

Samaritan's Purse is a faith based NGO (non government organization) that reaches out in times of disaster. Most people know this org from the gift shoe boxes collected at Christmas and sent to children in need in Third World countries- called Operation Christmas Child. This outreach actually creates a very diverse and crucial lifeline that can be used in times of disaster situations to get the food, water, shelter, and medical supplies to communities. http://www.samaritanspurse.org/

Patrick's Job:

... to oversee the two WMI (Water Mission Intl) systems in the camp may be a major part of the effort.... help train and keep the technicians moving and trouble shooting issues/problems. In order to meet sphere standards , a simple system consisting of a settling tank, chlorination and storage may need to be added. Read about the water issues from Unisef http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/congo.html

What's happening in Haiti

2008-10-20T16:43:00.003-07:00

EMI mobilized a two-man team to Haiti to install portable emergency water purification systems all over Haiti. Hurricanes Fay, Gustav, Hanna and Ike have all ravaged Haiti in the last few weeks. Widespread deforestation to make charcoal for cooking has destroyed the land's capacity to retain rainwater, so even small rains induce major mud flows that can move earth and rocks to devastating effect. The tropical storms and hurricanes of 2008 wiped out a lot of homes and blocked roads all over Haiti. The photos were taken in Gonaives. Flood waters were 11 feet high in some places and a 2-foot layer of mud still blankets the city a month after the disaster.

Water Missions International has shipped about 20 of their 10-gpm Living Water Treatment Systems (LWTS, http://www.watermissions.org/howwe_engineered_lwts.html ) to Haiti. Each system has the capacity to serve a community of 3,000 people.

Patrick is packed and ready to continue the work of disaster recovery.

Last day on Site

2008-10-06T15:56:00.008-07:00

The team having a day of rest on a boat ride. You know who those two cool dudes are!!

Team meetings

More work

Ron, a local architect and dear brother to Bill & Tammy's ministry in Chiapas, discussing concrete mixing ratios (posted on cement bag) with eMi team.

The People

2008-10-06T15:28:00.006-07:00

Jonathan is 5 years old and has more street smarts than most 10 year olds. He had been abandoned by one of the many Illegal Aliens traveling from Honduras or El Salvador on their way to the US. We have no way of knowing where he is from or what he has experienced but we do know that God chose to send him to us and we are overjoyed that the Lord would send him to us. Please pray for Jonathan, he has had a very hard 5 years of life. From: http://lostandfoundint.net/blog/

This shows a picture of the migrants that are trying to make their way to the US on the train right in front of Tammy & Bills. It is so sad...the trains are absolutely jammed on the roof with people, as well as on every ladder and between every car. It is so dangerous.

Christobal, the lead staff at the ranch where our team was developing a Master Plan for El Faro De Esparanza, helps Patrick by carrying survey instrument 1 km across the property at the end of the day. Cristobal and his crew of Miguel, Manuel, Luis (jr), and Luis (sr), provided amazing friendship and support to our team as we worked on the ground by cutting survey line with machete (bargachar!), digging soil and perc test holes, and carrying water for perc tests. They also provided Spanish lessons and much grace for us as we tried to convey our needs and they successfully obliged.

Coming home in 2 more sleeps

2008-10-05T15:04:00.008-07:00

It's all about relationships. Look at the amazing bonds that blossomed in such a short time.

Clowning around?????

Pat, Brenden and Tom - the team leader

The team - Lost in the Jungle.

Tammy, Sam and Brenden at the orphanage

More pictures from Mexico

2008-10-05T14:45:00.008-07:00

The eMi team and Bill and Tammy of El Alfarero

Creating new connections and extraordinary work for God.

The guest house on the site under construction.

Soil testing

Crossing a creek on the site

Brenden and some of the team

New Day

2008-09-30T19:48:00.005-07:00

Father and Son

Day in the life of a surveyor on a mission trip

Got up at 6:45, breakfast (cereal) at 7:30, worship 8 to 9, team planning 9 to 10. On site surveying 10 to 2, lunch, back survey 3 to 630, dinner, testimonials - 2 of us; Patrick started. Testimonials from 7:30 to 8:30, and then 8:30 to 10:30 Pat had to work on his survey notes and bring data into computer from data recorder, massage, and prepare contour plan for Team Leader Tom and architectural team to use tomorrow.

