We have finished our training in Florida and it's a good thing because I don't know if Tristan or I could have handled any more sitting! It was very strange though to go from being with the same 30 people all day every day for ten days and then we just said goodbye on the way up the elevator and that was it - who knows if we'll ever see them again. It was a strange feeling for me to bond and then leave in such a short period of time. But I am so glad to have met them - they have inspired me! These are people that are going all over the world and to much more dangerous places than Honduras. We have learned a lot from them.
I wish that I could share with you what we learned - because a lot of it was really great. But it's all a big muddle in my head. We talked a lot about culture and worldviews and that it's not our job to go in a change their culture and call it primitive. They are very advanced in their own way and do know what they are talking about. Our job is to work at integrating Christ into their lives. We also have a marriage enrichment class - which was very good - as always. There is always something to work at. We also learned about basics in the life of being a missionary, financing, budgeting, tax laws, taking pictures, and so much more.
The pastor and the church that hosted us taught me so much about hospitality. They were so kind and caring and amazing at taking care of us. We had incredible meals (and yes we both gained weight) and they were always doing anything they could to make it special. They had a chocolate fountain one night (but it spun out of control and made a big mess...very funny I must say) and then the last night we went over to the pastors mansion (literally) and his family cooked us an amazing Indian feast. It was so great and fun to go to their house.
One thing I am learning is that being a missionary is not for sissys. There is so much to do. Part of the training was so negative because they talked about all the fears and problems that can happen to you on the field and gave us so many examples. two of our speakers were missionaries from the Phillipines and then from Papua New Guinea so they lived way more out in the bush then we did and had to deal with tribal wars (with spears) and civil war in the Phillippines. It's much safer in many ways in Honduras. However the list of things that need to happen before we get to Honduras can be strangling if it's not under control. :)
I'm feeling extremeley random and unfocused in my writing - sorry for those trying to read it. So I'm going to stop now and write more later when I'm not jumping all over the place.
4 comments:
Happy to hear you enjoyed the training. You guys will be ready to face anything that comes your way! Thinking of you often :D
I am so glad you are keeping your blog up. I may not comment often, but I do read it. I am sorry your training was not more active. No Disney Land . . . sad day. Maybe next time you get to Florida. . . see if you can fit it into your schedule. I hope you feel ready to live abroad by the time Jan. comes around.
Love, Mom
A chocolate fountain? Mmmm.
I remember an intensive pre-mission trip training program from many years ago that left my head spinning. It wasn't until I "got there" that I really understood most of it. Glad God is preparing you mind, body and spirit for a season of great ministry.
We loved getting to know you guys! Oh yes, and we haven't forgotten about the pictures. That memory card is just being silly in this computer, so we have to remember to get the pics off when Jason's at work sometime.
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