Gill Thurgood & Harland Rivas
After a period of training at BMS' International Mission Centre, Harland and Gill are now working in church-based community development in the town of Iquitos, in the heart of the Amazon region of Peru.
Harland is focusing on environmental education, and water and sanitation initiatives. Gill works alongside church leaders who are responding to the physical, material and spiritual needs of their local communities.
The couple met in Honduras where they were both working with a Christian development organisation. They married in 2006 and have two daughters called Ingny and Lilia.
Harland is a forestry engineer with an MSc in tropical forest management and biodiversity conservation. He has experience in community-based forest management, grassroots organisation strengthening and administration of non-governmental organisations in Central America.
Gill originally trained as a nurse and midwife before studying for a BA in biblical and cross-cultural studies, then an MA in international development studies. Her interest in community health and development has taken her to several countries including Albania, Bangladesh, Sudan and Colombia.
Harland enjoys football, running and is interested in history. Gill enjoys running and loves learning about new cultures.
* In the unlikely event of designated donations exceeding the amount that can be used for that purpose, BMS World Mission reserves the right to use such donations to support other related ministries.
