Monday

So my team worked all weekend. They way they have it set up for our program is that we all work 3 days a week, usually 8 hours a day, to help cover room and board, and in turn, lowering the amount of support we have to raise. They have us all in different departments. Some are in dining (help serve guests meals, etc.), some are in housekeeping (cleaning all the rooms), conference services (setting up and tearing down for conferences), and then there's guest services, which I'm in. I'm mainly at the concierge desk...it's great b/c I'm able to interact with guests all the time. This too is looked at as a ministry opportunity...even though it's a Christian conference center, not all the people who work here, or pass through, are necessarily Christians.
Anyways, today we had a physical training session at 8am, then at 9:30 we had a session w/ a missionary who lived in Indonesia for numerous years. We were learning/discussing the Muslim faith. It was so interesting...I'm learning SO MUCH about different cultures and religions. The point he was trying to get across this morning was that we need to present an uncluttered and uncompromised Gospel...not brining our Western ways of thinking when we're crossing over cultural boundaries. We're meeting w/ him again tomorrow morning.
This afternoon at 3:30 we have our FONM (Fundamentals of Navigators Missions) class. We have this once a week...it's an in-depth Bible study on the development of ministry when partnering w/ the local church. The main focus is breaking new ground w/ unreached people groups...going into new places and starting new ministries. Most mission efforts touch people who are easiest to reach...Revelation 7:9-10 is a great summary of what we are striving for:
"After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white and held palm branches in their hands. And they were shouting with a mighty shout, "Salvation comes from our God on the throne and from the Lamb!"
I always thought that nations meant countries, but it's really people groups. There are approximately 12,000 people groups in the world. I think Revelation paints an amazing picture...really makesk me think.
Anyways, I could go on and on about all that I'm learning, but I'll stop here.

Thanks for your continued prayers and support!

Love,
Sheryle

Advance

This week we had 2 days off...yesterday and today. Monday and Tuesday were absolutely crazy! Our schedule was totally packed out, which is fine, but tiring. As most of you know, when I have free time I like to do stuff. So instead of resting and catching my breath, I decided to hike my first 14er. For those of you who don't know what those are, they're mountains that are over 14,000 feet. It was the coolest thing ever! If you click on the title (Advance) of this blog it will take you to the pictures.

Wilderness Trek

It's official, I'm now a resident of the beautiful state of Colorado. My mom drove out with me and flew back last Monday. I unpacked and organized as much as I could in one day, then we were off for a week long wilderness excursion. This week was supposed to stretch up to the limits physically, mentally, and spiritually...and that it did. I can honestly say that I've never been more challenged, especially physically, in my entire life! We slept out in the open under tarps (in case it rained), we carried all of our food, stoves, and gear on our back...we were crossing over rivers and streams on logs, jumping over, under, and around HUGE boulders. It was insane, but I loved every second of it...well, except for a few. :)
We learned how to use a compass and navigate from a topographical map...the terrain was crazy. We weren't following a trial, we were literally blazing our own. As I'm sitting here I'm trying to figure out a way to best depict how intense it was in words, but I don't think it's possible.
We got back to our home, even though it doesn't feel like home yet, on Saturday. So I've been trying to settle in here, but at the same time, explore my new surroundings.
We had some classes this morning, yes, on Labor Day, and thankfully have the rest of the day off. I know that this upcoming year is going to be crazy, no more, "I can do whatever I want, whenever I want" attitude. My life is no longer my own! :) They keep us extremely busy, which will be good. I'll try to do a better job of keeping this thing updated now that I have a home.
I miss all my Chicago peeps!

Sheryle