Two Years in North Africa
Recently, our office team was able to spend the morning with Derek. Derek had just returned from a two-year internship in North Africa with the Frontline Experience missions training program. We were able to hear what he had learned and observed about the joys and sorrows of ministering in Gospel-destitute places. Derek's testimony was so encouraging to our team and we wanted to share some of it with you.
— Ben Ebner
Derek, Frontline Experience Intern
What would you want to say to someone who is considering overseas missions work?
Derek: There are two things I would want to talk to them about. First, you don't have to be someone special to do this kind of work. God uses every-day, normal people who are willing to step out in faith and obediently follow him. Second, I would ask them what kind of experience they've had with this sort of work. Have you spent any time overseas? Have you learned a language? Have you spent time in a culture that is very different from your own? While this work is carried out by normal, obedient people, it is not easy. There are hurdles to overcome and skills that must be developed.
What were some of the hurdles you experienced in your time overseas?
Derek: Wow, first of all, learning a language is tiring and in order to make progress, you have to be willing to make a lot of mistakes. This can be super exhausting when you do it day after day and week after week. Second, it takes a really long time to even begin to understand a new culture. And a third hurdle is that the people I was working with have strong objections to what the Bible says. I'm there to tell people about Jesus but often I would find that people have the same resistance to the Gospel. It can become discouraging and difficult to continue sharing when people won't listen.
What is one big thing you learned in the past two years?
Derek: God's kingdom-building work continues and will be successful. It's not ultimately reliant on me. I'm just thankful I get to joyfully participate in His work.
View more August E-News content below: