Missionary to Uganda and Trustee at California Baptist University, Eydie Miskel has a story to tell. After a long effective career in California Southern Baptist churches and associations as church administrator and sign language interpreter, Eydie was unexpectedly called by God just three years ago to go to Africa.

Eydie attended a Lions Club District Governor Installation Dinner in San Diego in July 28, 2006. It was at this dinner, she met Father Bonaventure, a priest from Uganda who was in the United States to raise funds to build a hospital for children stricken with malaria. As Eydie spoke with Father Bonaventure, she first heard the sobering facts that every 30 seconds, a child dies in Africa from mosquito borne malaria. The majority of malaria deaths occur in Africa in children under 5 years old. She listened as he said the reason most die is because they can not get the $3 shots that can combat the disease. God tugged at Eydie’s heart through the meeting of this unexpected dinner guest.

Two days later, Eydie ran into another friend who she had not seen in some time. It was at this meeting, her friend shared about the work they were doing to build a rehabilitation center to provide a safe place for rescued children from the violence in Northern UGANDA! By time Monday rolled around, Eydie was amazed to realize that a country she knew little about occupied her whole weekend! Then came the front page of the Ventura County Star. A picture of a young man from Calvary Community Church in Westlake Village, California holding a little boy from God Cares Nursery & Primary School in Kampala, UGANDA! The caption read, “More people are volunteering abroad, hoping to make a difference – and Africa holds a special allure.”

God definitely got her attention. For the next 7 days, God brought to Eydie’s attention something about Uganda or Africa twice a day! It was one of the most incredible weeks of her life. By the end of the week, Eydie discovered that Pastor Scott Harrell of Ojai Valley Baptist Church would be returning to Uganda with a missions team in just 4 months! It was clear that God was calling her to go.

As in the book of Genesis, God’s call to Abraham was to “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family and go to the land that I will show you.” Genesis 12:1. God said, “go.” Abraham obeyed. Eydie didn’t know why but she was obedient to His call and began to make plans.

Eydie’s first trip to Uganda was December 2006/January 2007. Since then, Living Hope Children’s Home in Uganda was established by Psalms Ten that currently provides for the needs of 76 children! She resigned from her church administrator job at her church of 13 years to serve voluntarily with Devo Marshall, founder of Psalms Ten to meet the needs of the children. Eydie travels back and forth 2-3 times a year to Uganda from her home in Ventura, California where she lives with her husband, Michael & daughters Kiana & Heather, to her family in Uganda! Her most recent trip involved leading an International Service Project Team to Uganda with 8 students from California Baptist University.

The story of Eydie’s call and of her subsequent work for the children of Africa is inspiring and encouraging. She has said that “the people there taught me how to live, breathe and walk in the power of the Holy Spirit.” Those that have heard Eydie’s story have listened in wonder at the greatness, goodness and power of God to transform His children and love the world.

Devo Marshall- Boardmember

Carol John- Treasurer

Sylvia Hernandez- Secretary