Grace Baptist Mission
helping the churches to support and care for their missionaries worldwide
Short Term Service
Opportunities exist for people to spend up to six months living and working alongside Missionaries on the field. Many young people have used their Gap Year to do this, but there is a growing opportunity for older folk who are taking early retirement. can offer a full service in arranging such opportunities. This includes putting the candidate in touch with the missionaries, arranging air travel, travel insurance, visa application etc.
Read the experience of someone who has used their Gap Year in this way:
In 2005, during my gap year, I travelled to the Philippines and visited Matt Gamston and the work of Cubao Reformed Baptist Church in Manila. It was an amazing visit and my time of nearly four months there was a huge blessing in my life. After my return to the UK I really missed the people that I had met there and other aspects of life in the Philippines, and so I decided that I wanted to return this summer, and was so pleased when it became possible. Matt bravely offered me a room in his apartment, despite his problems arising from some breakages I incurred (accidentally) and my diverse array of egg recipes. It was very exciting to have the chance of spending a further two months with Matt and the others in Cubao.
So what had changed in one year? The sites and smells of Cubao were the same; the striking contrasts between the poverty and wealth of Cubao and its people remained; the shopping Malls were still bustling throughout the day and night and the street people and the slums were still there! But there were new faces and names to learn and there was the absence of some people I had met last year.
It was wonderful to be remembered by some of the CCM (Christian Compassion Ministries) girls, staff, church members and street people - and I think the cockroaches recognised me too.
The drop-in centre on Thursday nights was always a blessing to be at last year and it was again! Even though it is a very smelly, sweaty and difficult night, which involves toilet cleaning, it is wonderful to see street people eating a good meal, relaxing and hearing about Jesus. The fellowship with the other helpers is a memorable part of the drop-in centre. I helped with the children’s class, which is a new addition to the drop-in centre since my last visit. I found myself wrestling with one particular little boy most weeks who could only sit and listen for 3 minutes before testing out my child control skills. When I was not getting him down from climbing up the blinds and windows, it was great to see the rest listening and interacting with Virgie who teaches them so well and so clearly about who Jesus is and what he has done for them.
I was able to visit the Christian Union at UP (University of the Philippines) which was a new experience this trip. It was good to see how students seek to share the same gospel in such a different culture. I attended several of their main meetings and it was great to have fellowship with them. They were very welcoming despite me only requiring 45% to pass my first year of university when they have to get 75! They did not seem too bitter about that though. I, together with the members of the Christian Union at Bangor University, hope to keep in touch with them so we can encourage each other in reaching students with the Gospel.
Please pray for Matt, the staff of CCM and those who help with the work amongst the street people. Many people are being helped and reached with the news about Jesus through the work in Cubao and other areas of Manila.
Tim Whitton
Please pray for Tim as he undertakes a placement with the Open Air Mission
If you would like more information contact us.
