By Jeanna Steindorf
In October 1996, Randal Dick, superintendent of missions, met with a group of Ambassador students who had a heart for missions.
Mr. Dick said the South African Office was looking to reformat its WN and start its own version of the PT. In that instant, I knew this mission was for me.
At the time, I didn't feel completely qualified, but I applied for the position and was soon accepted. I was excited, to put it mildly.
Before I left, James Henderson, superintendent of African missions, gave me a better idea of what my responsibilities would entail.
Since I still had to complete my AU degree, I was grateful the South African Office was flexible. As a result, I decided to volunteer my services for six months.
I put the idea of having to pay for my last year of AU at the back of my mind because I knew the benefits of this experience would be priceless.
I acquired sponsors for travel and living expenses. Money for miscellaneous expenses was taken care of by monthly donations from my home congregation in Kalispell, Montana. You could say they were also my sponsors.
The South African members were hospitable. I experienced how the locals lived by staying with different families. Living in South Africa wasn't as much of a culture shock as I thought it would be. Eventually, I felt completely at home.
The benefits of working in the office were immeasurable. Not only was I getting job experience in the field I loved, desktop publishing, but I was also assisting the office during a critical and transitional time.
I helped with designing page formats and layouts. I took part in the birth of their new magazine, Face to Face. Being there at such an exciting time and working for such a cause was so rewarding.
Working on the WN was rewarding in a slightly different way. Mr. Henderson visited us in Cape Town and emphasized how the WN was the one tool that connected remote African members to the rest of the WCG. It helped them to realize they were part of a much bigger family.
While I was in South Africa I did a good bit of traveling. My first business trip involved going to Johannesburg to help launch Face to Face at a Christian expo.
It was interesting to see the reactions of people to whom we gave the magazine. Many came back later to thank us for what they considered to be the finest publication in the expo. We left the expo with the best booth award and many Christian contacts and friends.
Overall, my experience in South Africa was more than I had hoped for. I not only traveled to Namibia and throughout South Africa, but I got to know brethren all over the country. I learned how we really are God's family--"diverse yet truly one."
Attending their Summer Educational Program, under the directorship of Art and Wendy Holladay, was an additional bonus.
When I got back to my home state, Montana, I enjoyed sharing my adventures with the Kalispell and Missoula church areas.
I expressed how grateful I was for their generosity and notes of encouragement.
The Kalispell congregation was so excited at the opportunity to help me that they have now decided to seek a sister church as their next project.
Even though they are a small congregation, they have found that giving support to someone else brings them even closer together.
Little did I know that my six-month appointment in the South African Office would reap so many benefits for so many people. These are the blessings that come with missions work.
It's not just about the missionary. It's about God, church and the world. Mission work not only broadens a person's worldview, it also helps one appreciate how God works in other parts of the globe and with other people.
Probably most important of all, mission-related activities help build bridges between peoples, churches and nations. As my Kalispell home congregation will attest, mission work begins wherever you are.
April WN, page 15
| WCG Home | Issues | Contents |
Copyright © Worldwide Church of God,1998