We are currently on the second day of training at the AFM training center. So far we are learning how to study the Bible in depth, how to manage our calendar online and how to adapt to a different culture. Some of this feels very familiar from our time in China but there are other things that are new and exciting. They have warned us that it gets more and more intense as time goes on and they plan to push and stretch us to help us learn how to deal with the pressures of living as missionaries in a different culture. We’re very excited to see what all will lie ahead for us in this intensive learning experience. Samuel and I just feel very focused. We really want to use this time to become professional missionaries. Which sounds kind of odd, at first. I don’t think we are used to thinking of this pathway as being a professional one.

Everyone is a missionary in one capacity or another, some people do small things throughout their week. I have such great respect for people that are able to minister that way. I really think that it’s the most difficult way to minister. It’s so easy to get stuck in a rut doing what needs done everyday and skip the small ways that God allows us to minister for him. On a side note, about six months ago, I read a wonderful book called “Surprise the World”. I really feel that everyone who wants to work for God should read this book. It really helps to know a practical way that you can reach out to people and start your own non-professional ministry. Some people are very outgoing and are able to draw people to them without trying and start really great ministries; all outside of earning their living in a standard 9-5 job. Hats off to those people as well.

But we are professional missionaries. What does this mean? It simply means that we have the profound honor of studying to be missionaries as our full-time job. And we really couldn’t do it without you. We are so intensely grateful for the partnership that you have honored us with that has enabled us to do this as our profession. We are working hard in our training to learn everything we can to be the best possible workers for God that we can be in another country. We’ll be keeping you updated as we progress. We can’t wait to start using what we’ll be learning in a real-life experience. God blessings to you, we pray for you everyday.

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