11/01/2006: Unsung Heroes of the Mission Field
Unsung Heroes of the Mission Field
Reaching for the stacks of printed papers that just came off the press, Anita lines them up just right so their spines can be glued together to form a New Testament. There isn't much variety in Anita's job. Tucked away in this little room at Gospel for Asia's South Asia headquarters, she completes the same task all day, day in and day out.
Anita doesn't serve on the front lines of the mission field, nor is she intensively involved in hands-on evangelism and church planting. But her behind-the-scenes labor of love puts Scriptures into the hands of native missionaries—who share them with those in Asia who desperately need them.
In the kingdom of God, Anita is a hero. She and dozens of other men and women are just as much missionaries as the Gospel workers they serve; their labors—often unnoticed, yet vital—contribute to the overall task of reaching the lost in Asia.
Cooking for the Kingdom
Standing behind a coal-fired stove, Jemson stirs a huge pot of chili chicken-his favorite dish. Jemson is a missionary, but he does not physically travel to unreached villages to proclaim the Gospel. His labors for the Lord are in a hot, stuffy kitchen, largely hidden away from the outside world.
As cook for one of GFA's Bible colleges in the central region of India, Jemson provides daily meals for 150 students. Every week he trains a new group of students to prepare meals so they will know how to cook their own food when they set up housekeeping on their mission fields.
Between preparing and serving three meals a day-and cleaning up after each one-Jemson has little free time. But he will often use any extra opportunity to talk to chefs and cooks at local restaurants, gathering new ideas for dishes he can make and serve.
Although it is hard work, Jemson loves his job and knows that what he is doing is just as important for the cause of world evangelism as if he were personally out on the mission field, sharing the Gospel hands-on.
Click here to view PhotoShow of Jemson
As a GFA driver in India's Chhattisgarh state, Simon maintains the ministry vehicle and transports people and materials to where they are needed. And he knows his task requires alertness and caution.
Simon must often dodge chickens and goats, and maneuver around pedestrians, auto-rickshaw drivers and large trucks. Remote, country roads are usually unpaved and full of potholes—and some are also very steep.
Because driving in these conditions and terrain takes its toll on the vehicle, Simon cleans and inspects it every morning. He is always on the lookout for potential problems. And because there is often not an auto repair shop in close proximity, Simon must sometimes get creative with mechanical solutions. On one road trip, he stopped every few minutes to fill a leaky radiator with water from a nearby creek.
Whether he is transporting a GFA leader for a conference, distributing Gospel literature to missionaries or carrying ministry supplies, Simon sees his driving as a ministry and the means by which he can serve the Lord. Even though offered better pay to be a driver in the secular world, Simon has not been swayed: He would much rather follow God's call.
Click here to view PhotoShow of Simon
Missionaries behind the Scenes
Whether they are cooking, driving, working at a printing press, cleaning a building or editing a radio broadcast for airing, these unsung heroes serve in vital, behind-the-scenes roles, making it possible for the Gospel to go forth in Asia.
Today, as Anita reaches for another stack of papers—pages of God's Word—she can rejoice that in some remote village, someone will read the Scriptures for the first time because of her labor of love.
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