13 July | Bracknell, UK [Vanesa Pizzuto]
The One Year in Mission and Service (OYIMS) programme offers students the unique opportunity to spend a semester at Newbold College of Higher Education, immersing themselves in the study of mission work before serving in various fields around the world. On Saturday, 13 July, following the OYIMS graduation ceremony in the beautifully renovated Moor Close chapel, Vanesa Pizzuto sat down with Josephine Mawu-lepey Wilkinson to discuss her inspiring journey of mission, work, and faith.
VP: Josephine, what made you decide to join the OYIMS programme?
JMW: I’ve always liked mission work. I actually went to Rwanda with ADRA when I was in college. I like the idea of travelling and supporting in any way that we can. I wanted to study abroad and go into mission work, but the lockdown had just started. So, I stayed, completed my time at university, and was teaching at an Adventist school. When this opportunity was announced at Camp Meeting, I thought, “perfect timing.” So, I went for it!
That’s amazing! You were sharing earlier, during the graduation service, about your mission experiences. Tell me a little bit more about that…
There are opportunities to work with ADRA, and they organise them for you, especially within the Trans-European Division (TED) territory. But I was determined to go back to the motherland (Ghana). So, I organised it independently and ended up going to Malawi for three months, and to Ghana for two months. And I still have another trip coming up shortly, to Canada for a month.
What are some of the lessons you learned from your mission experience?
In Malawi I really learned about pacing myself. Malawians really have a calm nature. So, even if things are going crazy around them, they take their time and think things through carefully. I think in Western society, we’re very fast-paced, and everyone is ‘push, push, push.’ Everything’s hectic. I’m sure my blood pressure went down whilst I was there as I really learned to slow things down, and to lean on God a bit more. When you take a step back, it allows you to realise your need to rely on God more than yourself, instead of trying to do things too quickly.
In Ghana I lived inside the school, in the nursery section, and I think I learnt a lot about living life and enjoying each day as it comes. There was something special about waking up to the sound of young children, who don’t have worries and stresses and just give each day their all. While they have few resources, they find new ways to be creative. There’s much to be learnt from being in that environment with young children!
I agree, there is much to learn! What is one memory that will remain with you?
In Malawi I was working with teenagers, and I really wanted to introduce the idea of counselling and mentoring. I don’t have a counselling degree, so I approached it by practicing mentoring, where I made time to listen to the students. I found that many had a narrative of, “as a Christian, you shouldn’t have anxiety or depression, because once you believe in God, everything should be cool.” It was if they believed that they should be happy all the time, 24/7. To try and break down that narrative, I created a group where we shared examples from the Bible of people who were tired of life, even asking God to take it from them. For example Job, who was not happy, but who was still communicating and trusting God in all things.
We also explored how to navigate emotions. and how we have faith in God. But at the same time recognise that we are all humans, with challenges and emotions. I think it was a bit of a relief for them to hear that. So many of them are orphans, or have lost one parent well before their time. They are all dealing with grief, but have kind of pushed it to the side. So I felt it was fantastic to give them that one-to-one space, the opportunity to talk it out, and acknowledge their feelings. It was a real blessing!
What are you planning to do in Canada?
I’ll be working with Alcoholics Anonymous. They have times when different groups come together and they organise a barbecue, or simply have a safe place, without the temptation of alcohol around them. They meet to encourage and inspire each other, and I’ll be facilitating that.
What would you say to someone toying with the idea of joining the OYIMS programme?
You have nothing to lose! Everything’s provided – your semester at Newbold, your food, accommodation and all paid for (by the TED). Inlcuded is a semester of free education, with the opportuntiy to join theology students in class, and that is such a blessing! And then you go out and experience mission.
I think lockdown has taught a lot of people that travelling cannot be taken for granted. So take it with both hands! I stopped working in order to participate in OYIMS, so financially it’s been a struggle. I’ve been relying on savings and donations from friends and family (because I went on independent mission trips, not sponsored by TED). But even then, it’s been fantastic. I’d say go in with faith, and you’ll be surprised by how many people will support you!
And I also want to recognise that mission work can take place in home territories as well as abroad. But in everything I do, and wherever I am, I see it as an opportunity to minister with a missionary spirit. Whether it’s your family or your local community, your church, or wider, there’s a lot of work to be done here as well.
[Photos: Vanesa Pizzuto and courtesy of Josephine Mawu-lepey Wilkinson]
