March 11, 2011 – Emmanuel College students Brandi Gibson and Mary Stewart are safe from the earthquake and tsunami that are terrorizing cities along the Japanese coast. The interns left Tokyo, Japan, two days ago and are currently stationed in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
“Through Facebook, we have successfully communicated to our interns, Executive Director of World Missions Ministries Doug Beacham and Director of People to People Ministries Matt Bennett. They have graciously helped to confirm the location and safety of our interns,” says Dean of the School of Christian Ministries Tracy Reynolds at Emmanuel College.
Gibson and Stewart, seniors in the School of Christian Ministries, are completing their last semester with a missionary training program known as SAFARI (Semester Abroad for Radical Impact). This program is organized by the International Pentecostal Holiness Church (IPHC) to train the next generation of world missionaries.
The interns completed eight weeks of training in Krugersdorp, South Africa, and are now working in the missionary field for five weeks in different locations throughout Asia. Russell Board, director of Asia/Pacific Missions for the IPHC, is sponsoring them during this portion of their SAFARI experience.
Board posted a status on Facebook this morning saying, “Thanks for the concern and prayers. We were in Singapore when the quake hit. We are now in Kuala Lumpur, finally able to get online. It took time to contact all our family, but thankfully all are fine, though shaken up. We still don't know about the condition of our home, but don't expect major damage. We won't be home until next Wednesday, but our hearts are there.”
Please continue praying for our interns, missionaries and all those being affected by the natural disaster in Japan. Gibson and Stewart are scheduled to arrive back to the United States in late April.
