Candidate Seminar - Day 13

Day 13 has been filled with more excellent training. My brain is over full, and fortunately we get little breaks here and there. Russ Ebersol was the host for this evenings 80th anniversry dinner. Russ has been actively serving in ABWE for 54 years.

I'm amazed and encouraged that all of the veteran missionaries that I meet love what they do. There has to be some one that has gotten disgusted with ABWE and left, that can happen in even the best organization. Yet, all those who have received their award for 35 years or more of service say they feel honored to have been able to serve and wish they could do it all over again. Then there's Russ Ebersol, who is passionate about his work even after 54 years.

Dr. Kempton gave the banquet message. Dr. Kempton was president of ABWE for 36 years prior to the current president who has been in the post for 6 years. Having spent time in corporations and business, I'm stunned at how smoothly the leadership transition seems to have taken place, and who close the current and former president seem to be.

The pastor at my church, Dana Arledge, said that when we all come before Jesus Christ we have unity. I've seen that lived out during this week. A bunch of people, all unique from the other, having the deepest bond. It's Jesus that unites and binds us together in love.

Adam

Candidate Seminar - Day 12

Well, this today marks the end of my ABWE bass playing career. Such as it is. During the first week of Candidate Seminar the request was put out that they were looking for a bass player for the next week, did any one play bass. I said that I serve as a fill-in bass player or drummer at church.

So, off I went. I've never played that many songs. One song in the morning meeting, and then four in the PM session. We never repeated any either. I was in a little over my head.

In the picture, I'm standing, but after the first night I set up a little bass cubby hole, where I could sit safely in the background and keep my eyes on the charts or if I got completely lost, just stop playing.

Tomorrow night is the ABWE 80th Anniversary dinner, and then Friday is the Candidate Recognition service, so tonight was the last night for me to play bass. It was a lot of work, but it was a great opportunity. It made me want to own my own bass so I could practice and build some confidence.

Tonight the speaker was from Brazil. It's amazing to find out that the churches in Brazil have sent missionaries into Cuba and have a thriving work there. I feel like I'm way out of my league.

Each night they have been recognizing ABWE missionaries that have served for 20 25 or 30 years, and then a special award is given to those who have served for 35 or more. Some of these people sailed over on ships. One of the men that was getting his award for serving 30 years said that he never felt like a real missionary, and he was thankful that they let hang around for so many years. All of them expressed a joy and appreciation for having had opportunity to serve as missionaries through ABWE.

In the corporate world the veterans often are the ones who are more jaded or who have become embittered due to disappointments and changes. The veterans here are energizing and exciting. The couple tonight that was getting their 35 year award was in Togo and then somewhere in East Africa, then in Ghana West Africa. Three different languages. All because the mission needed their experience and skill as new fields of service were opening up or their help was needed. They are currently on furlough and are excited to be returning and have plans for when they get back.

What other job is there where the people are still excited about what they do after so many years. I know that there has to be people that don't like ABWE, and there are missionaries that are tired, lonely and depressed. Each one of the veterans that got up to receive an award could likely testify to hours of frustration and hardship, yet what energises them is when people come to put their trust in Jesus Christ and their lives are filled with hope and a new purpose. That must make even the hardest times worth while.

I'm sure I'll find out one way or another. I'm just sort of humbled to be in such company, and hope that it will be me up there in 30 getting to encourage the younger ones.

Adam

Candidate Seminar - Day 11

We continue each day with training on how to effectively communicate the teachings of the Bible. It has me energized, to approach some of my acquaintences and see if they would like to more about the Christian faith.

One of the speakers was from Ukrain. The Ukrain is in the CEEMed region where we will be serving. CEEMed stands for Center/Easter Europe and the Mediteranian. Pastor Pyotr and Tamara Rodoslavov from the Ukrain where on hand, and Pastor Pyotr spoke.

Amazingly, just 20 years ago in the Ukrain, many Christian churches were still meeting secretly in the woods and pastors had been placed in jail. Both Pastor Pyotr and his brother served prison terms for being Christians, and Pyotr's church was bulldozed down twice by the government.

