Kirby and Linda Smith
No college or seminary degree
Ukraine

Kirby and I both have always worked in secular jobs and still worked as much as we could in our local church. Until just a couple of years ago, though, we never really considered being able to be missionaries. We did not think we would have the qualifications for this because neither of us finished college or seminary.

We finally learned of a program called International Service Corps that accepts people from all walks of life, even those close to 50 who are not particularly trained for this type of vocation.

God prepared the way

Our prior work experience has helped us in ways that are not directly related to our current jobs. For example, we both used computers in our previous work and now use them quite a bit in our work here in Ukraine.

Early in our marriage, we moved frequently with Kirby’s company. Our relationship-building skills from living in other areas have helped us adjust to the move overseas.

Plain, everyday people

There are so many areas in which plain, everyday people like us can be used on the mission field to help support career missionaries. Our job as volunteer coordinators does not require full-time language school or seminary, but we can do the work that is required of us and we enjoy doing it.

God has blessed us here in Ukraine as we have met and cultivated friendships with a lot of nationals. We have worked in areas where there is no evangelical work, helping start churches and Bible studies. We have seen God at work in so many lives.

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