So week one is complete. This has been an awesome week. We started the week with all of the missionary associates and candidates together for the first two days. The days started with worship together in the CBC Chapel, then general classes. We did group dynamics with other missionaries from our region of the world and budget and reporting classes. Those days were not my favorite because it was mostly administrative stuff but it was really good information. The group dynamics part was probably really good for most groups, but my group kept getting in trouble. It’s probably because it was me, the Penleys and the Smiths. If you didn’t already know, we have all served in ministry together and done multiple missions trips together. We wanted to get in groups with other people but they told us to open up to each other even more. To quote one of our members jokingly, “If we open up any more we might loose appointments or credentials”.
The last three days were spent with our regional directors. So far those were my favorite classes. I first met them at a dinner on monday with just the Missionary Associates. We talked specifically about issues affecting our region as a whole and our specific areas. It was also a time where we found out about the needs of other areas of the world and what our role would be in assisting them. During these sessions we got to share our hearts and also see the hearts of the area directors. They are all amazing people and we have already been blessed incredibly by the time we spent with them. It is a great feeling to know that they are the people we will be relying on with any issues in country. The new missionaries of the LAC region have already bonded in a way that will produce life-long friendships.
I have also had the opportunity to meet many missionaries who have been and will be working with missionaries that I know from all over the world. It is such a small world here in Springfield.