Then laws were passed to provide freedom of religion. This presented unprecidented opportunity and challenge. It was about that time that an ABWE missionary, Michael Loftis (now president of ABWE), came to meet with Pastor Pyotr and others, offering to work with them in partnership. ABWe brought in fresh ideas and a process for planting more churches and tell many others about the hope of Jesus Christ. They were thrilled and agreed.

It takes time for a mission agency to mobilize a team of missionaries, but Pyotr and the other Chrisitans were to excited about the Lord Jesus Christ to wait for them. They took what they had learned from ABWE and started using it. Many many people were hungry for the hope that Jesus offers, and there were many that put their trust in Jesus. When the first ABWE missionaries arrived the work was already underway, and new churches were being started before enough pastors could be trained.

ABWE has helped this group with church planting and with training new pastors. What an exciting work. Such a thrill to see the truth of Jesus going forward all over the world.

Adam

Candidate Seminar - Day 10

Slept in a little today. Packed and oops.... I had used a cable lock to secure my laptop to the hotel desk. All week I had kept track of the key. Some days I even took my laptop with me to sessions. I didn't use my laptop much on Sunday, and also later realised I couldn't find the keys to the cable lock.

I thought, "Certainly it will turn up." We unpacked/repacked everything and dug through every inch of the car......no joy. So, I went to the front desk and borrowed a big pair of pliers, using them to cut my way through the cable. When we get home I'll have to get a locksmith to open the lock that is still locked onto the side of my computer.

We made our way toward Messiah College for the Missionary Enrichment Conference. The are sessions in the morning and evening in which pastors from countries all over the world are speaking about how God has blessed their congregations through the worked of ABWE. This is ABWE's 80th anniversary year. It's more than patting ourselves on the back. It's renewing (for some) and igniting for others an understanding of how the good news about Jesus Christ is being preached all over the world. ABWE missionaries have had the privilege to start churches in numerous countries. Now, in those same countries indigenous Christians are taking up the work of spreading the message and sending out missionaries. In other areas, like Central adn Eastern Europe, ABWE is working to support existing churches to grow and multiply. Also during Missionary Enrichment, the new appointees take part in Candidate Seminar II.

So, anyway, we got to Messiah college, registered, and found our dorm. It's everything that you would expect from a underclassman dorm. Brick walls, little beds, bathroom is down the hall. Marge and I are roommates, but we have to sleep in separate beds because we just wouldn't fit together in the little single beds. It's actually kinda fun.

Our room is right by the loading doc so Marge opened our window and had me hand all of our luggage through. It's weird to feel like I'm in college again, but it's also fun. Our Candidate Seminar workshop today was on Evangelism and Discipleship. It was challenging and informative.

Since this is Missionary Enrichment, there are active missionaries here that are on furlough, retired missionaries, and others. So in the evening we are all together and we heard from a pastor from Hong Kong and then a pastor from the Philippines.

I was asked last Saturday to fill in for the individual who originally was supposed to play bass guitar with the worship team. It was fun and quite challenging. It's been a good day, and right now marge is trying to sleep while I sit here typing.

Good night.

Adam

Candidate Seminar - Day 9

Today was a half day for us. We sang worship songs together and one of the ABWE staff encouraged us with a message from the Bible.

We had two training sessions: Missionary Family and Finding Your Niche.

Missionary Family.
There were some important encouragements from Ron Washer about protecting and nurturing your family at all times. ABWE leaders have stressed over and over how critical healthy marriages and families are to the mission. It's realy true for all believers: Our families are our first priority.

One caution they provided is that in the business of pre-field children can begin to feel marginalized. The encouraged us to purposefuly set aside a time for family to have fun together every week. We should guard it, and treet it as a critical committment. We've already set aside a night for Marge to have a break each week. Marge and I already make a point of spending special time with each of our children, but a set aside family fun night would be cool.

