Week #4 @ MDP

This week has been a little different for us. I (Amanda) missed class on Monday, because Abigail was fighting off the stomach flu. They had a very good discussion on a book we read titled The Whiteman’s Gospel. Tuesday our workshop was on the impact learning a language can have on ministry. We heard a story in which one word in the Native language spoken at the right time opened the door for an opportunity to do a gospel radio program. Joel and I were both challenged by how much could be gained by if we take time to pick up at least some of language of the people we will be living by. I decided that day that of things most needed to be an effective missionary, using your ears and eyes and being an observer is top of the list. We have so much to learn, which is overwhelming and exciting at the same time. Wednesday we did more book discussion on two more of the required readings, The Grieving Indian and Ministering Cross-Culturally. Thursday our family missed a great workshop on Urban Ministry, which is very relevant when dealing with First Nations peoples due to the migration to urban centers from the reserves. Our family went to Prince Albert for a visit to the Doctor and other errands. This pregnancy is still right on track, which we praise the Lord for. Friday the topic of class was how to avoid becoming a rescuer to a people group that has been forced into being a very dependant nation.

The above is what we have been doing in the classroom; one of the other things we have at MDP is Connections. Tuesday evenings the men get together for discussion and fellowship, they have discussed topics like family life on the field, and what being a “successful” missionary looks like. This past week Joel was able to visit with one of his teacher's from Frontier School of the Bible. His name is Warren Cheek, he is the general director of UIM International. The women’s Connection’s is on Thursday and we shared about life for MKs (Missionary Kid’s), abuse and God’s healing touch, and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. These have been good times for both of us as we are able to "hash out" difficult situations in missions with experienced missionaries.

Abigail has also been learning a lot during her class as well, new songs, bible stories, and even bible verses. She really enjoys her time with Miss Hannah, Miss Tammy and her friend Samuel.

This coming week will be a change of pace for us. Joel and the rest of trainees, minus the other moms, left for Wilderness Trails on Friday, they will be gone for 8 days into northern Saskatchewan. You can be praying for safety and good learning experiences along the way. Abigail and I along with the other children, mothers, and staff will have a fun-filled challenging week as well.

Thanks to all of you who send us love, we appreciate you so much. We are so thankful to have this opportunity to learn and grow here at MDP. May God be Glorified by all of us!

Week #3 @ MDP

"Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."

Colossians 3:12-14

Do you know the number one reason that missionaries leave the “mission field” today? It is not because of finances, nor is it lack of ability to reach the people you’re working with; it is because of interpersonal relationships. Not being able to get along with other believers that you’re working with on the field. Missionaries are just like anybody else; they have real struggles, and struggle with pride and selfishness just like anybody else.

Some of the things we talked about this week were: Loving Listening, Drawing People Out, Helping Others Solve Problems, Confronting, Receiving Confrontation, Building Personal Trust, Living in Community, Managing our Conflicts, Helping Others Manage Conflicts, Helping Others Grieve well, Managing Stress, Maintaining Margin, The Battle for Moral Purity, and Being an Encourager. These topics took about a week to cover and we were blessed by our instructors who so humbly shared their experiences and facilitated our times together.

We both felt it was so practical as we are heading to work with a team in the Chilcotin, and how badly we do not want to be one of the statistics in missions. We know this information will provide lots of knowledge in the many years to come.

We were also blessed to have our Native Ministry director and his wife here with us as we went through the week; they went through it as well. It was wonderful as we could talk about the future when we get to BC, and some of how it will be once we get there.

Week #2 @ MDP

We have settled into a nice routine here in Timber Bay. It’s so exciting to have the opportunity to learn about and discuss so many relevant topics. We feel so honored that the Lord has called us to cross-cultural missions.

Monday and Tuesday we discussed the painful issues of abuse and suicide. Though statically these issues are greater among Native peoples than mainstream society, we were reminded that there are no boundaries to where these problems are found. The answer for complete healing is found only in Christ. We discussed practical ways to lead people to healing, and how communities can work together in finding solutions which make a difference. The first step is often being there to listen to individuals tell their story of pain, and responding in love. Though emotionally draining, this time in class brought us even closer as a group as we dealt with the heart.

The rest of the week our sessions focused on cross-cultural communication (one day the guys split wood for the camp). It was fascinating to learn about different communication styles, for example, direct and indirect.

We also learned the power of culture, illustrated best by the following story:

One evening a Native man stopped by to see a missionary, the two men sat in the kitchen in silence for a few minutes, drinking coffee. Then a conversation was started and they discussed things like the weather, fishing, livestock etc. After about 25 minutes the Native man asked the missionary if he could give his family a ride into town to the hospital. The man’s son had swallowed some poison.

At first glance many of us from the “western” mindset would not understand this story. The conclusion is this, certainly the Native man in the story loved his son greatly, but his culture, his very way of thinking, told him that the more important a request is the more you “beat around the bush” in asking. (For a biblical example of this see how Esther approached King Xerxes, Esther 5 and 6). Culture is powerful thing, we can try to understand it and allow it to work for the good of the message of Christ, or we can fight against it. The more we are willing to learn and observe, the more understanding we will have. This could be overwhelming if it wasn’t for the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit guiding us and giving us words to say. There is so much more we discussed, and I’d love to share it all, but hopefully this gives you a taste of what we are learning, and how important it is to learn.

Thank you for your continued interest and prayer on our behalf; we are blessed by how the Lord has brought us all together to bring Him Glory.

Week #1 @ MDP

"For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. " Romans 1:21, 24-25

This passage sadly is the way of life for many people in the world today, especially the Native American people of Canada.
We just finished with our first week of MDP (Ministry Development Program) in northern Saskatchewan. One of the questions that we were challenged with at the beginning of our week was “What transformation will take place?” That was asked of us by our directors as we look to the next 8 weeks of studying and listening to the topics that we will cover while here at MDP (more to come in our June newsletter).

This week we spent Monday learning about our unique personality traits and spiritual gifts. It was a wonderful reminder for us both as we were challenged with the thought that God has us here right now on this earth for a reason. And God has made all of His people the way they are to accomplish His purposes here on the earth (that means you & me). After that we spent the next 4 days (Tuesday-Friday) talking about Cultural Spiritism & the Bible. Many Native people have “exchanged the truth of God for a lie”. And so we spent the week talking about that and the way(s) God has given us to combat those lies. We concluded that truth will always prevail, and as our world turns towards relativism, God’s truth will always stand firm.

Thanks so much for your prayers for us as we are here. Please continue to pray for Amanda, we went to the doctor this week (here is Saskatchewan) and all seemed to be well with her. We praise God for the health Amanda has had while pregnant!