A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. – Proverbs 25:11 (ESV)
Sharing an encouraging word, a prayer or a Scripture verse at the right time can make all the difference in someone’s life. Communication is at the heart of relationships and relationships are important in missions. But how do you communicate with a missionary who has spotty internet service, security concerns, a host country that monitors their email, a city that does not have a post office and cannot be reached by phone? You use WhatsApp!
WhatsApp is an app available on most mobile devices for free. It is so beneficial because of the built-in automatic security function that includes end-to-end encryption. I began using WhatsApp last year to communicate with missionaries in South Asia, East Africa and the North African desert, and it has made a world of difference. Prior to using this app, I sent emails that were not always received and could not contain any Christian language. Now I can have real time conversations and freely encourage them through prayer and Scripture. This also gives me a more realistic picture of their day-to-day lives.
End-to-end encryption (E2EE) is a method of secure communication that prevents third parties from accessing data while it’s transferred from one end system or device to another. In E2EE, the data is encrypted on the sender’s system or device and only the recipient’s device can decrypt it.
As you can see in the photos below, photos can be sent through WhatsApp and video calls can also be made. Unfortunately, security is still something we always need to be aware of. Although no technology is perfect, I am grateful to have another communication tool that allows relationship building to continue—even in the remotest areas of the world and in countries where Christians are heavily persecuted.
by Trusha Barner, Director of Missions
