The Beginning

I have been studying civil engineering at Washington State University and will graduate with my B.S. degree in December. Over the past few years a conviction to serve the poor has developed in my heart. Verses such as James 1:27, Proverbs 31:20, and Proverbs 21:13 made an impression on me and accumulated in my mind. However, I was unsure of how to serve the poor, or what purpose God could have for me in studying civil engineering. Then I found an intersection of my passion and my skills: Engineering Ministries International.

Engineering Ministries International (EMI) is a non-profit Christian organization that provides technical design assistance, free of charge, to other Christian organizations all over the world that are serving the poor. EMI serves both local and international ministries by designing hospitals, orphanages, schools, ministry centers, water systems, and the like. To learn more visit emiworld.org.

I have recently been accepted as an intern with EMI and will serve in their Costa Rica office from January until July, 2012. Although I am not yet sure of all the details, I do know that I will be working with a team to design a facility for another ministry. My responsibilities will most likely range from basic office tasks to engineering design, drafting in AutoCad, and report writing. I will be living with a host family and anticipate improving my Spanish speaking skills.

I would really appreciate your prayers. Pray that I will be focused on God; enjoying Him, humbly serving Him. Pray also for my host family, the whole EMI Costa Rica office, and the ministry that we will be serving. Pray that I will be able to do excellent engineering work and for graciousness and the ability to laugh at myself in a new culture. For sporadic updates on my time in Costa Rica and current prayer requests, visit my blog: www.costaestherica.blogspot.com.

My travel, language studies, and living expenses for 6 months will be $8,500, which I need to raise by December 20^th. If you would like to support me financially you can donate online at https://emisecure.org/donate.html (Once on the donation page select “Interns” from the first dropdown menu and “Esther Lynch” from the second). All contributions are tax-deductible. Thanks so much for any contributions and prayers.