We embrace the spiritual gifts, diverse interests and skills of our congregants abroad as at home.

A primary commitment of the Global Mission Team is to implement a congregational emphasis on mutual ministry abroad.

A Uganda Mission partnership started in 2003 is thriving

• BBCDA – Buyobo and Buteza Community Development Association, an interfaith local community group the partners with BHPC in several successful programs
  • Health Program Development through Village Health Teams
  • Self-development support through Electricity Installation and Maize Mill Services
  • Widows Association project tailoring and animal distribution

Note from the Uganda Mission Projects: With the news of mudslides in northern Uganda, we were worried about Buyobo Village where BHPC has several projects underway. Fortunately, while there was a lot of rain, the village is safe and work is continuing on local health training sponsored by BBCDA (Buyobo Buteza Community Development Association) and on proposals to upgrade the water system. The Millennium Health Center is completed and a request has gone out to our church to help them with raising funds to hire a nurse administrator. The focus in this stage of the project is on helping the clinic to be self-sustaining as it moves into operation. Robyn Nietert just visited Buyobo in January of this year for various Women’s MicroFinance Initiative (WMI) projects among which was to attend the official opening of the new WMI/BBCDA building which both organizations WMI and BHPC funded and now share. All the BBCDA meetings mostly with the Village Health Workers are now held in the new building. The WMI and BBCDA have also completed the much needed bathrooms with a septic tank which will be used by the community center. The Uganda missions are moving forward, born of an idea that people in partnership with local populations could make a difference. Health data are being collected to evaluate the effectiveness of the Village Health Teams projects. The news so far is encouraging. In future articles Church and Society will share letters from the villagers and will highlight the work of missionaries like John Shepherd, Joy, Robyn, June, Edith, Bonnie, Leslye and George in the Africa Team who have worked so hard with Buyobo to realize their dreams for improved health, clean water, a health center, a maize mill and electrification, among other projects still underway.
 

In Asia a Fund for Higher Education in Asia was born to establish

• Scholarships and programs equipping women to become leaders in shaping the future of their societies.
• Women’s programs at Forman Christian College in Pakistan are the first recipients of the proceeds.

Update from the Asia Endowment Fund:  Please save the date for this exciting event on Saturday, June 5, 2010, 5:00-7:00pm in Memorial Hall. Ambassador Akbar Ahmed will be the keynote speaker for the Fundraising Kick-Off Event for Higher Education in Asia Endowment. He will talk about "Building Bridges Among the Children of Abraham through Education." Akbar Ahmed, a graduate of Forman Christian College in Lahore, Pakistan, is considered by the BBC to be the world's leading authority on contemporary Islam. His latest book, “Journey into America,” recounts his experiences traveling around the US with the father of the late journalist Daniel Pearl.
 

In the Middle East Bradley Hills’ emphasis is peace-building

• Partnership with Al Watan in Hebron, West Bank to support workshops teaching practical non-violence philosophy and tactics to elders, women and youth who face daily incidents of violence

BHPC Benevolence Support continues for particular global programs

• Romania Bright Beginnings, orphan program
• Bolivian Andes Women’s Empowerment (CEAMCOS)
• Christian Peacemaker Teams
• Churches for Middle East Peace