Day 2

One of our main objectives is to observe and understand the work of the missionaries we support here. To that end our first full day was very successful. It just so happened that the team was in the middle of a four day training session that was preparing them to teach and train Latin Americans from all over Central and South America to prepare for the mission field. Latin America is now becoming a major sending source of missionaries to countries around the world, and OCI/SEPAL (One Challenge International / Service to Pastors and Leaders [it works out in Spanish…]) is at the heart of the teaching and preparation process for many Latino missionaries.

Leading people to an understanding of who God is, how he works, and what his will is a tremendously difficult task in and of itself. Now, throw on top of that the difficulty of cross cultural issues such as learning a new language and customs, discerning a different world view, adjusting to a loss of friends and family and a host of other things and you can begin to grasp the challenge before the SEPAL team.

The spiritual dynamics of leading such an effort while at the same time trying to live it out in your own life in a foreign country is fascinating and demanding. The Stiffs and the Golls are doing an excellent job of modeling this well.

The highlight of the day, however, was listening to people tell their personal stories of transformation. Deep testimonies of brokenness and trials were contrasted with even greater depths of stories of restoration and grace. It was clear that essence of meaningful cross cultural relationship grow out of sharing those experiences. We close this day being blessed.