How an introvert is becoming a missionary – with David Knapp
This is David Knapp. He and his wife are about to become full-time missionaries. I follow his blog but started emailing him to find out more. Instead, though, I thought it would be a lot of fun to do it as an interview and share it here.
Supposedly, he’s an introvert (and I do believe him), but 2,300+ words later, I’d almost forgotten completely. I love his stories. Here’s our conversation.
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Marshall: So first of all, I really just wanted to learn more about what all you’re doing. For anyone who doesn’t know, are you planning some kind of trip in the near future? 
Where are you headed?
David: We are moving to Germany on May 2. This will be the third time we have been there. The first time was in 2005-06 for an internship with a church, and then we went for six weeks in 2008 with an organization called Let’s Start Talking. The town we will be serving in is Peine, Germany. It’s near Hannover.
The background
Marshall: So you’ve already been twice before. I knew you’d been once, but I didn’t know twice. Let’s go back to that first trip. Back then, what prompted you to go? Had you always been interested in missionary type work?
David: I was never interested in Missions when I was young. I thought missionaries only went to Africa and lived in huts down by a mosquito infested river.
Marshall:
David: The first time I realized that missionaries went all over the globe was in speech class. My speech teacher had just returned from 10 years in Russia.
I didn’t realize that Europe even needed missionaries. I think this is when the seed was planted in me, but I didn’t really consider it until a few years later.
My wife was a Missions major at Bible college (I wasn’t). She needed an internship in order to graduate. The college was actually going to let her pass without doing this requirement.
One day I decided it might be a good idea, so I started looking for internships.
I looked at several and Germany stuck out to me. The reason is because the church we were going to be working with focused in relationships. And in Germany, this is key.
Marshall: That’s interesting about your wife. I was actually going to ask about that… how involved she was in initiating the ideas (or if she was more on the other side… just going along with it).
So on that first trip, did you speak German?
David: Something funny…
We were sitting at Target when my wife said out of the blue, “David if you ever die I think I will be a missionary.” What!? She didn’t have to wait for me to die. I think this is what got me into thinking it was important. I think after that we were on the same page. It was a total surprise that I started looking for internships, but she was happy that I did.
I spoke very little German. I still do.
My wife speaks it better than I do.
Marshall: Wow, that’s a fantastic story.
I know the language side of things can scare people. I know it does for me. How has that worked out for you? (Evidently it hasn’t scared you off because you’re going back!)
David: I know it is going to be difficult to learn the language but I am in this for the long haul. If it takes me two or three years to learn the language, I will be fine with that.
Another little story…
Marshall: Oh, I love ’em.
David: While on my internship, I walked over to a drink store and was paying the cashier. He said something to me. I of course didn’t understand. Then he yelled what he just said louder. Like a light bulb was going to go off and I was all of a sudden going to understand German. I think this was the first time I realized that yelling at people doesn’t help them understand your language.
Marshall: No kidding. Wow, that’s tense. Did someone eventually help you out, or did you just go on not knowing what he was saying?
David: He just shrugged his shoulders and handed me my receipt, and I left. No hard feelings – I was just a little embarrassed. Also I was thirsty, so what was I going to do? 😉
Marshall: Yeah, I like that spirit. It’ll be tricky at times, but just brush yourself off and keep going.
The coming move
Marshall: So jumping back to this trip coming up in May, what’s the plan? First off, how long are you staying (or is this a more permanent move)?
David: It is more of a permanent move. As we speak, my wife is looking through our stuff and trying to decide what is going and what is going to be given away. We will come back every four years for furlough. Furlough will last about 4 months, and then we will go back for another 4 years.
Marshall: That’s incredible. This is something I’ve not really had a chance to ask any of my friends who’ve done something similar. It seems like you’re saying you take everything with you or give it away (you don’t leave any of it here for when you come back in other words). Is that right… at least in your case?
David: Every full-time missionary who leaves the states (that I have heard of) either gives it away or takes it with them. For us, we aren’t taking anything that can be purchased in Germany because it would be too expensive to ship. Also, we can’t take anything that plugs in because they use a different wattage than us.
Marshall: Right.
So when you come back, it’s mainly to get back in touch with old friends and relatives, not live for much time.
David: Oh, yeah, we don’t leave anything here in storage because we are basically starting our life anew over there.
Correct.
Marshall: And this coming trip will be the longest you’ve done so far? Is that right? How have you and your wife been preparing yourselves for it?
David: This will be the longest trip except this time, we won’t classify it as a trip because we’ll have our own apartment.
We have been ready to do this full-time for the last 4 years. We have had to visit churches, send letters, pray, feel confused on why support wasn’t coming in like we desire, so pray some more, send more letters and trust God.
Right now specifically we are in the beginning stages of packing. We got new glasses and driver licenses. There is so much to do I am not even sure of all of it yet.
Marshall: Once in Germany, what are your plans? Are you working with a local church there, or helping start one, or… just in general, what will your responsibilities be on a daily basis?
David: We will be working alongside an established church. The church is called Christusgemeinde (Christ Church). We will be hosting Let’s Start Talking (LST) teams. The teams will come for 6 weeks at a time and offer free English lessons. The text they use will be an easy to read version of the book of Luke. After the 6 weeks are over and the teams go back home Amanda and I will do the follow-up work.
