Logan, Julie, Liam, and Zeke Banks
God designed our marriage with a heart for missions from the beginning. Logan knew for years that his medical practice would involve missions, but soon after Logan proposed, the Lord confirmed the calling to Julie as well. We felt called to sacrifice a traditional wedding, and in 2006 joined our lives together while serving for 5 weeks at a mission hospital in Cochabamba, Bolivia. It was, for us, a giving of the first fruits of our marriage to God by serving together.
Our wedding day in Bolivia in 2006
As we look back, we see that God has been uniquely equipping Logan with the exact skills urgently needed at Kibuye.
Logan studied medicine at A.T. Still University and completed his Family Practice Residency at Cox in Springfield, MO. He went on to do an International Family Medicine Fellowship which included a two month course on tropical medicine, training in burn care, dentistry, ultrasound, and minor surgery. We lived for 5 months in rural Kenya while Logan worked and taught at Tenwek Mission Hospital. Upon returning in 2010, he joined the faculty of the Cox Residency where he taught residents and medical students while also completing an Obstetric Fellowship, which enabled him to obtain c-section privileges in the 860 bed health system.
Logan teaching medical students in the NICU at Kibuye.
Logan is passionate about education and sees teaching medical students as one of the best ways to embody the ministry of Jesus. Treating the sick, while pouring into the lives of apprentices who will go on to be leaders, preaching and healing throughout their own nation and beyond. Logan has joined the mission of Hope Africa University by teaching at the rural site, Kibuye Hope Hospital. He is the first D.O. to serve long-term in Burundi. He currently serves as the Director of Medical Education at Kibuye Hope Hospital.
Julie and the missionary girls giving a ballet recital while Logan and Julie visited Kibuye, Burundi in August 2014
Julie‘s degree in vocal performance and her professional experience in theatre, opera, as well as a worship leader has served her well in Burundi. She is a stay-at-home mom who brings the arts to life in Burundi through the local church and to the missionary families. She will teaches music classes to the missionary kids, and joins in regularly with the local Kirundi church, as a worship leader or speaker.
the boys
Liam and Zeke are good friends who love to play outside, draw, play music, and make movies.
“Since it is so likely that children will meet cruel enemies, let them at least have heard of brave knights and heroic courage.”