MIJHH is the five-year campaign of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to raise $40 million for new international mission personnel and for church development in the U.S., particularly racial ethnic and immigrant congregations.
In her new position, Lora will be teaching at Bethel Mekane Yesus Girls’ School, while Bruce will be training teachers at the girls’ school and other institutions.
The Wheartys’ appointment cleared its last hurdle in April when the final dollars needed to fund their positions were secured. They will attend orientation in July with a class that could include as many as 11 new mission personnel.
Experienced educators, the Wheartys’ teaching skills have been honed in the public school classrooms in their native Montana and at a Presbyterian school in Vanuatu, where they served as Presbyterian missionaries from 1992 to 1994 and from 2002 to 2005. Bruce, who is pursuing a doctorate in education, will be writing his dissertation on teacher training in Ethiopia. He hopes his work will help streamline the teacher training process and make it more effective.
Lora will focus on contributing to the development of young women. “For me to have a hand in empowering them to gain a voice and place in the leadership is a gift beyond all measure,” she said.
MIJHH, which is scheduled to report to the 218th General Assembly (2008), will continue to receive pledges toward its $40 million goal through June 2008, with payments accepted through December 31, 2012. For further information or to contact a member of the MIJHH staff team, visit https://www.pcusa.org/joiningheartsandhands/.
