By Katharina Friehe

Two years into my tenure with E.I. I have found that working with EI is never dull. Stretching and challenging – certainly, but never dull. I spent almost three months in South Africa this past year. It was an amazing ‘once in a lifetime’ experience as I was introduced to this vast and diverse nation. I lived in the context of missional community and worked in an international business setting.

Currently EI has several business projects in South Africa – a bakery, a guesthouse, an auto rebuild business, and an import business. Our projects are diverse – which I think represents the diversity of the country and also showcases the immense opportunity available to business entrepreneurs in South Africa. Our Director, Colin Crawley, has said that South Africa is the new ‘Wild West’ – it’s full of opportunity, but you have to be a bit of a cowboy (up for adventure and willing to roll with the punches) to work there.

Coming from a background in corporate public accounting, where I would often look up from my cubicle walls and dream about working in an international ‘on the ground’ setting – I can’t tell you how many times in South Africa I would pause during the day and look around me. Soaking in the exotic sights, sounds, and smells, I would smile with the knowledge that, even when things were hectic or frustrating, I was working in Africa and, frankly, it doesn’t get much more exciting than that!

With my expertise my usual role in our business projects is to set up accounting, reporting systems, and controls. While in South Africa, it was both gratifying and challenging to find solutions for such a diverse set of businesses. It reminded me of being in school and enjoying math class – not because it was fun necessarily, but because I was doing work that was stretching and yet I knew I could accomplish it. Setting up the accounting systems felt exactly the same. The trials and road bumps certainly weren’t fun and had to be navigated – but at the end of the day, I was able to develop a system that met both the needs of the business and EI’s global management team.

The entire experience was an opportunity to learn and grow – both as a business professional and as a woman walking with God. I was able to team with God and others in the work that God is doing in South Africa. It was exciting and faith-building as our team lived out reliance on God in both work and life.

If, like me 2 years ago, you are sitting in a cubicle dreaming about far off places; if you want to explore the “Business As Mission” movement; if you can relate to the desire to serve God in an international business context – then perhaps you should get in touch with our team! We have a lot of ways to get involved for both short-term and long-term projects. Each of our global projects is diverse and at different stages with different business needs – and there may be the right project just waiting for you!