The journey to TWR

As a small kid, David was interested in technology and started getting interested in radio communications around his high school years. This began by listening to police radio and aviation communications with a scanner. And as a radio amateur since 2017 making radio connections with people around the world. Radio is an amazing phenomenon, without the limitations of borders, politics, religion being able to reach people in any situation. After his technical study, he worked at various technical companies and in the last years he was involved with the maintenance of technical facilities.

Not long after David’s conversion and baptism, the desire came into his heart to use his technical gifts for God’s Kingdom. For quite some time he thought this was his own desire, but over time he carefully began to explore this desire. Initially by bringing this to God in prayer, but also by sharing it with Linda and close friends. He started researching for which Christian organizations would suit him by “looking” at Operation Mobilization (OM), Mission Aviation fellowship (MAF) and Trans World Radio (TWR), among others. Through following these organizations on social media, subscribing to newsletters from Dutch missionaries at these organizations, visiting open days and Christian festivals, the picture became clearer and clearer. TWR remained at the top of David’s heart and in early 2022 he contacted TWR in Barneveld. He was invited and shared his desire in the conversation that followed. A new period of prayer and sharing with people follows, but now with TWR on the sideline.

Midway through 2022, David and Linda agree that 2023 would be the year to get out and explore whether David’s technical skills could be of use in any Christian organization. As well, to experience what it is like to be allowed to serve and work in such an environment. Through his work, David is able to purchase 4 weeks of leave to actually go and do this.
In early 2023, David contacts TWR in the Netherlands again, asking if TWR has the opportunity for him to go on a Short Term Missonary trip for 4 weeks. After his CV is submitted, they decide to enter the application process at TWR. After completing the detailed questionnaire and eventually sending it around to the various transmitter sites by TWR, a positive message is received back from TWR Africa. Out of this follows a video call and introduction to local TWR staff in mid-March. At the end of the call they ask why Linda is not joining David. This is a good question that they had not yet considered together, after all this process was for David to step out and explore. When they both pray for this and bring it to God they sense that it might be the way it should be. So they can join together in this adventure and share the same experiences.

There is still a bump that needs to be taken. They have planned their own vacation in September, for which Linda has already been given time off from work. In the healthcare where Linda works, it will be very difficult to switch this to the busy summer vacation. When Linda presents the matter to her supervisor, they pray for the situation. Her supervisor starts to investigate the possibilities internally. Within one week, Linda receives word back from her work saying that the requested time period in the summer is approved and she can go with David to Africa for four weeks.

“The place God calls you to is the place

where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.”

– Frederick Buechner –