WHERE WILL I LIVE?
For this gap year you would be required to move to Essex, where you would be placed with a host family who will provide a room for you and where you will live as part of their extended family. The work is tiring but rewarding which our host families understand and so they are very welcoming but they also have busy lives and so don’t anticipate being waited on hand & foot! These are very generous people who give up time, space and energy to have you in their home but often these relationships develop well beyond your year as you are ‘adopted’ into this new family.
Due to the tiring nature of the work we do make sure there are holiday opportunities for you to get back home to see your family as well as time off to rest and relax. While in Essex there will be training sessions, covering evangelism, schools work, leadership, discipleship and team-work as well as bible studies and team retreats.
WHAT WILL IT COST ME?
That’s a loaded question, isn’t it? In one way this year will cost you everything as you give your all to the God who gave his life for you! However there is also a financial commitment to this year to cover your expenses, a contribution to your hosts for feeding you and to enable you to have some pocket money to spend during your year. Having said this we don't expect you to have to pay for your time here out of your own money or savings. Most volunteers discover that their home churches are keen to support them through the year both prayerfully and financially and friends and family are keen to be involved in this side of your ministry too.
It’s a real encouragement when you see the money come in and as soon as you are accepted on the course you are at liberty to begin to raise money. We can give you all kinds of ideas but it will take some effort from you to make it happen. Funding generally comes in over the year you are with us but we recommend that you have your first £1000 by the 1st of September. Many people want to give by standing order and so the money comes in stages over the year. The final balance of £3750 should be paid in by the end of May.
The year starts in the middle of September and finishes on the 31st August.
IS IS RIGHT FOR ME?
This is the biggest question of all, both for you as an individual and for us as a team. If the opportunities described above appeal to you that’s a start isn’t it?
-I guess the fact that you’ve read this far means you must be pretty interested so why not take some time to pray now and ask God if it’s right for you.
-Take a look at the website to find out about the wider work of Viz-A-Viz Ministries.
-Talk to your family and those leaders that God has put in your life - that you love and respect, those whose wisdom you value.
-Ring or email us using the details below. Let’s have a chat about what the year involves and let us answer any questions you may have.
We usually find that the BEST way to find out if you are suited for this role is to fill in an application form, send it off and come to Essex for an audition. Here we would be able to see if your skills fit with what we are looking for, nothing confirms a calling like meeting the people you would be working with, discovering that you get on well together. God will often confirm that this year is exactly what you are looking for by giving a real peace as we chat and pray together and discover His will and His purpose.
God really can bring out the best in you, maybe He wants to do it through Optimum!! |
