Quest Advice
The following is an actual conversation between HJ, a OneStory Quest alumnus, and PB, who is about to start a Quest project. Edited for clarity.
HJ: Do you know your Quest location yet?
PB: We don't know our exact location. We just know somewhere in North Africa.
HJ: Wow man, you may not know your location but if it is, in fact, North Af, I think I know what country, and you guys are gonna just love it. Start studying that [local religon]. Read all you can. Go find a [place of worship] and make friends now, before you get there. Get in their heads. Start to learn why they think the way they do. Wow, I would love to have your project. I have been wanting a heavy [local religion] type project but the Lord is moving me another way. When do you plan to start your Quest project...is it in the Fall?
PB: We start in October, so we're in the "this much money still has to come in within only two months" mode.
HJ: Hit that [financial] support hard! I just hate seeing people come to the field under funded. They are a liability on everyone. That is part of how the body works though, we share what we do get. But, still better that you come not needing anything more. You'll be glad you hammered it and got it all in. Just do it. Get on that phone and call people. Don't rely on just letters. Go meet with them, share your heart.
PB: What advice do you have for two guys who really have no clue what we're getting ourselves into?
HJ: Here’s some more advice: don't think too much about what you are coming to do. You will find out all you need to know in training. Main points:
A) This will be the hardest thing you have ever done.
B) This will be the most rewarding thing you have ever done. You'll love it.
C) Again, this will be the hardest thing you have ever done.
D) It is very likely going to be very different than what you are expecting... So stop expecting and come with an open mind.
E) I guess I will tell you this... Your main goal will be to work yourself out of a job. This project is all about empowering nationals to do the work of ministry, not for you to do it yourself. The days of the white man coming with the Gospel are over. That is why so many places are yet unreached. White men don't fit in. And when they see you and find out you are American, nothing you say will not be tainted by the news that they get from the regular media about Iraq or Bush or their stereotypes of sex and money being synonymous with America. So, if you have anything in your mind, just know that you are to build relationships with nationals, love them..., influence them to craft stories from scripture, and get them to tell those stories to their friends and family in a reproducible way. Mixed in with that are your hardships of language learning, Bible translation, and trying to live in a country where you don't belong. Enjoy!
PB: [My church wants to load me up with stuff. What should I bring?]
HJ: [Before my project, I had] various "wish list" items that would be nice but we could live without. You may want to do this as well, PB. One thing you may consider too, PB, is that, depending on your Quest location, you may not want any more than a duffel bag or large back pack. I guess I'm saying, "Careful what you wish for... you may get it" [because you have to carry it all].