The team and kids playing soccer. Great bonding.

Clean-up time.

Some parts of the site are like this, and others are jungle.

The rest of the team arrives

2008-09-27T20:16:00.004-07:00

Colossians 3:24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

The whole team together with the ministry. This is where the "Vision" of the ministry is captured by the sharing and gathering as much information as possible. Truly an amazing time of exploring ideas and formulating a plan.

Can you see that wierd buggy thing on the top left of the total station. Pat went nose to nose with it as he went to take a reading. EWWW!

Day 1 on site

2008-09-25T20:40:00.006-07:00

First day of surveying and it was hot and humid. Father and son. What a great team. Am I proud. Oh Yeah!!!

Pat, Brenden and the kids. Look at all those new books.

Patrick and Brenden are on the ground

2008-09-24T19:27:00.003-07:00

Here is Brenden with Tammy and Bill, founders and directors of Rancho Del Alfarero in Chiapas. Ready to begin surveying tomorrow morning.

The Team Bios

2008-09-23T07:11:00.012-07:00

Patrick Cochrane - Surveyor

I'm 52 years old, married to Joan for 30 years, and still marveling at how God continues to bless us in our marriage and lives together. . We have a 24 year old
son, Brenden who is a surveyor, and a 28 year old daughter Heather who is a nurse and married Cody last November in Cuba. Our kids live in Grande Prairie. We
look forward to the next phase in our life as grand parents. For the past 32 years I've worked as an engineering technician, the last 26 with the Department of Fisheries & Oceans (Canada) working on fish habitat
restoration projects. I've had an amazing 6 year association with eMi, which continues to give me a great sense of purpose and draws me deeper into a life of faith. This trip is definitely an exciting time for me, as I'm serving
along side my son Brenden, sharing our time and skills with each other and with others in need. 1 John 3:16-18 probably best speaks most about what's on my heart…

Brenden Cochrane - Surveyor

My name is Brenden Cochrane and I work on legal surveys in the Alberta Oil Patch. I have been working
here for 1 year and I am having the time of my life. The outdoors, wild animals, and riding quads all day make
my job a blast. I have never been in a financially stable position to take a trip like this till now and I don't want to
pass up the opportunity. I am taking this trip for many reasons, but my first and foremost reason is to get closer to my dad. It seems that the farther I get from my family the more I want to be near them.

Jane Guy - Architect

I am a recent graduate of architecture school (central
CA), ending an 8 year journey of work and education. Most of my experience is in custom residential
architecture but I have also interned at large firms, working in aviation architecture. God has been faithful to direct me in His will, and He is fulfilling a desire of my
heart to use my training and skills for Him… including this trip with eMi! I look forward to meeting the team and learning from each of you.

Sam Lee - Civil Engineer Water
Wastewater

I was born in South Korea and graduated from Korea University with a Civil Engineering degree. Then I got graduate degrees from Oregon State University. Presently I’ve been living in SW Florida with my wife for eight years. I have two grown up sons; younger one is
in first year in Univ of Miami Graduate School. After working for Federal (USEPA with a private contractor company) and State (South Florida Water Management District) governments, I am now working for Lee County
in Florida as a storm water and groundwater engineer. I became a Christian when I was in college – which is several decades ago! And this is first time for me to join with EMI and I am excited as everyone else in our team.

Bryon Weber - Planner

I'm a North Carolina native, now living in Boulder, Colorado. The mountains and outdoors lured me from home to study Environmental Design at the University of Colorado, and a job offer with a local firm kept me here after graduation in 2005. I've since been working as a planner at a smaller, multi-disciplinary firm called Fletemeyer & Lee Associates, where we specialize in the design of Camp and Conference centers. It's nice to be involved in this niche, as camp experiences played a
huge role in my development growing up. I'm excited to join the team and be positioned to respond to God's call to care for orphans in distress (James 1).

