Monday, November 12, 2012

My Trainings are Done ... the Next Step

The Team Expansion required training sessions are finished.   I have been truly blessed by this 'requirement'.

Mission Training International's two programs were not just required, but essential!  

The SPLICE course has changed the way I look at going into another culture to live.  I thought I had a pretty good grasp of things, which I did.  But, the things I knew were improved upon; things I did not know were learned; and the things I hadn't even thought about were revealed.  Well done, SPLICE!

PILAT (Program in Language Acquisition Training) was another training I thought I would be just check-boxing.  My mouth went through a Boot Camp exercise program that would leave me exhausted, but looking forward to the next drill session.  

Then the techniques demonstrated in learner lead language learning was remarkable!  My small group's practice language was French.  In three morning sessions we all comprehended more of the language than I thought was possible in such a short time.  We learned how to teach ourselves with a language helper.  The language helper was there to assist us.  He did not 'teach' us anything in a 'normal' manner, but we learned!  What an awesome concept.  I know first hand how this can work.  I can't wait to try this out.  (Is there someone who speaks Italian in Kokomo who would be willing to be my language helper?

The final training, KAIROS, helped me see God's plan for the world.  From the very beginning of time God has loved us and had a plan for salvation.  God's love is not just the Israelites, or just the Jews, not just the Christians, but the whole world.  We need to be making disciples of all nations for Him.

Now what?

I'm ready to go, right?  

Everyone asks me "when are you going?"  

I want to be like some friends of mine who just announced today the have their plane tickets bought!  This family of eight has believed in this calling, too and has been raising support since August 2011.  They now have all the people they need who are willing to send them.  I'd love to be like some other missionaries I've meet during these trainings who are already on the field where God has called them to serve.  

But ... I can't go ... yet.  I need to have 100% of my support committed before that can happen.  

How does the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) affect you?  As a Christian you are commanded make disciples of all nations, right?  Not everyone can physically go to the nations, but you could you help someone go.  Prayers for this mission are needed as well as money. Has God blessed you?  Did you know you can't out give God?  The Bible is clear in II Corinthians 9:6-15 saying, "...whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously."  "...God loves a cheerful giver."  "This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God." (vs 12)

If God is speaking to your heart to partner financially with this work in Italy, please let me know by emailing me at delliott@teamexpansion.org.   It's exciting to know 170 people have already committed to pray regularly for this mission.  If you are willing commit to pray for me on this journey, I need to know that, too.