Staff await implementation phase of health program in DR.

After four months of exploration from January through April this year, Dr. Norm and Carol Waggy of Goshen, Ind., are experiencing a delay in the implementation of a preventative health care ministry in the Dominican Republic.

During a special assignment with the Global Mission Partnerships of the Church of the Brethren General Board, the Waggys visited 21 of the congregations of Iglesia de los Hermanos (Church of the Brethren in the Dominican Republic), spread over three regions. The couple gathered ideas from church members for a new ministry through the Dominican church communities, working with a newly-appointed Health Committee of regional representatives. By the end of the process, the committee had identified several priorities and formulated a proposal.

"The health ministry proposal has generated much energy and excitement in the Dominican church," said Merv Keeney, executive director of Global Mission Partnerships. "While the initial hope was that the church could make an immediate decision, for a number of reasons the church will need more time to work out the details. Mission coordinators Irv and Nancy Heishman will be working with the Dominican leadership to discuss the proposal."

Meanwhile, Norm Waggy has returned to private medical practice. Carol Waggy, an ordained minister with experience in mediation and conflict resolution, has accepted the assignment of interim administrative coordinator at Goshen (Ind.) City Church of the Brethren. In past mission service, the couple served for five years with the Rural Health Program of Ekklesiyar Yan'uwa a Nigeria (EYN--the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria), a community-based health program.

Source: 10/1/2007 Newsline Mission Update