George Yau - Structural
Engineer

My name is George Yau. I was born and raised in Hong Kong. After I finished my high school education in Hong Kong in the 70's, I was fortunate to have an opportunity to complete my university education in Canada. Thank you God that I came to know Him and accepted Christ as my personal Lord and savior when I was studying in Canada. I was married and have two teenage sons. They both are studying in the University of Alberta. I work in the engineering consulting industry as an structural engineer ever since I was graduated from the university. I spent 18 years working in Hog Kong and 10 years in Canada. About two years ago I came to know eMi through my wife classmate in the seminary. The Lord has put a burden in my heart to serve Him in the mission field through my profession. I joined eMi and
went to Niger, Africa to work on a SIM hospital project last fall. This Mexico orphanage project will be my second trip with eMi. I look forward to work with you as a team in Mexico.

Randy Connett - Electrical
Engineer

I am a graduate of the University of Colorado (BSEE, 1979). I have a broad background in construction, operations & maintenance, and design. I was a design engineer for a number of years, then moved into Project Management Business Development, and then into staff management. My design project background includes commercial, government, and industrial facilities ranging from high security research laboratories and military installations to Utility power plant design. I am a registered PE in 10 states, only 2 of which are currently active. I am currently a staff manager in the Power business group for CH2MHill, a worldwide employee
owned engineering and construction company. My staff performs primarily large power generation projects on a firm price, Engineer-Procure-Construct at risk basis. I have been married for 28 years to Nancy (a public
school Speech Pathologist), and have 3 believing children: Allison (27) Jordan (25) and married, and Caitlin (21).

Jonathan Moody - Civil Engineer

My name is Jonathan Moody. A graduated a little over two years ago from Purdue University. I spent the following Fall and into the Spring down in Guatemala as an EMI intern. My focus in college was Construction Engineering, but down in Guatemala I did a combination of design and construction management. I worked at the William Cornelius Vocational schools in Guatemala City for the first 1/2 of the time. I spent the second 1/2 in a village named Balcones De Palin working briefly with them on their roads, and then improvements to the water system, including the construction of a new water tank. I enjoyed the design side more than I had thought I would, so when I started looking for a job, I sought out some
design consultants. I now work for a land development company in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. We do roads, bridges and private commercial development. I still sort of enjoy the design work, but I am applying for graduate schools as I don't enjoy the commercial development work that I am doing now. I hope to find a school with a program in the appropriate application of civil engineering to the developing world.

Ryan Stokes - Civil Engineer
Intern Waste Water

I just graduated last spring from the University of Wyoming with a BS in Civil Engineering. I am originally from Casper WY, and currently am have a position with an engineering firm there. The company that I work for primarily works with groundwater management. I graduated hoping that in some way I would be able to use my degree to help people and possibly be overseas. While still at school my advisor told me about eMi and told me to look into them, so I did. Now I am interning with them here in Costa Rica. I am very blessed to have this opportunity and I am very excited to see how God is going to work in and through our project.

Andy Kragt - Civil Engineer
Intern Structures

I grew up in Redmond WA, a suburb of Seattle. I graduated from the University of Washington in June
2008 with a degree is in civil engineering and an emphasis in structures. My internship experience has been in design, working on hydroelectric projects and construction engineering working on highway/ bridge
projects with Kiewit. Julie and I got married in March of this year so we've been married 6 months. Since junior year of college I’d wanted to use my engineering degree to serve the Lord. We decided to do an internship with eMi before we got too tied down in the States. Julie and I will be living in Atenas through December.

Julie Kragt - Biologist (Intern
Wife

I graduated from the University of Washington in June 2007 with a degree in molecular and cellular biology. I am from the small town of Gig Harbor, Washington and moved to the big city of Seattle for college. That is where my husband, Andy, and I lived until we moved to Atenas, Costa Rica for four months for the EMI internship. I spent a year working in a food science and drug laboratory, but now I am going to help in the EMI office and at an orphanage. I am excited to be a part of EMI with Andy and I think I am going to help out with surveying during the project trip.

