Wed lunch mtg W3011, Wai JIa lunch talk, housing/jobs, conferences

Dear Public Health Christian Fellowship,

It is hard to believe that we have come upon the end of the academic year! One verse I have been sitting on this week is Isaiah 55:11 -- the Lord says, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. Dear friends, will you believe that his word is mighty and powerful, and that his promises are true? The Spirit that dwells inside each of you when you claim Christ as Lord is the seal, the guarantee, that the work he has started in you will be brought to completion. This year - is there any year that isn't? - has been challenging, with joys and struggles aplenty, bur I pray that the lyrics of this song are an encouragement to you: Make a way

Tomorrow, we will have Wed lunch meeting as usual in Room W3011 - fellowship and prayer time! It's finals week, and it's especially important to carve out a space to rest in the Lord amidst the crushing responsibilities to remember that God is the one who is in control. Snacks likely will be present, too.

Note: as an alternative, Wai Jia is giving a lunch talk about Kitesong at CCP on Wed! She would love your prayer and support. To get there: Catch the Metro from JHH (enter at Mamma Mia's or Hampton House) and ride 1 stop to Shot tower. Exit on the West side and walk past Power Plant Live down Market Place to the Candler building. More details here

MPH student Wai Jia used her practicum opportunity at Hopkins to launch "Kitesong Global," an international social venture that uses the power of narrative to catalyze opportunities for civic engagement to promote social justice and empower women and children in need. Awarded the Excellence in International Public Health Practice Award 2018 and for her efforts, come join us as Wai Jia shares her journey of inspiration.

Selected in Forbes Asia's 2016 "30 under 30" list, her international work in art, global health & philanthropy has raised almost $200,000 for vulnerable women and children in need globally through her timeless picture books. Visit www.kitesong.com for more information.

Finally, for those who are staying at JHSPH/in Baltimore after May, we need new student leaders - please pray! and email jhsph.phcf@gmail.com if you're interested in seeing what role you can play in this group.

You are welcome to join us at any/all of our recurring gatherings:- Lunch meetings on Wednesdays at 12:15pm in Room W3011 (contact PHCF)
- Small group on Mondays at 7:30pm in the 929 Apartments (contact Esther)
- Writing Accountability Group (i.e. study group) on Fridays at 4pm (contact Teresa)
Helpful links: PHCF website | map/list of local churches

If you have prayers, reflections, or announcements you'd like to share with the rest of PHCF (or individual questions/comments for the PHCF leaders), please email jhsph.phcf@gmail.com!

Grace and peace,
Teresa - for PHCF

Other announcements:

1. Praises and prayers
2. Housing opportunities
3. Emergency survival leadership webinar - June 5, 11am
4. Hungry of Hope Christian Conference - Nashville TN - June 22-23 
5. Christian Connections for International Health conference - Baltimore MD - July 13-15
6. Global Missions Health Conference - Louisville KY - Nov 8-10
7. Job opportunities

1. Praises and prayers:

• MPH Candidate Wai Jia is in the midst of setting up Kitesong Global, a ministry that aims to use the power of narrative through her picture books to uphold social justice and empower the underprivileged. Read more here www.kitesong.sg or watch the talk here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLVrktlhqLI If you are a videographer, teacher, etc. and/or would like to find out more, please write to her at waijia@kitesong.org
• Big praise for joint ministry worship night and Faculty CMDA dinner last week - PTL for the gathering-together of God's people, for his provision of dinner food/logistics, for partnerships across the Hopkins Schools, for sharing testimonies of joys and struggles, and for God being present - for the reminder that if he brings us to a place, he will also bring us through it. Much thanks for the remembrance of Psalm 18 and the story of David.
• Pray for the persecuted church around the world. e.g. Nigeria last week
• Pray for our seeking of holiness, and not just efficiency or growing in talents/knowledge//giftedness but keeping our focus on Jesus and his glory! Recent conviction from this testimony by Joni Eareckson Tada: https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/beware-of-running-too-hard
• Pray for new students! Admissions decisions were due on Apr 15 - so pray for those who are on their way to Baltimore soon!!! For God's direction, for living situations, for spiritual community.
• Pray for our PHCF brothers and sisters who are currently afar for work/practicum/missions/dissertation research, for favor in their work and traveling mercies.
• Pray for our PHCF brothers and sisters who are graduating in a few weeks, finishing their capstones/theses/dissertations, and/or who are seeking God's direction/calling for jobs and career. May we trust in God's plans more than our own, for his ways are higher than our ways and his thoughts than our thoughts (Is 55:9)

