After spending most of this month listening to fellow MAF
missionaries and field experts on life overseas, I feel more excited than ever
to leave for Costa Rica with my family in just a few weeks.
Our family and five other families made up this year’s orientation
class for fall 2012. At times, Tony and I felt a bit old, as several of the
couples were half our age. However, their maturity and love for the Great
Commission surpassed many of their peers. After openly discussing their
personal stories and listening to their devotion as they persevered through
adversity, our hearts became knitted together as they also heard us share the
struggles and challenges we’ve faced since joining MAF.
Some of the topics and issues that were addressed during our
8-5 schedule were: Spiritual Warfare, Serving in a Multi Cultural Team, Embracing
Your Adopted Culture, Helping Your Missionary Child Thrive, Grief & Loss,
Coping with Stress, and many other valuable themes worthy of discussion. My
favorite seminar was when MAF invited, Nate Hamlin, a licensed marriage and
family counselor, to teach the couples how to solve conflict successfully and
respectfully. The rich discussion and
honest discourse that took place during the two days made husbands as well as
wives feel more confident in serving together in a foreign culture.
As a result of concluding training and cross-cultural
orientation, MAF commissioned all of us last week. It was a day I will soon not
forget as it felt like a graduation day of sorts. All the families were introduced
during chapel and Vice President, Dave Fyock, gave a moving speech on Proverbs
4:23, Above all else, guard your heart,
for it is the wellspring of life.
The special ceremony ended with a prayer of thanksgiving and gratitude
to the Lord for His love and faithfulness in all the He has been able to do in
us and through us.
Tony and I would like to thank so many of you for sustaining
us through prayer and support. We could not have reached this important
milestone if it were not for our family and friends who have stood by us every
step of the way.
-For for Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To him be the
glory forever. Amen. Romans 11:36
 |
| Melissa, Laura, Tony and Dave Fyock at Commissioning Ceremony |
 |
| Prayer Dedication |
 |
| Marriage Seminar in Boise, ID |
 |
| Orientation- Fall 2012 |
