Mission Profile:
Don and Gwen Volle
Ministry Focus
Development and Discipleship among Muslims in Central Asia.
Personal Journey
Don Volle:
I was raised in a very religious home on a small farm in southern Indiana. Given the weekly readings I heard at church, I'm sure I had the 'information' of the gospel. Yet I did not put this together until my senior year in high school when my older brother (who had come to faith at university) helped me understand that Jesus lived, died and rose that I might have relationship with God; that I had turned away from that offer and that 'believing' was the way to have that relationship restored. Because of my previously developed respect for God and for the Scriptures, I had no choice but to respond in confession and faith. Since then I have been mentored by a succession of individuals in my walk with God, in personal ministry, and in major life issues and decisions.
Call to Missions Service
We see four stages of God’s call:
- to Himself
- to a Role
- to an Organization and
- to a job or geography.
The first never changes. The second seldomly changes. In my case the Role is Support, like the God-chosen deacons of Acts 6. The niche for which God made me has been confirmed at several stages (Purdue, Navy, Zellerbach Paper, US Navigators, Overseas and now Resource Exchange International). I’m in a support role, though the geography has changed from US to Middle East to Central Asia.
Fruits of Our Labor
New job Title: Central Asia Desk
Same function: I provide support as necessary for our on-the-ground teams in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and now, Djibouti.
- Uzbekistan. Gwin is on the scene here as a Specialist in Curriculum Design for Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL).
- Kazakhstan. The fruit of our work in Almaty - 'Trustworthy' is leading a discipling team in Astana.
- Djibouti. Resource Exchange International (REI) has been newly "approved" by government authorities. Two expatriate couples have amazing opportunities to develop relationships. What should they pursue?
- Colorado Springs. An office neighbor, 'Mike,' is moving toward Jesus. We meet 2-3 times per month.
Financial Needs
The Volles have a monthly support need of $1,800. We thank you so much for your prayer and financial support!
Gifts can be made out to The Navigators, with our name in the memo section, and sent to:
The Navigators
P. O. Box 6000
Colorado Springs, CO 80934
Prayer Requests
- Gwen & Don's growing intimacy, with transparent communication.
- Skilled bi-vocational laborers who are able to understand and integrate holistic ministry. Development and Discipleship. Authenticity. Contribution.
- Clarity of Don's working relationship with REI's new CEO.
- Visit to Djibouti in August/September 05 - wisdom to see with God's eyes the opportunities.
- That "Mike" would be drawn to Jesus as he and Don meet and read the Bible together
Praise
- Continued access to Uzbek students, even with greater scrutiny by the authorities. In fact, REI has been encouraged to continue and expand there.
- Good "fits" for Grant at Tulsa and Mark at Calvin College.
Encouragement
It would really encourage us to have you sent family pictures and stories, which would provide the opporunity to develop longer-term ties with families. Let us know what God is doing in you and through you.
Sunday Service Times: 8:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m., and 11:00 a.m.