We are in the middle of a 4 week training event put on by Eastern Mennonite Missions at Lancaster Mennonite High School for persons going out for a mission assignment. It is designed for persons going out the first time, which doesn't quite fit us, but we have not attended this before, so we were encouraged to participate. We have enjoyed the interaction with presenters and also with the rest of the group. We find it refreshing to associate with people who are thinking about cross-cultural life and mission work. The group includes both individuals and families, going to Albania, Botswana, Cambodia, Guinea-Bissau, Montenegro, Peru, Sicily, Thailand, and Tanzania.
The training includes theoretical subjects such as biblical foundations of mission, relating to other religions, and cultural dynamics, and more practical subjects such as conflict management and team building. It has been time to build relationships with a variety of people and personalities and to support each other as we face the uncertainties of the future. We have been reminded that people in missions are ordinary, fallible, vulnerable people with a commitment to follow God and serve others in cultures other than their own.
Following the World Missions Institute is the one-week OASIS mission orientation, held at Black Rock Retreat near Quarryville PA, July 16-20. So keep us in your prayers as you think of us during these events.
