HandsOn Debriefing & Some Sad News

We spent most of last week at a debriefing retreat for HandsOn missionaries who've been serving in South Africa, Botswana, Malawi and Uganda for the last several months. (HandsOn is a semester missions program for 18-29 year olds -- you may remember we had a HandsOn media team this time last year.)



It was a great time to get to know some fun people who really have a heart for missions and service. Besides just hanging out and hearing their stories, we conducted several debriefing interviews and I led a couple of sessions on how to speak to churches in the US about their missions experience in Africa.

Sad News About New Missionary Appointments

Many of these HandsOn-ers are interested in returning to the field as journeymen (2-3 year missionaries) or even career. It really saddens us to report that because of the current economic situation in the U.S., many people who want to come to the mission field can't be appointed this year simply because there isn't enough funding. (You can read more about it here.)

We have recently heard stories of many people who are waiting to come and know exactly what job request they want to fill, but their application has to be put on hold. Many field missionaries who were expecting colleagues and new teammates this year now have to wait, unless funding comes through more quickly than expected.

Pray and Give

• Please join us in praying that God will provide a way for these hopeful missionaries to get to the field as quickly as possible. We know His resources are unlimited and His timing and plan are perfect!
• One of the main ways missionaries are supported is through the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions. If you feel God is prompting you to give, please do so through your local Southern Baptist church (you can give all year, not just at Christmas!) or directly to the IMB.

As always, thanks for your support of us and of God's work around the world!