Meet Abigale – A Grad From South Asia
Q: What was your biggest obstacle that you had to overcome in missions before going through Cafe 1040's program?
A: I was lost because there were so many choices. Every agency has their different systems. I was really looking for the focus of the organization. I was careful to look at the mission’s values and what they believe about the Bible. I knew where I was in my faith and I knew what the Bible said and how the Holy Spirit would guide me to right organization. I looked a countless websites, blog posts, went to the Lord in prayer, along with my parents being involved in the process.
Q: Why did you choose your location for overseas?
A: I didn’t have a particular place I wanted to go. I asked my mentor and she suggested South Asia. I was a part of the first three-month team.
Q: What did you enjoy most about your time there and with our program?
A: The most enjoyable part was traveling and getting to see different aspects of the city. It was great to see creative access opportunities that you can be apart of even if you don’t have a 4-year degree, and gave me confidence that I could use my skills. I loved being culturally immersed in South Asia and able to experience what God is doing in the social and political environments. The mentorship was also a key aspect for me and that experienced missionaries were walking alongside every step of the way.
Q: What was most encouraging for you during our 3-month program?
A: I would not have survived without the mentorship. It was hard. I was going through things that were hard to process. I thought to myself at times, I don’t know what to do. What is God doing in this country?
Q: What was the most challenging thing for you?
A: It was difficult not having a phone and technology. I love the weather channel app and Google maps, but it trained me to think about how to not rely on my phone or technology. Letting go of was difficult, but I know that I can do that now. God has worked on my heart, and taught me I do not have to share everything with the world.
Q: What’s a lesson you learned that you can take with you?
A: Cafe1040 helped me understand my strengths and how I can share them with a team.
Q: What did you appreciate the most about the culture you were living in?
A: I loved the caring nature of the culture. They are so open to us coming into their homes. I was able to see that God made this culture this way for a purpose. I saw the way He was working in it. We aren’t going to change the way that the people of South Asia are communal, but learned to ask how to go into culture humbly and as a learner.
Q: Did this experience give you more clarity and confidence on your calling? How?
A: Absolutely, it gave me the clarity I needed. I was in college and was thinking what are my next steps? Do I need to finish my degree? But the clarity I received specifically was in my debrief. I saw that I have options. My mentor gave me tangible next steps and the freedom to know that so many different options are there. It doesn’t have to be perfect. I thought missions had to be a one-track mind thing, but it is so much more. Yes, I want to be a missionary. Yes, I want to do this the rest of my life. It was very, very deep, it wasn’t surface level. Yes, I want to lay down my whole life for missions because I feel the call of God on my life.
Q: Would you recommend Cafe 1040’s program to others/friends? Why?
A: Yes! Cafe 1040 gets it. They are biblically based and their foundations are in the right place. If you just want an adventure you probably shouldn’t do this. You need to be careful, it’s a lot of time, a lot of growing, I recommend it for the mentorship. They will answer all your questions. Don’t go just to go.
Q: If you could summarize Cafe 1040 into one sentence, how would you summarize our program?
A: Cafe 1040 provides you with the best mentorship to help discover your gifts and talents that God has given you to use for God’s kingdom.
