Reflections from Oriel Hosford’s placement in Province Of Alexandria - visiting a school for refugee children run by the Diocese. Notes complied by Gillian Maganda - CMSI Personnel Manager. What does it look like to give your "second life" to others? After surviving a broken back, Rasha, the principal of Happy Child Nursery, made a promise: to spend her life serving. Today, in the heart of Maadi, she and her husband (a priest and engineer who fixes every broken desk and door)

I’ve had an incredible first few days here. We spent a creative morning beading jewelry and keyrings with the children for the local market—I even picked up a few gifts for my students back home! It was also a privilege to hand over a parish donation from Crosshaven Parish. These funds are going directly toward handwriting supports and a brand-new sensory room for El Manarah school. A few highlights: School Visits: We toured the Episcopal language school! Despite large classe

Two members of Drumbeg Parish recently paid a flying visit to their CMSI partners in Cairo to pray with them and demonstrate solidarity at this moment of uncertainty and fear in the Middle East. Nigel Quinn reflects on his visit with Mike Morrow:   "The Middle East is never far from the news and with all the death and destruction happening in Gaza,and Sudan, as well as the recent outbreak of hostilities between the US/Israel and Iran the region remains very much on the front

They say the distance between Cork and Menouf (Egypt) is about 4,000 kilometers, but after Oriel Hosford’s first day at El Manarah school, it feels like she’s stepped into an entirely different world. Here are some of her initial reflections: Day 1: Hello from Menouf! Greetings from the El Manarah special needs school in Egypt! I’ve officially kicked off my 10 days in country , and my heart is already full. I made sure to check with the team first, and they’ve kindly given m

Roger and Linda were delighted to spend an evening last week facilitating a cultural sensitization seminar alongside the local PSNI community police constables at All Nations Ministries. The session focused on welcoming newcomers to Northern Ireland and sparking meaningful conversations on: Navigating Local Culture: Understanding the nuances of life in NI. Cultural Equality: Embracing the truth that no one culture is "better" than another. The Power of Integration: How acti

I was out and about in Bujumbura with a friend one Friday evening and I remarked on the traffic. Bujumbura is not a city that normally has heavy traffic. Chronic fuel shortages means that most people walk everywhere. This particular evening, however, traffic was relatively heavy. “The border with D.R. Congo has been opened” I was told, which is definitely a good thing as it means the conflict just some 20km away has died down for a while. People were going back to visit famil

Upon entering Burundi I get a visa at the airport. As with most countries the visa is limited to 30 days. If I want to stay longer I can renew it at the immigration office in Bujumbura which, because I usually stay for around 6 weeks, I always do. I am more than ably assisted in this by an Anglican Chaplain to the police, called Pastor Alfred, who knows just about everyone in the Bureau de Migration, including the boss. This year there was an entertaining mistake. The new vi

What a year of change it has been! Jenny most certainly rocked the boat when she broke the news, back at the end of summer, that she would no longer be at the helm of CMSI. But even in the stormy waters of the change-over she guided us, and prepared us to move forward, as the strong team, that she had built us into, over the past decade. Her life amongst us as a staff team, and members of CMSI, has been one of integrity, and courage. She has modelled for us how to grapple wit

From CMSI's Shine and AGM on Saturday 14 March 2026 What have I treasured most about the privilege of working with CMS and CMS Ireland over the past 40 years? It has to be all the opportunities to connect with people across the global church. Opportunities to walk alongside churches ministering in so many diverse places, catching glimpses of God’s kingdom on earth in all its wondrous, colourful incarnations, from north, south east and west of this emerald isle to Africa, Asia

Shalom Reconciliation Ministries, Karamoja, Uganda   Shalom founder Rainbow Mike writes:   ‘Our evening youth soccer program at Shalom Home has become far more than a game — it is ministry in motion. I truly treasure the time I spend with these boys. Each practice is an open door the Lord has given us to share the Gospel, disciple young hearts toward Christ, and intentionally build leadership that will serve them for life. My son Newman is doing home school but this has been

CMS Ireland appoints new Mission Director With a warm welcome from the Church of Ireland Council for Mission Linda Abwa, new Mission Director of CMS Ireland CMS Ireland have appointed Linda Abwa as their new Mission Director, following a rigorous recruitment process. Linda has been a Partnership Co–ordinator with CMS Ireland for 11 years, focussed on the Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, and South Sudan. She joined CMS Ireland after a period of mission partner service in N

The road to Rumonge The word “Muzungu” used all over east and southern Africa for a white person means someone who rushes around, often to no discernible purpose. I guess all of us carry in our minds the stereotypical African person who takes his or her time, is never in a rush, always relaxed: “hakuna matata” as they say in Swahili. Like all stereotypes it’s not really true. African life can be a real gallop from one thing to another and involve some long, busy and demanding

We showed the Jesus film in nearby Bethlehem parish, a 2km walk along a narrow dirt road passing through homes and bush on the way. A number of children and young adults who had been playing football beside the church attended, along with others from the area. People seemed to enjoy the film but were shy to respond to the short message we gave at the end. We trust God is at work in those who were listening.   In order to enable more women to attend, we were well advised by lo

Bishop Given Gaula, Kondoa Diocese, Tanzania “What a friend we have in Jesus” Luke 5:17-26   When Jesus saw their faith, He said, “friend, your sins are forgiven” verse 20.   St Augustine once said, “A friend is one who knows you and still walks with you”.   Over the last week, I have been meditating on the story of the paralytic person in Luke 5 v 17-26. He had suffered so much, he could not walk by himself. His situation had taken away his strength, his dignity, and his opt

Together in prayer, we stood in the middle of a cattle boma, surrounded by a thorn hedge with the scent of cattle heavy in the air, facing a wooden cross. The family, hearts riven in grief by the loss of their father and community elder, encircled Bishop Given Gaula as he prayed for them all. Bishop Given explained to me that the most honoured men are buried where the cattle are gathered at night so that they can be close. This was a pastoral visit unlike any other. We had tr

Jesus told his disciples in Luke 10:2 to “pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers.” This metaphor calls us to pray that people will be prepared to go and do the work of tending to others and sharing God’s good news. It is a simple prayer we can all pray. In CMSI we encourage you to pray that God would draw people from every nation and culture throughout the world, to be prepared to go and serve. Couples such as Paul and Alison Guinness, CMSI mission as

Bishop Hassan Osman James is one of CMS Ireland’s local mission partners living and ministering in the Nuba Mountains in Sudan. This area is one of the contested spaces in Sudan, caught up in intense conflict on a daily basis. Bishop Hassan has chosen to stay with his people, despite the high level of risk. He strongly believes he must stay to serve as God’s hands and feet on the ground in Sudan. During a brief visit to Ireland in November 2025, he spent some time in the Belf