Focusing on November 8 - 11

Faith at the 2009 Church Planter's Institute
National Gathering near Mt Fuji.

I am facilitating a Personal Development and Discovery Center at the upcoming Japan Church Planter's Institute's 2011 National Gathering of missionaries and Japanese church planters from November 8-11.  The Center will provide opportunities for attendees to meet with counselors and coaches, as well as to elect to participate in seminars related to their well-being.

This is the third center with which I've been involved, the second I've been responsible to organize.  We have had wonderfully qualified staff each time.  This year I fully expect the center to be well utilized since most missionaries and Japanese church planters are dealing with an intensity of life following the disaster in March.

But in a year when missionaries in Japan have been so affected, and people around the world have been so much more aware of the needs of this country,why is it I have had a much more challenging time gathering the staff I had anticipated to attend? Two counseling centers that had sent multiple staff last time have opted not to come.  A few others I've contacted with the specialties I've been looking for have also not been able to commit to coming.  This doesn't mean I don't have staff, but I had anticipated the composition to look a little different.

I am expecting God to work in very precious ways with the staff I have. Three of the counselors are Japanese women who have been educated in the States, but are practicing in Japan now.  They have the benefits of being bilingual, and understanding cross cultural issues. One turns out to have particular training in trauma. Several of them have been volunteering with a relief agency for the past months, and see the needs of our constituency for rest and restoration. There is a bilingual coach with a specialty in Japanese cross cultural conflict issues. I also have a veteran mission psychologist who travels through Japan several times a year who will lend his experience and insight to the group.

The other day, when I got the news that another set of psychologists with experience in trauma couldn't make it, I believe God gave me the assurance that He is providing everything/everyone that we need.  I choose to be thankful, and look forward to watching Him work through this unique blend.

In addition to the counseling staff, we have two specialists to work with families. One is a speech and language therapist who has offered her time to come and do assessments for missionary families. These specialties are rarely available to families on the field, so this has already been well received. I am making appointments ahead of time for these.  Another is an education consultant, particularly for families that are from non-American education systems (countries of the Commonwealth, Europe, Korea, Brazil, etc.)

As you think of it over the next few weeks, please be praying for the work of this center.  Pray that those who are on the staff will have adequate rest and be prepared for their times of meeting with people.  Pray for three of us who will be leading seminars related to stress, restoration, and where we go from here in Member Care.

Thanks!
Faith