BIO:
We are currently on furlough until January 2011, Lord willing. We appreciate your ongoing support.




John and Alison (Ali) are grateful and happy to be serving after five years at ABU Uganda. Alison, who felt called to be a nurse from the age of seven, was born in Coventry, UK, and is a true 'third culture kid,' having lived in Canada, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Norway, where she attended nursing school and was converted through the ministry of the Navigators. She has considerable hospital nursing experience and had thought a number of times of using that training as a missionary. In addition to serving as Medical Advisor, she enjoys helping design the gardens on the 20-acre campus and providing hospitality to students, staff, and visitors.

John has considerable experience teaching, in a technical college, community college, and Christian school. His other work has been as a technical writer and editor. The variety of tasks at ABC is challenging, and being involved in the lives of the students is a major part of his work, since he is Dean of Men. He was born and raised in Norfolk, VA, and had never been farther away from home than Ontario, though he, like Ali, had been to missions conferences. He was converted while in university through the work of Intervarsity. He has been the music leader at their home church, Immanuel PCA, in Norfolk, since its beginning 25 years ago. That church stresses in-depth teaching on whole books of the Bible (like ABU), prayer, and fellowship. These elements led directly to their vision to come to Uganda after hearing Dr. Robertson speak in 2003.

Why did we go with ABC?


After a presentation in 2003 from Dr. Palmer Robertson, Vice Chancellor, John and Ali answered the call for staff for the first year, 2005-2006. John teaches various liberal arts courses (English, history, and education), serves as Dean of Men, and leads chapel. He is currently working on a doctorate through Stellenbosch University in South Africa. Ali is an R.N., providing on-site advising and some treatment. She has seen common, predictable minor illnesses, tropical diseases, and the scourge of Africa: malaria. Sometimes, she arranges for outside care or surgeries, including payment arrangements. She is the chief garden designer for the 20-acre campus. Both of them welcome students and staff into their home (on campus) for counseling and encouragement.

Prayer Needs

Focus on the Lord as the number of tasks and students increase.

Find ways to maintain student contact in future but find private time for our marriage.

Fruitful support raising and personal business on furlough. We are very grateful for faithful supporters thus far, but we need more.

Good response to our application for approval by the National Council of Higher Education.

Wisdom for John as he pursues a doctorate, with Dr. Robertson’s full approval and encouragement.

"Missionaries, not aid money, are the solution to Africa's biggest problem..."
~ Matthew Parris in As an atheist, I truly believe Africa needs God