Finding Your Niche, was about the unique and important role of women in both the Bible accounts as well as in missions. The session also described how families can serve as an encouragement to single missionaries.

After lunch, Marge and I went for a short hike in a local state forest, and then had dinner at a steak restaurant. Later that night I practiced with the worship team that will be playing at Missionary Enrichment Conference.

Then it was about 9pm, and Marge and I still felt like doing something else for fun, but didn't want to go out anywhere. So we rented a DVD and watched it on the laptop. That was fun. We both needed to unwind.

Adam

Candidate Seminar - Day 8

Today the main session was on dynamic Bible teaching techniques. We also had other training sessions.

The sessionp on teaching techniques was excellent. The Bible is deap and rich, and I'm guilty of making it boring or relating it in a way that is not relevant to the listeners.

The "suprcultural" truth of scripture needs to be communicated in a way that is apropriate to the culture of the listener. The truth doesn't change, but the methods of delivering it do.

Any message, no matter how life changing, can be communicated in a way that is boring or even incomprehensable. It was challenging to learn techniques to communicate the life saving message of the Bible.

Adam

Candidate Seminar - Day 7

So, this was the big day. This was the day we gave our testimony before the ABWE board of directors. Then they had the opportunity to ask a few questions. We were nervous and excited before hand.

We didn't have much doubt that we would be appointed, but this was the final step. The board of directors are a great group of men and women. They love the Lord and they love missions. They also take their role very seriously.

So, we did our thing, and then waited in the hall for about 10 min. while they discussed and took their vote. We happy to say that they approved us, appointing us to the Czech Republic.

Marge and I took another nap that evening and then went to do laundry. There was a sense of elation and joy that quietly stole over me. I feel that I am right where god wants me.

Adam

Candidate Seminar - Day 6

The bulk of this day was the DiSC assessment and discussion. DiSC assesses each persons personality type and the ways in which a personality type interprets and reacts to others. It also points to each personality type's expectations, what energises and stresses.

It was very acurate and informative. Frankly, I can see that a lot of conflict is based on different personality types misunderstanding each other.

The results of the assessment will help the other member of the team understand who we are.

The afternoon sessions were led by Brad Winkler. He is our point of contact for our Pre-Field ministry. He spoke on strategies and building a pre-field team.

We were done by 7:20 that night and that gave us an opportunity to get ourselves organized for our Friday board interviews and get a few extra hours of sleap.

Adam

Candidate Seminar - Day 5 - Afternoon

There were several more informative training sessions, and then Marge and I raced back to the hotel to grab a 45 nap. It was a beautiful thing.
At 4pm, we met with their educational team. We've been assigned a number of Bible courses that we will need to take during pre-field.

I'm looking forward to it.

In the evening we had dinner with the other people who are planning on serving in Central and Eastern Europe. It was a fun evening. These are enjoyable people with a fun sense of humor.

As I was sitting at dinner, it struck me that I really like this bunch of people. I think this is really going to happen. It made me a little nervous. Can this really be happening? Are Marge and I really stepping out in faith?

Adam

Candidate Seminar - Day 5 - Morning

This is becomming a test of endurance. I haven't had a chance to get much exercise, and each day's sessions are about 10 to 11 hours. An hour for lunch and an hour for dinner are included, and there are little five and ten min. breaks too. During the time when interviews are taking place, we've had 30 min or an hour of open time also.

For example, today we have a two hour block of open time. Marge and I are planning on taking a nap.

The days are getting long though, and I'm really stiff from all of the sitting. I found a storage room during the last break to try and do a little stretching, and i stood during the last 30 min.

I you are praying for us, please pray that God will help me deal with the pain and stiffness that i get when I spend this much time sitting.

First, there was more discussion on "personal sanctification". Basically, identifying specific areas in your life that don't measure up to what the Bible describes, and making a committment to improve. It really is important that I continuously seek to improve how I live. It's my desire to please God more and more, because I love Him. The more I strive to please Him, the more I enjoy my relationship with Him, and the effort involved in serving God.

