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Q & A

Josh, the son of a friend of mine, wrote asking me to answer some questions for his AWANA Bible study. I thought I'd share my answers here.

What did it take to be approved to serve in another country?
I needed to be accepted by a mission organization and then get a missionary visa for the country I was going to. In order to be approved by the mission organization, I was required to have a physical exam, psychological evaluation, fill out an application form which required me to write my testimony and a brief synopsis of my life, and meet with a candidate committee.

What's a typical day on the job?
I start my day off helping to get my family out the door. Many days I get to ride my bike or walk with my two boys to their school. I work just across the street from the school.

Once I get to work, no two days are alike. I make sure the e-mail system is running, so I monitor that each day. Many days people have problems with their computers, so I find myself often troubleshooting and repairing those problems. Software updates and file backups need to be done on a regular basis. I also spend some time each day researching problems and keeping up with what's new in the technology world.

What's the biggest challenge of missionary life?
For me it's probably getting along with other missionaries. There isn't a lot of choice when it comes to choosing friends and who to do things with. Another challenge for me is living in a culture where I don't speak very much of the language, which is spanish.

What's the most rewarding thing about being a missionary?
First off it would be that I know I'm doing what the Lord asked me to do. Next, I know the job I'm doing makes it easier for the pilots and mechanics (and their families) to be in a country far from home. Having reliable e-mail service makes it easier to get the job done, and to live far from friends and family in another country. I see myself as one of the chains in the link. I'm not near the end, where the work is being done, but the job I do is still an important one. When I see a small child with a snake bite being flown in from a remote jungle village, I'm thankful I can play a part in making that possible.

Something else, but somewhat indirect, is the fact that my boys are growing up in another culture. That was how I was raised, and I'm glad they are able to have the same experience, as I feel it's valuable.

What was the biggest surprise you had when you first became a missionary?
I thought I was prepared to live in a third world country because of my experience as a missionary kid in Papua New Guinea. I found that wasn't true. I had to make some mental adjustments and get used to living a different culture as an adult.

What has been the most exciting thing that has happened in relationship to your ministry?
One of the things that needed to be done as soon as I returned to Shell in August, 2001 was to install a new e-mail system. The old system was out of date, and the new system meant a big change for everyone involved, including new software on staff computers, not just the server. It took many months of working through problems, but seeing the system running, and working well for us, has been very exciting. This system includes providing e-mail by HF radio to a couple missionary families deep in the jungle. Now that's cool!

I know you work for MAF but what's your role in the ministry?
The job I fill provides communication between MAF headquarters and our field program. Keeping a fleet of six planes operational requires a lot of work and parts. There are standards that must be followed, and parts that are sent from the States. E-mail keeps us working efficiently.

Also, all the documents related to pilots and planes are kept on our computers on the local area network. Keeping the computers and the network operational means that everyone can keep working because they have access to the information they need.

One other thing. Missionaries need to keep in touch with their supporters. We communicate with them as to our progress, and our physical and spiritual needs. Missionaries who have children going to college in their home country communicate with them by e-mail. By keeping the e-mail flowing, I get to play an important support role in the ministry.