Tom Bastion Team Leader/Architect

The Lord led my wife Debbie and I, along with 3 (Maggie 12, Richard 11, Lydia 8) of our 4 children to Guatemala City about 5 1/2 years ago to work with eMi. Josh at 24, our eldest, lives and works in Montana. I practiced architecture
for 18 years prior to eMi with firms in Dallas, San Diego, and Missoula, Montana. Life as a missionary with eMi has grown our love, faith,
and dependence on our Lord Jesus through both exciting adventures and suffering. The last year has been our most difficult one as my wife was diagnosed with Menieres Disease after losing her hearing in one ear and then with migraine associated vertigo. The Lord has recently blessed us with Medication that is controlling the vertigo. This year has also been one of transition as I was given the directorship of the eMi
america latina office, the previous director going back to grad school and moving the office to Costa Rica. The Lord has proven Himself to be
faithful and sovereign over all things and we are blessed to be used by Him for the building of His Kingdom.

Patrick and Brenden are off

2008-09-21T19:42:00.005-07:00

If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 18Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3 17-18.

Greetings Family & Friends.

My son Brenden & I will be traveling to Chiapas, Mexico for 2 weeks as the team surveyors helping to develop a Master Plan for an orphanage and outreach facilities. We will be a part of a team of design professional volunteers serving with Engineering Ministries International www.emicanada.org Our team will be led by Tom Bastian from eMi's Costa Rica office. We will be helping guide the missions organization El Faro de Esperanza as to how best develop their 105 acre ranchland property to meet the needs of serving orphaned and abandoned children.

Brenden, who just turned 24, has been working for the past year as a chainman (surveyor's helper) for Midwest Surveys out of Grande Prairie, Alberta, and has found much satisfaction and challenge in this work. He approached me and asked if we could go on a trip together to carry out a survey. Of course I didn't have to think about that at all. He reminds me that his intent is to "hang" with me and share our survey skills, and not to make it sound any nobler than that...Little does he know!

What's also interesting about this trip is that after I signed up for it, I learned they were looking for help designing fish ponds for Tilapia. So I will also be able to share my skills in fish habitat restoration; albeit I have to crossover from salmonids and study up on Tilapia culture.

Please hold us in your prayers as we travel, serve, and learn more about what it means to be a follower of Christ. This is a most opportune time for Brenden to be a part of a faith community. Please also pray for the security of our equipment in transit and service, as it is quite valuable and integral to completing our part of the project. And for Joan, whose love, support, and encouragement enable me to serve.

In His Service, Patrick

Times of fellowshipping

2007-08-27T17:11:00.001-07:00

BBQing in our backyard.

Our backyard faced onto the Elbow River. Patrick and the interns in the water on a hot day.

Floating down the Elbow River. Not very deep but lots of fun.

Patrick on Shamu.

We were so blessed in our time away, reconnecting with past friendships, meeting new friends and learning from every experience. We have met challenges and been changed by them. God is great!

Remembering Uganda

2007-08-27T17:02:00.000-07:00

This taxi stand is downtown Kampala. What is so facinating, is that there is a rhyme and reason to the parking and everyone in Kampala understands it.

In the market near the eMi office.

"In your face chicken place" Yep, that's what its called. You don't have to get out of your car....no waiting...and the BBQ'd chicken was done to perfection. Yummy.

Patrick and Jonathon, swimming in the Source of the Nile, at Lake Victoria.

Jackson Hole, WY, eMi Conference

2007-08-27T16:51:00.000-07:00

Our 4 staff members from Canada, Steve - the director, Kevin - staff engineer, Patrick - Intern Co-ordinator, and Greg - staff archetect.

The Canadian contingent all wore hockey jerseys and cowboy hats.

eMi staff around the world.....from our 5 offices in Colorado Springs (HO), Guatemala - soon to be moving to Costa Rica, Uganda, India, Canada, and a future office in Jordan.

Our time in Jackson Hole, WY, was spent in workshops learning about disaster responce in the developing world and how eMi can best partner with NGO's like Samaritan's Purse and World Vision to best accelerate the process of re-forming infastructure in countries devastated by disaster.

Animals we saw

2007-08-27T16:31:00.000-07:00

Lots and lots of baboons.

Wart hogs......I didn't know that they kneeled down to eat.

