JAARS Volunteers Speak

“It’s exciting to know that what you’re doing is critical to the work of Bible translation.” Aja Angel feels passionately about what she’s doing at JAARS.

Aja (pronounced Asia) was introduced to JAARS when her home church in Fayetteville, North Carolina, brought a group of people to JAARS Day, an all-day open house event. During that day, Aja learned about the diversity of needed skills at JAARS and how JAARS utilizes volunteers. Aja felt compelled to respond.

Her parents homeschooled all of their daughters and incorporated their Christian values into their teaching. Aja learned early to invest in what is eternal. When she was eight years old, she gave her life to Christ. Since that commitment, she has had a heart to serve God.

After Aja completed high school, she attended a community college and majored in office administration. Since then she has held a variety of secretarial and administrative positions. Over time, Aja has met several Wycliffe missionaries who reinforced her understanding of Bible translation and the many facets of the work involved. They further stimulated her desire to serve in mission.

Aja prayed about coming to JAARS for a season and contacted the organization to see how she could become involved. When she became financially stable, she decided to take some time off from paid work to volunteer for JAARS. Her home church agreed to assist in her support for a short term. She came to JAARS in January 2008, as a volunteer, with the intention of staying until May.

The opportunity to serve in missions is what drew her to JAARS. Although she does not feel called to overseas missions at this time, she feels privileged to be able to support it and also remain close to her home.

When asked about her motivation for becoming a volunteer, Aja talked about the important support functions at JAARS. “We do for the missionaries what they cannot do for themselves overseas.” She reports that her work here has the added convenience of being close to her family so that she can go home on weekends, if she wants.

“It’s so rewarding to know that my work is eternal. I feel that I am in the center of God’s will and that’s what keeps me here.” In fact, Aja loved being at JAARS so much that when a permanent paying position became available in Purchasing and Shipping, she applied for it and was accepted. Volunteerism led to a full-time commitment.

When asked what she would say to potential volunteers, Aja’s face lit up and she replied, “Whatever you enjoy doing, you can do here in support of Bible translation.”