Training enables a new team to begin ministry
This year’s numerous UK heatwaves have given us all a taster of what it’s like to live (and maybe also work) in extreme heat. So perhaps you won’t have quite so much difficulty imagining what it felt like for Mike, Mark and Isaac as they stepped off the plane and into the heat of West Africa for a packed week of media training – and with only one fan to keep them cool!
The fruition of 18 months of planning, they travelled to meet nine men and women, all of whom are believers from a different faith background, eager to reach their own people with the gospel message.
We’ve been asked to withhold country names (host and country of origin) but the population of this particular team’s home country are 99.8% unreached and there is no established church. New converts face intense persecution and, rather than giving individuals protection, the law encourages physical harm and honour killings.
Despite this, we brought together a spiritually mature group who are willing and ready to bring the hope of Jesus to their people through media.
There Were Challenges…
Every trip comes with its challenges. In the last edition of MEMO, we shared how our team visiting Iraq had been staying close to where missiles from Iran were striking. This time, there were no such disruptions, for which we praise God.
For added safety, training was conducted in a rural area but this impacted meals. The local shop had very little suitable fresh food, so they mostly lived off canned and dried food.
Language was also difficult, with trainers and trainees speaking different languages and types of Arabic. Thankfully, they got by speaking a mixture of classical Arabic and English.
… And There Were Blessings
Mike shares this: “What impressed us most was that the majority of the team members we met were very interested in technology and social media. This was not what we had expected, and we were surprised by how quickly they learned and adapted to new technologies.”
It was also very special to be able to be together and pray together. “I felt like I was living a dream that I had been trying to achieve for a year and a half,” says Mike.
These nine believers are not all from the same part of their country and won’t experience fellowship on a regular basis. How precious this time will have been, singing, worshipping and praying together.
How You Can Pray
Please lift up this new team, in the first phase of their ministry. May they be bold and creative as they build content for social media and prepare to begin reaching out with the love of Jesus. May the Lord also keep them safe and well.
Pray also for our team as we provide ongoing support and guidance. Pray particularly that communication will be easy and clear.