Basically, we will build relationships with those who are still interested in learning English. The goal is for me to be their friend and plant seeds in their life. I will share Jesus with them through their lessons but also through my life. And if they don’t want any of that, I will still be their friend because they, like me, are created in the image of our Creator.
Marshall: That’s wonderful. As you said earlier, it seems you were drawn to this because of the relationship focus. I see what you mean now. I hear so often of the groups who go in, spread the word, but don’t offer any followup, so the roots never grow. I can see how what you’ll be doing will help in such a wonderful way.
It’s what we, as Christians, should be doing even in America, but I don’t necessarily think we always are. Just making friends.
David: I think our churches are trying, but a lot of the time we think small groups is the answer. It is to some extent, but we should also just be friends with people in just about any context.
Marshall: Absolutely. The small groups, as you said, still feel too churchy. They’re still not straight relationships.
Let’s see, can you share about developing those relationships in the past while you were there? Perhaps something where you felt God using you in a specific way to minister?
David: Let me tell you about my wife. My wife has some kind of magnetic pull with people who are special needs. She works at a school were most of the children have autism. In Germany, one of our friends is special needs, and my wife is wonderful with her.
I have a friendship that I have been building on for the last 6 years. My friend is an Atheist, and I do feel like God is using me. Out of everybody in the church I believe that I am the one who makes the best connection with him.
Other than this my wife and I have a desire to serve others. We feel God using us every time we can be hospitable and serve others. I don’t have any serving suggestions, though 😉 – that is your area of expertise.
Marshall: Thanks, David.
The advice for others
Marshall: Okay, what about someone who’s just starting to get interested in this kind of work. Perhaps they read this interview and it raises their curiosity. What advice would you give them on deciding if this is something they should pursue?
David: First, I have heard a lot of people tell me that they don’t have an interests in missions. I think they will never know if they don’t try. I think short-term missions is a wonderful idea. Maybe go for one or two weeks. If you didn’t like the country you visited, then maybe try another one. I am suited for Germany, but I don’t believe I would do well in China.
If they liked the missions trip, then maybe plan on going on another longer trip. For Amanda and I, we realized how important it was to go for nine months. This was because when one first goes on a missions trip, there is a sense that it is a vacation. Eventually, the vacation mode is replaced with culture shock. This is when the tears start to come and homesickness.
If a person can stick through this, then they have passed the test, or so I believe. If one is interested in missions work, then they should start with serving in their home church. Service starts at home.
I would add that one figure out what they are gifted at. If you are gifted at teaching children, then being a hospice chaplain may not be for you. Do what God has gifted you at.
We are not going through an organization, but these could be helpful also. Google search “Christian missionary organizations,” and that should produce a good list, or just ask your church what they are involved in.
Also, start having the leadership of your church pray for you about this. Missions takes time, support raising, sending letters, getting people to pray for you – these are all important.
Marshall: You said about nine months. Is that right after the point where it starts to get difficult then? I understand what you’re saying about the “vacation” feeling.
David: After 3 months, the vacation is over.
Marshall: I see.
All right, one more. What about the enthusiastic, “I’m totally doing this” person. I love the advice you already gave about preparing. What are some things, though, that you would do differently? Or maybe do more of something else if you could do it over again?
David: Pray more. I want to do it all myself, but everything is in God’s time. I would personally try harder to raise support. We are still only at 39% of our monthly finances. It can be intimidating to call churches and ask for money. As long as we do missions, we will be calling churches.
I think anxiety levels decrease when one depends on God for support. Though we depend on God, it takes a lot of hard work. Most of the time God doesn’t lay loads of money in our laps. We trust Him to help us raise support as we work to raise support.
Marshall: I’m a big fan of dependence, but yes, it’s totally difficult. That becomes even more obvious, I suppose, doing full-time ministry work.
The contact info
Marshall: Finally then, how can readers get in touch with you and support you and your family? What are some of the best ways?
David: I’ll give a few ways.
1. They can connect on Twitter (@davidaknapp) or Facebook.
2. They can visit our site at MosaicMercy.com.
-If they would like to find out how to support us, they can visit our site and click on the Plants Seeds photo in the sidebar, which will lead them to How To Partner With Us.
-If they want to contact us and ask any questions, they can do so on our contact page.
Marshall: Fantastic, David. I just checked, and right now, this interview is already over 2,000 words. Thanks so much for taking the time out of your Saturday to share.
David: Thanks for letting me speak about something I am very passionate about. This was the best interview I have ever been in.
Marshall: Thanks. We’ll have to do this again, especially once you settle in more in Germany. I’d love to get your perspective from the other side.
Well, I don’t really know how to end this. Do you have anything else you’d like to share?
David: Germany is awesome, Germans are great people, Germany needs more light, and we are the light of the world. God is good.
Marshall: Definitely. I’ve loved this. Just connecting more personally (though still not in person).
David: Absolutely.
Talk to you later then.
Marshall: Yes, see you around. Adios.
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Serving Suggestions:
(1) Visit David’s blog. Read around. Let him know I sent you. Comment. Connect. Encourage.
(2) This is the first interview I’ve done like this here. What did you think of it – should I do this more often? I’d love to get your suggestions on how I could make this better and more useful for you. Let me know through the contact page.
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Many thanks to David for his help putting this together. Also, happy Good Friday, everyone. Enjoy your Resurrection Sunday.