How Did I Get here ?
Candidate Simon maps his journey from South East Asia to … South East Asia .
I was born and raised in South East Asia in a Christian family among a majority Muslim population . I first came to Australia in 2009 to pursue further study in Adelaide . In this lovely city , I also met my wife , Widya when we were rostered on to wash dishes at our church .
We got married in 2014 and decided to migrate permanently to Australia . We returned to Adelaide to help a family setting up a restaurant . During that period , we were also involved in a church planting ministry that held Sunday services in the restaurant .
I first knew about Global Interaction when Mark Holt , Cross-Cultural Director , visited us in the restaurant in 2016 . Widya had known Mark through the Educational Foundation , one of Global Interaction ’ s platforms in South East Asia , where Widya was involved .
Mark ordered catering and asked me to deliver it to the State Office in South Australia . Over there , I met wonderful people and began to know more about the organisation . Since then , I had it at the back of my mind to join the organisation after I pursued my dreams .
In late 2018 , we decided to return home to support my parents . At that time my father had just retired and I had an opportunity to join United Nations , which was my dream . Widya returned to work at the Education Foundation where I met Dave and Caz , the Team Leaders .
David shared stories about the work and vision , and I was drawn to it , especially the unique contextual approach to empower local people to worship Isa Al Masih ( Jesus ). It was something that I have never seen growing up as a believer in South East Asia , and yet it was effective .
In January 2019 we were invited to join Global Interaction . Widya was thrilled but I had different plans and dreams ! After roughly eight months of discerning , by His grace , I also felt His calling to serve in South East Asia . I decided to switch my dream for His and joined the ministry . resonate · issue 36 · page 14