Sowing Seeds in the Desert with SIM USA
David and Olivia, workers with SIM USA , live in a least-reached community in the sandy deserts of North Africa. In this environment, flowers and vegetation are rare. But recently, the desert blossomed in a way they’ve never seen before.
“There are certain seeds that will live in the desert and lie there with nothing happening for decades and decades, until it’s the perfect year with the right amount of rain and the right temperatures. We just had one of those years. Our children would just step outside our gate, where it’s all sand, and they’d be picking wildflowers,” Olivia said.
This image of flowers blooming in the desert resonates with David and Olivia as they reflect on their service through everyday jobs with SIM USA.
“We often don’t see a lot of outward, exciting, encouraging evidence of God moving. But we just trust that seeds can be planted. The God who can create physical seeds that might lie dormant for a season until He brings them to blossom could do the same with His word and with the good news,” Olivia reflected.
“He also said, ‘This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.” Mark 4:26-29
In countries where traditional missionary work is restricted or even illegal, SIM USA provides a legal, legitimate way for Christian workers to live and work among people who may have never heard the name of Jesus. There are many opportunities in everyday professions. Whether as business owners, teachers, doctors, or students, SIM USA workers quietly plant gospel seeds that they trust God to grow.
David manages a community space that helps youth develop technical and creative skills through interactive projects and mentorship. It is a safe, welcoming environment where the youth can grow, invest their time in positive ways, and encounter the love of Jesus through everyday interactions with staff like David and Olivia.
Living Out Faith in Least-Reached Communities
At the community space, David doesn’t usually initiate spiritual conversations with the youth; instead, letting those discussions unfold naturally. He is always open and responsive when they bring him questions about faith. This gentle approach naturally opens doors to share the gospel with Muslims. Recently, a group of boys approached him with an unexpected question.
“Mr. David, have you converted to Islam yet? Are you still a Christian?” they asked.
“I’m still a Christian,” David responded.
“Oh… aren’t you afraid of the fire?” they asked, referring to hell.
“No, I’m not afraid of the fire. I believe in Jesus Christ. I believe He is the doorway and the path to heaven, not just for me but for everyone in the whole world,” David explained.
The boys listened to David, saying nothing further. Although they did not immediately ask to hear more about Jesus, seeds were planted—seeds that David trusts God to grow.
“They didn’t want to hear it, but that’s how it usually goes when you talk about Jesus as the Way. I wasn’t offended. We’ve had a lot of conversations like that,” David said.
In this predominantly Muslim community, it’s not unusual for people to invite David to recite the Shahadah, the Islamic declaration of faith. When that happens, David responds with both grace and boldness.
“I know what the Shahadah is, and I like parts of it. But there are parts of it I can’t say because I don’t believe they’re true,” David will explain. “The Shahadah says Muhammad is God’s prophet. There were good things about Muhammad, but I don’t think that’s true.”
David always ends the conversation with kindness and respect.
“Thank you. I know you think this is important in Islam and that you want the best for me. I want the best for you, too,” he explains, gently opening the door to conversations about Jesus.
Sometimes, even his employees bring him spiritual questions.
“When they stop by for lunch, or if they have to go run an errand and I’m still there, that’s when all these questions start coming up,” David said. “It seems like most of the community space members had not met many Christians before at all, or at least they’ve never been able to talk to one.”
SIM USA provides a doorway for global workers like David and Olivia to enter countries where most people have never met or spoken to a Christian. Christians live out the gospel in everyday jobs and relationships, planting spiritual seeds that God will grow.
“I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.” 1 Corinthians 3:6-7
From Birthday Cakes to Seeds of Faith in North Africa
When David walked into the community space one morning, he noticed a birthday cake waiting on the table. It wasn’t for him; it was for Jamil, one of the youth who often came to the space. Jamil had decided to celebrate his birthday at the community space!
“This place has become his home, his community, the place where he is safe, where he feels good with his friends he’s made there. And now he wants his life to happen in this place. It’s a really cool community,” Olivia said.
