WHAT KIND OF NEED?

I know that most of you who read this blog are wanna-be need greaters or may already have some plans in the works.  I think it's important to address the question, though, of WHAT KIND OF NEED do you want to fill?  Let me explain a few options so you know what I'm talking about.

Are you an appointed brother?  Then there's an excellent chance that the need you'll be asked to fill will be elder in a congregation.  Here in Nicaragua the maximum elders you'll ever find in a congregation are four.  Four elders for 100 people!  We have a DESPERATE need for elders.  So it may be that although you were thinking you'd be sent in the middle of the country with no running water or someplace like pictured below, you're sent to the middle of the capital!

There are other congregations here who focus on foreign languages within Nicaragua like Miskito, Chinese, or English.  They have vast territories they need to census on a regular basis, so you may find that your service with them is made up mainly of search work rather than conducting a million Bible studies.

Then you have congregations where the need truly is the territory.  It may be covered somewhat often but quantity has trumped quality.  Or it just needs to be worked period.  Here would be your opportunity for those million Bible studies.

How would you know what's best for you?  Well, if you're only able to come for a month or so, pick a congregation where you can do lots of census.  Or come during a campaign to help a congregation with a vast territory.  If you're coming for a longer period of time, you can actually cultivate those studies in a need territory, so go for it!  Are you married?  Although you, as an appointed brother would have plenty to do in a busy, metro congregation, what about your spouse?  Would she feel ok working a territory that's possibly covered every two weeks?

These are all important things to be considered before choosing a congregation.  And I can't stress enough that these are items you NEED to include in your letter to the branch when you ask about need areas.  Make sure you are specific in the TYPE of need you want to fulfill.  And make it a matter of prayer.  Tell Jehovah the exact type of need that interests you most and let him direct the rest.

Side note: don't forget about your own needs...physically, emotionally, spiritually.  If you're the only appointed brother in the group and have to direct every single meeting, will that be a detriment to your spirituality?  If you're put in a vast territory alone in the middle of nowhere, will that effect your physical health? If you're the only foreigner in your district, will you feel too lonely?  What about your emotional health?  Know thyself...then act accordingly.