As I sit in my office I can hear the sounds of industry all around me.  There's the hum of machinery working water-blasters and high pressure hoses.  The brushing sound of hard scrubbing vibrates through the office walls, as workers attack every stain and mould spot they can reach.  I hear the tramp of carefully placed boots on the roof and watch as loosened dirt and plant growth finds its way to bins.  Yes, you guessed it, there's a group of keen volunteers working energetically to give our OMS premises a new face-lift. 

They're a team from MMM International (NZ) - 'Mobile Mission Maintenance', a voluntary mission with amazing servant hearts.  God is blessing us with much work at OMS, so much that some of the usual cleaning jobs have had to be placed on the 'do later' list.  But God is keen to remind us, that we have a responsibility to ensure that the office is a good witness to the community.  So He has sent us volunteers - workers willing to give of their time, their resources and their hearts, keen to honour the Lord in very practical ways.

This is not the first time though, that volunteers have visited us - no not at all.  Almost every week, we have heroes and heroines of the Cross, who faithfully commit to helping us with many of the various jobs here at OMS.  Time and time again, volunteers have turned up with cheery smiles willing to help in whatever way they can - faithfully filing papers, organising labels for letters and patiently attending to other office related tasks.  Someone arrives with a mowing machine, to make the property presentable and tidy; a husband and wife team work long hours to do landscaping, a team of nimble fingers fold a couple of thousand ITH newsletters and other written materials every month, supporters suddenly drop in with items of food for the staff (of which I am so grateful) - just because they wanted to bless us.  Meetings are held every month where board members volunteer their time and expertise in making decisions that will affect the future of this great ministry - some travelling great distances to be here.  People pray, they ring, they email and write letters - sharing stories, graciously opening up their hearts to reveal something of the tenderness and love of God.  OMS seems to be ticking over well and visitors to the office tell us we're doing a great job - but really, we're just part of a great team.  God has blessed us with men and women and young people who have willingly given of themselves to reveal His Son through their acts of service and giving.

When I see and hear all of this, I am greatly humbled and have to stand in awe at the deep and passionate commitment to God and the love of Christ that seems to flow from all that they do.  Tears well up in my eyes as I think of the sacrifice some of these wonderful people make, just to bless others.  As a 'faith mission', we could never do what we do, if these precious servants were not available to practically support us.  Therefore I want to wholeheartedly honour those volunteers who attend so diligently to the many needs of OMS without so much as a grumble, or the expectation of any sort of public acknowledgment.  Not just those who directly attend to the needs of the OMS office, but also those who work so tirelessly throughout the country, often behind the scenes, at times on just a shoe-string budget, sometimes in the middle of difficult health or age problems - but who lovingly and graciously extend the Kingdom by their voluntary work for OMS.  Volunteers are honoured throughout the Scriptures, God delights in those who freely give to build the Kingdom.  In 1 Corinthian 12, after Paul has spoken to the believers about the importance of the whole body, honouring each individual part for the significant job it has to do, he continues to then indicate to the church at Corinth, particular gifts that make up the working body of the church. In verse 28, Paul writes, "And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts..."  Included in this list are volunteers - people just like you and I who are able to help others.  The King James Version calls it the
ministry of "...helps..." What volunteers do is important to God, although at times they might feel as if their labour of love is very insignificant.  Every one of you is precious and the work you do does not go unnoticed.  We appreciate you and thank God for you.
As a final word, there is always room for more volunteers, with a constant array of jobs and tasks to do in and around the office and for OMS throughout the nation.  If you would like to help in some way, please contact us at the office.  We would love to have you on board with us.
Every blessing,
Reverend Chunillal Pema
Executive Director OMSI NZ