To Mississippi and Back

In just two short days, I am headed to Memphis, Tennessee for Pre Field Orientation (PFO). PFO is a 2-week time of preparation and training for overseas ministry, designed for new and NICS staff members. There will be around 100 participants, 100 volunteers and 40+ staff members.

Here I will get to meet some of the team members I will be living and working in Bolivia with, as well as the director of my new school (we have met before, but only through Skype). PFO will be a time to join together in worship and prayer as a community and prepare for the transition of teaching overseas through small groups, interactive panels and professional development. We will be examining our individual strengths and limitations as related to working in community, learning more about the country we’ll be working in, studying the unique characteristics of students who grow up in an international setting and considering how to effectively teach Christianity in an international setting. And of course, having fun! There will be ample opportunities to hang out and get to know others through various activities, such as the ending talent show. Plus, every PFO participant gets a free T-shirt! :)

I am looking forward to this time of meeting new “family” and making close friendships. Also, I get to travel to PFO with one of my close friends, Charissa, who will be teaching with NICS in the Middle East. Charissa and I first became friends in Spring of 2006 on a 12 hour van ride to Portland, Oregon. We were headed there with several other college students for a mission trip. We instantly found common ground in our shared desire to one day teach overseas! Since that time our lives have seem to run a parallel course. We were in the education program at Idaho State University during the same time, even having some classes together; we student taught at the same time; graduated at the same time; attended the same job fair where we both discovered NICS; got jobs teaching in the same school district at the same time; and now we are both headed off at the same time, through the same organization, to teach overseas in different countries! Isn’t God amazing? It is just like him to provide such a friendship in this journey. I am deeply grateful for Charissa as it has been so encouraging and comforting to know someone close to me is walking through the same life changing steps that I am. At times our chattiness during college classes (a college professor once actually asked us to find separate seating during a class!) and school district meetings has gotten us in trouble, and I fear it could be the same at PFO. But I don’t think I would want it any other way! :)

I would love your prayers while I’m at PFO over the next 2 weeks (June 24-July 5). Please pray that:

·      I would build close friendships with my new team members

·      God would continue to prepare my heart to transition overseas

·      I would gain skills to help me become a more effective teacher

·      God would be glorified during this time of gathering together and focusing on Him