Big News!

It has been a busy year with a lot of work in La Romana, the World Missions Conference in May, a visit to colleagues throughout Africa in August, traveling around the US for Home Assignment as well as saying good-bye to La Romana, Dominican Republic after 12 years of ministry.  As many of you know, I moved around for most of my life and was quite happy to stay in La Romana for years!  I never dreamed that God had more for me to do than the immense work that was available in La Romana.  But earlier this summer, I clearly understood that God not only had a new journey for me, but one that would allow me to continue to marvel at how connections are made and needs are met.  As you'll read below, I hope you will share in my excitement and anticipation for all of the great adventures awaiting this new chapter in my life.

Thankfulness

It is official...my new assignment has been approved and supported by International Ministries.  I will now be the Health Care Resource Missionary for all of Ibero-America (South America, Central America, the Caribbean, Spain and Portugal).  So what does that mean exactly?  It means that I will be acting as a health care resource for our missionaries and partners in Ibero-America in several capacities:

•    Emergency medical relief (natural disasters, crisis, etc)

•    Health care program development (especially with a nutrition or child health focus)

•    Connecting project needs with available resources (people, grants, universities, funding, equipment, medicines, etc.)

•    Educating churches and organizations about the health care work available through International Ministries and the opportunities for partnership

•    Maintaining contact with volunteers who have health care specialties needed for specific projects

•    Participating in conferences focused on International Health Care

•    Encouraging other missionaries through partnerships, assistance, filling in and working on projects together.

Whew!  As big as this sounds I have to admit that I am thrilled that International Ministries supports this new role for me.  My area director, Jose Norat-Rodriguez, and I will be evaluating the projects presented to us by our partners and colleagues to decide together where I need to serve throughout the year.  There is also the possibility of working within other regions (outside of Ibero-America) on special projects or in emergency situations as the need would arise but these situations would be decided on as we go along. The focus right now is Ibero-America and the health care issues that this area of the world faces.  This can encompass medical clinics, feeding programs, health care relief, special projects, assessments and much more!

I appreciate your patience in waiting with me and keeping me in your prayers through this discernment process.  If you could see me right now, you'd see a HUGE smile on my face and an energy to become involved in the needs facing this region.  I can hardly wait to connect people with the requests for help and educate folks on how much more we can do.  Are you ready to join me?  If you are interested in having your name placed on a list for future work with me, please click on the following link, fill out the form, and return it to me.  I will not distribute your information to anyone without your consent first and your information will be used only for my database to match needs with resources.  There are many needs that do not require you to be a doctor or a nurse so please make sure you fill out the form if you would like to work with me in the future!

CLICK HERE FOR FORM

A visit to your church or organization?   Are you interested in having Kristy Engel visit your church, school,  university or organization?  Are you interested in learning more about how  you can partner with her in this new role?  Make sure you contact  Ruthie Stevens at International Ministries to find out how to make that  happen!

I want to sincerely thank each of you for your years of support, prayers and encouragement.  As this journey continues together, it is my prayer that each of you may find the wonder and joy that I do, as I continue to serve others in need.

Sincerely,

Kristy Engel

International Ministries