Preparing for Cross Cultural Life & Ministry

“Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” Luke 12:7

On August 7, I drove up to Union Mills in the foothills of western North Carolina where I checked into Center of Intercultural Training (CIT) for a month.  CIT is a missionary training program that equips people for effective life and ministry cross-culturally. 

               

Adventures in Missions is a partner of CIT and requires their long term missionaries to go through the program before we launch onto our respective fields.  I found the pretty seclusive month to be quite restful.  I went to class with about 30 other overseas workers/missionaries everyday from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm with an hour lunch between. 

Our class was divided into 2 sections.  The first hour was dedicated to our “Heart of a Servant” section.  We discussed  a variety of 15 different topics from righteousness of God to Idolatry.  The purpose of the Heart of the Servant section worked through various theme statements.

              

The equipping portion of the class went over 23 various topics and unique stresses on the individual missionary and family. Topics we covered varied from transitions to spiritual warfare to team dynamics and conflict resolution to eventually, reentry back into our home culture. After this course, we have walked away with an awareness of subject areas we may encounter during our time on the field. 

         

Throughout the four weeks, we had various reflection papers to write answering the following questions.  So, I thought I would share my experience at CIT using the same rubric.

What was particularly beneficial to me?  

Learning about topics such as ethnocentrism and contextualization were particularly eye opening for myself.  Such topics have such depth; they make you see different culture groups with a different perspective.  I see what they talk about when they say there is a right and wrong way to living and working cross-culturally.  

What was unclear or unresolved? How do you plan to gain clarity?

The topics of spiritual warfare, folk religion, Truth, Social Context, Contextualization were all very interesting topics and I think are topics that I will continue to gain more clarity as I continue to seek the Father and learn.  I do believe there are some things that are learned from an on the field, cultural experience.

What, if any, are points of resistance or disagreement?

I don’t know if I would necessarily disagree or have resistance, but I appreciated the facilitators and addressing hard topics like: self care, marriage and singles across cultures, sexual purity and family matters.  They addressed some sensitive and personal topics for most people, but was so necessary to listen to and from there, take the information back to God and make your opinion about it with God.  It’s good to get that awareness before we get to the field so we are ready when Satan tries to attack us.

What impact will this topic/activity have on your mind or heart as you live and serve?

They spoke of “home culture” and “host culture”.  I never really used those wordings before but after the month at CIT, I have come to appreciate the terms.  There is a difference between my American/US culture and Nicaraguan culture.  I have to remember to always humble myself in every situation I walk into and lay my American/US culture aside when it comes to effectively building relationships and discipling people in the name of Jesus, for Jesus Christ.

*Bonus Questions*

What was the most benefit?

The whole course was a great time to learn and reflect personally and professionally.  What I found particularly beneficial was the team building activities and information on team dynamics.  Most people when they enter a ministry as a new missionary, forget that, most of the time, they are coming into an established ministry with established missionaries who have been on the field for years.  It was really good to hear real life experiences on how to enter a team well and how NOT to enter a team.  Respect is everything to me and I appreciated learning from those who have gone before me.

When I get to Nicaragua, I know now that the first 6 months will be a lot of culture and language learning.  I want to get to know my team and just be there willing to help THEM.  I want to walk into REAP with willing hands and feet to work together for a common purpose and goal: to make disciples for Jesus Christ and build & expand His Kingdom.

What was the hardest lesson?

A friend of mine that I met at CIT, used the word “deconstructed” once in a small group meeting, and man, did that really resonate with me as well.  For the first week at CIT, I was feeling conflicted, battling my mindstyle and trying to figure out “who I am”.  I also was trying to come to realization that I have to take off my athletic trainer identity in order to be fully present at CIT.  I found it hard in the first week of being at CIT when I realized it was my first time in 8 years I was not working pre-season football.  I came to realize that sometimes a deconstruction process is necessary for God to prune back the areas so more growth and character can develop.

What was the most eye opening?

 I think the most eye opening to me was the fact that I looked around and saw I was not alone.  And then I heard “raise up.”  God is raising up His missionaries and placing them where He wants them.  Please be praying for the hundreds, if not thousands, of missionaries, God is raising up to the nations (yes, that is including the U.S.A) to bring revival of His Kingdom to the world.

 

 

If He dresses the lilies with beauty and splendor, how much more will He clothe you? If He watches over every sparrow, how much more does he love you?

 

Thank you for reading and if you have any questions, want/need to chat, please reach out, I would love to have a conversation and pray with you.

Dios te Bendiga!