2020 Year End Overview

Name of Project:  East Africa Diaspora Community    Progress of the organization (person) towards stated goals (or lack thereof): It has been remarkable that the Jenkins were able to notice a significant shift in the secondary migration of Africans into the Dakotas and relocate to be close to it.  Most people are not as aware of demographic and economic movements as the Jenkins, and how that impacts missions.  We also find it remarkable how the clustering of Africans that are in Western North Dakota are so like the Jenkins’ experience.   There is a cluster of West African from Nigeria and Cameroon where Jana was conceived and born.   The other cluster of East Africans is largely Kinyarwanda speaking with a heritage of cattle keeping in Rwanda, Congo, and Burundi.    That is a great follow-up of the relationship network the Jenkins had developed as they worked with Rwandan, Burundian, and Congolese refugees during their time in Uganda, and then served in Rwanda later. We are also pleased to see how quickly the Jenkins were able to shift plans to remain relevant during the pandemic.   With Dave’s past column writing and their radio experience plus how they have tried to use social media to stay relevant as their network scattered, they were able to shift quickly to keep disciplining relationships ongoing when face-to-face contact became minimal. Financial Health of the organization (person): This is one of our biggest concerns.   The Jenkins have been living on the poverty line for several years.   They survive by working multiple jobs.   It is tragic that such effective missionaries struggle to find adequate support.   Dave spent months this year enumerating for the census.   Jana babysat.   It made good sense for Dave to resign from the pastor job when the church would not create a Covid policy at the time North Dakota had some of the worst infection rates in the world.  Yet, it does create another financial struggle. We are a bit at loss to know what to do to turn this corner.   We see almost no missionary who brings the network and skill set that the Jenkins do to the East African Diaspora.   Yet, most local church mission committee’s policy frameworks would not support this work.   Most denominational structures would not promote the necessary unity.   The ministry is highly relational while most foundations are looking for specific items to do.   Items of praise and gratitude to God: The Jenkins lived through Covid.   Though recovery is taking time we do not see them as Covid long haulers. The Jenkins influence grew significantly on social media during the pandemic.    For instance, on Dave’s Facebook Live sermon today there was dialogue from Burma, Uganda, United States, and Rwanda.   The amount of diversity is out of the ordinary.   The dialogue came from both missionaries and church leaders.   The Jenkins’ voice is greatly respected among their peers. Items of concern for prayer and further monitoring: The Jenkins health: Dave’s spine, Jana’s diabetes, and Timothy’s cerebral palsy.   We are encouraged that Dave is running and, in the gym, again.   We are encouraged that Jana has lost weight and diabetes numbers have come down.   We are encouraged that Timothy’s left foot healed well from surgery and he is active. Any additional information to share? We are curious how the relationship will develop with other immigrant-serving non-profits in North Dakota.   We feel that EADC needs to establish good partnerships with local churches and Christian nonprofit organizations for long-term success.    We are hopeful for Dave’s short-term contract with the Global Neighbors leadership program.   We are also thankful that Dave has picked up a few opportunities to preach in Anglo churches in the last two months.   We hope he can do that more frequently. Are there additional services that your support network can provide that might interest you or help the ministry to flourish? We perceive that Dave and Jana have been greatly underutilized by the American church after their return to the United States.   It may be their gentle nature.   They also see themselves as friends and peers of Diaspora people, so they do not market their network as a project.   If you come across churches or organizations that need expertise in East Africa, disabled sports, and recovery from injuries there are few people with more fruit or expertise.   When the Jenkins are in Kampala or Kigali they are known within the top tiers of government, media, business, and education.   If the need arises within churches or organizations, you know please get in touch with the Jenkins to serve as consultants or speakers. Dave and Jana are enjoying the sunrises and sunsets of North Dakota. Thanks so much for your support of the Jenkins and their ministry to East Africans in the Dakotas and around the world.  The EADC Advisory Board  GIVE TODAY