CMS Ireland’s ‘short term’ placements last for up to two years and include people working as Short-Term Mission Partners, GAP Year volunteers and those undertaking Experience Placements (STEP).

John and Poppy Spens – Yei Diocese, Southern Sudan:

John and Poppy Spens from Winchester, moved to Southern Sudan to work as CMS Ireland Short Term Mission Partners at the Diocese of Yei’s Vocational Training College (YVTC) located in Yei town.

John and Poppy are both 56 and have lived in Winchester for the last 27 years, they are members of Christ Church, Winchester, a mission focused parish under the ministry of Rev. David Williams. The church has been generously assisting in their support.

Poppy is an experienced primary care nurse/health visitor who has worked locally for more than 20 years. Poppy has a diploma in Tropical Nursing. John is a Fellow of the Institute of Housing who until 2006 was Chief Executive of Testway Housing Ltd, Andover.

Initially, their role was to cover the 6 month home leave of CMS Ireland Mission Partners, Billy and Jenny Smyth, however when the Smyth’s were unable to return to Yei, they agreed to extend their service until new Mission Partners were recruited. John and Poppy have committed to stay in Yei until the summer of 2008.

Rachel McCartney:

Rachel McCartney is a 20 year old day care assistant preparing to work, for 4 months, in Luwero Diocese, Uganda.

Rachel will be based in Kiwoko Hospital and will be involved in children’s work across the hospital – including the Kiwoko Youth Friendly Centre and the Hayashi programme. While she is living in Luwero Rachel will also be helping to put the programme in place for the 2008 Ekisa META team.

Rachel had previously been a member of a CMS Ireland META to Luwero in Uganda during the summer of 2007.