One of the key factors in missionary effectiveness and longevity on the field is a dynamic, effective orientation program. So many missionaries spend years of frustration trying to learn the language and adjust to the culture. While it is true that language and cultural learning is a lifetime process, this process can be streamlined and quickened if new missionaries go through an effective orientation program, that teaches them to avoid common pitfalls as well as how to adapt to any cultural or language environment. The majority of the information that is given is experiential, where the compounds and villages of Africa are the classroom, and the common
man/woman of Africa is the teacher. Our goal is to teach our participants how to learn from Africans and how to learn to ask the right questions. 40 days and 40 nights (or 40/40) is just that type of program. New missionaries to our region will be coming next week to go through this month long program. The first part of it will be in the capitol city of Lusaka, then we move to a rural setting in Petauke, the participants stay 3 nights with a Zambian family, and then we finish up at a lodge a little north of Lusaka.
As 40/40 is quickly approaching, I thought I would send out some prayer requests if you would like to participate in holding the ropes for this program, the participants, the staff, and all the helpers.
1-Arrival day is Oct. 22nd. Please pray for safe travel for all the participants and their children.
2-Pray for quick acclamation to the weather, time change, food, water, and sleeping conditions. Pray everyone will stay healthy throughout 40/40.
3-Pray for all the staff to be an encouragement to the participants. Pray for good rest, strength and endurance.
4-Each day the participants will be going out either in Lusaka or Petauke with a Zambian helper and doing daily field assignments. Pray that the helpers will take them to the best place and follow the assignment. Pray that each participant will learn from the helpers and the people they
interview to grow in their knowledge of African Culture.
5-There are 8 children this time(plus our two). Pray that the children will faithfully do their school work and also learn about African culture. Pray they will make lasting friendships with the other mk's. Pray for good attitudes. Pray the children will be well taken care of and feel secure, especially the younger ones. We have two babies and two preschoolers. It is sometimes tough for them to be away from mom and dad during the day.
6-Oct. 31st is the day that the participants will be going out and sharing Creation to Christ with our Zambian brothers and sisters. Pray that many will come to Know Jesus and that we can get them plugged into one of our Baptist churches.
7-Nov. 2nd the families will be going to a Zambian church with their helpers and eating with them. Pray for great learning experiences. Pray also that they will not get sick.
8-Nov. 3rd we all travel to Petauke. Pray for safe travel and quick
adjustment to living at camp.
9-Nov. 14th is the day that the participants will go for their home stays. Pray that each family, unit, and couple will have a great experience. Usually, this is what participants are most anxious about but it ends up being what they enjoy the best.
10-Nov. 17th Everyone travels to Ibis Gardens for a couple of days of debriefing and learning PILOT(language tool). Pray for safe travel as this is a very long day for them. Pray everyone will be healthy also. It is hard to be in a bus that long if you have to keep going to the bathroom.
11-Nov. 21st is departure day for most everyone. Pray for everyone as they travel home to have a safe trip. Pray that they will take all that they learned during 40/40 and apply it to where they will be.
We really would appreciate all those who will pray.
man/woman of Africa is the teacher. Our goal is to teach our participants how to learn from Africans and how to learn to ask the right questions. 40 days and 40 nights (or 40/40) is just that type of program. New missionaries to our region will be coming next week to go through this month long program. The first part of it will be in the capitol city of Lusaka, then we move to a rural setting in Petauke, the participants stay 3 nights with a Zambian family, and then we finish up at a lodge a little north of Lusaka.
As 40/40 is quickly approaching, I thought I would send out some prayer requests if you would like to participate in holding the ropes for this program, the participants, the staff, and all the helpers.
1-Arrival day is Oct. 22nd. Please pray for safe travel for all the participants and their children.
2-Pray for quick acclamation to the weather, time change, food, water, and sleeping conditions. Pray everyone will stay healthy throughout 40/40.
3-Pray for all the staff to be an encouragement to the participants. Pray for good rest, strength and endurance.
4-Each day the participants will be going out either in Lusaka or Petauke with a Zambian helper and doing daily field assignments. Pray that the helpers will take them to the best place and follow the assignment. Pray that each participant will learn from the helpers and the people they
interview to grow in their knowledge of African Culture.
5-There are 8 children this time(plus our two). Pray that the children will faithfully do their school work and also learn about African culture. Pray they will make lasting friendships with the other mk's. Pray for good attitudes. Pray the children will be well taken care of and feel secure, especially the younger ones. We have two babies and two preschoolers. It is sometimes tough for them to be away from mom and dad during the day.
6-Oct. 31st is the day that the participants will be going out and sharing Creation to Christ with our Zambian brothers and sisters. Pray that many will come to Know Jesus and that we can get them plugged into one of our Baptist churches.
7-Nov. 2nd the families will be going to a Zambian church with their helpers and eating with them. Pray for great learning experiences. Pray also that they will not get sick.
8-Nov. 3rd we all travel to Petauke. Pray for safe travel and quick
adjustment to living at camp.
9-Nov. 14th is the day that the participants will go for their home stays. Pray that each family, unit, and couple will have a great experience. Usually, this is what participants are most anxious about but it ends up being what they enjoy the best.
10-Nov. 17th Everyone travels to Ibis Gardens for a couple of days of debriefing and learning PILOT(language tool). Pray for safe travel as this is a very long day for them. Pray everyone will be healthy also. It is hard to be in a bus that long if you have to keep going to the bathroom.
11-Nov. 21st is departure day for most everyone. Pray for everyone as they travel home to have a safe trip. Pray that they will take all that they learned during 40/40 and apply it to where they will be.
We really would appreciate all those who will pray.
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