Dear Friends in Christ,
Warm greetings from Mississauga. Some months have passed since our last update, and much has happened since then.
Moving on. After serving for 2 years as International Director of Emmanuel International, I (Doug) felt it was time to step away at the end of September. Over those 2 years, 
my top priority was helping the International Board soberly evaluate the organization, and initiate changes designed to reinvigorate EI’s ministry among the world’s needy churches & people. By September, the Lord impressed upon my heart that I had led the process as far as I could, and it was time to move on and seek my next “assignment.”
In the meantime, the EI Board requested me to continue facilitating international administrative tasks in a part-time role during their transition period. For those of you who have faithfully supported my ministry… if you can continue for the next few months, this will allow me to complete my remaining tasks. In doing so, you play a key role in EI’s fruitful ministry around the world. Thank you very much. I will keep you updated.
What’s next? The reason I invested 2 years with Emmanuel was because their Mission Statement “Helping Churches Serve the Poor” is dear to my heart. Ideally, I would love to 
continue in some role which brings churches together in service to the world’s neediest people. I have been prayerfully exploring opportunities with various organizations and churches. The Lord knows, and in His good time He will let me know too! Your prayers – and words of wisdom – are most welcome. I am 56 years young, and have been blessed with a wealth of interesting experience. Now, I simply want to make the most of my remaining years, and hopefully can still be “useful to the Master” (2 Tim. 2:21). I have always been challenged by Jesus’ words in Matthew 10:8 – “Freely you have received; freely give.” I recognize that I have been richly blessed by God, and I sincerely want to be a channel of His blessing to others.
Doug, Bev, Beulah, Dave
Family update…
- Beulah continues to serve faithfully as evening Head Nurse at Cawthra Gardens. She is deeply involved with her staff and the many seniors they serve, and considers this to be as much a ministry as a job.
- Bev & Mike live not too far away in Toronto, and we see them often. Bev takes some nursing courses and works in several places. Mike works in the family electrical business and studies part-time at York University.
- Dave works full-time in a warehouse, and continues to develop his interests in film production – a budding Steven Spielberg, we hope.
We have enjoyed getting more involved in our church MCBC (a thriving congregation with members from all over the world) – that’s when Doug is not speaking elsewhere on Sunday mornings. We always welcome opportunities to share the Word of God.
From our family to yours, sincere wishes for a happy Christmas Season, full of the Lord’s blessing.
Sincerely in Christ,
Doug & Beulah
In my role as International Director of Emmanuel International, I am privileged to directly collaborate with a family of wonderful EI people around the world. Although this usually involves a lot of emailing and Skype conference calls, sometimes it requires international travel. Since January, this has brought me to the UK, the Philippines, Australia, Haiti and the USA. And later this week, it’s back to the UK and on to Africa.
lia. While over there, I’ll zip down to Australia for 2 days with EI’s supporters and Board. It’s my first time “down under,” and I look forward to a fruitful visit. One highlight will be the opportunity to meet with students at Trinity Theological College.
For me, this year’s highlight was my involvement with the precious people of northern Uganda. Emmanuel International, in partnership with the Church of Uganda, is expanding ministry among a population recovering from years of war. We have been preparing a long-range training program for village health volunteers and rural pastors. EI will send the first of several teams in January, and I am VERY excited about this ministry!
In my role as International Director of Emmanuel International, as much time is spent on Policy Manuals and Board Meetings as on developing programs such as the one in Uganda. All are a necessary part of a thriving ministry. Your prayers are appreciated. The mission faces great challenges, but has great opportunities. God’s guidance and help are needed as we discern the best way forward.
few months, to complete work on a vital 15-page Policy Manual that significantly update’s EI’s guiding principles and organizational structure. Not the most dazzling activity to write about – but it has HUGE implications for future ministry, and that gets me REALLY excited! And I am happy to report that after working on this night and day since the beginning of the year, the new document has been approved by the Board of Directors – and now goes to the Membership for ratification this week. I believe God is at work among us, and a new day for Emmanuel International is about to dawn.
This has been a season of reorganization… and now the season of ACTION has arrived! Which includes airports again… In July, a week in England with EI’s many UK friends; followed by a week in Uganda. I will be taking a video guy with me to shoot a mini-documentary about the needs and opportunities among the Acholi people of northern Uganda, where EI has been serving for 25 years. These precious people have suffered years of war and unspeakable atrocity, and are now settling down and trying to resume normal life. What an opportunity for God’s people to help! Stay tuned for updates in coming weeks.
This evening, I’m off to South Africa for 10 days. (It always feels great to be Africa-bound!) I will participate in an international Conference bringing together church and ministry leaders from around the world. This is a movement that encourages churches in developing countries to reach out to the poor in their communities, combining courageous faith with creative use of local resources.
On Christmas Eve, I distributed a video clip to all members of the Emmanuel International worldwide family – Home Staff, Board Members, Overseas Personnel and Key Supporters. Since you are part of our Support Team, Beulah and I thought you might enjoy watching the 5-minute “Christmas Message from the International Director.” In the video clip (below), I share from my heart about Christmas, Emmanuel, and the mission God has called EI to fulfill.