Training at Mission Headquarters

We boarded a plane last weekend and I realized it was our seventh trip this year with the kids.  That means we've averaged one trip per month, and our kids are quite used to plane rides.  They're not always gems to travel with.  In fact, we never look forward to flying with our kids.  But we've got a workable routine for getting in/out of the airport smoothly, car seats and all, and we keep a steady supply of fruit snacks and M&Ms available at all times to pacify the cranky toddler and disagreeable preschooler when necessary.  So we've flown a lot and traveled a lot this year.  It's been exhausting and rewarding, but all in all we're thankful this current trip is our last until Baby Horn #3 arrives in a couple months.

So where are we now?  We're in Marion, IN, for a week of training at our mission headquarters.

World Gospel Mission is based here and we're attending a required training called Orientation Camp.  We've been covering a variety of topics such as team dynamics, cultural adaptation, maintaining a healthy marriage on the mission field, soul care, trends in missions, and security while serving on the mission field.  We've been learning a lot and enjoying the fellowship of other missionaries, both those who have yet to go (like us) and those who've been serving a long time already.  We even had the chance to visit a few retired missionaries this afternoon and it was incredibly encouraging to hear from those who've gone before and who served decades on the mission field and are still as passionate and joyous about Jesus and missions as they were back then.  It's been an enriching week for us!

Our kids have done exceedingly well despite being off their normal routine and not getting enough sleep.  (None of us get enough sleep when we travel.)  WGM provides childcare for these training events and we could not be more grateful.  The Abbott Center, where we stay and do the training on site, has a play room full of toys and books and movies that have kept our kids entertained every day.  There's also a playground outside they've enjoyed.  It's been such a blessing!

So we've had a busy but fulfilling week.  We have a half-day of training tomorrow, then the week will be done and we'll be one step closer to Africa!