Antelope and a water buffalo.

Giraffe....so majestic...they even run in slow motion.

Ugandan Cox

Elephants..incredible

Yes....that a wart hog....in fact a family of them continually wondered the camp. That is not our tent....but even from our little cabin, I could hear them russtling and snorting about in the middle of the night. Afraid to go out at night, oh YES!

"Goin on a lion hunt" Well we did but did not see one that day.

Yep, those nasty crocs got all excited when the boat went by. They stopped their sunning with their mouths wide open to scampering into the water looking for their next meal.

We probably saw over a hundred hippos easily. They were afraid of our BIG boat and moved quite quickly away when we got near.

Momma and baby. Cute

Serving ROTOM in Uganda - reflections

2007-08-27T16:20:00.000-07:00

There Patrick is again goofing off again.

Lots of work is accomplished in 1 week .

Engineering staff working hard.

Archecture staff also working hard.

The presentation on Friday night to the Board of ROTOM and friends. That's Steve, eMiC's director, who will speak first on all the drawings completed during the week. Still, there is much work to be accomplished yet and most design professionals will complete the work after they get home. The finished project report will then be sent to ROTOM to being the next phase......construction.

Home Again - with reflections

2007-08-27T10:23:00.000-07:00

Remembering our time in Uganda, the beautiful people and the sharing of a vision with ROTOM.

Patrick goofing off with some kids from a local orphanage.

Joan enjoying a moment with the case workers Edith, Sarah, and Admin asst. Elizabeth of ROTOM.

Joan goofing off with her Canada stickers. One Big Family.

Yep....that's a live goat on the back of this bike.

At another orphanage for babies-toddlers.....these little ones were desparate to be picked up and loved.

On the road again

2007-07-06T13:38:00.000-07:00

Life is moving along at a breakneck pace. Since my last blog, we have moved into our new home on the Elbow River in Calgary. As quickly as we unpacked our belongings, we were again packing for our trip to Jackson Hole, WY for the World Conference for eMi. To read more about Celebrate Hope Conference :

http://www.emiusa.org/conference2007.html

Pat and I are both taking the disaster responce courses here and the speakers and teachers have been great. We listened to Ken Isaacs of Samaritan's Purse relate his stories of the past 20 years in relief work and of the important things he's learned. We now see how first responders like Samaritan's Purse and World Vision have a role that eMi can fulfill as we come along side these outreach agencies in rebuilding the infastructure of an area hit by disaster.

We ask that you pray for us here, that people be empowered by all that they learn and that God's good works be commissioned through this conference.

In His Grace and Service

Beautiful Sunrises

2007-06-29T19:24:00.000-07:00

Beautiful shots of the sun rising in Mukono, Uganda, near the ROTOM site.

Surveying in Africa

2007-06-29T18:26:00.000-07:00

Patrick and Jonathon (an electrical engineer) are digging a bore hole to determine soil type and percolation rate.

Surveying became quite a challenge on the ROTOM site as Jon and Patrick were either dodging the silly goats, who had free reign and lunch on the property, or the biting ants. They were quite nasty if they got in your pants as both Jon and Patrick can attest to.

What do you think of the interesting head gear. The first day of surveying both Sarah (an Environmental Engineering student/intern) and Patrick got a sunburn on the back of their necks. Patrick is teaching Sarah the process of surveying and how to use the Total Station and data collector.

Here Patrick is mentoring both Jon and Sarah on setting up the Total Station and data recorder.

Sunday School at Saint Andrew and Philips Cathedral

2007-06-25T18:37:00.001-07:00

I was asked to do a lesson for the Sunday School. I planned to teach on Father Abraham and God's promises to him. I was told for about 100 children ranging in ages from 3 - 15. Daunting, but I stepped up to the plate and had songs planned, a story, and a craft. As you can see while we sing "Father Abraham had many Sons", we actually had 200 kids in that small room with about 8 adults. Tight but amazing.

Here the kids are working on the craft. I had brought supplies for 100.........lucky that I had also brought construction paper to use as well. Each of the kids drew themselves, coloured their clothing, and then we taped them to the wall attaching them below the pictures done of Abraham and Sarah........all of us joined together by Christ's direct lineage to Abraham and our salvation through Christ.

