Walking Forward, Waiting on the Lord
The body of EMI had a healthy grieving period at the end of the year for Jim Hall, our former CEO who helped shape EMI and invest in the staff worldwide. Jim passed away suddenly in November from cancer. Henry Watts, my first project leader (3 years ago) and supervisor, was recently named U.S.A. office director. He exhorted us at the beginning of the year during our staff week to continue walking together in what God has prepared for us. The Colorad Springs EMI staff enjoyed a time of prayer, worship, teaching, encouragement, small group discussions, and fun activities together to begin the year. Even though Jim is no longer with us, we do not go alone because God has sent His Holy Spirit to dwell within us.
I was encouraged through a small group prayer time a couple weeks ago as the Lord led us to pray for clear vision, that we would not be nearsighted but to have our eyes fixed upon Jesus for wisdom and revelation. In 2 Peter 1, Peter tells us that "[God's] divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall."
We miss Jim, but I think he would have something similar to say. We had an amazing example of love and godly leadership through him, and he deposited much into the body of EMI. As we wait on the Lord and He gives us strength, we will continue to do good and to walk in the love of Christ. Thank you for your continued prayers for the EMI board and the CEO search. We trust that God is preparing a leader for the season ahead, and we will continue to share His love through designing a world of hope for the physically and spiritually poor.
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