Epilogue

In the end I spent almost four years at the base at Shayandima. After returning to the UK in 2013, I found that my priorities had changed and I no longer thought the same way as I used to. Verses like ‘the worker is worthy of his wages’ and the one that tells us to work with our hands that we be dependent upon no-one told me that I needed to find a way to support myself and others. Getting engaged changed my thought process as well – how would I provide for my family if I wasn’t earning? Dependency on “God’s provision” is really a code for waiting for others to work and share the proceeds. My conscience was never completely settled with that, and much less during that last eight-month stint at the base.

Things ended somewhat acrimoniously. I wanted to leave with my fiancée, we were told that was wrong. I insisted. Separation between us and the ministry was inevitable. I returned to the UK and earned some money, my fiancée followed shortly afterwards.

I wouldn’t change my time volunteering in Africa, although neither would I recommend the same path to others. Dependency upon the means of others takes you outside of the Scriptural will of God and means that you can’t help those in need. It also increases your vulnerability to those you depend upon. There is a place for working for free, but I’m not sure this is it.

Are you looking for an adventure? Stop being so selfish. I know that’s a pretty hard way of putting it, but I’ve seen plenty of volunteers go out ostensibly to serve God, but actually for fun, and do more harm than good to themselves and others. If you are sincere, think through what you have that you can bring. Willingness to help is not enough. You need to bring something substantial. How many years of experience do you have in your field of work? And what is it about your walk with God that is so good it should be exported?