Missions Training

We consider volunteers as ‘missionaries’ when they commit to staying with Living Hope for longer than 18 months. Those people not only come and make South Africa home for that time, but they also become a more “permanent” fixture in Living Hope’s support system as they assume key roles. There are six of such volunteers here now: Danielle, Melanie, Joey, Courtney, Natasha, and myself. Part of Natasha and my goals for 2011 is to periodically get this bunch together (not including our regular weekly gathering open to all volunteers) and invest in each other. The past two days, the six of us spent most of each day at our home to do leadership/discipleship training. We incorporated the Gallup StrengthsFinder (ref Living Your Strengths book), Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, Erwin McManus’ Character Matrix, and what the Bible says about spiritual gifts. It was an intense couple of days. As we initially reflect on the time together, we are encouraged to have learned more about each other in community – what great people we are surrounded by! We have also identified some positive areas where each of us can maximize our talents, abilities, and giftings for the Lord in 2011. In short, it was a great pep talk to kick off the New Year!