But the birthday celebration did not stop with Jamil. One by one, other attendees began holding their own birthday celebrations in the community space, a testament to the safe, welcoming environment it has created. This became a simple but powerful sign that God was cultivating something deeper than activities or programs. He was cultivating trust, belonging, and peace in the attendees—growing spiritual seeds and softening hearts toward Himself.
“I think the ways we see God working are not necessarily people wanting to hear the good news or responding outwardly, but just glimpses of the Spirit working in different ways,” Olivia said. “People are recognizing this is a place of peace and community.”
David and Olivia live and work in a place where traditional missionary activity is not possible. Yet, through relationships, hospitality, and the everyday rhythms of life, they are sowing seeds of the gospel—seeds of peace, hope, and love that God is nurturing in the hearts of those around them. Christian witness opportunities are everywhere, in nearly every profession. We see this through David and Olivia’s story, where God is quietly growing seeds of faith through a simple community center.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.” John 14:27
Sowing Seeds of Faith in Daily Life as Christian Witnesses
God’s work is not limited to David and Olivia’s work environments. He also gives them opportunities to share the gospel with Muslims in their everyday lives, such as when they pick up their kids from school.
When David recently picked his daughter up from the local school, he had a surprising conversation with a school administrator. As David stood in the front office waiting for his daughter, the administrator began asking him questions.
“I’ve seen in American films where families pray together before a meal. Is that something you do?” she asked.
“Yes, we do that. It’s really important to us,” David replied.
“And I think there is a book you read—isn’t it a special book?” she asked, referring to the Bible.
“Yes, we have that. It’s called the Bible,” David said.
“Is it okay for Muslims to read it? Would it be okay if I read that?” she asked.
“You’re welcome to read it. We would love that for you. In fact, I have one if you want it. My wife may be able to bring it to you sometime,” David said.
“Yes, please!” the administrator said, delighted.
Olivia thoughtfully wrapped the Bible in nice wrapping paper—largely to be discreet for the administrator. She did this knowing Christian materials could cause discomfort or draw unwanted attention to the administrator. Olivia also gave the administrator her phone number and offered to read the Bible with her.
Olivia has not heard anything from her, but she is not discouraged. David and Olivia may never know if the administrator read the Bible, but they’re confident that God planted seeds in her heart that He will grow in His perfect timing.
“Even if she doesn’t use it, it will probably end up in a drawer or on a shelf, and maybe one day a relative of hers or someone will find it and read it. We don’t know, but the more of God’s word that is available to people where we live, the better we feel,” Olivia said.
David and Olivia are discovering that ministry doesn’t stop at the workplace. It flows naturally into every part of life. God uses daily moments, like school pick-ups and conversations with the community, to open doors for the gospel.
Being a Christian witness in least-reached countries isn’t only about professional roles at work. It’s also about shining the light of Jesus in ordinary settings, where every encounter can plant a seed of truth and hope. There are many opportunities to use your skills and passions to access restricted countries and sow seeds of the gospel through your daily life.
David and Olivia’s story reminds us that God’s work often happens in quiet, unseen ways. Whether in an office, a classroom, or a casual conversation after school, He is at work, sowing seeds of hope and drawing hearts to Himself.
“As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:10-11
Make an Eternal Impact with SIM USA
SIM USA work can take many forms—owning a business, studying at a local university, teaching students, providing healthcare, or pursuing any career you’re passionate about. In every role, you have the opportunity to live out your faith and plant gospel seeds in places where traditional ministry work is limited or illegal.
Just as seeds lie dormant in the desert until the perfect time, the gospel seeds you plant through your daily life with SIM USA may take time to grow, but God will nurture them. Every conversation, friendship, and act of service becomes an opportunity to sow seeds of faith.
“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’” Romans 10:14-15
Are you interested in serving with SIM USA? There is a place for you! God can use your skills and passions to serve least-reached communities throughout the world.
Connect with a SIM USA coach here to learn more about serving with SIM USA.
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Maggie Watts
Content Creator
I am a Content Creator with SIM USA. It is a joy to use writing and multimedia to glorify God and tell stories about how He is working around the world.