Mission Conference 2009

Last night we concluded this year's mission conference with a dinner held in our church activity center (Laurelglen Bible Church). This year's conference was a different experience for us because we're one of three couples and one man who are going out in international service this year.


It's comforting to know that we have our church behind us as we prepare to move to Kenya. One of the special moments of the evening came with the people who were sitting with us at our tables gathered around us to pray over us.

I had an opportunity to join some other "experienced" missionaries in giving some advice to those at the dinner who are going out long-term for the first time. While the other missionary speakers focused on good advice for new missionaries, I focused on advice for myself - things that I want to do better this time around than during our first term of service in Germany and England. I want to make more room in my life this time for relationships and relationship-building activities. The cultures of Kenya are relationship-oriented ones. Nothing significant gets accomplished unless the relationship is in place. Practically speaking, this means being prepared to invest time in conversation with others - not necessarily about work - and drinking a lot of tea.