Isn't there a more efficient way?

Cornelius. The story struck me when I heard it referred to in one of my missions lectures. God tells an angel to appear to Cornelius in Caeserea. That is, He sends an angelic messenger all the way from heaven down to earth to give a message to this man. The angel is going to scare Cornelius and certainly get his attention.

Why wouldn't the angel just tell him the gospel right then and there??

For all that "mileage" in coming down from heaven, the angel just lets him know who to look up. Seems like as the church is preparing for this pivotal juncture in missions (the gospel becomes the message for the whole world), God illustrates how He likes to work.

Gosh, it would be quicker and foolproof to send angels. They don't get sick with the food, or mess up the grammer, or miss their families, or get scared of going by themselves, do they? They never disagree with their Team Leader or have to worry about Land Rovers to get them around or have to get shots and take pills to stay healthy.

Angels to my friends in Awanno. Angels to my friends-to-be in Langano. Dazzling robes, maybe with hair that is white like wool or something catchy like that. Then all those people would listen and understand, wouldn't they?

But its us! He showed us in Acts and commanded us in Matthew: He is using us. Not us alone, but He is using us. With all our conflict, misgivings (even Peter in Acts 10 has misgivings), and fear of the unknown mission field experience that lays before us. Good thing we aren't alone.