Spending a month of hard-earned holidays in remote parts of Africa might not be everyone’s idea of fun, but for Chris and Heather Rea it proved to be the opportunity of a lifetime, and one of the most rewarding and challenging experiences of their lives.

Chris and Heather were part of the STEP (Short Term Experience Program) tour to Tanzania and Kenya earlier this year, joining four others on the trip that was led by Howard Spencer, a former CMS missionary in Tanzania for 11 years.

Mr Spencer said that while the trip was mostly about observing and learning, there were many chances for hands-on experience for the six members of the group. “There was always an opportunity to give testimonies and talk about being a Christian, times which were mutually encouraging,” he said.

The group spent time visiting missionaries working in hospitals, clinics, schools and Bible colleges, gaining an overall picture of the reality of long-term mission work. For Chris and Heather, the trip was not their first experience of short-term mission. In July 1999 they visited missionaries in China, and the African trip was a chance for them to continue exploring future options.

“We wanted to learn more about missionary work and how our skills could be used in Africa,” Chris said. “At the end of the day, the skills that we have – growing up with the evangelical teaching that we have in Australia – is more than enough to go and be a helper for the local church in Tanzania.”

While there are now a number of Bible colleges in Africa and many enthusiastic Christians wanting to be leaders in their church, Heather says there is still a great need for trained leaders. “Some people are pastoring churches with only three months of theological training,” she said.

Among their more unique experiences was a Bible study that Heather had prepared for a group of around ten nurses at Mvumi Hospital. “Half an hour before I arrived, they told me it was going to be more like 400 nurses,” she says.

“It could have been very daunting – particularly when I had a Bible study written and not a talk. But when I stood in front of them I was really able to say to them how close and how warm I felt being there with them, because we had that common understanding of God.”

The amazing response at Mvumi is a small example of the impact Christianity is having in Africa. Heather believes part of the reason is that Old Testament stories like Abraham and Noah are passed down from one generation to the next. “They know all that history through their culture and tradition, but the big thing that is exciting to them is when someone actually tells them how they can relate to God through Jesus,” she says.

Chris says that, not surprisingly, they discovered some major differences between African and Australian cultures. “We are so task oriented; they are so relationally oriented, which is actually biblically correct because life is about our relationship with Christ,” he said. “Everyone wants to talk and chat about everything at every point.

“One of the things I learnt was that relationships with one another are so important.”

Another STEP tour is being organised for 2004. Contact Faith Blake on 02 9284 6724.