Austria: -MISSIONS INTERNSHIP-

Vienna, Austria

Goal: To offer women who are self-motivated an opportunity to taste international missionary life by partaking in everyday life and ministry with my two sons and me. The intern could live with us for part of her term and/or possibly experience cross-cultural life with an Austrian family for part of the time! Length of term: 2-6 weeks. There are various forms of ministry she could be exposed to depending upon individual personality and areas of gifting.

Q & A with ACTION missionary Leanne Carter:

1. What are some ministry tasks that you want the intern to accomplish while serving with you?

The intern could assist me in teaching English at the Austrian elementary school and/or prepare for the next year’s curriculum (summer time). There would be opportunity for her to attend “English night” at my house and expose Austrians from our local church to conversational English. She will want to begin learning the local language, German, and attempt to cultivate relationships with the locals. Being a part of our family for the time, she will want to engage in home life and serve through various responsibilities. She will be encouraged to spend time in God’s Word, read books, and initiate discussion! I love to learn and grow and will look forward to identifying how God renews our minds and changes our actions. We will laugh, enjoy cross-cultural life, and eat ice cream! – as we explore our day to day life as an adventure!

2. What are some key lessons from your ministry and walk with the Lord that you want to impart to the interns to help them as they consider their own individual call to missions or vocational ministry?

A huge part of my ministry begins by drawing near to the Lord and delighting in Him (James 4:8). It is an adventure to discover the good works God prepared for us to walk in (Eph. 2:10). It is God’s Spirit working in and through us that brings the fruit. Missions is often NOT a 40 hour-structured-work-week, it is a life and a calling. Being part of the local church family is paramount.

3. What criteria do you use to measure the effectiveness of an intern serving with you?

Is she spending time with the Lord?

Is she willing to look honestly at her strengths and weaknesses and receive input?

Is she willing to step out and explore, try new things, talk to new people, speak whatever German she is learning?

The time frame only gives a taste of missionary life – but is she still willing to give it 100%?

Does she see God renewing her mind, changing her actions?

Is she willing to serve where there is need?

Specific skills an intern may expect to develop by the time the internship is completed:

It would be my hope that she desires to study God’s Word more deeply. She should be willing to step out of her comfort zone and use the German that was learned! Although cross-cultural experiences can be challenging, she would hopefully have less fear, more joy and peace. She will have invested in the locals and developed at least one friendship with an Austrian. Hopefully, she will have discovered 100 things she didn’t know about Austria, Austrians, and missionary life enough to document all she has learned. We will have a mutual friendship as we walk through this stretch of life together!

For more information including pricing visit: actioninternational.org/missionaries/carter