Vol 10.2
Across Africa and beyond, single men and women, especially women, quietly shape the face of global missions. They serve in places where families would struggle to go, planting churches, translating the Scriptures, mentoring youth, and pioneering new ministries. However, their stories often remain on the sidelines of mission narratives with their challenges overlooked and their accomplishments under-celebrated. They also face a blend of cultural and organizational difficulties that often go unaddressed. This issue of AfriGO shares the contributions and candid struggles of African single missionaries and helpful articles on how they can be supported to thrive in missions.
The reality of single missionaries
At the end of a training, I spoke with Eman, a single woman in her late thirties currently serving among her people in North Africa. She navigates the cultural and religious tensions with ease and has built deep relationships with the women and ch...
Called: Francis Kuntenga – celibate for the gospel
Most Christians are excited about a strong and handsome young man who decides to become a missionary and preach the gospel until he is still single at age forty-three. The questions start subtly in his late twenties, become direct in his ...
Singleness in missions: the blessings and the burdens (shorter version)
In recent decades, evangelical Christians have been fighting to protect the sanctity of marriage and family in a world seeking to undermine both. One unfortunate consequence has been an elevation of marriage and the family from being God’s ...
Singleness in missions: the blessings and burdens (full version)
In recent decades, evangelical Christians have been fighting to protect the sanctity of marriage and the family in a world seeking to undermine both. One unfortunate consequence has been an elevation of marriage and the family from being God’s ...
The hardships of singleness as worship
Thirty-four-year-old Rotondwa* quit her job as an engineer to become a missionary in Asia. She’s been on the field for over seven years and when people meet her for the first time, they are shocked that this southern African is the same per...
How to thrive as a single missionary
Life as a single African woman in the mission field is not for the faint-hearted. If I had been told the realities, perhaps I would have hesitated to obey the call. The list is endless – being called to take up tasks during rest days or lat...
Care for single missionaries
Single missionaries have made great contributions to the spread of the gospel throughout the years. From Jesus and the Apostle Paul to the likes of Mary Slessor, Gladys Aylward and many more in our day, the cause of God’s glory among the na...
Book review: Happily, Whenever After
Bookie’s book is dedicated to: “All the beautiful daughters of God around the world who continue to hold firm to their identity in Christ, undefined and undeterred by society’s labels, stigmas, limitations, and stereotypes. You are God...
Working while waiting
In 2018, Kenyan lady Noreen Kombo embarked on a faith trip to Ghana for a missions training with OneWay Africa and came back changed. Previously, she had participated in various ministry activities, but on this trip, her calling to missions w...
People group: the Garre of Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia
The Garre people trace their heritage through their forefather Samaale, who is considered to be the ancestor of most of the pastoralist clans in northern Somalia. Further back, they are descended from a cousin of the prophet Muhammed. The his...