Then at 8:30 we started the financial policy and practice class. They covered some of this at a high level yesterday, but today we get more detail. It's very important, because ABWE (and Marge and me) are dedicated to the highest level of integrity in handling finances. ABWE is very strict, and I apreciate it.

So this class is a little tedious, but highly important.

Adam

Candidate Seminar - Day 4 - Interviews & evening program

Marge and I where interviewed by the consulting MD and their consulting Phd level psychologist and his wife. They were both probing and insightful.

We had time off to just hang around, but we visited the media department with questions about software, and such.

In the evening we heard presentations on more areas of the world in which ABWE is at work. It was powerful to see. Many people in nations all over the world are discovering hope in Jesus Christ.

Candidate Seminar - Day 4 - Brad Winkler

Brad winkler is the ABWE Director of Prefield Ministries

Prefield Ministry is a time of study, preparation and raising support. Raising support isn't just about getting churches to committ finances, but it is also a time to visit churches and encourage them.

Prefield also includes online Bible study courses, Langauge Aquisition training, and other training programs.

Most importantly, there is the aspect of gathering together Christians who are willing to pray.

Adam

Candidate Seminar - Day 4 - Spence Jackson

Spence Jackson spoke on The Missionary and Financial Management.

Everyone hates to talk about money, but money is required to go to the field and serve, and money is needed for resources to do the work of the mission. Jesus said a lot about money.

Spence did a great job, providing an over on managing money in a Biblical and responsible way.

Candidate Seminar - Day 4 - Bill Piearson

Bill Pierson is the vice president of ABWE. He has been with the mission for 39 years. So many of these guys have been here for many years. Some missionaries quit after a short time, but I get the impression that the mission works so hard at caring for their people, that people tend to stay.

Mr. Pierson gave an introduction to missionary finances. He made an emphasis on being transparant and fully disclosing our financial dealings with those who support us. He also made it clear that he wants us to understand the financial dealings/policies of the mission and can agree with them.

He went on to describe how our finances and support would be structured. It was very helpful.

Candidate Seminar - Day 4 - Early Morning

Our morning devotional was by Po Wong Yeung. He was born in China in a family that worshiped idols and ancestors. At the age of four his family moved to Hong Kong. As a young teen he met a missionary from ABWE by the name of Bill Commons. He said that it wasn't the knowledge of the missionaries or the truth of the Bible that atracted him to Jesus, but the humility and love of the missionaries.

He became a follower of Jesus Christ, and went on to become an ABWE missionary, planting churches in Hong Kong, and later among Chineese communities in Canada.

Then the first class was by Dr. David Smith. He talked to us about developing a Personal Ongoing Sanctification Project. His Bible text was from the Old Testament Bible book of Ezra. It says that Ezra set his heart to Study the Word of God, apply it to his life, and teach it to others. Dr. Smith pointed out that "setting your heart" on something speaks of the following
*A deliberate conscious choice
*It implies forthought, planning, and preparation
*Set or fix suggests the idea of diligence or whole-hearted devotion to something, involving you emotions and will.

He noted that we must be purposeful about studying and applying the Bible, if we hope to authentically teach it to others.

Each of us where given a challenge to study and apply the Bible to our daily lives. Simple day-to-day application could be in our driving habits, attitudes, money, escapes/comforts, and pleasures, food, and computer use, etc.

Other areas include broken or strained relationships. That cut me to the quick. I know that there are people that may be upset with me. They are upset with me due to something that I did which I believe was the right and moral thing to do. However 12:14 says, “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. . .” So the right thing for me to do is also to make every effort to restore peace to those relationships.

I'm sure that I could also improve my parenting.

We have today to brainstorm some areas of application and then he is going to explain a practical method for following through with changes in our lives.

Candidate Seminar - Day 3

Today the first speaker was Ken Nichols. He spoke on A.L.I.V.E. or Always Living In View of Eternity. The essential thought is that what we do in this life has eternal consequences (either good or bad) and we should make our decisions based on that.

