The saying is true, “its so much better being in the passenger seat than driving.” Before I came on this trip, my perspective of missions was limited to building houses, giving out medicine, or handing children gifts. Not to diminish those things, but my perspective of missions has expanded.

We often pass down heirlooms, trades, skills, or maybe businesses. We want to pass down a generation of “Look, what God is doing. Now, be a faithful vessel that continues the work.”

Our team just began a homestay. You can read more about what these are here.

On our first night, we ate with our friend Sam who was a devout cousin. Our conversation with him was very direct. He loved to discuss religion and what he believed. He began to discuss the duty of his belief and how Allah was the one true Father.

If I’m honest, I really had no idea what this program was about until I got here. I had a vague idea that it would help prepare me for future work overseas, yet I didn’t even know what I needed preparation in.

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.

“I’m so impatient.

Sometimes I really hate the pressures of time because my personality always has me dreaming of the future. This creates an urgency in me to get the most out of where I’m at.”

Within the first weeks of being in Asia, our team was already eager to meet local friends and start fostering relationships with the people here. One guy that my roommate and I met was named Evan.

But that day she heard for maybe the first time in her entire life that there is a God who loves her and who has made a way to be with her, and I’m thanking the Lord that He let me be a part of it.

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.

“If I'm being honest, deciding to go on this trip was a big risk for me. By nature, I tend to be a pretty fearful person, especially when it comes to big decisions. However, thankfully, when we ask God for his strength, He doesn’t leave us where we are. Because of Him, peace overcomes fear, every time.”

Experiences, classes, trainings, and projects have opened my eyes to so much, but nothing has changed me more than what God has done over these past six weeks.

Before this trip, I was unsure how exactly God would use me overseas along with what life will look like being a cross-cultural worker. However, I have seen clearly time and time again affirmations through my relationships with teammates and locals of the calling on my life for this work.

Every year we have the privilege of seeing incredible stories unfold through our missions mentorships. This is one of those stories. Watch Jack's story told through his eyes.

Meet Mae – Grad from South East Asia

Q: How did you find out about Cafe 1040's program?

A: A friend went through the program the summer before me and told me about it.  I thought to myself, I think I want to try this.

“My time in North Africa so far can be summed up in this story. It has been an amazing experience filled with adventure and a lot of unplanned (but awesome) circumstances."

Transitioning into life in South East Asia has been exciting, but also extremely heavy. Knowing the statistics about the 10/40 window and then meeting new friends who everyday live in the reality of not knowing their Creator has created a whole new perspective can at times be overwhelming.

I had little idea what I was getting myself into when I chose this program in NA. But as I look back on the past 13 months, all I can see is His sovereignty, His plan, His grace and love in every single thing that has happened, both internally and externally.

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.

Coming here, I had no real expectation as to what life would exactly be like. I share one bedroom with three other girls on a street where only one person understands our English charades. I live in an up-and-coming city—half-traditional, half-modern –but all full of culture. 

My team and I have had some sweet opportunities to build friendships with a few locals in the city we are living in.  They have taught us so much about how they live and how they view life.