With adult kids and a deep
desire to follow God’s call,
50 somethings Rob and Deb
began to discern where
God was leading them in
cross-cultural mission.
They are now our newest team members
serving in Cambodia.
1. In God’s redemptive plan for the world, how did
you know where He was calling you to serve?
In our experience God’s calling wasn’t a clear
communication, it was more like a rising conviction
that lead us into a time of discernment and discovery.
It was this process that determined our work would
be in Cambodia.
2. Do you think age impacts your experience
in mission work?
With age comes experience and maturity, and in
Khmer culture, with age also comes respect. Although
we are only in our 50s we are considered ‘elders’ in
this community and we are humbled in receiving this
status. We are here to seek opportunities to draw on
and share our experiences, sharing our knowledge
with wisdom that comes from God.
3. D
id you ever question if there would be different
stages in life where you would be more useful to God?
In our experience, God’s work is most effective when
it is not influenced by our feelings of usefulness. We
know that even at our weakest, God’s work in us and
through us is often even more powerful. Regardless of
the stages we are at, we can only hope to be useful in
God’s redemptive plan for the world.
4. T
hroughout adult life, at different ages and
stages, do you think God has used you differently?
It seems to us that there are seasons regardless of
age or stage. In preparation for the mission field we
attended Bible College, and at present we feel like
children again learning a new language and culture.
We are confident that this is a season of preparation
for our work in Cambodia.
5. W
hat is the most significant memory in
your preparation to serve in mission work?
Cross- cultural exposure activities have been both
significant and memorable. Many times we are
reminded that in our own strength we are way out of
our depth, but in God we are being equipped. With this
knowledge we feel a memorable sense of awe at what
God can do as we hand over our preparation plans and
seek God’s plans for our preparedness.
To get a picture of what God’s call might
look like in action, we’ve interviewed a few
people journeying with God and mission.
2017 has been a big
year of preparation
for Pete and Nomes,
and 2018 looks to be
a even bigger year of
transition.
Along with their three young children, Pete
and Nomes are about to move to Central Asia
to serve among the H people.
1. W
hat does preparing to be a cross-cultural
worker look like?
Truthfully at first it looks like a lot of work! Bible
College, specialised cross-cultural worker training,
preliminary language and culture learning... What
at first appeared to be burdensome has in fact been
genuinely life giving and transformative. Preparing
has drawn us closely to our supporters and the Global
Interaction team has prepared us each step of the way.
We are so grateful to all who have journeyed with us.
2. As you embarked on this journey did you seek
out a mentor?
We had a tribe of mentors. Through each of them
God has spoken purposefully into our lives. Our
pastor and church members, the Global Interaction
team, and other candidates all have shared wisdom
and have offered guidance that has served us well
and has contributed to where we are today.
3. D
id you feel you were following a specific or
general call from God?
As Christians, we believe a general calling is to go
and make disciples. We did feel a more specific
calling to serve amongst the least-reached peoples.
Global Interaction has facilitated a process of
discernment to confirm our convictions.
5. H
ow do you explain to your children the decision
to live and serve in another?
Our discernment process involved the kids. We talked
openly and prayed with them as much as possible. We
shared with them the concept of being open for God
to lead our family life, and we visited the city we will
be living in. This trip created excitement for us all and
raised questions from our s on in particular that we
were able to discuss with him.
6. What has been the most daunting step so far?
How did you get through it?
After acknowledging God’s call the most daunting
step was to follow. We were faced with certain initial
fears but once we decided to go we received an
overwhelming sense of peace and affirmation.
VISION SUMMER 2017
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