Communication between missionaries and MBM/S headquarters. In the real old days, without phones or even reliable mail, missionaries had to make most decisions on the field, and only reported periodically to the main office. Later, partially because of improved communication, most mission strategy was made at a central location (i.e., MBM/S headquarters in Hillsboro, KS). Now MBM/S is working again to decentralize its operation, but with frequent reporting and regular consultation with the head office. Only with accurate, fast communications technology will this be possible.
"I can't imagine a decentralized office without e-mail. It allows us to communicate as if we were one office," says Harold Ens, MBM/S General Director.
Even though e-mail is an exciting new technology, the reason for using it is an age-old one: It's cheaper. "A whole month of e-mail costs $35, when a single-page fax to Zaire costs $12," reports Franz Rathmair, MBM/S Secretary for Europe.
Harold Ens is also happy about the savings, "I was very excited when we got fax, but it is expensive, and we tended to hold back." With communication, cheaper means more, and more is definitely better.
Communication between missionaries and other missionaries. Missionaries often work in relative isolation, and it can be a great encouragement to share their experiences with other missionaries. "E-mail has enabled me to dialogue with missionaries around the world regarding the challenges of cross-cultural kingdom work," says Ray Harms-Wiebe, MBM/S church planter in Brazil.
"Tent maker" missionaries must maintain their professional skills but often don't have easy access to the seminars and continuing education classes which are common in North America. Again, the internet can help. "I am an [MBM/S] vocational missionary, and, with e-mail, I have been able to keep up with other English teachers around the world through an exchange of ideas," reports Jim Harrison, who teaches in Leon, Mexico.
Communication between missionaries and supporting churches. E-mail has also begun to address a communication problem that has arisen in recent years between supporting churches and their missionaries. "Our workers tell me that North America has become a phone culture and that letter writing has almost completely dropped off. But, because of cost, most people are very reluctant to place an international call. My hope is that e-mail will become the great encouragement that letters used to be," says Ens.
MBMS missionary to Lithuania, Tim Gartke, reports that this is already happening. "We keep in contact with our families to see what's new in their lives, and e-mail keeps some of our churches up-to-date on what's happening here. It also helps us stay current with what is happening in our culture back home, which will be especially helpful when we go on furlough."
Communication between MBM/S and supporting churches. The internet promises to be an effective tool to inform churches about global mission. For more than a year, MBM/S news releases and urgent prayer requests have been available by e-mail. A prayer item sent out early on Friday can be in Sunday bulletins all over the continent. Since last fall, MBM/S has also maintained a Web site. Nearly every MBM/S printed resource is now available on the Web, including missionary prayer letters, Witness magazine and a photo gallery. Because computer storage space is inexpensive, MBM/S has some documents on the Web which aren't cost effective to print.
Will e-mail and the internet completely replace all other forms of communication? That's not likely, according to MBM/S workers. While e-mail is preferred for memos, letters, reports and plan-making, it isn't ideal for everything.
"Phone calls are best for testing feelings and seeking counsel. I often send an e-mail message to establish facts and 'set the stage' and then follow up with a phone call to better understand the emotions of an issue," says Ens.
Regular mail--dubbed "snail mail" by some--is still the only way to send original documents, and fax is often available where internet connections are not.
Missionaries have gone out with nothing more than a sturdy pair of shoes, so it is hard to think of e-mail as essential. Modern technologies such as airplanes, phones, radios and now modems are simply tools to help make their lives a little easier and communication a little more clear.
Craig A. Hallman, MBM/S Secretary for Media
MBM/S offices' e-mail addresses:
USA, Fresno: 74577.334@compuserve.com
Canada, Winnipeg: 74577.332@compuserve.com
Canada, BC: 74514.2130@compuserve.com
Europe, Austria: 100327.3557@compuserve.com
Latin America, Colombia: 102637.2271@compuserve.com
Africa, Zaire: ptshimika@maf.org
Missionaries' e-mail addresses may be requested from the Fresno office.
MBM/S on the World Wide Web: http://www.mobynet.com/mbms/mbms.html
MBM/S news: If you wish to have all MBM/S news releases sent to you via e-mail, order a subscription at 74577.334@compuserve.com.
MBM/S releases may also be received through the menno.org.missions.news@MennoLink.org mailing list. E-mail admin@MennoLink with only the word "info" in the message area for instructions. This list includes other Mennonite mission news.