P.A.T.H. Training • day (eight)

P.A.T.H. Worldview & Animism module

We have just completed the first module of our P.A.T.H. training. We've spent the past three days looking at Animism, Syncretism and Worldview in Intercultural and cross-cultural context. These sessions were brought to us by John Cosby, whom you have met in one of the vLogs (video blogs). We have all very much enjoyed all of the teaching that we have received in these sessions. I am very sorry that they have come to an end. We had a lot of great conversation and interaction in the classroom and discussed some very practical and important issues faced by missions and the church. We unfortunately were short on time and had only the opportunity for a brief look into Animism, John will be returning again prior to the end of the training, so we'll have opportunity to learn under his teaching again.

There is a lot of discussion about Worldview these days, determining just what that means is a key to the task. The principles, that we have been studying here are biblical, sound methodologies with a focus on missions. However, the ideas and principles behind Worldview Teaching (and understanding) are pertinent and applicable to everyday life and evangelism on a personal level.

It's a great start to training, the bar has been set high to be sure. We're both looking forward to whatever comes next.

P.A.T.H. Training • day (six)

P.A.T.H. Training • day (five)

Our first Sunday at P.A.T.H., we will be having service together as trainees and staff each Sunday. The men will be responsible to prepare one (or more) messages to share over the course of the eight weeks.

Each trainee is assigned a mentor, Liz and I met with ours yesterday, a couple from Southern California who work with a mission in Northern British Columbia. We will have meetings with them over the next eight weeks as they share their experiences with us.

After lunch we met in the P.A.T.H. classroom for an orientation class. In the evening was the 'family fun bash' which was several ice breakers and get to know you games. We had a casual meeting in the dorm with the other trainees to discuss some of the 'housekeeping' issues. It is a part of the P.A.T.H. leadership training program that the trainees are responsible to organize dish crew and cleaning in the dorm.

Today will be our first day of classes, should be interesting!

P.A.T.H. Training • day (four)

Well folks, we've arrived. Today Pat and Roan Elford escorted us to Nipawin Bible College where we've begun to settle in. It's going to be a very interesting eight weeks!

P.A.T.H. Training • day (two)

Yesterday we traveled from Cumberland Bay, New Brunswick to Prince Albert Saskatchewan. Len and Lorrayne Breen drove us to Moncton in the camp truck with all the luggage and Pastor Mitchel Foley drove the Strout family in their van. We flew from Moncton to Toronto with a three hour layover at Pearson. We arrived in Saskatoon at about 8:30pm (Atlantic Time) and were greeted by Gary and Ardys Winger. After a brief supper we then drove the nearly two hours to Prince Albert. We were greeted with open arms by the Reimer family, and have enjoyed staying in Lydia Goede's apartment during our short stint in PA. We were also greeted by an armed standoff that was just concluding across the street from the Reimer's home. Although somewhat concerning, it posed no immediate problems for us.

We spent the day today picking up some necessities before we head off to Nipawin to begin our training!

We've arrived!

Well, it was a full day, and we have arrived safe and sound. We had smooth travels, there were no delays and the kids seemed to enjoy the adventure, they were great! We arrived in Saskatoon at 5:30pm local time and were met by Gary and Ardys Winger with a 15 passenger van pulling a trailer for our luggage! We had a quick bite and were off once again for Prince Albert. We will spend the next couple of nights here and be off to Nipawin on Saturday. I'll touch base tomorrow with an update of our day tomorrow!

We have just found out that there are still some difficulties with P.A.T.H. and accommodations for about 7 days of the training. It seems that the Bible School will be unavailable for these times and we will need to vacate the property for both classes and living. This is a discouragement, and we are hopeful that there will soon be some clarity and completion of plans for these meetings.