Look how packed in we were. They each helped each other and shared the crayons....of which there were few.

How the little ones loved their pictures taken.

Look at these sweet faces.

After our lesson, we went outside, more room thankfully, and, with lots of bubbles, had the kids chasing and counting how many they could break.

We lasted only about 15 minutes of bubble playing before the rains came. The skies opened up and it poured and poured.

While we waited for the Church Service to finish (it was an extra long one as the Archbishop of Uganda was visiting) Evangeline played the drums with a few of the kids.

It is amazing to me how God equips each of us for a very special purpose. That He can use ordinary people like Pat and I, and, with His extraordinary power, and our willingness to obey, great things happen in His name. This day was one great day for God.

Blessings to you all

Come and meet some Ugandan seniors

2007-06-22T22:31:00.000-07:00

This is Jjaja (pronounced judge-ah meaning grandmother)Faith. Jajja Norah came for a visit with us and as she walked into the house, she said here is my husband (although everyone laughed at her silliness, the case workers told me of their concern about Norah's mental health). Faith is raising her 3 grandsons. Her daughter died of AIDS. The father of the children works in Kampala but cost of rent, food, leaves little left to send for the children. Faith tends a garden but cannot grow enough to sell any at the market. She weaves baskets (as seen in the picture) to also sell at the market.

This is Jjaja Norah who lives with her daughter. We were taken into her house - 20’ ceiling, small window 10’ up, smelled of wet clay, dark and damp. Little Norah is very frail…..she had had a transfusion about a month ago in the hospital. She is 4’6”, maybe 80 lbs. She was all dressed up sitting on her mattress on the floor. Developing bed sores. The issue is that even though she lives with her daughter, her daughter forgets about her. Edith and Sarah (the case workers) helped Norah stand and using her walking stick, we went outside. Part of Ugandan culture is that instead of saying yes, they will hum and raise their eye brows. Imagine, listening to 5 women inside this high ceilinged home humming all together using their own pitches in agreement. The sound was pure Africa amd so hauntingly beautiful. Jajja Norah has buried all her children but one.

Jjaja Eloise lives with her daughter and 2 grandsons. Eloise and Faith are sisters. Norah is their sister-in-law. ROTOM has given her a goat pictured here. Eloise is sponsored by a couple from Canada – Bill and Maureen. She asked me to say hello to them. Really happy to see us. Eloise’s daughter provided a beautiful mat for us to sit on a bench while they sat on a gunny sack on the ground. When Jajja Eloise's young grandson came home from school he greeted us by kneeling down as a show of respect. Also as the daughter handed one of the case workers a cup so that she could have a drink of water, she put herself in a lower position to give the cup to her.

ROTOM serves the elderly that have no family due to AIDS or live with family who cannot care for them. They offer health care, food drop off, fellow-shipping once a week which includes a healthy meal, making baskets that they can sell at the market. ROTOM has given some of the senior a goat to tend….in order to give purpose to their lives. Each week a care worker will take 3 seniors to the doctor. The seniors in the ROTOM program each receive a card so that if they need to, they can go to the medical clinic and using the card, get the treatment and medicines they need and ROTOM pays the bill once a month.

This is an amazing ministry that spreads the Hope of the Gospel through meeting the needs of these isolated seniors. If you would like to sponsor a senior or make a donation to ROTOM - http://www.rotom-uganda.org/

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27

Home again

2007-06-22T11:58:00.000-07:00

"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms." 1Peter 4:10

Our design team with our ROTOM partners in Mukono, Uganda

Joan & I arrived safe in Calgary last night, tired from 48 hours of travel, but amazed at the blessings from going to Africa…we served with a great ministry carrying out evangelism and outreach to seniors in Uganda, with a great team of design pro's from Canada, US, Uganda, and Australia who helped design their future facilities for their ministry; carried out a topographic survey in Africa!!!; connected with our eMi Uganda office staff, sat through an earthquake at our closing meeting there (5.7 magnitude – more information at:

http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=70254

swam in the headwaters of the Nile River (not Joan), and went on a wildlife safari.

