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Maggie McNeil traveled to Uganda 15 years ago with the intent to be a support for her family who had moved to Uganda a year or so before. Within 3 months of this move, she was convinced that God wanted her to stay longer than she had initially planned, eventually even becoming a citizen. Over the next several years, Maggie’s service with the EMI Uganda office has evolved to include initial assessment of volunteer housing, office administration; reviewing and updating local transportation resources; recruiting, supervisory and training roles; and being the office Jaja (Grandmother). Her favorite and long-standing role within EMI Uganda has been in the care and keeping of our interns and guests. Maggie has often been the first welcome for new interns and has carried out the housing orientation for the fresh faced and jet-lagged, keeping an eye on sick interns and sternly instructing the overstrained to take care of themselves. 

Here’s to and in appreciation of Maggie, who continues to be a blessing to EMI.

Design skills are having an impact on the frontlines in the fight against COVID-19 in South Asia!

EMI India is providing pro-bono design services for five different mission hospitals in rural areas to help them prepare for COVID patients. Using plans of the existing hospital spaces, the team is creating layouts for managing COVID patients with the required social distancing and hygiene protocols. These layouts include staff and patient flow patterns, bed layouts, and more.

Two of these mission hospitals have been given notice that they will be taken over by the state and district health departments, as an official government COVID-19 hospital shortly. 

Dirk came to EMI in 2010 eager to engage in the vision of combining Design and Missions after volunteering on a number of EMI project trips. Anyone that knows Dirk, knows of his passion for architecture, missions, Christ and the Florida Gators!  Dirk especially loves being able to help our mission hospital partners as they continue to serve the medical and spiritual needs of their communities around the world.  His enthusiasm for his work is unmatched and his energy brings life to an office full of introverts.  More importantly, his prayers reflect his devotion and trust in our Savior and King.  Dirk’s current activities include leading projects and leading the US office design studio.  He loves EMI, his wife, Joy, and their three children, Kelvyn, Kyra, and Kaden, who have nearly all graduated from home. 

We are grateful for your heart, knowledge, faith and passion, Dirk!