A saying he kept repeating is this:
*God's WORD (the Bible) influences my perspectives
*Perspective influences response
*Response influences outcome 100% of the time

If we are students of the Bible, knowing it, internalizing it, living by it, then our perspective will be from God's view point. We will still encounter troubles and pain, but our response will be more healthy and strong, because we are trusting in God.

Later, ABWE's former president spoke on Ethics. He came down hard. In his opinion, the #1 most common sin among Christians is lying. He said that, "the temptation to lie comes when the truth seems too expensive". We were encouraged to always be truthful regardless of the cost.

In the afternoon we were interviewed by
*The Regional Administrator for Central/Eastern Europe & Mediteranian
*The consultant who will help us with our children's education while on the field
*The director of Finance
*The director of Pre-Field ministry

Everyone of them sincerely assured us that they are here to help us in any way they can. They want to help us during pre-field work and once we are on the field of service. They really mean it. I think most, if not all, of them are also supported by churches. Even the president of ABWE is a missionary whose income is provided by the gifts of churches and individuals.

When they say ABWE is a team, they really mean it.

After dinner we saw presentations on the work that is being done in Central/Eastern Europ, Mexico/Central America, and USA. Yes, ABWE sends missionaries to the USA too.

It was so very moving to hear how God is at work in these areas. I'll have to write more about that later. Right now it's time to leave the hotel and start day 4.

These are 10 hour days, but they are full of rich times.

Adam

Candidate Seminar - Day 2

A full and heart moving day. We started at 7:30 this morning and finished up about 9pm.

This morning started out with singing in worship to God. The worship speaker spoke on God's strength to accomplish God's work even in the face of our weekness. It really caught my attention, because I'm sitting in a room with other candidates who seem far more qualified. It's good to remember that God will equip Marge and I to do the work that he has for us.

Dr. Loftis spoke on the vision and values of ABWE. In the typical corporate business environment that would be where I would mentally check out, but at ABWE their vision and values truely drive all that they do. I'm so impressed with the passion and dedication of the men and women who serve in the leadership.

After lunch we spent time learning about ABWE's Education programs and there media department. After dinner we were given presentations on the work being done in Africa, Spanish speaking South America, and Portugease speaking South America. It's exciting to see so many are comming to receive the hope of Jesus Christ.

Tomorow we have some interviews with various people. I really don't feel ready, but I think that God will provide.

Adam

Candidate Seminar - Day 1

Well.....

Something that I ate at Bob Evan's didn't agree with my stomach. So consequently this morning I was feeling a bit under. We soldiered on as they say, but I took a pass on breakfast.

The morning started with some general housekeeping items, and a welcome, and then we launched into testimonies. Marge and I were first on the list, and we got through within the six min. time limit. It is so important to learn how to be brief and to the point.

There are all ages from a couple in their 60s to those in the mid 20s. Over and over there was a theme of coming to a point of surrender to whatever God wanted them to do which was followed by peace and direction. Many spoke of God "touching their lives" or of God's "hand" on their lives. I sat and wondered how I would explain such talk to my friends and acquaintances who are believers. Listening past the words what I heard was people having a vital, on-going, life changing interaction with the true and living God. It is at once intimate, awe inspiring, nurturing and humbling.

Many also spoke of being nervous about how things would turn out, but also trusting God to provide for what was needed. One of the speakers read this verse from the Bible, "Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it." The "He" is God, and He is indeed faithful.

Dr. Kempton, the former ABWE president, got up to pray for us and comitt us to God. Before he prayed he said, "I rejoice in how God has invaded your lives." That got my attention, because invasion typically has a negative conotation, but in this case it was to redirect us. I wasn't thinking missions when we got the desire to pursue it. It's the best thing we have ever done, and I believe that it is God's prompting that brought us here.

It's remarkable how ordinary everyone in the room is. No especially remarkable people. I'm nobody special. We've just said yes to the call, and trust God to equip us for the work at hand.