Joan will be updating our travel blog with pictures and stories soon.

In His Amazing Grace

Patrick

We've Arrived in Kampala

2007-06-07T05:08:00.000-07:00

I'm looking at the clock on Pat's computer and its showing 6:11am. Here in Kampala it is 3:11 pm. And the last 2 days we've gained 9 hours. So far no jet lag. Just hit the ground running. Today we are at the eMi office having cultural orientation and tomorrow we meet with our ministry partner ROTOM and head out of Kampala for the project.

Thought you might be interested in some stats here of the country. The average person makes $1.oo US a day. People here work so hard for so little. There are also remnants of the LRA - Lord's Resistance Army. Facts are about 10,000 children have been abducted as child soldiers or sex slaves. Brain washing techniques were used on them. The LRA are in negotiations with the Ugandan Government since last Sept. There is so much to pray for in this country. Stats on the AIDS pandemic here are the rate of infection has been reduced from 25% in 1992 to now only 10%. Good news for a country still recovering from Amin's rule.

Couldn't down load my camera today but just wanted to describe the beauty. I'm looking out onto a portion of Lake Victoria. Around me are sweeping green hillsides. The smell is so exotic....of plants and trees that grow here but not at home. There is a gentle breeze blowing and cooling down the moist air. We are in a neighborhood of houses that are guarded or have walls erected with razorwire or broken bottles. This is the reality of extreme poverty in a land so beautiful.

This morning as we walked from our Guest House to the eMi office, we were greeted by many. A little girl walked up to me and said hello. She must have been only 3. When I waved goodbye to her, she came closer and gave me a hug. So Cute. Her mom was closely behind her. I found out later that my gesture of waving goodbye actually meant come closer. There was a good mistake in the making. Good thing we took cultural orientation this morning. AND that the Ugandans have a lot of grace and forgiveness for us westerners.

In His Grace

Off to Uganda on Tuesday

2007-06-03T13:01:00.000-07:00

Dear family and friends;

Can't believe that it is almost time to leave. We fly out at 8:00 am Tuesday morning and arrive in Uganda on Wed. at supper. Information about the project can be viewed at http://www.emiusa.org/projectprofile_5431.html. We have a LONG wait at the Amsterdam airport. Pat and I have been buying supplies like latex gloves, lotions for the elderly, and gifts that we can bless our new friends with. I am busily preparing a lesson plan for Sunday School for 100 kids along with doing the Worship with them. I will also be going on home visits, working at the orphanage while Pat does the surveying on the property and works with the design team. Please pray for safety in our travels, health upon arrival, and that we can be as much a blessing and they will surely be to us.

In Gods Grace

Uganda

2007-05-30T14:35:00.000-07:00

Megan, an intern with the eMi Uganda office, has forwarded an e-mail of some of her experiences there. This journal is an amazing testimony of how God is transforming her in her willingness to serve. Just click on the page and it will increase in size for easy reading.

Megan's Journal from Uganda

2007-05-30T14:34:00.001-07:00

2007-05-30T14:33:00.001-07:00

2007-05-30T14:31:00.000-07:00

2007-05-30T14:05:00.000-07:00

eMiC team to Haita

2007-05-28T08:04:00.000-07:00

Our first team from the eMiC office left on Friday for Haita. They have arrived safely and successfully, without losing people or baggage. They are on the ground running to first get the vision of God's Littlest Angels, develop a concept from the vision, and then draw up the plans.....all done before Sunday, when the team will fly home. Busy, rewarding time in serving others. We will have one day debriefing with them, before our team for Uganda leaves June 5th. Busy time of preparation for us.

I still have a few things to pick up before we go. Along with all our Canada gifts, we've heard that the Director of eMi Uganda is a Flames fan. So....we found a few things for him along with toys and such for his 4 kids. We will be taking lots of lotions (this is truly a need with the elderly I will be serving in home visits). I will also be doing Worship for the children at the Church services in Uganda.

Blessings in Christ

The Mustard Seed

2007-05-25T10:58:00.000-07:00

The Mustard Seed is the downtown Calgary street ministry. Here we are preparing vegetables for a stir fry. We chopped and chopped and then chopped some more.

