“It was a visit to India that really provided the catalyst for me to ‘go’. Although I had been interested in serving overseas for a few years I always found an excuse not to go, I had to finish uni, get more experience, etc, all good reasons usually but still excuses to not step out of my comfort zone and go.

The Christian College of Theology Bangladesh (CCTB) exists to serve the churches in that country with quality theological education. Like any such institution, the students come from a variety of backgrounds, and students grow and mature in their faith and capacity for ministry as they work through the various programmes on offer there. Their stories are never the same, but all share a common thread – the grace of God calling them to follow Him.

We were both exposed to missions from an early age as Peter lived in Tanzania with his family and Tiina attended mission trips overseas. We saw that many people are without hope, love and freedom in their lives. This required an urgent response and commitment into serving God in missions. We felt that we can use our skills to serve him and to see people transformed so we started the process of preparation, which included theological and vocational training.

During a church service many years ago, the speaker called for a show of hands of those who were called to Children’s ministry – many people put their hands up (We sat on our hands, knowing this was not our calling!), then those that were called to Worship leading. Still not our calling. The list went on and on and finally “Those that are called to go somewhere different and do something that no one has ever done in that area before”. We looked at each other and smiled. That would be us!

The mission field can be a lonely place. As pastor of a sending and supporting church of cross cultural mission workers, I wanted to demonstrate my own interest, and act as ambassador for our community’s interest and love for Gregg and Sal Beisly, by physically sharing their world; to invest my time and presence in their lives.

Peter and Lynley are tranzsend staff, involved in community outreach and English teaching in the north east of Thailand.

After hearing Rachel from MISSION WORLD speak at Fairfield Baptist Church, Hamilton in May 2011, Kelvin felt a call to help others in need. He has 50 years’ experience and expertise working in the pip and stone fruit industry along with marketing, cool storage and sales knowledge and he wondered how he might be able to use these skills to serve others.

Greetings from Ethiopia, the “Land of 13 Months of Sunshine.” Yes, that’s quite true. In Ethiopia there are twelve 30-day months with a 13th month of just five or six days, depending on whether or not it’s leap year. .