My dear fellow Senior Citizen,

Spring, 2004

Sam Smoker serves in Targu Mures, Romania, as schoolteacher for the Staab and Martin families. He is pictured here with Melissa, Mallory, and Michelle Martin. Read his letter of challenge to other seniors.

Are you bored with life? Tired of golfing? Weary of Florida winters? Do you believe you have passed your peak of productivity? Have that "over the hill" feeling?

Are you looking for a new challenge? Do you desire an effective and meaningful ministry? Do you possess a servant's heart? Have the gift of helps? Are you an encourager?

Are you in reasonably good health? Do you enjoy traveling? Would you be willing to serve the Lord in a life-changing experience?

There is a vast reservoir of resources that could be utilized in effective ministry all over the world - the expertise, experience, abilities, and talents of senior citizens, who are retiring earlier than ever before, many in their early fifties. Scores of seniors, still in the prime of their lives, could be devoting years of useful service on mission fields. What an impact seniors could make!

After serving in the Assistant Missionary Program of ABWE for nine years on two mission fields, the prayer of my heart is, "Lord, send laborers into your harvest field." There are many reasons why you, a senior, should participate in a short-term mission trip.

First, you have flexibility that many younger missionaries do not enjoy. Your children are grown and you do not have to be concerned about meeting their educational needs. Your time is flexible. You might consider a short-term of a month, a year, or...nine years!!

Secondly, you tend to be more financially solvent. You may be capable of supporting yourself fully (or at least partially) which eliminates months of raising support. You can get to the field quickly. Furthermore, in most situations you are not required to spend the first year of your term in laborious language study.

Finally, and more importantly, you have a lifetime of expertise and experience. Why not use these gifts and abilities for the Lord in missions? You are (or should be) a spiritually mature believer, enabling you to cope with situations or problems that may arise. Often you find yourself in the role of encourager to fellow missionaries. What a blessing you can be to them!

Consider, further, the Scriptures give no indication that retirement from serving the Lord is an option. Moses embarked on his most important mission at the age of eighty and continued serving until his death at 120.

When I boarded the plane back in 1995 for my first short-term experience, I was filled with anxiety. Looking back over the past nine years I have no regrets. These have been nine of the most rewarding years of my life. I wouldn't trade them for anything.

Will you consider a short-term mission assignment?

Joyfully serving Him,

Sam

Sam Smoker

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

Read about ABWE's volunteer program and current needs and projects, both at the Home Office and overseas, on the volunteer opportunities page at the ABWE website.

For information on supporting an ABWE short-term missionary, email donorhelp@abwe.org.