A much needed cupcake break. After 3 hours of slicing and dicing, we were a little hungry and thirsty.

The serving line. I think we fed about 300 people in an hour. Fast work but very rewarding.

Stronghold Gym

2007-05-23T07:46:00.000-07:00

"From Him, the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work." Ephesians 4:16

Our Team

With lots of encouragement, we all jumped from the black railing and grabbed the steel triangle. A wee bit scary.
Our last team exercise was getting all 9 of us over the 12 foot wall with no hand or foot holds. We had a experienced wall climber in Wes (he's currently going to a military college) and quickly came up with a plan. You can see Patrick and Kevin hauling up Steve (our eMi director). In about 20 minutes we had managed everyone except for Greg.
Here is Greg leaping up, grabbing Patrick's arm and, with Kevin's help, pulling him up. It was a great exercise in leadership, planning, discussion, execution and completion. SUCCESS

Team Building at Stronghold Climbing Gym

2007-05-22T20:45:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday, all the eMiC staff and interns participated in a team building excercise. This is in preparation for 3 international trips this June from the Calgary office. Our staff will divide up in order to meet the needs of the Missions Organizations in Haiti, Uganda, and Central Asia......Yes that trip has just got the green light. We are still going to Uganda where I believe God will challenge me greatly.
Here is Patrick putting on his harness to begin.
Here are two of the interns, Rose and Wes, as they hang out of the building. They will be part of the team that gently lowers a stretcher down the wall outside.
Greg, staff architect, with Sara, another intern, as they show the poor victim how much they can be trusted.
That poor victim in the stretcher is me. I said a few prayers at first and soon realized that as I couldn't look down, I really didn't feel any fear. All I could see was straight up, the beautiful sky with lovely, frothy clouds meandering by. Who could be afraid!

Mother's Day Picnic

2007-05-13T20:57:00.000-07:00

Looking across the Bow River to our "Home away from Home".
With great ingenuity, Wes, one of our interns, helped haul the supplies need for our Hot Dog Roast with a shopping cart found on site.
Yes, it really was that cold outside. Hard to believe that Saturday was hot enough for shorts and the application of sun screen.

Me playing "Go Fish" with Michele and Kevin's girls, Talia & Kaisa. Pooped out after a day outside at the park.

Unfriendly neighbours

2007-05-11T11:56:00.000-07:00

Patrick and I are almost into our 3rd week here in Calgary. What a whirlwind of activity. Last week was filled with meetings from head staff members of Colorado Springs office. This week 3 of our 4 interns have arrived. Wes, Sarah and Rose came with great enthusiasm and young people spirit. What a joy they are. We await Evangeline from the States who will arrive on May 19th.

Patrick has taken off with his role as Intern Director. I don't think he even realized what a great teacher he is and what a great leadership role God has placed on him. (This from a man who, for his whole life, shied away from leadership.)

We are again so blessed with rich relationships /friendships here in Calgary. In some ways, it doesn't feel like we've ever left.

Now, I bet you're wondering about the picture above. We are living with our host family, Michele, Kevin and their 2 girls Talia and Kaisa. (See link from my blog for more info) Their home backs onto the Bow River. So....this other little family lives behind us and they can get mighty upset if we have to walk along their path. (Yes, it is their path or so they think). Pat has had some run ins with the "DAD" ie. flying at his head and trying to peck him.

This morning I had to walk to the office...not far but it included the geese family's territorial path. I almost turned tail and went the long way around when a young teenage lad walked by me. I asked him how he gets by our little terrors. As I walked behind him, he showed me the tricks of those nasty BIG geese with their babies. He put his backpack in from of him, and proceeded to make wierd ghostly sounds. So....I copied him. Picture this , if you will, we are walking on the path, flapping our packs, whooping and hollering like banshees AND (no surprise), the geese moved out of our way. Yippee!

Hi ya'll from Calgary

2007-05-09T09:31:00.000-07:00

Grettings everyone. I am setting up a blog today and will update approx. once a week. Blessings to you all and Happy Spring.