“Looking back, we can see how God has prepared us to serve in Africa,” said Al Moore, former military civilian employee. He and his wife, Janell, a former elementary school teacher, are in language school in Lisbon, Portugal, as they prepare to serve in Southern Africa.

God calls

Janell grew up going to church and felt God calling her to be a missionary when she was eight years old. Al did not come to know Christ until he was 25.

He and Janell met in May 1988 at a California church. “In June I accepted Christ as my Savior, and in December we were married,” he said.

“During the first year of our marriage, we felt God calling us to be missionaries. At that time, due to a lack of work experience and education, that was not possible.”

Seeing the world

“Over the years, my job took us to Alaska, Okinawa, Japan and Kuwait. My work background included logistical support and environmental and business management,” Al said. “While in Okinawa, we worked alongside International Mission Board missionaries to begin a Japanese church start. Again, mission work was in the forefront of our lives.”

After leaving Okinawa, Janell returned to the United States, and Al went to Kuwait on a one-year unaccompanied tour to serve with the U.S. Embassy. When Janell visited him, they visited another Middle Eastern country, and sat in on a strategy meeting with Christian friends.

That experience was part of their call.

The time is right

They moved to Alaska in April 2000. “While sharing with our church about mission work, God spoke loud and clear that he wanted us on the field, now,” Al remembers.

Al will use his business skills in his new assignment overseas. Their travels abroad and exposure to other governments will prove invaluable as they build relationships and adjust to the culture of a new country.

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