A Missionary's Perspective

By Bob Trout, newly-appointed Administrator for Spanish-speaking South America after 30 years in Bogota, Colombia

In our last five years of ministry in Bogota, Colombia, we have had more than 700 people come to assist in the ministry. This includes construction work at Berean Baptist Camp, teaching at Bogota Baptist Seminary, and speaking and assisting in other ways in church ministries. God has abundantly blessed the ministry here through these volunteers who have served in so many different ways.

Reaping Blessings

Many volunteers who came to Bogota said they got to know one another during their missions trip in a way they could not have done at home in their church setting. Others shared that they gained a better view of missions when they saw where the missionaries actually work. They experience the culture and appreciate much more what they have in the USA when they see the conditions under which Colombian nationals live. A few of these volunteers are now considering full-time missionary service.

Several have made repeat visits. Our electrician, for example, has come nine times; a team of welders has come four. Several churches have come a second time because God so abundantly blessed and used them they while they were here. Sending churches have found that the reports from team participants have generated greater interest in missions, and have even resulted in increased giving.

Living an Example

Our Colombian believers have been greatly blessed by observing the way North Americans work. They respect and admire these short-term volunteers, many of whom have given up their vacations and shared generously in the lives of people here. As a result, ninety Colombians volunteered their own time at Berean Baptist Camp. They are also organizing teams to help construct their own churches.

Many Colombians have shared the blessing of working side-by-side with volunteers. Camp workers, in particular, have experienced a spirit of unity with volunteers as they serve together. Short-termers often depart with tears in their eyes because their hearts have been knit together with the nationals in just two short weeks.

Camp Blessings

In 2003, over 3,000 campers attended Berean Baptist Camp, located just thirty minutes from Bogota, with its population of ten million people. The camp would not have been usable if not for the work of volunteers. After five years and 700 volunteers, much has been accomplished to make the facility what it is. Eight hundred people join each year in the multipurpose building for our Annual Meeting. What a blessing to be able to provide a facility where people can get away from the pressures of the city and enjoy the preaching of the Word and singing.

Conclusion

Is it worth it to have people come on a short-term basis? The answer is definitely yes, with no hesitation. Is the time spent involved with volunteers worth it? Yes, and only eternity will tell the entire story. It does take some time away from the ministry for the missionaries to do all that is involved in having people here, but the blessings and fruit from it all far surpasses the sacrifice of time and strength.

The Projects Office, headed by Ralph Gruenberg, manages all major building projects around the ABWE world and is currently involved in 21 projects in 12 different countries, involving $9 million. Ralph has a team of professionals who volunteer their expertise in the initial analysis stages of a project, to ensure that investments are wisely used. In recent years, they have reduced project proposals nearly $5 million by asking strategic questions. Ralph's team carries major responsibilities on various projects (architecture, engineering, project development and management). Some of them make periodic two-week trips to oversee construction, while others give a year or more to manage a project on-site. Construction teams contribute to these projects as well. Up to 300 volunteers participate every year in two-week trips to assist with a building project. Construction professionals or churches who would like to organize a construction team are welcome to contact the Projects Office at ABWE (email: ralph@abwe.org).

Check out ABWE's current short-term missions opportunities at www.abwe.org.