2. Housing opportunities

• Upstairs unit apartment for rent, listing here: https://www.trulia.com/p/md/baltimore/829-e-belvedere-ave-2-baltimore-md-21212--2345922141 The landlord Ananda and his wife live in the downstairs apartment, and are believers, Hopkins alum, and members of Faith Christian Fellowship. Special consideration given if two students/fellows are interested in sharing the upstairs apartment. Anyone interested can contact Ananda directly at 410-435-6417 or by email at ankumar1120@yahoo.com
• Incoming female MPH student looking for roommates! Contact Ruth at +972-58-678-1862 (whatsapp) or rchadwick6@gmail.com
• I am currently a 3rd year medical student studying in Israel but will be taking a gap year next year to get my MPH at JH. I grew up as an MK in Papua New Guinea and China but eventually my family settled in Colorado and that's where I now consider 'home'. In college, I studied Chemistry and Biblical Studies at Gordon College before going to medical school in Israel. Eventually I would like to work in international health development in post-disaster settings, which is why I'm pursuing my MPH.
• In terms of housing, I'm looking for 1-2 female roommates and living with other believers would be nice but isn't necessarily a deal breaker. As a roommate, I tend to be fairly introverted and usually study at home. I view wherever I live to be a type of sanctuary for restoration and would prefer my own room. That being said, I love to be hospitable and invite people into the sanctuary, which for me primarily consists of feeding people and conversations over tea, coffee, or a glass of wine (I do drink alcohol occasionally). I'm both a baker and a chef, so tasty things are always around and access to a decent kitchen is a must and space to host occasionally would be great. I tend to be on the cleaner side but don't necessarily expect everything to be spotless all the time. As long as common areas and the kitchen are cleaned regularly, I'm quite happy and chill. I do prefer not to have regular overnight guests, especially significant others and male friends, but I am very welcoming to the occasional guest in need of a place to crash.
• One big thing is that I come with a lovely calico cat named Audrey, so a place that is accepting of pets is a must. She is entirely an indoor cat and is more dog-like than any other cat I've met. She's very friendly with humans but not really with other animals since she's been solo all her life (except for a few intermittent fosters). She has historically warmed up to kittens slowly, but it's a process. Other adult cats have not gone over well. If she were to live with another animal it would have to be done with consideration and careful introduction.

3. Emergency survival leadership webinar - June 5, 11amCCIH is hosting a webinar subtitled: Faith that leads the way and survives the storm.

We each want to lead a good life for ourselves and our loved ones, and to contribute to a better world through our communities and our work. Inevitably, we face stress, challenges, and barriers along the way. Join us in a webinar featuring Carrie Hessler-Radelet, President & CEO of Project Concern International and Jono Quick, Senior Fellow Emeritus at Management Sciences for Health as we explore two core questions:  How does our faith help us lead the way in our work, in our community and at home?  How does our faith help us to calm the storms that challenge each of us in this life? Carrie and Jono will use examples from their personal experiences as well as from inspiring leaders of faith like Ellen Sirleaf Johnson, the first woman president in Africa, and Nelson Mandela, who led South Africa out of apartheid, in this thought-provoking session. The session will be moderated by Doug Fountain, Principal with Align Health and Education Strategies, and CCIH Board Vice President. Register now and join us Tuesday, June 5 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm US ET.

Register Now

You will receive an email confirmation once you register. You will receive the link to join the webinar approximately one hour before start time via email.

4. Hungry of Hope Christian Conference - Nashville TN - June 22-23

Are you struggling with emotional eating, or know someone struggling with an eating disorder, depression or anxiety related to food? Share this upcoming conference in Nashville with them, where MPH Candidate Wai Jia has also been invited to speak! http://www.findingbalance.com/hfh/ 

Scholarships are provided at: https://www.findingbalance.com/hfh/scholarshipkhf/

For friends struggling with eating issues/disorders, they can also join the online support group: http://www.findingbalance.com/support/

5. Christian Connections in International Health conference - Baltimore MD - July 13-15

CCIH, a nonprofit "promoting global health and wholeness from a Christian perspective", has its annual conference here in Baltimore at Hopkins Homewood campus (Charles Commons conference center, 3301 N Charles), July 13-15. A really great way to connect with believers who are also public health practitioners, whether health professionals, church leaders, missions organizations, or folks doing research and programs - and truly a great mix of nations represented. Registration is now open! Register here. See the conference program. See conference registration rates (you are a student member if you are in PHCF; we pay annual dues for student org membership). 

6. Global Missions Health Conference - Louisville KY - Nov 8-10

Early bird registration ($95 for students) is currently ongoing for the global missions health conference! It is a weekend of encouragement, networking, learning, and much more. This year will also have a special emphasis on human trafficking. Learn more at www.medicalmissions.com/events/gmhc-2018

7. Job opportunities

• Program Associate position at the San Francisco Department of Public Health (SF DPH). In partnership with the UCSF Preterm Birth Initiative, the SF Collective Impact to Prevent Preterm Birth seeks to address and eliminate the high racial disparity in preterm birth rates in San Francisco by bringing together stakeholders to collaborate on innovative solutions. This position would be great for someone who is interested in racial equity work and program planning. This is a contracted position through Heluna Health, but has the potential to lead to permanent work at the SF DPH. https://recruiting2.ultipro.com/PUB1001PUBH/JobBoard/6705aa07-0bcb-4660-ad1b-2fda952becc7/OpportunityDetail?opportunityId=324b6c4f-972a-4845-bdca-655106aed6ed
• The Joint Learning Initiative on Faith & Local Communities is seeking a research assistant/associate who can assist on a joint project between UNICEF and the Joint Learning Initiative on Faith and Local Communities. The project aims to understand how social and behavioral change approaches are used to advance early childhood development and maternal and newborn child health goals in relation to engagement with local faith communities. The work of the assistant/associate will be to conduct an evidence review on the area. We are particularly looking for someone with experience in two or more of the intersecting research topics (SBC, ECD, MNCH, religion and development). We are also looking for someone with almost immediate availability as the majority of the work is planned for May, June, and July. Please send JLI’s Director of Research, Dr. Olivia Wilkinson (olivia@jliflc.com), an email with your CV and a recent writing sample if you are interested in the work. www.jliflc.com

Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see how good God is. Blessed are you who run to him. Ps 34:4-8 (MSG)