2/3 of GOD is GO

"Hello Family and Friends!


The Internet continues to limp along here, but hopefully I can get this update out. It’s Thursday morning and we’re already in session (I’m multi-tasking – listening as I type. J ) Since the last writing, most of the time has been spent in sessions. The bulk of the teaching has been related to challenges of cross-cultural ministry. We spent quite a bit of time on “culture shock” – that period of disorientation and eventual adaptation that is very common for someone’s first year living in a different culture. While it is common, understanding it and living on certain principles can help the person go through it and come out the other side in good shape. The current topic is on understanding culture and how it is connected with religious understanding. We’ve also had teaching on missionary lifestyle and world religions.



Tuesday we headed to the local communities near where our training facilities are. It was another chance to practice observation in a new setting. This time the trainees were encouraged to speak with individuals in the community, learning from them about the community – its strengths and its challenges. This gives them experience in entering a place in a learning posture rather than coming in with preconceived solutions in mind.



Everyone is hanging in there – we’ve had some motion sickness on the windy roads to the communities and there is a cold bug that seems to be circulating, but in general everyone is doing well. It is a lot of information, but we have some free time every afternoon and the weather has cooperated wonderfully, giving us sunny skies and temperatures in the 60’s and 70’s.



Today we are planning an American-style hamburger grill picnic. Afterwards we’ll continue what has been a tradition at these events – bottle rockets. The kids (and adults) have fixed up 2-liter soda bottles, we’ll put some water in them, pump them full of air on a launcher, and let ‘em fly. They go up about 100-150 feet. Lots of fun.


Grace and Peace,

Jim"