HELP WANTED: Africa

I tried to send two emails to some close friends lately, and didn't get a response, and finally got one of those automatic responders that their email is no longer working.  I had emailed them to ask them if they would pray about being missionaries here in Africa.

I wonder what people think when they think "missionary."  For many it means being on the front lines, going out, telling people of the Good News in Jesus. 

But many missionary jobs are less glamorous.  Especially if you are working with an established mission.  There are jobs like fixing the (constantly having issues) broken water pipes to the dorms or houses, fixing the spring-head for the agriculture school unit's which somehow started re-routing itself, building new building for the various programs (the avocado project, staff housing, the multipurpose building), installing solar electricity in various locations on campus, fixing the electrical issues on campus, teaching people how to use solar properly, unloading containers when they arrive (usually with One-Day-Church materials), going out to build One-Day-Churches through out the country, being supportive of other missionaries, helping look for a missing "this or that", various fixings around campus, fighting a fire if there is one on campus or in a neighboring village, helping with all the office things (and there are lots of various things that happen there from making sure that we have the vehicles all up to date with licenses, insurance and the various stickers they require), corresponding to email requests, sharing updates on the lay evangelist, the publishing work, the industry work (that we are trying to use to support the financial needs), the evangelism outreach, the tracts and publications that we send out, teaching and support for the three schools, and on and on and on. 

Then of course we have many opportunities to reach out in practical ways to the locals which I think many people think of as "missionary work" more directly.  And being a missionary is showing the Love of God in our lives in the way we deal with our daily job, with our daily duties, dealing with our children, family, friends and co-workers, how we deal with the person who comes to the door, how we handle not having a seat on the bus and just allowing Jesus to shine in our lives moment by moment.  But it is ALL SO VERY IMPORTANT! 

And many people come and are here for various amounts of time.  Some are short term missionaries - a few weeks to a few months.  Some have stayed for just over a year, but most are committed to three years or more.  Some have been here for over 10 years and some much longer than that...  In the last few years, we have had many families and individuals that have left.  Our head teacher at the primary school (of 7 years), another person (local) who had been with Kibidula for about the same amount of time, another worker who was here about one year from another country, two others that had worked in the offices left just before we arrived here, and another family has been called to work in another country (but that is still two years off.) 

So the workers have gone down, but the work is increasing! 

So - HELP WANTED: AFRICA!

Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.   (Matthew 9:37-38)

Maybe you are an up-front-person, maybe you are a behind the scenes person, maybe you have multiple talents, maybe you have been hearing God call to your heart to go and work for Him.  Whatever your situations is, please pray that God will send workers. 

PS - There is no greater peace and joy than knowing that you are exactly where God wants you to be, doing the work that He wants you to do, no matter the place, no matter the challenges, no matter the country.  If God is calling you,  I encourage you to say "Here I am Lord, send me!"