My journey to the field

We set out on journeys all the time, whether a physical journey, an imaginative journey in a novel, or the mental journey of learning a new skill. In all these instances we are aware that we are starting out, we’ve decided to do so. I don’t believe this is always, or maybe even often, the case with our journey to the field.

My husband and I have been overseas for just a few months, but there have been years of journeying bringing us to this point. I believe God had me on this journey long before I even knew it, developing in me a heart for the unreached and a passion to see His name praised among all people.

A moment of clarity

There came a specific time when the Lord lit the path for me, and I knew His leading to North Africa. This came through prayer and encounters with others, including a Pioneers mobiliser. I think there is a temptation at this moment to respond in one of two ways: either jumping in head-first and rushing to be overseas or wanting to prepare so thoroughly that you will never actually go. This is where the wise counsel of others is so important.

At that time, moving immediately was not a possibility for me, but others opened my eyes to the many unreached Arab peoples that were on my doorstep. I came alongside others, learning how to engage and share Jesus with people from different cultural and religious backgrounds. They gave me books to wrestle with and set up calls to chat to people already serving in North Africa.

Learning to prepare in the waiting

Alongside all this, time passed, and life continued with joys, struggles, challenges, and learning. I believe the Lord doesn’t waste any of this. If we are seeking Him, we will grow through these things and be better prepared for all that a life overseas may entail.

I also took the opportunity to visit the country God had laid on my heart. There isn’t much that compares to the opportunity to go to a place, interact with people, and have a hands-on experience of workers’ lives there. My trip amplified and confirmed all the things the Lord had been doing in me; peace about the journey, passion to see His Kingdom come, and visualisation of how my giftings could be used.

Perhaps you are on a journey to serving among the unreached. Perhaps you don’t even realise it yet. Perhaps you are aware of the Lord leading you, but you aren’t sure what path to go down. Maybe you’ve been on the journey for a while and don’t know how to go forward. Wherever you are in your journey, may you grow in the knowledge of Him and His heart for the nations, to the glory of His name.

*Name changed to protect identities.