Before lunch we took a tour. After lunch the current ABWE president, Dr. Loftis, spoke on what the Bible teaches on missions. There were some presentations on how the mission agency is organized, and then the Administrator for Western Europe presented the work ABWE is doing there. He gave special emphasis on the challenge of reaching a Post-Modern society.

After dinner, the director of missionary care spoke on the importance of moral purity.

Then it was 8:30 and time to go get some sleap. I went for a quick bike ride,even though it was getting dark. I didn't last long in the growing dusk, especially since I was getting pelted with all kinds of bugs. Nice hills though, and I'm hoping that I can get a ride in tomorow AM.

Later,

Adam

Candidate Seminar - 3,2,1,LAUNCH!

This really started shortly after we returned from our survey trip. Marge started making the various arrangements for the children, I arranged a person to watch the house, etc. The July 4th, we finished all of our packing, then watched the fire works. The next day (5-July) I rode my bike to work, and Marge packed the car, put our mail on hold, and ran other errands.

She came by the office at 3pm with the bike rack on the car and the children literally buried in the back seat with pillows and things we needed to take with us. The children thought it was fun. I loaded my bicycle on the car and we drove the hour to my sister and brother in law's house in LaGrange, IN.

Later we drove the 20 min. from their to my parents house where we spent the night. It was encouraging to sit and talk with mom and dad, and finally when it got to be about 11pm we realised that we had to call it a night.

This morning after spending breakfast (8:30am) with my parents we struck off on I-80 to the Ohio Turnpike. We only stopped once briefly for gas and a beverage, planning on holding out until we crossed into the Pennsylvania border before we ate lunch. For those of you that are internet junkies, all of the Ohio Turnpike Service areas have WIFI. We didn't stop long enough, otherwise I would have posted a blog entry then.

Once across the PA border we got off the PA Turnpike at Beaver Falls, and stopped for lunch about three miles off the turnpike at Matty Goff's Cafe. It will a little spot with a basic menu of steak and eggs, burgers, sandwiches, Lo Mein, and even Lumpia (delicious Philipino food). It was affordable and friendly and sure beats McDonalds.

We arrived at the hotel in Harrisburg at 7:45 pm. We are a little beat, but are getting unpacked before we go out to grab a late dinner. Tomorow things start in ernest. We are both a little nervous and excited. God is kind to allow us to pursue this path in our lives.

Adam

Now What Are We Doing?

Our next step is to attend two conferences, which are fortunately back to back.

1. Candidate Seminar is the final "gate" through which we must pass before being appointed as ABWE missionaries to the Czech Republic.
2. Missionary Enrichment. It is a training and enrichment seminar for newly appointed and also experienced missionaries. We will be attending sessions on how to have a successful Pre-Field ministry and also how to stay emotionally and spiritually healthy while everything is going on.

We leave Friday morning and in the mean time are getting the kids ready to go and making all the arrangements that we made just a couple of weeks ago. It feels crazy to pack up and leave all over again, but this is the last big step before we enter pre-field.

You wouldn't believe all of the little things that need to get done. One thing is that I don't own a suite coat any more. It's just one of those things that we left out of our budget. It isn't required for church any more, and I don't need it for work, so I didn't buy one. So, Wednesday, Marge and I went suit coat shopping. We bought a black blazer, which was way nicer than any of my threadbare pants, so we purchased pants as well.

Thursday, a friend of mine offered to take me shopping for a laptop. The practicle side of me still wonders why I can't go into missions without owning a laptop and a projector. That said, they are considered required tools. Those to expenditures alone can hold a missionary couple back from starting their support raising.

Well, praise God, I have the laptop. I'm sure God will supply whatever else we need.

Then we lined up some one to watch the house, who will be taking care of the children, put a stop on the mail. It's all coming together. Marge is doing much of the preparation, but once we get in the car, I do the driving and she relaxes, reads or we just chat.

We're nervous and excited.

Adam