We talked to a participant of our Virtual Missions Experience and asked him some questions about missions and what he hopes to learn from VME.
Q&A with a Cafe 1040 Grad
Meet Iris – A Grad from South Asia
Q: Give us a little background about your testimony/story and how that led you to looking for an organization like Cafe 1040.
A: I grew up going to church, I was saved when I was six years old and I can remember telling my mom that I wanted to be a missionary. I don’t even know where I got that vocabulary or where it started. I just knew I wanted to go and tell people about Jesus.
Q&A With A Cafe 1040 Grad
Meet Margaret – A grad from North Africa
Q: Give us a little background about your testimony/story and how that led you to looking for an organization like Cafe 1040.
A: Missions was the only thing that was consistently on my heart throughout my life. Once I graduated, I decided I have to figure it out now. I did a short trip to Israel with my church, and I loved the people and the culture. I thought maybe the Lord is calling me to the Middle East. I went to Greece and worked in a refugee camp and loved the experience. I was able to share the gospel with people and see them respond. I tripped over myself so many times. I knew nothing about the culture, so I decided I needed more training. This is where Cafe 1040 came in. I met a guy in my local coffee shop and he told me about Cafe and told me to look into it. I thought that sounds cool, and I love an adventure. I then started to pursue Cafe 1040 for more training.
Q&A With A Cafe 1040 Grad
Q&A With A Cafe 1040 Grad
Meet Patrick – A Grad from North Africa
Q: How/When did you know that God was calling you to missions?
A: I heard the gospel at a young age, but it wasn’t until junior year in high school where the Lord gripped me and I started walking in relationship with the Lord. Shortly after that I felt a strong pull/calling on missions. I started to look at what missions is according to the Bible. What does it look like to do work overseas? Cafe 1040 seemed like a clear next step.
Q: How did you find out about Cafe 1040's program?
A: I looked at several organizations that have 3-month programs. My missions pastor helped me find Cafe 1040.
Q&A With A Cafe 1040 Grad
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&A With A Cafe 1040 Grad
Q: Why did you choose Cafe 1040?
A: “After looking at Cafe 1040, I also explored some other organizations. It was really eye opening for me to see a mentorship is something people actually do. Honestly, the reason I picked Cafe 1040 is I felt heard, and understood and identified with by Cafe, more than other organizations that have similar program.”