ABWE - Association of Baptists for World Evangelism

An interview with Jeff and Deanne Davoll

Tell us about your prefield experience.
Prefield has been more rich and more meaningful than we ever imagined. God has used our time of prefield service both individually and as a family to draw us to Himself and to each other. I’ll admit, I did not look forward to the endless travel, living in unfamiliar situations, and the uncertainty of what was ahead. These past two years have been the adventure of a lifetime for our family. If you have ever uttered the words “I’m bored,” you should ride with us for awhile—it is truly life in the fast lane with the six of us traveling over 60,000 miles together in a van named “BRFA” (pronounced Bertha) which stands for the Big Rolling Family Adventure.

What challenges you regarding the ministry of prefield?
Prefield ministry has been an awesome blessing to us. It has been a time of raising our prayer partners, which is so much more vital to our ministry than finances. The power of prayer is what will help keep us on the field. Prefield is not about raising support; it is about ministry. Completion of prefield does not get us to our first term of service, it is our first term of service.

How do you serve local churches while on prefield? What are some of the opportunities you have to use your gifts and abilities?
Prefield ministry is a great privilege for us to serve churches and to share our vision and burden for Ecuador. While doing this, we have met so many pastors and congregations that have a burden and vision for reaching their own community and those around the world.

We want to partner with our churches in reaching the people of Ecuador for God’s honor and glory. We want to be their representatives on the field as well as an extension of their work at home. We have desired three things from our partnering churches:

• Prayer. This is the most important component. It will not only get us to the field; it will help us to be effective and keep us on the field. We need the daily prayer of God’s servants lifting us up before His throne.
• Penpals. We want a personal involvement with our churches. We want to know how to pray for them.
• Personal visits. We want to see God’s people connect with missionaries by visiting and ministering with us on the field. Our lives were greatly impacted by short-term trips, and we want to find service opportunities for our churches to invest in our work in Ecuador.

What is a lesson or a truth that the Lord has been teaching during your time of prefield ministry?
When God led the children of Israel out of Egypt (Exodus 13:17) He didn’t take them along the shortest route, but the best route. There were things He desired to teach them along the way—like how to follow Him. Throughout our prefield ministry God has done exactly the same for us. We have learned so much about ministry, met so many people with a passion for missions, and God has repeatedly proven Himself as He has directed our steps. I know there will be difficult days on the mission field. I also know I have a bank vault full of valuable reminders that this ministry is of God. He will guide each step of the way.

Answer from the kids: We have learned that people will talk with you, but often you must initiate the conversation. We have learned how many teens want to serve the Lord but have never taken an opportunity, or the responsibility.

Describe what it is like to experience God meeting your financial needs as you live by faith on prefield ministry.
We have been taught to live by faith our entire lives, and we have to a certain degree. However, as we stepped into missions this took on a greater meaning as we were looking at the real possibility of going without a paycheck and the responsibilities of caring for a family of six. Early in prefield, our family needed to look for a part-time job to provide income before we went on support. We found a job with our local newspaper. We used this opportunity in our community as a testimony as we worked together as a family. After a few months, our van’s transmission gave out from the excessive weight load. We were left without transportation and without an income. We got a call from our deacons that our church had raised money for us to replace the van. We were able to get a safe, reliable vehicle with no money out of our pocket. It truly was a gift from God! Also, God showed His provision as we went ten months without income in 2007; He met each and every need along the way. His faithfulness is something that we will not forget!

Answer from the kids: We have never lacked anything. If you start out not thinking about money, then you will be fine. You can trust God. We have done more things and been more places than most people we know . . . and many of them for free.

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