We Christians are also known as Followers of Jesus. Of course, our faith is important to us, and we love to share it with others, but what else do we bring to the nations? Something tangible, perhaps something that will make life easier for someone? 

Appropriate Technology Solution

I  once visited a missionary high up on a mountain where she had started and built a church. Propane had to be brought up by motorcycle and it was expensive. Hot water was a luxury for dishes and for showers. 

I quickly noticed that it was hot and sunny most days, so I went for a walk to the village shops. There was a man selling all kinds of irrigation hoses for the farms and individual gardens. I bought 200 feet of two-inch black hose, laid it on the flat roof in a circle and ran the cold water into one end and the other end to the sink and bathroom area of the building. Apparently, there was never a shortage of hot water again in that building during daylight hours – a simple two-hour solution that was soon copied by others in the village. 

This Is “value added tentmaking.” 

Most if not all English-speaking expatriates are at one time, or another asked to help locals with their English. Whether they do this formally or informally, it brings a tangible value to the community. This is why we urge everyone to take even a short certificate course in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL). We recommend a minimal 60-hour course, that can be taken over four weekends to fit in with your work week, before leaving for your overseas contract. It is our recommendation that you do not teach English for free but charge a reasonable fee to maintain a level of professionalism. It would seem that many break throughs for tentmakers has something to do with teaching English. 

What activity do you enjoy? 

I could write a book on the ways tentmakers have been able to impact their communities through their love of a sport or form of exercise. What’s your passion?

Surfboarding?

One young man’s love of snowboarding led to the accidental start of a new sport called sandboarding. But before that, he was seen as an eccentric troubled young man who spent way too much time under the desert sun sliding down dunes. This led to an interview on local radio where he was able to share his faith openly, in a city of about one million people, with only one radio station. 

Scuba Diving?

How about the tentmaker who loved scuba diving. His sport turned into starting a dive shop which attracted tourists bringing in much needed jobs to many young people. Bible studies were done on the beach by the setting sun. Is it just me or does holding Bible studies on the beach in the setting sun sound totally amazing? 

Gym Rat?

And then there was the fellow who loved to go to the gym who ended up winning the gym owner to Jesus. 

Cooking?

A stay-at-home mother, the wife of an engineer, loved cooking and invited the neighborhood ladies into her kitchen to teach her how to make and bake local foods. In turn she taught them how to make foods from her home country. Is it a surprise that this kitchen ended up facilitating a ladies faith discussion group? 

Computing?

An IT technician was distraught at all the young men in his neighborhood who had no jobs but just sat around all the time getting into trouble. He started a computer club to teach them how to repair and build computers. This grew into a computer store and internet café. People trained and employed in a Christian environment in a Muslim country. Now what could go right with that? 

What God-given Passion or Skill Do You Have which Adds Value?

What kind of skills, experience, or hobbies do you have that can be used to help locals improve their situations? 

ESL is the most obvious and commonly used bridge to make friendships with your co-workers, neighbors and business people. Make yourself available even if it seems like a lot of extra work. 

Here are some ways you might explore in becoming a “value added foreigner” to the local people: 

• ESL 
• Computer training 
• Cooking classes 
• Small business loans 
• New ways to grow vegetables 
• Recycling 
• Solar cooking 
• Solar power 
• Teaching your favorite board game 
• What else can you think of? 

Now that you’ve given this a passing thought, what can you do here at home – at your workplace, school, or in your business? Start small and see how God can use your servant’s heart for His Kingdom purposes.

By Ari Rocklin