Thanks so much to my supporters! I am currently in the middle of of the SPLICE training program at Missions Training International. This is one of the first tangible steps into the missions field, so it is particularly exciting to see the plans of the last few years starting to come to fruition. It is encouraging to spend time with 45 other people from different organizations headed to different parts of the world to serve. The community of missionaries is a crucial part of the preparation training in the SPLICE program. MTI is located in Palmer Lake, Colorado. This is a beautiful setting for prayer and meditation as we prepare our hearts and minds to embark into cross cultural ministry. Although it can be hard to find the time in the midst of lectures I was encouraged by God's creation yesterday on this brief hike:
It is interesting to see the ice progress across the lake and hear the unusual sound of cracks running through. I am not terribly fond of the ice. There is an old rope swing too far from the water as the lake has receded. I prefer to see the perfect reflection of the trees across the lake rather than this frosty sheet. So as the ice visibly progresses I am reminded of Death, the encroaching death unto resurrection Paul meditates on in 1 Corinthians 15. This theme is relevant to our missions training, not only as it relates to our death with Christ, but also in the death of many habits, false ideas, expectations, and identities as one grows into a new culture.
