Hi! We're the Quails (Rob, Helen, Chloe and Josh) and we're working with a Christian NGO based in Nicaragua called Engineering Ministries International (EMI). EMI works with many local Christian charities in helping them to develop their sites and building facilities. The sort of projects that EMI delivers include schools, medical clinics, churches and children's homes.
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We moved to Central America from the UK in April 2021 and have enjoyed being involved in some inspiring projects. Over the last few years, some of the projects we were privileged to work on included a bible institute, a primary school for the children of families relocated from living on a landfill site, and a permanent children's home for vulnerable children living on the Haitian border. This document provides a round up of the projects from 2025, with stories of impact of where God has been at work through EMI Nicaragua over the past year.
How did we get here?
We had been praying about the possibility of joining staff at EMI since we visited the Latin America office (then in Costa Rica) back in 2012 before working together on a project in Honduras. The project team photo below was taken on that trip - showing us both looking a little younger!
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Six years later during Spring Harvest 2018 we felt God calling us to step out in faith and look more closely at what working for EMI might look like.
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Rob carried out another project, this time in Managua, in March 2019 and then as a family we enjoyed a holiday to Nicaragua a few months later to get to know the country.
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We formally applied in early 2020 and following a few months of interviews we were offered a position to join the EMI Nicaragua office. We moved to Costa Rica in April 2021 where we carried out 8 months of Spanish school before moving to Managua in Nicaragua in February 2022.
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Details on EMI projects both past and present, including those where we have been involved as volunteers, can be found here.
About EMI
EMI is a non-profit Christian development organisation made up of architects, engineers, surveyors and project managers. EMI uses its skills to serve people worldwide through the design of hospitals, schools, water systems and many other facilities. An important part of EMI’s work is employing and training local design professionals in their offices abroad. For more details check out their website here
Support Raising
As with all overseas EMI staff we don't receive a salary from EMI but instead raise the funds to provide all that we need for our time over here.
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This document provides a round up of the projects from 2025, with stories of impact of where God has been at work through EMI Nicaragua over the past year. If you or your church or organisation would like to find out more please email us at quails.emi@gmail.com
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If you would like to donate to the work that God is doing through EMI in Latin America then please click on the donate button below, providing the reference 'Quail Family'
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Things to pray for:
For Praise
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Chloe's baptism!
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The Belize Camping Experience project trip and the ongoing work that is happening on the project.
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Financial provision.
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The children's positive experience at their first night-away camp.
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Helen's health - 2-year follow up tests are all clear!
For Prayer
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Rob, as he leads the office in Phil & Olivia's absence.
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Helen and the children as they finish up their first year at NCAI - and for Chloe's 6th grade graduation!
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Our plans as we head to the UK - we are very excited to see lots of people but know our time is limited. Pray for wisdom, good health and good energy
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Tenants for our flat in London - we are looking for new tenants from May 1st!
Why are we doing this?
Lift up your heads, O you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is he, this King of glory? The LORD Almighty-- he is the King of glory. – Psalm 24 v 10
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Psalm 24 has been a recurring passage for our family for a long time including a memorable sermon in a Nicaraguan church, all the way back in 2012! And it also speaks into the moment we find ourselves in now as we recognise God as our King and invite Him to lead us. We feel that He has called us into this ministry and whilst it has been a big move for our family, and at times a little daunting, we are putting our trust in Him. There is more about the significance Psalm 24 has for us here.