Ruth Box shares with us what it’s like being an AIM Mobiliser in Scotland and the role she plays in helping churches send mission partners to Africa.

Seasons and Showers

It’s January, the snow is thick on the ground and I’m taking some time out from a youth leaders’ training conference in Aviemore to write this article. By the time you read this, spring will have sprung and I will be in the midst of preparing a group of Edinburgh students for their summer mission trip to Madagascar. Being a Mobiliser is very much an experience of seasons and showers. It is a role that involves lots of thinking and planning ahead, whilst fulfilling day to day commitments to speak at events, have conversations with enquirers and be available for the pastoral needs of missionaries on the field. There are seasons of frenzied activity, such as in the run up to the Scottish Conference in March and (fewer!) seasons of quiet, like December, where one has the chance to think and plan a little for the year ahead. Then there are the showers – real showers of blessing, when new enquirers apply to serve long-term, or a flurry of students look for short-term opportunities. There are also occasional storms, when the volume of work feels like waves crashing relentlessly over my sea wall threatening to swamp me.

“I cannot stress enough the privilege it is to be doing this each day…”

The privilege to serve

What do I think about this? What springs to mind most often is to marvel that God has called, permitted and equipped me to serve in my role with AIM. I cannot stress enough the privilege it is to be doing this each day, and to have such an important part to play in the journey that God calls some of his people to travel. I so very much value your prayers as I serve God through AIM in Scotland, the financial support of those whom God calls to stand with me in this way and the practical help that so many volunteers, friends and family provide on a day to day basis. Thank you all so much! 

Helping send Sheona

In the autumn of 2012, whilst on a short term mission trip in Kenya I felt God leading me to AIM. So, when I got home I ‘googled’ AIM and filled in the contact form on the website. Very quickly I received a response letting me know that the Scottish mobiliser would contact me, “if that was ok with me?” “Help, what am I signing up for?” was my immediate reaction! Thankfully I said yes, and then got an email from Ruth asking if I would like to meet for a coffee and a chat. I was very busy (as is Ruth), and making every excuse not to meet up. Time wore on, Ruth was very patient, but then she had a trip to Africa, it was Christmas and still we hadn’t met!

Ruth then suggested I attend the Scottish Conference. I had just been on holiday, so (as a shift worker), I felt I could only go if it fell on my day off, but surprise surprise, I was free. When the day came I was unwell, but felt I should go, went, and was pleasantly surprised. The Scottish conference is a very friendly, non-threatening day, I knew no-one, but went home encouraged, excited and scared, having made friends who have since been a huge encouragement.

After the conference Ruth encouraged me to go to AIM’s ‘Into Africa?’ conference in Glasgow. Again it was on a Saturday so I gave her the same reply… and again it fell on my day off.

After that day, I applied for ‘long term’ service with AIM. Throughout Ruth has been extremely encouraging and helpful. She supported me through the lengthy application process, patiently answering my questions. Having her here on ‘home turf’ in Scotland is helpful both to sending churches and missionaries as we share the journey from enquiry to starting an assignment.