Virginia Episcopalian Magazine Winter 2012 Issue | Page 19

GREG LOWDEN
Leeds Church, Markham
Greg is working in Guatemala for one year with
International Justice Mission, a group of Christian lawyers,
investigators, social workers and specialists involved in
supporting victims of child sexual violence.

What drew you to involvement in mission work?

During my last year in undergrad I went through a series
of experiences that more or less opened my eyes to the
need for sustainable solutions toward poverty, injustice and
oppression. At the same time I wanted to focus my vocation
on something that I was passionate about, and ideally
something that involved living out my faith. For me, doing
international mission work was the perfect way to merge all
of those desires.
What has been the biggest reward in your work?

To be honest, the biggest reward has been having
stakeholders on board. The government has been very
receptive to allowing us to review archives and to analyze
the condition of the justice system with respect to cases
involving child sexual violence. It allows us to adjust
our trainings to focus on areas where there is room for
improvement so that we can make a sustainable impact. And
being part of the team that helps manage this project is a
pretty awesome reward in and of itself.

Greg Lowden of Leeds Church, Markham
is stationed in Guatemala.

What advice would you give to someone interested in pursuing
international mission work?

Definitely do it, or at least give it a shot. Approach it
with an open mind and expect to learn and receive more
than you’re able to give. Remember that God is with you in
every step and don’t be afraid of the unknown. In the end, it
usually ends up being more of a journey than a mission.

NICOLE GROOME
Grace & Holy Trinity, Richmond
Nicole is a member of the Episcopal Church Young Adult
Service Corps stationed at the Asian Rural Institute
(ARI), a training center for rural leaders in Japan, where
she works as a farm volunteer in a tight-knit community.
Follow Nicole online at here-in-japan.blogspot.com.

What drew you to involvement in mission work?

During my time with campus ministry at Grace & Holy
Trinity, we did many service activities. I participated in the
annual hurricane relief mission trip to New Orleans, and
I fell in love. I was an interior design major and I had the
opportunity to learn and grow, as well as the opportunity
to grow closer to my church community and God. I realized
that just my time and presence was so valuable to the
homeowners that we helped.
Nicole Groome works at the Asian Rural Institute in Japan.

What has been the biggest reward in your work?

I work, eat and sleep everyday with people from all
over the world and of different religions. It can be difficult
at times, but we all share a common passion for ARI’s
mission: “To build an environmentally healthy, just and
peaceful world, in which each person can live to his or her
fullest potential.” It is so rewarding to not only meet so
many different people and hear their stories, but to live and
share a deep understanding of the peace that we need in
our world.
What advice would you give to someone interested in pursuing
international mission work?

The most important thing about mission work is
following your heart because God will provide the rest. It
is truly amazing to see everything fall into place. I see and
feel God every day in the plants, in the faces of these rural
leaders, in the community that we have built together, and I
can’t wait to see Him in the work that they will do when they
leave here.

Winter 2012 / VIRGINIA EPISCOPALIAN

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