Interview with Monica

Monica W.

International Missions Board

Feb. 11, 2016, 3:15 p.m.

Jerry Falwell Library

1. When did you feel God calling you to be in missions? — I was in college, and my mentor was focused on God’s heart for the nations. I also had an interest in other cultures, especially when I saw people hear the Gospel for the first time.
2. Were you immediately responsive to God’s calling? — I was, but my parents were hesitant. They wanted me to be wealthy and comfortable.
3. Was there a specific people group you felt called to? — Not originally, becuase I was exposed so quickly to the needs of the world, well, anywhere but India, which is where I ended up.
4. How did you end up in India? — Well the International Missions Board gave me options, and it seemed like the best fit. I honestly avoided reading the description for months because I was not going to go there, but once I did, I knew that was where I was supposed to be.
5. What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced with different struggles? — Personal comfort and planning, sometimes it was the little things like being a picky eater. It’s also been hard constantly traveling.
6. How accepting were the people at the beginning? — Pretty accepting, they welcomed us into their homes for tea and would listen to our stories, but it took a while before they did anything more than tolerate us. We had to gain their trust.
7. What has been the biggest challege you’ve faced as a group? — Security issues, having almost too many good opportunities and having to decide between good, better, and best. Also relating to the National Church.
8. If someone wanted to do an internship with missions, are there any tips or suggestions you would give them? — Be open to how God wants to use you, and try things that may not fit within your plan for your life. Also, if you go on an internship, be willing to serve and look for what you can give rather that what you can get.
9. Would you consider India more of your home now? — I definitely still feel at home here, but I do miss India.
10. What are some of the biggest cultural differences? — Their culture is more brash, but not in a negative way. It’s almost abrasive or aggressive. I mean, you have 1 billion people living in a very small area. They are also very passive, and they don’t take responsibility for their lives. Instead of saying “I dropped the pen,” you would say, “The pen fell from my hands.” They believe that things just happen, so the idea of sin is very hard to get across to them. Overall, it was very overwhelming, but the culture is much richer there it seems.
11. Was there one specific incident that really seemed like the beginning of God really working? — We were in Mumbai, walking through the slums, and a girl invited us into her home and immediately started asking what we believe. Hard things had happened in her life and she was very shut off from anything about God. Her mom died, and she invited us to the funeral, where we were able to witness to her family and her as well. We really realized the needs in the world, and that if we just address the physical needs but ignore the spiritual, we aren’t really helping.