OAC Publications
Borderlines
September 1998

A WORD FROM HQ

by Sue Hazelden

Realising that administration is a spiritual gift is very liberating - not just for those who have it, but for those who don't. Evangelism does not come naturally to me, but I do enjoy organising things, and people (particularly people).

So what do I do all day in the Europe Now office (apart from drinking tea)? Much of my work is on behalf of MEPA - handling enquiries and applications for Festival Outreach, for example - but I also handle finance and prayer letters for Chris and Hilde Mathieson in Spain. Much of my communication is by email: with most of my 'colleagues' across the channel this is a good medium.

The post arrives. For gifts, I send an acknowledgement, inform the recipient and update the accounts. I also deal with covenants and Gift Aid donations. Application forms must be acknowledged, photocopied and passed to MEPA. I write for references, and consult others about suitability, interviews, acceptance. An increasing number of enquiries arrive via our web site.

Changes to the mailing list are easily dealt with. Other letters need a brief response and several pieces of paper: Borderlines, prayer letters, application forms and assorted leaflets soon litter my desk.

General enquiries can take longer. Do we have paid opportunities for someone with building skills? Not long-term, and thankfully not for much longer!

Somehow, I almost forgot to mention the filing: pray for me as I think about tackling the least glamorous but most vital administrative task!